US2729393A - heitlinger - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1956 E. v. HEITLINGER ZEROIZING CONTROL MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1952 INVEN TOR. e/ze Wkd/z'rzqer' punk) diiornqys Jan. 3, 1956 E. v. HEITLINGER ZEROIZING CONTROL MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTOR. Vfieiilzlzger flilomze gs Eugene Jan. 3, 1956 E. v. HEITLINGER ZEROIZING CONTROL MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 a 3, 1956 1;. v. HEITLINGER 2,729,393

ZEROILING CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

Eugene VjkizZzkzyer Jar-3% M 2,729,393 ZEROIZING CONTROL MECHANISM Eugene V. Heitlinger, Franklin Park, lll., assignor to Felt and Tarrant Manufacturing Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application May 16, 1952, Serial No. 288,133 23 Claims. (Cl. 235-430) :lhis invention relates in general to calculating machines, and has as accumulator of a lation of a digit key or keys.

. another important object of the invention is the pro- A further important object is to provide a control member selectively movable from a normal to an operative position to condition such zeroizing control means by causing the same to be moved from its inoperative to its active position, and to effect return of said zeroizing con trol means to inoperative position from either its active or operated positions in response to return of such control member to normal position to enable operation of the accumulator zeroizing mechanism, regardless of whether or not any digit keys have been mismanipulated or whether or not any mismanipulated keys have been correctively actuated.

So-cailed split accumulator mechanism has been provided heretofore, both in key-operated and key-responsive calculating machines, which may be rendered operative to of the accumulator, such as the left half thereof, while not afiFecting the usual zeroizing of the remaining portion of the accumulator, thus facilitating accumulation of a series of sub-totals in the latter portion of the accumulator and a grand total in the left half thereof, obtained by serial transfer of each sub-total to the left portion of the machine and operation of the accumulator zeroizing control member to clear the remaining portion of the accumulator for accumulation of the next sub-total. It was noted that errors could go undetected under certain circumstances with such mechanism, which led to the instant invention. Supposing the last digit key or keys (if more than one were depressed simultaneously) were mismanipulated, or partially depressed and released, in entering a sub-total in the lefthand portion of such a machine. The usual error control mechanism would be activated to lock up the keyboard, except the mismanipulated keys, but the machine operator normally would immediately actuate the zeroizing control member to clear the right-hand portion of the accumulator to condition the machine for computing the next sub-total. And such actuation of the zeroizing member would clear or de-activate the error control mechanism,

so that an erroneous grand total would 2,729,393 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 remain in the left portion of the accumulator without the operator being aware of having made such an error.

An important object of the instant invention, therefore, is to eliminate any possibility of such errors occurring during such use of a split accumulator calculating machine.

More specifically, the object of this invention, as applied to such a split accumulator machine, is to prevent actuation of the accumulator zeroizing member, whenever the machine is set for split accumulator use and a digit key is mismanipulated in entering a sub-total in the left portion of the accumulator, and until either the mismanipulated key or keys have been correctively actuated, or the split accumulator mechanism has been inactivated.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken through a key-responsive calculating machine, in which a preferred embodiment of my invention has been incorporated, on a plane to the right of the lowest denominational order or column of digit keys, as viewed from the left side of the machine, with certain of the conventional parts omitted for purposes of clarity, and showing a portion of the instant zeroizing control mechanism in normal inoperative or inactive position;

Fig. 1a is a detail view similar to Fig. 1, showing a portion of the zeroizing control mechanism in operated or blocking position;

Fig. lb is a view similar to Fig. 1a, showing these same parts in their active or operative positions;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, vertical section, similar to Fig.

l, on a plane ad acent an intermediate column of digit keys;

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view on a plane to the left of the highest denominational order of the machine, showing another portion of the instant zeroizing control mechanism in normal inoperative or inactive position in full lines and in active or operative position in broken lines;

Fig. 3a is a detail view similar to Fig. 3, with those parts of the instant zeroizing control mechanism illustrated being shown in their active or operative positions;

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section adjacent one of the highest denominational orders, as viewed from the left side of the machine, showing portions of the usual error control mechanism and of my novel zeroizing control mechanism in normal position;

Fig. 4a is a detail perspective view of the rear end of one of the zeroizing detent actuator lifters and its stop bar engaging book, as seen from the right front corner of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal view, as seen from the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 4, with the illustrated parts of the error and zeroizing control mechanisms shown in their operated positions;

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a portion of the zeroizing detent actuator and one of the lifter hook wipers;

Fig. 9 is a skeleton plan view of part of the instant zeroizing control mechanism; and

Fig. 10 is a detail transverse section taken substantially on the line 10-40 of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated for convenience as being incorporated in the power driven, key-responsive calculating t me;

machine of the type known commercially as a Comp tometer and more specifically described in United States Letters Pa n s o- 371 95 date Ma ch .5 1.9 1

an 11 ,195'1, ssued June 3, 1952, as Patent No. 2,599,257,

As in Patent No. 2,063,962, the calculatin machine h ein. us a d a mbodyin he instant n nti ha s was lfllme iti s h u ed, in a uitab c in v and mounted on main skeleton frame members 22 (Figs; 1 and 9) and intermediate skeleton 'frarne memhers or a i iqn Pl te 2 d q sd btitween.v e ac u mechanisms of the several denominational orders and secured together in Sp ced relationship at suitable points by tie-rods 24 (Figs. 1 and lb). A plurality of digit keys 25 (Fig. 2) are adapted for manipulation for determining the digital degree of the adding or calculating movements of the machine and are arranged in the usual manner in a plurality olum s, den m at na orders, only one of which is illustrated herein. Each such order of digit keys 25 is adapted to control the digital aetuation of the associated denominational order of a multi-denominational order accumulator. Upon depresn of an di t k y 5 nd t k s e ,6; power is supplied from a power shaft 21 to extend an actuator spring 28 associated with the particular denominational order of mechanism with which the depressed key is identified, release of this spring thereafter accomplishing add n ms nt n a am u de rm e y. e Pa iwlarj keydepressed h he a en y f ar. See tor or asegment 29, Each gear sector 2 9. mesheswith. a transmitting pinion or accumulator actuating gear 31 (h s; q at b mo n e on a t t on y, rse. shaft 30 which is journaled in the several skeleton frame plates 23. Each denominational order of the accumulator alsoincludes a gear train (not shown) for transmitting actuation of the pinion 31 toan associatednumeral wheel gear 36, such gear train being atall times in meshwith the numeral wheel gear 36 and being mounted in an auxiliary rockfrarne pivotally movable about a stationary transverse shaft to detrain the same from actuating gear 31 for zeroizir g of the accumulator. S e cured to each numeral wheel gear 36, andv rotatably mounted on a stationary transverse shaft 37 is a numeral wheel 38. Carrying mechanism is provided in each denominational order of the accumulator for the purpose of imparting a digital unit of actuation thereto each time that a tens transfer is to take place from the next lower denominational order of the accumulator. Since this mechanism is fully disclosedand illustrated in Patent No. 1,357,7 8, i i shtnet u s e e sa q epe t uc description herein.

Depression of any one of the digit. keys. 25 causes its stem 26 to engage a parallel motion bar 4 1 (Fig. '2) which is pivoted at the front of the machine at 42andat the rear at 43 to levers 44 and 45, respectively, which levers are pivoted in turn upon cross shafts orrods 46 extending through the partition plates 22 and 23. A link 47 'ispivotally connected at 48 to the lever 44 and at 49 tothe lever 45. The bar 41, levers 44 and and the link 47 form part ofthis parallel motion device, and are constructed and mountedas shown and described in detail;

in lfatent No. 2,063,962, Each of the gear or rack sectors 29 is articulately connected to a hook 51 by a link 52 the through a yielding clutch 53, the hook 51 and link 52 being articulately connected to a substantially vertical guide member 54, which is pivotally mounted at its lower end on a suitable transverse shaft. Each gear sector 29 also is articulately connected to a movement controlling or stop bar 55 by a link 56. A spring 57, which is attached to lever 45 and to a latch member 58 carried by the bar 47, normally contributes towards holding the parallel motion device in elevated position, and also holds the lower end of latch member 53 in a forward position (to the right in Fig. 2) for a purpose which will be explained presently. A dog 59, which is pivoted at its upper end on the parallel motion bar 41, is provided with a laterally extending lug on its lower end for engagement with a horizontal shelf on a spring-lifted lever 61 pivotally mounted on the guide member 54 with the hook 51. The operation of these parts is such that, upon depression of a digit key 25', its stem 26 engages and depresses the bar 41 to impart motion to the parallel motion device, which carries dog 59 downwardly to depress the lever 61. A spring mounted on the pivot between the link 52 and the hook 51 engages the lever 61 and the hook to urge the rear end of the latter (left end in Fig. 2-) downwardly, so that it will normally cause engagement of the hook 51 with a toothed wheel 62 upon depression of lever 61. The toothed wheel 62 is secured to the power shaft 27, which turns in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 2. The engagement of the hook 51 with the wheel 62 pulls the link 52 toward the rear of the machine, or toward the left viewing Fig. 2, which imparts downward motion to gear sector 29 through the yielding clutch 53. Forward motion is thus imparted to the digital control or stop bar 55 until one of several lugs projecting laterally therefrom (Fig. 4) is stopped by the stem 26 of the depressed digit key.

The rearward motion of book 51 and link 52 causes the guide arm 54 to swing in a counterclockwise direction from its normal position of Fig. 2 to extend the spring 23; one end of which is connected to this guide arm and the other end to a transverse shaft extending through the skeleton frame plates. The link 52 moves the rack sector 29- downwardly on an idle stroke in response to such swinging of the guide arm 54 and into position to impart an adding movement to the accumulator upon release of the hook 5'1 and contraction of the spring 23. The downward movement of gear sector 29 is under the control of the digital stop bar 55 and the gear sector is halted when it has been moved downwardly the proper distance, enabling it upon return to impart the degree of digital advancement-to the adding mechanism which corresponds-to the particular key 25 depressed. The yielding clutch 53- per-mits the continuation of the rearward movement of link- 52, after downward movement of the gear sectorhas been stopped, and until the end of the full power stroke and the automatic release of the book 51 from the toothed wheel 62; Release of book 51 is accomplished automatically in each instance, after a set increment ofaction has been imparted to the link 52, by the teeth of the wheel 62. Upon the return or upward stroke (the operative stroke) of the gear sector 29, the yielding-clutch 53permits relative movement of the parts in reverse direction-to that at the beginning of the adding movement, and thereafter thisadding actuation is accomplished.

Latch member 53, which is pivotally mounted on link 47, is provided to prevent-return movement of the dog 59*before the hook'sl has been engaged with the toothed whee1 62. This latch member 58 has a downwardly extending armatits'rearend which is adapted to engage upon a lateral projection ofthe dog'59 to hold the dog down against upward return movement and also to hold the parallel motion device in depressed position. As is describedinnetail in. Paten N 5.0 9 em n ofthehookffl, with the toothed wheel-62v doesnot take place until a digit key 25 has been completely depressed,

result in the parallel motion' device being latched in depressed position by the latch member 58. And .until the hook 51 is engaged with the toothed wheel 62, forward motion of the stop bar 55 cannot take place, which is emphasized here because such forward motion of the stop bar is employed in connection with the instant invention, in a manner to be described hereinafter. Following complete depression of a digit key 25 and engagement of the hook 51 with the toothed wheel 62, the latch member 58 is swung in a clockwise direction to release the dog 59. This is accomplished, just prior to the release of the hook 51, by a pin 63 provided in an upwardly extending arm of the vertical guide member 54, which through its connection with the hook 51 has been carried rearwardly, the pin 63 engaging a finger 64 of latch member 58 to swing the latter in a clockwise direction to free the dog 59 so that the parallel device may be spring returned to normal raised position.

Thus actuation of the accumulator numeral wheels 38 is accomplished and, machines, means are comprising the as in all such provided for zeroizing the accumulator when desired. The zeroizing mechanism herein illustrated is the same as that employed in the machine of Patent No. 2,599,257 and completely illustrated and described in Patent No. 1,357,748, the same reference numerals being employed here as are used therein to designate similar parts. As previously noted, the gear train interposed between each transmitting pinion or gear 31 and its denominationally associated numeral wheel gear 36 includes a carrying winding gear which stores power, during its actuation by gear 31, in a carrying spring for effecting tens carrying transfers to the accumulator mechanism of the next higher denomina' tional order, and such carrying springs are employed to return the actuated numeral wheels 38 to zero position upon detraining of such gear trains from their transmitting pinions 31. This detraining is accomplished by forwardly swinging the lower end of the auxiliary rock frame which supports the accumulator gear trains in response to manual actuation of an operating handle or zeroizing lever 71.

As shown in Fig. 1, this zeroizing lever 71 is pivoted at its lower end on a zeroizing crank pivot stud mounted in the righthand side plate 22 of the machine frame. A segment 72 is fixed upon the inner portion of the stud 70 and a link 73 is pivotally connected at its rear end to the segment 72 and at its forward end (right end in Fig. l) to a depending lever 74 that in turn is pivoted at 75 on the fixed frame. The lower end of the lever 74 is pivotally connected by means of a short link 76 with an arm 77 rotatably mounted upon a transverse shaft 78 that is journaled in the skeleton frame members 22 and 23. The upper portion of this arm 77 is provided with a transversely extending face 79 adapted to engage a second arm 80 secured to the shaft 73. When these parts are in their normal positions of Fig. 1, a short swinging movement of the zeroizing handle 71 forwardly (to the right therein) will impart a rocking movement to the shaft 78 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in this figure, Additional rocker arms 81 (Fig. 2) are fixed in spaced relationship to each other on the transverse shaft 78' for rotation therewith. These rocker arms 81 are pivotally connected with curved links 82 having slotted shifting pivots upon a transverse shaft 83 extending through the skeleton frame members, The rocking movement imparted to the shaft 78 by the above described forward swinging of the zeroizing handle 71 will result in forward movement of the curved links 82 (to the right in Fig, 2) which effects the detraining movement of the swinging rock frame to accomplish a zeroizing of an accumulator, as fully set forth in Patent No. 1,357,748. As will be apparent from the more detailed description in that patent, the accumulator remains in detrained position upon release of the zeroizing handle 71 until the -so that partial depression-and release of a digit key will .next subsequent actuation of the accumulator is initiated by depression of a digit key 25. However, release of the zeroizing handle 71 will result in its being returned to the normal position of Fig. 1 by a spring 104 connected between a rear point on the right-hand frame member 22 and the segment 72.

The instant invention also makes .use of other old mechanisms for initiating its zeroizing preventing function in response to mismanipulation or partial depression and release of any digit key 25. Illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 6 herein are those parts of the error control mechanism thus employed which are more fully shown and described in Patents Nos. 2,018,933 and 2,224,203. These error control devices require a full stroke to be given any digit key 25 depressed, so as to insure proper operation of the accumulator as above described, lock up the entire keyboard except that denominational order or those orders in which a digit key or keys have been mismanipulated, and thereafter prevent operation of any keys 25 in such orders following corrective and complete depression of said mismanipulated keys, all as specifically disclosed in those patents. Such error control devices include in each denominational order of the machine a latch or dog 105 (designated by reference numeral 63 in Patent No. 2,224,203). This dog 105 is pivoted on the denominationally associated link 47 and a spring normally presses a lip 106 (Fig. 4) of the dog upwardly into contact with the lower edge of the link 47. A ratchet tooth 107 is provided upon the upper portion of a lever 108 pivoted at 109 in a bracket 111 which in turn is pivoted on a cross rod 112 extending through the skeleton frame plates of the machine. A spring 113 is attached to the lower end of lever 108 and to a lever 114 (Fig. 2) which is pivoted at its lower end upon a cross rod 115. Upon depression of any one of the digit keys 25 in that denominational order, the link 47 forming part of the parallel motion device is moved toward the right, as seen in these figures, and the latch or dog 105 being carried by it moves with it and past the ratchet tooth 107.

As previously described, as a digit key is released without fully effective depression, the forward movement of the link 47 will be incomplete, and spring 57 functions to return the parts toward their original position of Fig. 2 without accomplishing the calculating operation. A link 117 (Figs. 4 and 6) is pivoted at 118 to the upper end of the lever 108, and at its rear end to a downwardly extending arm 119 which may be oscillated about a pivotal mounting or stud 121 on an adjacent skeleton frame member 23. The spring 113 tends to swing lever 108 clockwise, viewing these figures, and to bring a detent 122, secured to the rear end of the link 117, into contact with a stop 123 (as shown in Fig. 4) to limit forward movement of the lever 108. If insufiicient down stroke and release of a digit key occurs, dog 105 engages tooth 107 and, through lever 108, moves link 117 rearwardly with link 47 from its normal position of Fig. 4 to the left to its actuated position of Fig. 6.

Means are provided for moving the ratchet tooth 107 out of the path of the dog 105 if and when full key-stroke is accomplished. Each bracket 111 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 124 (Fig. 2) which is disposed across the path of movement of a lug 125 upon the link 52. As the parts near the end of the power stroke resulting from complete depression of a digit key 25, the

lug 125 engages the arm 124 and lifts the bracket 111 about its pivot 112, carrying up the lever 108 to raise the ratchet tooth 107 above the lower edge of the link 47 and out of the way of the dog 105. The lever 108 has a portion 126 which is adapted to engage above a shoul der 127 on the lever 114 when the lever 108 is thus lifted by lug 125. This lever 108 is held in such upper latched position until near the end of the return or power stroke, when a lug 128 on the link 47 engages the upper end of the lever 114 to disconnect it from the shoulder 126,

'thereb'y 'ar'ran'gingthe parts in the normal position of Figs. 2 and4' for the next calculating operation.

Another old mechanism which is made use of, in order to most readily incorporate the instant invention into existing Comptorneter machines, is a linkage which is actuated by the zeroizing crank or handle 71 to operate a polarity reversal switch. This linkage, as seen in Figs. 1, la, lb, and 9, comprises a rearwardly extending link 131 articulately connected at its forward end in any suitable manner to the zeroizing segment 72 and pivotally mounted at its rear end on a stud 132. The stud 132 extends inwardly through link 131 (Fig. 9) and is carried by the lower end of a lever 133 which is pivotally supported at its upper end at 134 on the right hand machine frame member 22.

Some further additional old mechanism will now be described which is incorporated in the machine disclosed in Patent No. 2,346,601 and that in Patent No. 2,599,257, the following reference numerals being the same as those employed therein for designating similar parts. Patent No. 2,346,601 illustrates significant-digit indicating means, a portion of which is employed herein, as in the machine of No. 2,599,257, to actuate a split accumulator mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2, a link 171 and a three-armed 'bell crank lever 172 are operatively connected with each of the rocker arms 81 and curved links 82. Each link 171 is pivotally connected at its rear end at 173 to a rearward extension of one of the links 82 and is pivotally connected at its forward end at 174 to the lower end of one of the levers 172. Each lever 172 is so shaped and arranged as to straddle one of the links 82 and one. of the links 171, and is pivotally secured at opposite sides thereof on the transverse shaft 83. The rearwardly extending arm of each lever 172 is pivotally connected at 175 to an upwardly extending link 176, the upper end of which is pivotally mounted on a transverse rod 177 which extends across the machine through suitable enlarged apertures in the skeleton frame plates 23 adjacent and behind the numeral wheels 38. The rod 177 is swingably suspended from the numeral wheel shaft 37 by means of curved levers 178 which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the rod 177 and rotatably mounted at their upper ends on shaft 37. Clockwise rotation of the rocker arms 81 from their normal position of Fig. 2 in response to forward swinging of the zeroizing control member or handle 71, as previously described, will result in counterclockwise rotation of the bell crank levers 172 about the shaft 83 to lower the links 176 from their normal position of Fig. 2 which, in turn, will swing the rod 177 to its position of Figs. 3 and 3a, since this rod is supported for arcuate movement by the levers 178 suspended from the numeral wheel shaft 37. In Patent No. 2,346,601 this forward swinging movement of rod 177 is employed to reset the significant-digit indicating members therein illustrated but the latter are not shown herein since they form no part of the instant invention. However, this forward swinging of rod 177 in response to forward actuation of the zeroizing handle 71 is employed to actuate the split accumulator mechanism of Patent No. 2,599,257.

The machine of Patent No. 2,599,257 employs a split accumulator mechanism comprising means selectively operable to prevent clearing of some of the numeral Wheels 38 upon subsequent operation of the zeroizing handle 71, so that any values contained in such numeral wheels will be retained therein while the other numeral wheels in the accumulator will be returned to zero position. Employing herein the same reference numerals as are used in that patent, this means includes a zeroizing or split accumulator control member or key 3111 (Figs. 1 and 3) located at the lower right-hand portion of the machine and pivotally connected at its lower end to the rear end or" a forwardly extending lever 302 (Fig. l). A spring 3133 is connected at its lower; end to the rearward portion of this lever 302 and at its upper end to the machine frame, and the forward end ofv the lever 302 is pivotally mounted upon the transverse shaft 83, so that the spring 303 normally maintains the control member 3111 in its uppermost position, as seen in Fig. 1. The forward end of lever 302. is maintained on the shaft 83 by means of a suitable U-shaped retaining clip 305, the outer leg of which engages the lever 302, while its inner leg engages the inner surface of the adjacent portion of the righthand main side frame 22. The upper end of the zeroizing or split accumulator control member 301 is provided with a suitable finger button 306 which is aligned longitudinally of the machine with the similar finger button provided on the zeroizing crank 71 to facilitate either serial or simultaneous operation of these two control members 301 and 71.

The stem of control key 301 is provided with a forwardly extending recessed lug 367 (Fig. 3) and is cut away on its rear edge to define a rearwardly extending horizontal shoulder or shelf 3118. A crank arm 309 disposed adjacent the outer surface of the control key 301 is provided with an inwardly extending arm on its rear end which rests upon, and is supported by, the shoulder or shelf 308. The forward end of this crank arm 309 is rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the right-hand outer end of .a fiatted transverse control shaft 311 journaled in suitable apertures provided in the several skeleton frame plates 22 and 23. The left end of this transverse shaft 311 (Fig. 9) is provided with a suitable slot for engagement by a spring washer or clip 312 which also engages the outer surface of the left-hand side frame 22 to retain the shaft 3111, together with the crank arm 309, in assembled relationship. The right-hand portion of this shaft 311 extends through the apertured lug 307 of control'member 301, normally engaging a lower rearward portion of the aperture or movement-limiting recess in this lug (as shown in Fig. 3) which comprises a vertical slot for limiting upward movement of the control member 301 by its spring 363 (Fig. 1). The forward portion of the aperture in the lug 307 comprises a recess communicating with the vertical slot portion and shaped at its lower edge to engage the shaft 311 to retain the control member in its operative position when the latter is depressed thereto manually against the action of spring 303 and urged rearwardly to such operative position. The split accumulator mechanism also comprises a plurality of detent lever assemblages, each indicated generally by reference numeral 315, mounted respectively in selected denominational orders of the machine for pivotal movement on a transverse shaft 316, and comprising a rigid body portion and a coil spring having a forwardly extending, cam-shaped end 323 resting upon the transverse rod 177. The rigid body portion of each detent lever 315 has a rearward extension 325 which overlies the control shaft 311 and is spaced slightly upwardly therefrom in the normal inoperative position of the detent shown in Fig. 2.

With the selectively operable manual control member 301 in its normal inoperative or raised position of Figs. 1 and 3, the crank arm 399 has its inwardly extending rearward end resting upon the shoulder 3118 to maintain the transverse control shaft 311 in its normal position of Figs. 1,2 and 3. Downward and rearward swinging movement of the upper end of this zeroizing and split accumulator control member 301 to its operative position against the action of spring 303 will result in the rearward end of crank arm 309 being lowered to its position of Fig. 3a, and such movement of crank arm 339 results in the flatted portion of shaft 311 assuming a horizontal position, as therein illustrated. Subsequent forward swinging of the zeroizing crank or handle 71 from its normal position of Fig. 1, as previously described, will swing the transverse rod 177 from its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, to the operative position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3a. As has also previously been described, this control rod 177 remains in such forward operative position upon release of the zeroizing handle 71 and return of the latter to its normal position of Fig. 1 and until any one of the digit keys 25 subsequently is depressed fully to effect an accumulative actuation. Movement of the transverse rod 177 from its normal or inoperative position forwardly to its operative position of Fig. 3a thus will result in lifting of the forward nose ends of all of the detent levers 315 into engagement with an adjacent tooth of the associated numeral wheel gears 36 through the agency of the forwardly extending ends 323 of the coiled springs of the several detent lever assemblages. However, if the transverse control shaft 311 is disposed in its normal or blocking position of Fig. 3 when such actuation of the zeroizing handle 71 is effected, the resulting forward swinging of the transverse rod 177 from its normal position of Fig. 2 to its operative position of Fig. 3 will result only in tensioning or lifting of the forwardly extending ends 323 of the several detent lever springs, since engagement of the detent levers with their numeral wheel gears 36 will be prevented by contact of the rearwardly extending portions 325 of the detent levers with the outer or full diameter of the transverse control shaft 311, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, each time that the zeroizing handle 71 is actuated to effect zeroizing of the accumulator, all numeral wheels in the denominational orders having no detent lever 315 will be returned to Zero position, and whether or not the numeral wheels 38 will be returned to zero in those denominational orders of the accumulator in which detent levers 315 are provided, will depend upon the position in which the zeroizing or split accumulator control member 301 is disposed. However, if the control member 301 is in its operative or lowered position so that shaft 311 is in its position of Fig. 3a, the detent levers 315 will be moved to their blocking positions of this figure and re tained therein to prevent return of their associated numeral wheels 33 to zero position.

Following operation of the zeroizing crank 71 with the control member 301 in its operative or depressed position, depression of any one of the digit keys 25 will effect re-engagement of all of the numeral wheel gear trains with their column actuators and return of the transverse rod 177 rearwardly to its normal inoperative position of Fig. 2. This will enable the several detent levers 315 to be returned by gravity to their normal inoperative positions of Fig. 2, and subsequent actuations of zeroizing handle 71 similarly will effect, or not effect, zeroizing of the numeral wheels in those orders in which detent levers 315 are disposed, depending upon the particular setting of the zeroizing or split accumulator member 301.

As previously explained, all of the mechanism so far described herein is old in that type of calculating machine known commercially as a Comptometer and illustrated and described in detail in the several patents and applications identified. Generally similar split accumulator mechanism also is disclosed in Patent No. 2,656,110, as specifically embodied in a key-driven machine, although that mechanism likewise could be employed in a powerdriven, key-responsive machine. Similarly, the novel mechanism of the instant invention hereafter disclosed, while illustrated as incorporated in a power-driven machine, could just as well be embodied in a key-driven machine. For example, the clockwise movement (as seen from the left of the machine) of the rock bar 116 of the error control mechanism, in response to mismanipulation .of a digit key, as disclosed in Patent No. 2,570,068, which mechanism is incorporated in a key-driven machine, could be employed to actuate the instant zeroizing preventing mechanism, instead of the rearward rocking of an arm 119, as hereafter described, and the present zeroizing preventing mechanism also could be employed in a calculating machine not having such split accumulator mechanism as hereinbefore disclosed, if found to be desirable,

with the addition of a manual control member other than the split accumulator control key 301 to render the same optionally eflective in the manner .now to be described.

As noted earlier, the basic concept of the instant invention is to prevent zeroizing of the accumulator immediately following mismanipulation of a digit key or keys, so as to prevent a resulting erroneous accumulation being mistakenly taken as correct by the machine operator. But for the present mechanism, such an error could easily result from mismanipulation of the digit key or keys last operated in entering a sub-total, in a machine equipped with split accumulator mechanism, followed by actuation of the zeroizing handle to clear those orders of the accumulator not including the zeroizing preventing means previously described. With more specific reference to the illustrated machine, depression of control member 301 to operative position renders the detents 315 operative to prevent zeroizing of those denominational orders of the accumulator having such detents, upon subsequent operation of the zeroizing handle 71. Supposing these detents 315 to be present in the left half of the accumulator, the latter will thus be split in the middle, so that sub-totals may be obtained in the right half of the machine and subsequently accumulated in the left half to obtain grand totals. If a digit key or keys are not fully depressed in entering a sub-total in the left portion of such machine, the resulting locking up of the keyboard might be overlooked by the operator, since the normal procedure is to immediately operate the zeroizing handle 71 to clear the right half of the accumulator, and such actuation of handle 71 would reset the error control mechanism to normal inactive condition. Therefore, there would be no way for the operator to be apprized of the fact that the grand total remaining in the left half of the accumulator was incorrect.

The instant invention, as embodied in such a machine, prevents any such errors from occurring by immediately preventing zeroizing of the accumulator in response to mismanipulation of a digit key and until corrective and full depression of the mismanipulated key. More specifically, this function is attained by a positive blocking of the zeroizing handle 71 against movement and in response to mismanipulation of any digit key 25 in any selected denominational order, such as those having the zeroizing preventing detents 315 of the split accumulator mechanism. Such blocking function is obtained by providing a zeroizing crank detent, indicated generally by reference numeral 341, which is in the form of a bell-crank pivoted on a suitable spacer mounted on an upper tie-rod 24 at the rear of the machine and intermediate the rightmost skeleton frame plate 23 and the right-hand frame member 22 (Figs. 1, 1a, 1b, and 9). This bell-crank 341 comprises a lower detent arm 342 extending rearwardly of the machine and terminating in a cutaway end portion to provide a shoulder 343 engageable with the linkage stud 132 (Figs. 1a and 9), in a manner to be later described, and an upper cam arm 344 extending upwardly and forwardly and having a cam lug 345 formed on its rear surface adjacent its upper end with upper and lower contact faces. A spring 346 is connected between the lower por tion of the bell-crank detent 341 below its pivot 24 and a fixed point on the machine frame forwardly thereof to urge the detent in a counterclockwise direction, as seen from the left side of the machine in Fig. l, I v

A zeroizing detent actuator 347 is provided which preferably is formed as a sheet metal angle member by stamping, or the'like, and extends transversely across the upper rear portion of the machine (Figs. 1 and 9), with its lower leg including a plurality of forwardly extending arms 348, one for each denominational order or column and ex? tending into the space between each pair of intermediate frame plates 23. The other or upper leg of this angle member is provided with a plurality of rearwardly and upwardly extending arms 349, one disposed to the right of each arm 348, to function as part of a corrective mechanism .to be later described. At each lateral end of the actuator 347 and secured to theinside surfaces 'of the 11 V angle defined thereby, preferably. by welding, is a pivot sthd 3 51 extending beyond the ends of the actuator-and together defining a transverse and horizontal axis of rota- 'tion' therefor. Right and left end female bearing supports are provided for these male pivot studs 351, each of which "preferably comprisesa screw machine produced bearing member 352 having a blind hole at its inner end for receiving a stud 351 and a shoulder at its outer end riveted to an auxiliary adapter or bearing plate 353. Each bearing plate 353 is 'apertured to receive the usual screws for securing the ends of the two tie rods 24 shown in Fig. 1a, and are 'held' thereby against the outer surfaces of the main frame plates 22 (Fig. 9). Each bearing plate 353 also has'a rearwardly extending finger 354 formed thereon, that on'the left-hand bearing support being bent inwardly to extend through a suitable aperture in the frame plate 22 and be engaged by the outer end of a coil spring 355 of very light gauge wire loosely surrounding the left-hand bearing member 352. The inner end of this spring 355 is hook-shaped to engage the left end of the Zeroizing detent actuator 347 and urge the latter in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. l, which tends to lightly depress the forward arms 348.

' The forwardly extending leg of the actuator 347 also is provided at its right end (Fig. 9) with a forwardly extending cam arm 356 longitudinally aligned with the zeroizing detent 341 and shaped at its forward end to provide correct camming contact with the cam lug 345 as shown in Figs. 1; 1a and lb. Adjacent its left end (Figs. 3 and V 9), the actuator 347 has a forwardly extending arm 357 normally resting upon the rear end of a Zeroizing detent actuator control lever 358 which is provided adjacent this rear end with an upwardly and rearwardly extending hook 359 overlying the arm 357, for a purpose to be later described. The control lever 358 extends towards the front of the machine in the usual overflow column, and is provided at its approximate longitudinal center with an outwardly extending sleeve bearing 361 rotatably mounted on a short transverse shaft 362. The latter is an added shaft passed through existing apertures in the last two left-hand skeleton frame plates 23 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner. The control lever 358 terminates at its forward end in a ramp-like shelf or cam surface 363 and is connected rearwardly of its pivot with a coil spring 364 urging its forward end upwardly. Normally, such counterclockwise movement (viewing Fig. 3) of lever 358 is blocked by contact of a horizontally disposed portion of the cam surface 363 with the lower end of a zeroizing detent actuator control lever arm 365 mounted upon, and pinned to, the fiatted control shaft 311. This control arm 365 is provided with a rearward extension 366 (Fig. 3a) connected to the upper end of a spring 367, the lower end of which is hooked under the forward cross shaft 46. The spring 367 urges control arm 365 forwardly and also assists in rotating control shaft 311 from its normal position of Fig. 3 to its actuated position of Fig. 3a, which results in moving control arm 365 out of engagement with control lever 358. Resulting upward movement of the forward end of control lever 358 by its spring 364 is limited by engagement of the control lever with the forward shaft 46.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 4a, 6, 7 and 10, the instant novel mechanism also includes means, actuated by the old error control mechanism earlier described, to move the zeroizing detent actuator 347 to effect blocking of the zeroizing handle 71 by the zeroizing detent 341. In the present embodiment of the invention, this means comprises a zeroizing detent actuator lifter, indicated generally by reference numeral 368, one of which is adapted to be inserted into each selected column or denominational order of the machine, preferably each order of the left half of the machine which is equipped with a split accumulator detent lever 315. Each lifter 368 comprises a, longitudinally extending arm adjacent the left side of the right-hand skeleton frame plate 23 of that pair of such intermediate frame plates defining the column or denominational order with which this lifter cooperates. The lifter arm 368 is provided near its forward end with a suitable bearing hub, preferably riveted thereto, which cooperates with a solid bearing point, comprising the existing stud 121 riveted to each intermediate frame member 23 and extending to the left thereof, as both a positioning and a rotary bearing point for the main body of the arm. The arm 368 also is formed at its forward end with a reversely bent or rearwardly extending portion 369 (Fig. 7) adapted to lie in back, or to the right, of an existing headed stud 371 riveted to the intermediate frame plate 23. Just to the rear of its bearing hub, the arm 368 is provided with a right-angled shelf 372 extending to the right from its lower edge, the forward edge of which shelf rests against the rear edge of the arm 119 of the error control mechanism previously described. The rear end of the lifter arm 368 underlies the denominationally associated, forwardly extending arm 348 of the zeroizing detent actuator 347, and the lifter 368 is so dimensioned that the rearward swinging movement of arm 119 about its pivot 121 from its position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 6, resulting from a partial key stroke or mismanipulation of a digit key 25 in that order, will be multiplied at the rear end of lifter arm 368 so as to move the actuator 347 through an are sufficient to accomplish its required function.

As best seen in Fig. 4a, the rear end portion of lifter arm 368 is provided with a right-angled, L-shaped shelf 373 and a stud 37 4 (Figs. 4 and 10) preferably riveted to the arm and, with the shelf, extending to the right thereof like shelf 372. A zeroizing detent actuator lifter stop bar hook 375 is provided with a suitable bearing hub rotatably mounted on the stud 374, and a coil spring 376 on this hub has its opposite ends engaging the rear edges of the hook 375 and shelf 373 to resiliently maintain the lower end of the hook against the forward edge of the shelf and between arm 368 and the outer leg of this shelf 373. The upper end of hook 375 is so shaped as first to be cammed rearwardly by the stationary rear end of the laterally extending portion of its denorninationally associated stop bar 55 against the action of spring 376, as the lifter 368 is swung upwardly from its position of Fig. 4, and upon completion of such lifting of arm 368,

then to be moved forwardly by spring 376 into its position of Fig. 6, wherein it is hooked over the rear end'of stop bar 55 to retain the lifter arm 368 in such actuated position.

Corrective mechanism is provided for removing the hook 375 from such actuated position in engagement with its associated stop bar 55, in the event that the operator returns the control member 301 to its normal raised position without first correctively actuating the mismanipulated digit key. For convenience and simplification of design, such corrective mechanism also functions as blocking means for preventing retentive engagement of hook 375 with its stop bar 55, in the event of a partial key stroke occurring when the control member 361 is in its normal raised position. This corrective mechanism and blocking means comprises a zeroizing detent actuator lifter hook wiper, indicated generally by reference numeral 377, one of which is provided in each column or denominational order of the machine having a lifter 363 and hook 375 (Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10). Each of these wipers 377 is hung or pivotally mounted upon the spacer of the upper rear tie-rod 24 by means of parallel hook or hub portions 378 and 379 which are joined by a transverse spacing member 381, the rocking axis or axis of rotation of the wiper being common to the axis of this tie-rod 24, and the wiper being loosely held against displacement from the tie-rod by the adjacent plate of the keyboard assembly (Fig. 2). As best seen in Figs. 8 and 10, each of the parallel hub or leg portions 373 and 379 has an outwardly extending spacer lug 382 for engagement with the adjacent intermediate frame plate 23 to limit lateral movement of the wiper 377. The left-hand hub portion 378 terminates at its rear in a downwardly extending actuator leg 383 disposed forwardly of, and in contact with, the rear or upwardly extending leg of the zeroizing detent actuator 347. The rear portion of the right-hand hub member 379 similarly terminates in a downwardly and rearwardly extending cam arm or actuator leg 384 disposed rearwardly of, and in contact with, one of the upwardly extending rear arms 349 of actuator 347. The forward portion of this hub member 379 extends downwardly in the vertical plane of its rear leg 384 and terminates in a lateral wiper and blocking lug 385, the spacer lugs 382 maintaining these members 384 and 385 in alignment, respectively, with their denominationally associated actuator arm 349 and litter hook 375, from front to rear of the machine.

Operation Operation of the old mechanism herein shown and to be found more in detail in the cited patents has been outlined in connection with the preceding description of that mechanism. As incorporated in such a machine, the instant invention functions as follows. Whenever the control member 301 is in its normal raised position of Figs. 1 and 3, the present zeroizing control or blocking mechanism remains inoperative. When computations are presented to the operator that may best be performed by the use of the split accumulator mechanism, the zeroizing control member 301 is depressed and set in operative position, as previously described. This results in the machine being divided functionally from front to rear, so that the right half of the accumulator subsequently may be zeroized without affecting any totals contained in the left half of the accumulator, in response to operation of the zeroizing handle 71. Following accumulation of a sub-total in the right half of the accumulator, such subtotal is transferred to the left half of the accumulator by the operator entering the same therein by depressing the corresponding digit keys 25 in the proper left-hand denominational orders. If one or more of these digit keys are mismanipulated or only partially depressed and released, the instant mechanism functions to prevent subsequent operation of the zeroizing handle 71, until either the mismanipulated digit key or keys have been correctively and fully depressed, or the control member 301 has been retained to its normal raised position. Since the operator normally actuates the zeroizing handle 71 fol lowing such transfer of a sub-total from the right half of the accumulator to the left half thereof, he is thereby prevented from continuing the computations to obtain another sub-total while leaving an incorrect grand total in the left half of the accumulator. In other words, under such circumstancesif it were not for the present zeroizing control mechanism, an erroneous accumulation would be retained in the left half of the accumulator, since actuation of the zeroizing handle 71 normally clears the usual error control mechanism, which would permit the operator to continue with his computations unaware of the fact that a digit key or keys had been incompletely actuated in the preceding entry of a sub-total into the left half of the accumulator.

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the normal inoperative or inactive position of the various parts of the instant zeroizing control mechanism. Upon depression of the control member 301 and setting thereof in its active position, these parts assume their active or operative posi tions shown in full lines in Figs. lb and 3a and in broken lines in Figs. 3, 4, and 6. Depression of control member 301 results in rotation of control shaft 311 from its full line position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 3a to remove control arm 365 from engagement with the forward end of control lever 358. This enables spring 364 to swing the rear end of control lever 358 downwardly from its full line to its broken line position of Fig. 3 which, in turn, permits spring 355 to rotate the zeroizing detent actuoperated or blocking position of Figs. 6

ator 347 from its normal inoperative position of Fig. l to its active or operative position of Fig. lb and as shown in broken lines in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. In certain instances, as when control member 301 is depressed very slowly, it has been found that zeroizing detent actuator 347 might become hung up or remain in its normal inoperative position of Fig. 1 following depression of control memher 301. That is why lever 358 has been provided with its rearwardly extending hook 359 overlying the arm 357, so that spring 364 then may insure proper setting of zeroizing detent actuator 347 to its active oroperative position of Fig. 1b and prevent its remaining in normal inoperative position whenever control member 301 is depressed and regardless of the manner in which that is done. So long as mismanipulation of a digit key 25 does not thereafter occur in any of the denominational orders or columns comprising the left half of the machine, the several parts of this zeroizing control mechanism remain. in such second active or operative positions, and actuation of the zeroizing control handle 71 may be effected as desired. Immediately upon partial depression and release or mismanipulation of any such digit key 25, however, the resulting rearward swinging of its denominationally associated arm 119 of the error control mechanism from. its normal position of Fig. 4 to its actuated position of Fig. 6 will result in the rear end of the lifter 368 in that column being raised to rotate the zeroizing detent actuator 347 in a counterclockwise direction to its full line, and la. Such movement of the zeroizing detent actuator 347 from its second or operative position of Fig. lb to its third or operated position of Fig. la causes its cam arm 356 to swing the zeroizing detent 341 into positive blocking engagement with the zeroizing linkage stud 132 to prevent operation of the zeroizing handle 71. It will be noted that the arm 342 of this zeroizing detent 341 thus having its shoulder 343 raised into the path of movement of the stud 132, presents a solid bridge lock between this stud and the tie-rod 24 upon which the zeroizing detent 341 is mounted, so that the zeroizing crank 71 cannot be actuated even though heavy force is exerted thereon. The actuated zeroizing detent actuator lifter 368 is retained in such position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, by the resulting engagement of its hook 375 with the stop bar 55 in that order. It should also be noted that the rearwardly extending nose of hook 359 is spaced vertically a sufiicient distance above arm 357 when the parts are in their second or operative positions, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, as not to prevent or interfere with such subsequent lifting or movement of zeroizing detent actuator 347 to its third or operated position shown in Fig. 1a and in full lines in Fig. 6.

It will be appreciated that in the normal inoperati e or inactive position of this zeroizing control mechanism, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, raising of the rear end of a lifter arm 368 in response to mismanipulation of a digit key in that denominational order will have no effect upon the zeroizing detent actuator 347, since the associated forwardly extending arm 348 thereon will be disposed above such raised position of arm 363 (that shown in Fig. 6). Also, raising of lifter arm 368 under such circumstances will not effect engagement of the upper end of its hook 375 with the stop bar 55, as in the active operation above-described, since the denominational associated wiper member 377 will then be disposed in its normal position of Fig. 4, wherein its lug 385 will be in blocking position to be contacted by the upper end of the hook 375 to prevent spring 376 engaging the hook with the stop bar 55. Consequently, the lifter 368 will be returned to its normal position of Fig. 4 either upon subsequent corrective actuation of the mismanipulated digit key, or operation of the usual error control release but= ton or zeroizing crank 71.

With the control button 301 depressed, however, and following mismanipulation of a digit key to bring the instant zeroizing control mechanism to its position of Fig. 6, as above described, the actuated lifter hook 375 will remain engaged with its stop bar 55 to retain the lifter arm 368 in such actuated position, despite return of the old error control mechanism to normal position in response to actuation of its lock release button, the wiper members 377 previously having been moved to clear the blocking lugs 385 forwardly of their blocking position of Fig. 4 in response to the setting of control member 301 into its operative position. It will be appreciated that such counterclockwise movement of the wiper members 377 (viewing Figs. 4 and 6) will be effected by the rear, upwardly extending leg of actuator 347 swinging the actuator legs 383 forwardly as actuator 347 moves from its full line to its broken line position of Fig. 4 in response to depression of control key 301. The actuator legs or cam arms 384 are so shaped that subsequent lifting of the actuator 34-7 from its broken line to its full line position of Fig. 6, in response to actuation of lifter arm 368 following mismanipulation of a digit key, will not cause movement by their associated rear arms 349 of actuator 347 to return the lugs 385 to hook-blocking position, in response to such lifting of the actuator 347.

Any lifter hook 375 thus engaged with its stop bar 55 is released therefrom to permit return of lifter arm 368 to its position of Fig. 4 in either one of two ways. Usually, mismanipulation of a digit key (as above described) having been signalled by the resulting locking of the zeroizing crank 71, the machine operator will proceed to correctively actuate the mismanipulated key or keys 25. This will result in the associated stop bars 55 being moved forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 6 as an incident to the resulting additive actuation of the accumulator. The rear end of the stop bar 55 will thereby be moved out of engagement with its hook 375 to permit return of the lifter 368 to its normal position of Fig. 4. Such return of all of the displaced lifters 368 will enable spring 355 to rotate actuator 347 from its third or detent-blocking position of Fig. la to its second or active position of Fig. lb, which will enable spring 346 to swing the arm 342 of zeroizing detent 341 downwardly to its normal inoperative position. This is the usual manner in which the instant zeroizing control mechanism is returned to such second or active position to enable subsequent operation of the zeroizing crank 71. The other way in which the hooks 375 that are engaged with their stop bars 55 (as shown in Fig. 6) may be disengaged therefrom is in response to selective manual return of the control memher 391 to its normal raised position of Figs. 1 and 3.

Such return of control member 301 includes lifting of arm 339 from its position of Fig. 3a to that shown in Fig. 3. This causes the lower end of control arm 365 to act upon cam surface 363 to return control lever 358 to its normal, inoperative position of Fig. 3. The rear end of lever 35% thereby lifts arm 357 to move actuator 347 from its third or operated position of Fig. 1a to its first or normal inoperative position of Fig. l, and the zeroizing detent 341 will thereupon be returned by its spring 346 to inoperative position to permit actuation of Zeroizing crank 71. At the same time, the rear arms 349 of actuator 347 will be moved from their full line position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 4 and, in such movement, will actuate cam legs 38-: to rotate the wiper members 377 in a clockwise direction from their position of Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 4. The lugs 385 function during such movement to Wipe the upper ends of any lifter hooks 375 engaged with their stop bars 55 rearwardly out of engagement therewith, which will permit the return of any previously actuated lifters 362 to their position of Fig. 4.

it will thus be seen that the zeroizing control mechanism normally is inoperative, and actuation of any of the lifters 363 in response to mismanipulation of a digit key in any denominationally associated order of the machine will be ineffective to prevent operation of the zeroizing crank 71. At the same time, the usual functioning of the old error control mechanism will not be affected. But upon setting of the control member 301 to operative position, the instant zeroizing control mechanism is activated, so that subsequent mismanipulation of any digit key in those columns or denominational orders containing the lifters 368 will result in positive blocking of the zeroizing crank 71. However, mismanipulation of any digit key in any denominational order not having a litter 363 obviously will not effect such operation of the instant zeroizing control mechanism, even though the latter be in its second or activated position. Subsequent corrective actuation of all of the mismanipulated digit keys will enable the operator to proceed with his computations in a normal manner. Or if the operator desires to clear the machine and do the problem again from the beginning, it is necessary only to return the control member 3 to its normal raised position, whereupon the zeroizing crank 71 may be actuated. It will also be appreciated, as previously noted, that the instant zeroizing controi mechanism is readily adapted for use with other types of error control mechanism, such as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,570,068.. in such environment, the lifters 3&8 would be arranged for movement by rock bar of the error control mechanism of that patent following mismanipulation of a digit key. And, if desired, the instant zeroizing control mechanism also may be employed in a machine which does not include the split accumulator mechanism herein disclosed merely by providing a control member settable to condition or activate the same, i. e., similar in that function to the instant control member 391. And when applied to a machine in which corrective actuation of all mismanipulated digit keys may completely reset the error control mechanism to normal and which does not include a split accumulator mechanism, the present zeroizing control mechanism could be maintained active at all times merely by eliminating the control lever 358 and any settable control member therefor, whereby zeroizing or cancelling would be blocked whenever any digit key was mismanipulated and until corrective actuation thereof. 7

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A calculating machine, comprising anaccumulator, keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, error control mechanism operable in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent erroneous actuation of said accumulator, means for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing control member, normally inoperative means in certain denominational orders of the machine for preventing zeroizing of certain denominational orders of said accumulator upon operation of said zeroizing control member, selectively operable control means for rendering said normally inoperative means operable, and normally inoperative mechanism in said certain denominational orders of the machine conditioned in response tooperation of said control means for actuation in response to subsequent operation of said error control mechanism to prevent operation of said zeroizing control member.

2. In a calculating machine having a multi-denominational order accumulator, denominational columns of digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, error control mechanism operable in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent erroneous actuation of said accumulator, means for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing control member, normally inoperative means in certain denominational orders of the machine for preventing zeroizing of certain of said denominational orders of said accumulatorupon operation of said zeroizing control member, and selective operable control means for rendering said normally inoperative. means operable; normally inoperative mechanism in said certain denominational orders of the machine operable, when in active position, by said error control mechanism in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys in said certain denominational orders of the machine to prevent subsequent operation of said zeroizing control member; and means, operable in response to operation of said control means, for moving said normally inoperative mechanism to active position to condition the same for such operation by said error control mechanism.

3. A calculating machine according to claim 2, including means operable in response to subsequent corrective actuation of all mismanipulated keys to return the operated said normally inoperative mechanism to active position to enable subsequent operation of said zeroizing control member.

4. A calculating machine according to claim 2, including means, operable in response to return of said normally inoperative means to inoperative condition by selective operation of said control means, to render ineflective said operation preventing function of said normally inoperative mechanism to enable subsequent operation of said zeroizing control member for zeroizing all denominational orders of said accumulator.

5. A calculating machine, comprising a multi-denominational order accumulator, denominational columns of digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, normally inactive error control mechanism in. each denominational order of the machine activated in response to mismanipulation of any or the denominationally assoelated said keys to prevent erroneous actuation of said accumulator, means for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing member operable to inactivate said error control mechanism, normally inoperative means in certain denominational orders of the machine for preventing Zeroizing of certain denominational orders of said accumulator upon operation of said zeroizing member, selectively operable control means manually movable from normal position to render said normally inoperative means operable, normally inoperative mechanism in said certain denominational orders of the machine for preventing operation of said zeroizing member, and means operable by such movement of said control means for conditioning said normally inoperative mechanism for movement, in response to subsequent activation of the denominationally associated said error control mechanism, into blocking position to prevent operation of said zeroizing member.

6. A calculating machine according to claim 5, wherein corrective actuation of the mismanipulated keys inactivates said error control mechanism, and means operable in response to such corrective actuation of the mismanipulated keys to move said normally inoperative mechanism from blocking position to enable operation of said zeroizing member.

7. A calculating machine according to claim 6, including means, operable in response to manual return of said control means to normal position, to return said normally inoperative mechanism to normal inoperative position.

8. A calculating machine, comprising an accumulator, digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, normally inactive error control mechanism activated in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent resulting erroneous actuation of said accumulator, mechanism for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing member operable to inactivate said error control mechanism, normally inoperative mechanism for blocking operation of said zeroizing member, and control means selectively operable manually from normal position to cause movement of said normally inoperative mechanism from a first position to a second position wherein said normally inoperative mechanism will be moved, in response to subsequent activation of said error control mechanism due to mismanipulation of any of said keys, to a third position to prevent operation of said zeroizing member.

9. A calculating machine according to claim 8, wherein corrective actuation of the mismanipulated keys inactivates said error control mechanism, and means operable in response to such inactivation of said error control mechanism to move said normally inoperative mechanism to its said second position to enable operation of said zeroizing member.

10. A calculating machine according to claim 9, including means operable in response to manual return of said control means to normal position to move said normally inoperative mechanism from either said second or third positions to its said first position.

l1. A calculating machine, comprising a multi-denominational order accumulator, denominational columns of depressible digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, normally inactive error control mechanism activated in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent resulting erroneous actuation of said accumulator, mechanism for zeroizing said accumulator includinga zeroizing member, a normally inactive zeroizing detent movable to active position to present a solid bridge lock for preventing operation of said zeroizing member, normally inactive zeroizing control mechanism for moving said detent to active position, and a manual control member selectively operable to activate said zeroizing control mechanism for operation, in response to subsequent activation of said error control mechanism due to partial depression and release of any of said digit keys, to move said zeroizing detent to active position.

12. A calculating machine, comprising a multi-denominational order accumulator, denominational columns of depressible digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, normally inactive error control mechanism activated in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent resulting erroneous actuation of said accumulator, mechanism for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing member, a normally inactive zeroizing detent movable to active position to present a solid bridge lock for preventing operation of said zeroizing member, normally inoperative zeroizing control mechanism movable from a first inoperative position to a second operable position and to a third operated position for moving said detent to active position, a manual control member selectively operable between a normal inactive position and an active position, and spring means for moving said zeroizing control mechanism to said second operable position in response to movement of said control member to active position, said zeroizing control mechanism thereafter being moved to said third operated position, in response to subsequent activation of said error control mechanism due to partial depression and release of any of said digit keys, to move said zeroizing detent to active position.

13. A calculating machine according to claim 12, wherein said spring means returns said zeroizing control mechanism to said second operable position upon complete depression of said partially depressed and released digit keys, and a second spring means for thereupon moving said zeroizing detent to inactive position to enable said zeroizing member to be operated.

14. A calculating machine according to claim 13, including means operable upon movement of said control member to inactive position to return said zeroizing control mechanism from either said second or third positions to said first inoperative position.

15. in a calculating machine having a multi-denominational order accumulator, denominational columns of digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, error control mechanism operable in response to mismanipulation of any of said digit keys to prevent erroneous actuation of said accumulator, mechanism for zeroizing said accumulator including a zeroizing member, normally inoperative split accumulator mechanism in certain denominational orders of the machine for preventing zeroizing of said accumulator in said certain orders upon operation of said zeroizing member to zeroize the remaining orders of said accumulator, and a normally inoperative control member selectively operable to render said split accumulator mechanism operative; means readily incorporable into said machine for operation by said error control mechanism in response to mismanipulation of any digit key in said certain orders to prevent operation of said zeroizing member, comprising a normally inoperative zeroizing detent movable to operative position to block operation of said zeroizing member, a normally inoperative transordinal detent actuator having an arm extending into each order of the machine, and detent actuator lifter means mountable in each of said certain orders for actuating said arms in response to mismanipulation of a digit key in a denominationally associated column.

16. In a calculating machine according to claim 15, spring means urging said detent actuator in a direction to lower said arms, and detent actuator control means normally retaining said detent actuator in a first inoperative position against the action of said spring means and operable in response to operation of said control member to permit movement of said detent actuator by said spring means to a second operable position, said lifter means thereafter functioning in response to mismanipulation of an associated digit key to move said detent actuator against the action of said spring means to a third operated position.

17. In a calculating machine according to claim 16, spring means urging said detent into inoperative position, said actuator comprising means operable during movement thereof from said second to said third position to move said detent positively to operative blocking position against the action of its spring means.

18. In a calculating machine according to claim 17, lifter retaining means for maintaining each actuated said lifter means in actuated position to restrain said detent actuator against spring-returned movement to said second position, said lifter retaining means being disabled in response to corrective actuation of the denominationally associated mismanipulated digit key.

19. In a calculating machine according to claim 18,

means operable in response to return of said control member to normal inoperative position to return said detent actuator from either said second or third positions to said first position and to disable said lifter retaining means.

20. In a calculating machine according to claim 19, means forming a part of said last-recited means for preventing effective operation of said lifter retaining means While said detent actuator is in said first inoperative position.

21. A calculating machine, comprising an accumulator, digit keys for controlling actuation of said accumulator, error control mechanism operable in response to mismanipulation of any of said keys to prevent resulting erroneous actuation of said accumulator, mechanism for zeroizing said accumulator, and zeroizing control mechanism operable in response to operation of said error control mechanism to block initiation of the operation of said zeroizing mechanism.

22. A calculating machine according to claim 21, wherein corrective actuation of the mismanipulated keys inactivates said error control mechanism, and means operable in response to such inactivation of said error control mechanism to return said zeroizing control mechanism to normal position to enable operation of said zeroizing mechanism.

23. A calculating machine according to claim 21, wherein said zeroizing control mechanism comprises a normally inoperative zeroizing detent movable to opera tive position to block operation of said zeroizing mechanism, a transordinal detent actuator having an arm extend ing into each denominational order of the machine, and ordinal detent actuator lifter means for actuating said arms in response to mismanipulation of any digit key in a denominationally associated order.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,597 Turck Mar. 21, 1933 2,291,853 Webb Aug. 4, 1942 2,356,714 Webb Aug. 22, 1944 2,389,062 Lambert Nov. 13, 1945 2,570,068 Niemann Oct. 2, 1951 2,599,257 Heitlinger June 3, 1952

Images