US2650027A - Keyboard interlock - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1953 H. T. AVERY KEYBOARD INTERLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1951 INV ENTOR haro/d T Avery BY M7;

Aug. 25, 1953 H. T. AVERY 2,650,027

KEYBOARD INTERLOCK Filed May 5 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FLE E INVENTOR flaw/d Z" A very Patented Aug. 25, 1953 KEYBOARD IN TERLOCK Harold T. Avery, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Marchant Calculators, Inc., a corporation of California Application May 5, 1951, Serial No. 224,706

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to calculating machines having a key-set keyboard such as disclosed in the Patent No. 2,216,659, issued October 1, 1940, and has particular reference to improved mechanisms for preventing clearance of any selected orders of the keyboard either by the keyboard clear key or by the automatic clearing mechanism. The invention also contemplates the provision of means for overcoming the clearance preventing means to cause clearance of any one or more orders of the keyboard or to clear the entire keyboard.

Values are introduced in a key-set calculating machine by depressing selected value keys which are retained in depressed position and then automatically released as an incident to a single cycle actuation of the numeral wheels initiated by the plus or minus keys. The entire keyboard may also be cleared by a master keyboard clear key, or an erroneously depressed value key may be released either by depressing another value key in the same column or by depressing a column clear key.

According to the present invention a factor is locked in the keyboard by holding a combination clear or lock key in depressed position while the value which is to be locked is entered into the keyboard after which the clear or lock key is released. This disables the keyboard release mechanism with respect to the locked value keys so that neither the subsequent depression of the clear or lock key nor the operation of the automatic release mechanism is effective to release the locked keys.

After a factor is locked in the keyboard other value keys may be depressed, these keys being merely latched in depressed position and adapted to be released by the keyboard clear or lock key, or by the automatic release mechanism during a calculation, while retaining the constant factor in locked condition.

It will be evident that a single depression of the clear or lock key serves first to release the keys which have been merely latched in depressed position, and additionally, to lock the value entry keys which are depressed while the clear or lock key is held depressed. Ordinal clear keys are provided which release a key from either latched or locked condition and a master unlock key is provided to release all of the keys regardless of whether they are in latched or locked condition.

A factor may also be locked in the keyboard by holding the values keys in depressed position during a single addition or subtraction operation, thus disabling the keyboard clear mecha- 2 nism to prevent release of these keys during subsequent additions or subtractions as is described hereinafter.

A main object of the invention is to improve the factor locking mechanism of a calculating machine.

Another object is to release a locked factor by depressing a master unlock key.

Another object is to unlock selected orders of a locked factor by depressing respective ordinal clear keys.

Still another object is to lock a factor in the keyboard by holding the values keys in depressed position during a plus or minus calculation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a right side View showing the rightmost order of the keyboard together with the keyboard clear or lock key and related mechanisms.

Fig. 2 is a right side view ShOWiIlgan ordinal clear key and a fragment of the key section associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is a right side view showing the unlock key and associated devices.

Fig. 4 is a right side view showing a value entry key and the clear or lock key in depressed position with mechanism operable by these keys to disable the ordinal clearing mechanism for the depressed value entry key.

Fig. 5 is a right side view of the plus and minus keys and associated devices for operating the keyboard clearing mechanism.

Value entry mechanism The value entering mechanism includes ordinal rows of keys I00 (Fig. 1) and associated mechanisms, one order of which is shown, and by means of which the numeral wheel actuators (not shown) are adjusted in accordance with the values selected. Briefly, the depression of a key I00 moves an associated ordinal selection bar I20 toward the right a number of increments corresponding to the value of the key depressed, the bar I20 rocking a lever I32 counterclockwise a proportional amount and through a gear segment I38 rotating a factor indicator numeral Wheel I40 to display the value selected. At the same time, a second gear segment I 39 on lever I32 rotates a gear I5! to set an actuator adjustment control mechanism in accordance with the value selected.

In each order the keys I00 are mounted for up and down sliding movement in a channel frame IOI (see also Fig. 2) fixed to the transverse machine frames I08 and I69. A latching slide ill similar to a slide bearing the same reference number in the Patent No. 2,216,659, and urged to the right by a spring l I8, is provided with each row of keys for holding a key in depressed position. A lug H6 is formed on each keystem N33 for cooperation with the slide and when a key is depressed the lug first moves the slide toward the right against the tension of spring H8 until the lug is depressed below the slide, whereupon the slide snaps back over the lug and holds the key depressed.

The depression of a key Hi moves a selection bar I (Fig. 1) toward the right by an amount representative of the value of the key, the bar being suspended from the channel frame Hit by means of parallel links I28 and I29 and having ten V shaped notches I30 terminating in U shaped notches 13: adapted to receive the bottoms of the keystems. The spacing between adjacent notches I3] is slightly less than the spacing between the keystems with each notch I?! lying spaced a number of increments from its keystem corresponding to the value of the key; therefore, depression of the number 1 key, through impingement of the key upon the rightrnostshoulder of the V shaped notch I31}, cams the selection bar I20 one increment toward the right, while depression of the 9 key cams the selection bar nine increments toward the right. The latching or" a key depressed position by the latching slide l 'il causes the bottom of the keystern to hold the selection bar in its adjusted position, and through mechanism includin gear Hi, the bar I20 adjusts an actuator associated therewith in accordance with the value of the key depressed.

An erroneously depressed key I!!!) may be released by depression "of another value key 1 to 9 in the same row thus causing the lug H6 of the second key to move the latching slide ill toward the right to effect release of the erronecuslydepressed key before latching down the second key. The zero key I00 (Fig. 2) also carries a lug H6 for moving the slide Ill to its release position but this key cannot be latched in depressed position since the slide Ill carries 'a downwardly bent lip H9 which extends below the top of the lug 1 l6 of the zero key even when the latter is in depressed position thus preventing the slide from snapping back over the lug. The'zero key [09 therefore serves only to release any depressed key in its respective order. The value keys 1 to 9 are released from the latching slides Ill during actuation initiated by the plus and minus keys, as is explained hereinafter.

The parts bearing the reference numerals Hill to Hi and 146 to 864 are shown and described in the last 'men'tioned Patent No. 2,216,659; whereas, the parts bearing the reference numerals 300 359 are'ne'w in the present specification. For a more detailed description of the operation of the'old parts referred'to in the present disclosure reference is made to the above patent.

Keyboard" clear or lock key The keyboard clear or lock key 3M (Figs. 1 and 4) serves two purposes: (1) it releases all keys 100 which have been latched in depressed position, and (2) if key 300 is held depressed while a value is entered into the keyboard, the value keys [00 are locked in depressed position in such a manner that subsequent depression of the key 300 is ineffective to release the locked keys; therefore, when some of the keys Hill are in locked condition and others are merely in latched condition, the depression of the clear key 300 releases only the latched keys.

Key 300 is guided for up and down sliding movement by means of a fixed pin 302 residing within a slot 303 out in the keyste'm 304. Additional support is provided for key 300 by a lever, not shown, but similar to a lever 3116 (Fig. 3), pivotally connected to the framework of the machine. A spring 301 connected to lever 30B urges the key to raised position.

Reverting again to the clear or lock key 360 and its function of releasing the keys ltll which have been latched in depressed position by the latching slide ill, the clear or lock key carries a roller 310 (Fig. 1) which overlies a finger 3H, laterally offset from a lever 3l2 pivotally mounted to the framework at 313 and spring urged in a counterclockwise direction. The upper end of lever 3L2 has a pivotal connection 3M with one end of a link 315, which is pivotally connected at its other end to an upstanding arm 316 of a transverse bail 311. The bail 3H is pivotally mounted at opposite ends upon the framework of the machines as at MS and has a plurality of ordinarily arranged extensions 319 each of which underlies a respective ordinal release lever 320. Each release lever 320 is pivotally mounted upon a respective ordinal channel frame it! at 32! and has a camming surface 322 underlying an ear 323 projecting laterally from the latching slide H1. It will be obvious that upon depression of the clear or lock key 3% the roller 3m rocks the finger 3H clockwise as seen in Fig. {and through link 315 and arm 3E6 rocks bail it'll clockwise, thus causing extensions 319 to rock the release levers 32E! counterclockwise. At such time the *camming surface 322 on the release lever moves the ear 323 and the latching slide H! toward the right to release any depressed key Hill. When the notch 324 in lever 3261 becomes aligned with ear 323, the ear snaps into the notch to hold the lever in its raised position when the extensions 3!!! return to the initial position shown in Fig. 1, upon'release of the'key 300.

The depression of key 30 0 therefore clears the keyboard and also locks the release levers 320 in what is termed hereinafter as a disabled" position. The release levers each remain in disabled position until a'key we is subsequently'depressed which. moves the latching slide H1 toward the right to effect release of an associated lever 32D, *after'which the slide snaps back over the lug H6 and latches the depressed key I00 in dep'res'sed'pos'ition. y

when a release lever '32tstands in disabled'position as shown in Fig. '4, 'a torsion spring 321 having one end co'nne'cte'd'to an'ear 328 on lever 3'20 and theothe'r end 329 projecting through a hole'in'the lever '32U,"ifs,compressed through contact 6f itsfupp'er end :29 with the underside'of the channel frame fill. The spring "32'! insures the promptfreturn ofthe release lever "3 20 to'its initlai'positie when'it isreleased'from'the slide satay following concerns the manner in which the key13'0p'is used in looking a factorin the keyboard. 'Th e latter objective is accomplished by holding key 309 depressed while thefacto'r -which is to be locked in the keyboard is entered therein. It will be obvious that as long as key 300 is held depressed, the extensions 3I9 hold the release levers 320 in the disabled positions shown in Fig. 4. In this condition of the parts, the depression of any value key I and the consequent reciprocation of its slide II1 during depression of the value key merely moves ear 323 out of and back into engagement with notch 324 to hold lever 320 in its disabled position and at the same time the slide II1 locks the key I00 in depressed position. Since the releaselever is locked in disabled position, the subsequent depression of the clear or lock key 300 and the rocking of the clear bail 3I1 is ineffective to rock the disabled release lever and does not release the key I50 from what is termed hereinafter a locked condition. The arrangement described above is provided in each order, and therefore any one or more keys may be locked in depressed position.

After a factor is locked in the keyboard, key 300 is released and if it is then desired to enter other values into the keyboard, the second entry is made without holding the key 300 depressed,

thus merely latching down the second set of keys. The latched keys comprising the second entry may subsequently be released by depression of the clear key 300 without effecting release of the locked factor.

Obviously, the depression of the 0 key I09 in each order and the consequent reciprocation of its respective latching slide II1 releases any depressed key I00 in its order regardless of whether it is in latched or locked condition and at the same time permits the disabled release lever 32!) to return to the position in Fig. 1. The separate depression of each ordinal clear key I00 to clear the entire keyboard, however, would require excessive time and elfort, and therefore the simplified means described immediately below are provided for simultaneously releasing all depressed keys I00 regardless of whether they are in locked or latched condition.

Unlock key The unlock key 356 (Fig. 3) is supported for up and down sliding movement by means of a pin and slot arrangement 35I, 352 and also by an extension 353 of the key which projects through a guide slot 354 in the framework ofthe machine. Spring 301 urges lever 306 and key 350 to raised position as previously mentioned, the pin 35I limiting the upward movement of the key. A roller 355 carried by key 350 overlies a finger 350 formed as a rearward extension of a transverse bail 359. The bail is pivotally mounted on shaft 3I3 and a similar mounting is provided on the opposite end of the bail which extends across and in front of the forward ends of the latching slides II1. A spring 358 urges the bail counterclockwise to the extent permitted by the fixed stop 359a. Depression of the unlock key 350 therefore, rocks the finger 355 and the bail 359 clockwise about pivot M3 and the bail moves the slides I I1 rearwardly of the machine thus releasing all locked or latched keys I00 and permitting the disabled release levers 320 to return to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Automatic keyboard cZear nce during addition and subtraction Depression of the plus bar 800 (Fig. or the minus bar 860 initiates a single cycle of addition or subtraction, respectively, and also conditions mechanisms described below, which are operative during the calculating cycle to rock the previously mentioned lever 3I2 clockwise. This rocks the bail 3I1 (Fig. 4) and the extensions 3I9 clockwise and releases all depressed keys I00 except those in the orders wher the release levers 320 are held in disable positions.

The depression of either the plus bar 800 or the minus bar 860 causes the engagement of a setting, or program, clutch (not shown) in th manner described in the Patent No. 2,216,659 and which clutch is limited to a single cycle of rotation. Means are provided under the control of this clutch for adjusting the machine for positive or negative registration, respectively, in accordance with which key is depressed and also for locking the numeral wheel actuators (not shown) in accordance with the previous adjustment thereof by the value entering mechanism. The setting clutch performs other auxiliary functions, de-

scribed in the last mentioned patent, and then causes engagement of the main actuator drive clutch which remains engaged for only a single cycle of operation and drives the numeral wheels in accordance with the value previously entered into the machine.

The above mentioned locking of the numeral wheel actuators in adjusted positions permits the keyboard to be cleared of the values entered therein so that the next factor may be entered in the keyboard during the current calculatin cycle.

For this purpose a cam 141 (Fig. 5) is rotated 180 by the setting clutch, and through a follower 14%, mounted on shaft 50I, moves a link 148 rearwardly of the machine, thus rocking an arm 150 and a shaft 152 counterclockwise. Shaft 152 also carries a second arm 114, and when a link 119 stands in its dotted line position as described in the next paragraph, the arm 114 engages ear 116 on the link thereby moving the link forwardly of the machine. Link 119 is pivotally connected at 363 to an extension 3I2a of previously mentioned lever 3I2 (Fig. l) and rocks the same clockwise in the same manner as if the clear or lock key 300 had been depressed thereby releasing all value keys I00 in latched position but not affecting the keys I00 which are in locked condition.

Link 119 (Fig. 5) is moved to its dotted line position by depression of the plus and minus keys and for this purpose the plus and minus keystems 8-3I and SELwhich are mounted for up and down sliding movement in a convenient manner, have respective extensions 805 and 864 overlying a pin 805 forming a pivotal connection between a lever 801 and a link 8! I. Lever 801 is pivotally connected to the framework of the machine at 809 while link 8II carries a pin 118 residing within a slot 111 in the link 119. Depression of the plus key 800 or the minus key 860 therefore is effective through a respective keystem extendsion 805 or 864, the pin 806 and link 8 to move link 119 to its dotted line position with ear lying in front of the previously described arm 114. The depression of the plus or minus key initiates a corresponding cycle of operation and the plus and minus key linkage is locked in operative position by means (not shown) until arm 114 has completed its counterclockwise rocking movement to release the latched keys I00 all as is shown and described in the previously mentioned Patent No. 2,216,659. After the keys I00 are released the plus and minus key linkage is released for return to the initial position shown. The slot 111 in link 119 permits movement of the link by the clear key 300 without affecting the pin 118 or link 8| I.

assets? -or lock key 3Mhadbeen-depressed Summary:

The calculating machine"of the present inven- "tion is provided with akeyboardinwhich a factor may be entered and lockedagain'st release so that a constantiactor m' aybe use'd for a series of problems, This is done in either one'of two Y ways: (1) the c1ear0r"lo'ckkey 3fi'fl is held'depressedwhile the lockedffactor is entered, or (2) the value keys are held-depressed while the machine performs a plus orminus calculation.

After one value is locke'din the keyboard'a :second value may beenteredinto other portions of the keyboardand released at the end of each specific calculation; Suchmanipulation of" the keyboard is desired; for example,"where products are to be separately accumulated; in two different parts of the register,one accumiilation resulting from a series ofmultiplications involving a constant m'ultipl'icand factor and the'other product resulting from a series of multiplications in which the m'ultiplicand changes for'each multiplication In'such a-case' the depression of the clear key 3% at the end of a multiplication releases the value keys 1 tit which are"mere- 'ly latched down but -doe's notrelease the locked keys.

After one. factor "is 1ocked inthe keyboard a ordinalclear keyyorthe entire keyboard 'may be -cleared-by depressing the unIOck-key-BEB. I

Iclaim:

'1. In a calculating-machinehaving a keyboard comprising a plurality ofrows of'numeralkeys, digital actuators selectively settable-by said keys, selective "locking and releasing'means for "said Ikeys compris'i-rigak'ey locking member for each row of keys andhavinga-key'locking and'a key 8 o releasin -poetics; spring meansif r urging; said member to its key locking position, a device associat'edwith eachmember movable from a f rst to a" second position and operableduring such movement-t move sai -member to key releasin positionand thereafter to release the member for movement to its locking position by said spring means, means common to all of-said de-' vices to 'rnove 'the latter to their second positions, a control key for initiating operation of saiddigital actuators, mechanism responsive to depression of said key to 'operate said" common means, and retaining means including a" part of said member and apart of 'said'de'vice operable upon the movement of the device to its second positionto retain the device in said second position.

2 In a calculating machine-having a keyboard comprising a plurality of rows of numeral keys,

digital 'actuators selectively-settable said keys,

selective locking and releasing means for said keys comprising the combination of a key'locking member in eachrow' of keys having a key locking and a key releasing position, spring meansfor urging said memb'er'to its key locking position, a device associated with each member, means for moving each member to key release position, said means comprising acaniining'surface on" each device and a projection on each member operable during the movementpf the device from a first to a second position to move said member to key release position, mfeans common to all of said devices to move the latter to their second positions, a control keyfor initiating operation of the digital actuators, an operating connection established by' depression of said control key to control operation of said common means, and retaining meansincludin'g said projection on the key locking member and a shoulder adjacent said cam'ming 'surfaceon thedevice operable in res'pon'se'to movementof the device to its'second position to retain the deviceout of the range of the releasing movement of'the common means. U I

HAROLD "r. AVERY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES Panic-rs Number Name Date 1,906,063 Hilder' Apr. 25,- 1933 2,216,659- Avery Oct. 1, 1940 2,350,979 Avery et a1. June 13, 1944 2,390,041 Avery et a1. Dec. 4, 1945

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