US2842309A

US2842309A - Erbstosser

Info

Publication number: US2842309A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1958-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1975-07-08

Description

y 1958 E. ERBSTCSSER 2,842,309

' COMPUTER-TYPEWRITER APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1955 2,342,309 CGMPUEER-TYPEWRETER APRARATUS Erich Erhsttisser, Gosenbach, Kreis Siegen, Germany,

assignor to Firm-a Siemag Feinmechanrsche Werhc G. m. b. EL, Eiserield (Eieg), Germany The present invention relates to a new and improved computer-typewriter apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved cornpater-typewriter apparatus which can be advantageously used for bookkeeping and accounting operations.

There are conventional computer-typewriter apparatus or computer-printer apparatus wherein various numbers set up in the computer are automa 'cally printed by the typewriter on paper carried on the movable carriage of the typewriter. For many bookkeeping and accounting purposes it is particularly advantageous to have these numbers printed in a plurality of tabular columns wherein the numbers in one column can represent particular quantities, the numbers in the second column can sent the unit price of each item of the quantity and the third column could represent the sum or product of the first two columns. It is also apparent that there are many other types of arrangement wherein the use of a plurality of numbers arranged in several diiferent tabular columns will provide statistical material of beneficial use to a business organization.

In the best conventional computer-typewriter arrangements, otherwise known as electrical bookkeeping machines, the keys corresponding to the number to be printed are depressed in the computer. The number corresponding to the depressed keys are then automatically printed by the typewriter. The number which has been set up in the computer can be used for the computing functions so that this number can form a multiplier or a multiplicand of a product or it can form one part of a sum of several numbers.

It is apparent that after a rnulti-order number has been printed in its respective tabular column, the movable carriage of the typewriter must be positioned at the start of the next tabular column so that it will be ready to print the number next to be set up in the computer. It is clear that it would be very undesirable for an operator to have to operate the tabulating keys of the typewriter after each number has been automatically printed. This would be very time-consuming and would interfere with the automatic operation of the computer-typewriter apparatus.

The present invention overcomes this disadvantageous operation by automatically shifting the movable carriage of the typewriter to a position corresponding to the highest denominational order of the multi-order number to be printed in the next tabular column.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of conventional computertypewriter apparatus as described hereinabove.

tnother object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved ccmoutor-typewriter apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved computer-typewriter apparatus wherein the movable carriage of the typewriter is automatically positioned for the printing of each number to appear in a tabular column.

. A further object of the present invention is to provide nited States Patent @hice Patented July 8, 1958 5'41 a computer-typewriter apparatus wherein the multi-orcler number set up in the computer is maintained in the computer until the entire number has been printed by the typewriter.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved computer-typewriter mechanism wherein a series of electrical contacts are provided adjacent the movable carriage of the typewriter to energize actuating means for moving the typewriter carriage to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column.

With the above objects in view the present invention primarily consists of apparatus to be used in a bookkeeping machine and including means for printing a plurality of multi-order numbers in side-by-side relationship to form a plurality of tabular columns, and means for automatically positioning the printing means between the position corresponding to the lowest decimal order digit of one tabular column and the position corresponding to the highest decimal order digit of the next tabular column when the lowest decimal orc er digit is printed.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes apparatus for use in a computer-typewriter apparatus wherein the movable carriage of the typewriter is moved through a plurality of positions to print a plurality of multi-order numbers set up by the computer in respective tabular columns along the carriage of the typewriter and including a plurality of first electrical contacts mount ed in the computer, each of the contacts corresponding respectively to a digit for making up a multi-order numher to be printed by the typewriter, means for identifying each of the contacts to correspond to the digits of the multi-order number to be printed in the next tabular column of the typewriter, means for moving the carriage of the typewriter through each of the positions of the first tabular column while printing in each of its positions the digit corresponding to the identified contact for the respective position of the carriage, and means for automatically moving the movable carriage into the position corresponding to the. highest decimal order of the next tabular column when the digit corresponding to the lowest decimal order of the last tabular column is printed.

Still another embodiment of the present invention includes a remotely controlled typewriter mechanism having a movable carriage wherein a plurality of multi-order numbers are to be printed in different tabular columns along the carriage and including a first electrical contact mounted on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith, a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on the typewriter adapted to be sequentially engaged by the first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of the groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a different tabular column to be printed by the typewriter each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of the groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column, a plurality of keys mounted on the typewriter, each of the keys corresponding to a different digit to be printed by the typewriter along the carriage, a plurality of actuating means, each of the actuating means being adapted to actuate one of the keys, respectively, when energized, to print the corresponding digit for the key and to move the carriage to its next position, a source or" operating potential for energizing the actuating means, circuit means connected between each of the plurality of fixed contacts and the actuating means for connecting the source of operating potential, whenever desired, to one of the plurality of actuating means when the first electrical contact engages one of the fixed electrical contacts, at least one second fixed electrical contact positioned between the fixed electric l contact corres onding to the low decimal order sents the rear of the typewriter.

of one tabular column and the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column and adapted to be engaged by the first electrical contact, and means connected in circuit with the second fixed electrical contact for moving the movable carriage to its next position without any digit being printed when the first electrical contact engages the second fixed electrical contact.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which represents an electrical schematic'diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the lower portion represents the computer mechanism and the upper portion repre- In the lower, com-- puter portion of the drawing is located a contact carrying member 12 on which is mounted a plurality of longitudinal parallel contacts 14. Each of the contacts 14 correspond, respectively, to one of the digits -9. These digits can be used to make up the multi-order number to be set up in the computer and printed by the typewriter.

Arranged to the left of the parallel contacts 14 is a second plurality of parallel longitudinal contacts '13. It can be seen that the contacts 13 are mounted on the member 12 in substantially perpendicular relation with respect to the contacts 14. Each of the contacts 13 represent one denominational or decimal order of the multiorder number. to be set up in the computer. it can be seen that the lowermost contact 13 is labeled 1/100, the second contact 13 is labeled 1/ 10, and so on until the uppermost contact 13 which is labeled 100T and which corresponds to the decimal order 100,000.

Accordingly it can be seen that the contacts 13 each respectively represent one denominational order of a mnlti-onder number which can have digits anywhere in the 100,000 denominational order down to the one-hundredth denominational order.

Mounted on each contact 13 is a second movable or slidable contact 11 which makes electrical contact there with. The slidable contact 11 may be moved longitudinally to make electrical contact with any one or" the parallel contacts 14 to the right thereof. it should be clear that only the right end of the respective contact 11 is able to make electrical contact with the parallel contacts 14. In the normally open position, the contacts 11 are moved completely to the left and their right ends make contact with the contact 14 which is marked L. The contact L does not correspond to a digit but corresponds to the space bar to be operated on the typewriter;

Connected at the upper end of the contact marked L is a conductor 26 which in turn is connected to one end of a solenoid coil 25. The otherend of the solenoid coil 25 is connected by a conductor 25 and a conductor 26 to the negative terminal of a source of directcurrent potential 19.

Within the solenoid coil 25 is disposed the solenoid core 32 which in turn is connected to the space bar L of the typewriter. "in its normally opened position it can be seenthat the solenoid core 32 has a portion thereof disposed outside of the coil 25.

, The lower end of the contact marked L'is connected .by a conductor 27 to a plurality of contacts L and L onthe back of the typewriter; 'It can be seen that on the back ofthe typewriter there is disposed a plurality of fixed electrical contacts which in' the illustrated embodiment are all equally spaced one from the other. These fixed electrical contacts are divided into several groups marked I, 11, III, and IV. Each of these groups includes eleven contacts. However, in order not to unnecessarily complicate the drawing, only the groups 11 and 111 are shown in their entirety.

Referring to the group III and starting from the left dotted line thereof it can be seen that the fixed electrical contacts belonging to the group 111 are marked L L 1/100, 1/10, 1, 10, 100, 1'1", 101" and 1001'. Each of the fixed electrical contacts in the various groups have similar respective markings. Each electrical contact in each group which has the same marking as an electrical contact in another group is con nected to the same conductor. For example, it can be seen that the electrical contact marked 10 in group 111 is connected to the same conductor as the contact marked 10 in the group II. All of the connections between the fixed electrical contacts of each group and the conductors are not shown in order to avoid unnecessarily complicating the drawing. However, in group II the connections between each of the contacts of the group and each of the conductors arranged on the back of the typewriter is shown. All of the other contacts of each of the other groups are connected in the same manner.

Therefore it can be seen that the contacts marked L and L of group II are connected to the same conductor which in turn is connected to the conductor 27 which, as indicated above, is connected directly to the contact 14, in the computer, marked L. Similarly, the contact 13 in the computer marked T is connected at its left hand portion by a conductor 15 directlyto a conductor on the back of the typewriter which in turn is directly connected to the fixed electrical contact marked 100T of each group on the typewriter.

One additional conductor connection is shown between the contacts 13 and the conductors on the typewriter. This connection shows a conductor 15 connected between the contact 13 marked 1/ 100, which conductor is connected to a second conductor on the typewriter which in turn is connected to each of the electrical contacts marked 1/100 in each group. It should be apparent that each of the contacts 13 is connected by a conductor to the conductors on the back of the typewriter which are connected to the respective contacts bearing the same identification as the contacts 13 in the computer.

Shown adjacent all of the fixed electrical contacts on the back of the typewriter is a bus bar 20. The bus bar 20 is made of an electrically conductive material and is connected at its right end by means of a conductor 31 to a normally opened contact 30' of a switch 18. The other contact 30 of the switch 18 is connected to the positive terminal of the source 19 of direct-current potential. The contact 30 of the switch 13 is normally held in its open position by a spring 56. However, in the drawing, the switch 18 is shown in its operated or closed position. In this position the contact 30 of the switch 18 has been urged upwardly against the action of the spring 36 by the lever 28 which pivots about its pivot point 28. The lever 28 is held in its illustrated position by the catch 29 which in turn is held at its lower end by the spring 35 against the stop 29'.

Also connected to the lower end of the catch 29 is a solenoid core 34 which is shown partially disposed within a solenoid coil 33. The solenoid coil 33 has one end thereof connected by a conductor 41 connected to a series of fixed contacts A disposed above the bus bar 20 in the drawing. It can be seen that there is one contact A for each of the groups I, I1, I11 and IV. These contacts A are all connected together and connected to the conductor 41,

The other end of the solenoid coil 33 ,is connected on the conductor 26 to the negative terminal of the source 19. p a r 7 Also connected at the typewriter is a movable carriage 16 which is shown in only diagrammatic fashion since it corresponds to the movable carriage on a conventional typewriter. Mounted on the carriage 16 and movable therewith is a contact 17 which slides on the bus bar and sequentially engages each of fixed contacts respectively as the carriage 16 moves in the direction of the arrow 16'. Therefore the contact 17 directly connects each of the fixed contacts to which it is engaged to the bus bar 249. When the movable carriage moves the con tact 17 into engagement with particular group,

the last fixed contact of a the contact 17, in addition to engaging this last contact, also engages the respective contact A. It can be seen in group II, for example, that the contact A is directly opposite the contact marked L so that when the contact 17 makes contact with the fixed contact L it also makes contact with the contact A.

Also diagrammatically illustrated are the electrical connections between the contacts 12 of the computer and the keys of the typewriter. It can be seen that the upper end of the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 5 is connected by a conductor 22 to one end of a solenoid coil 23, the other end of which is connected by the conductor 26' to the negative terminal of the source of potential 15". Partially disposed within the solenoid coil 23 is a solenoid core The core 2 is directly, mechanically connected to the key 5 of the typewriter mechanism.

It is apparent that each of the contacts 12 are also connected to respective solenoids at the typewriter which in turn are respectively connected to keys of the typewriter which corresponds to the digit of the particular contact 12. That is, as illustrated, the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 5 is electrically connected to a solenoid which is mechanically connected to the key 5 of the typewriter.

An additional key is illustrated in the drawing. This key is marked and corresponds to the .rey for printing a period on the carried by the carriage 16 of the typewriter, This key is mechanically connected to a solenoid core 27 partially disposed Within a solenoid coil 21. The solenoid coil 21 has one end connected to the negative terminal of the source of potential 19 and the other end thereof directly connected to the conductor on the typewriter which in turn is connected to the fixed electrnal contact thereon marked In operation, the carriage 16 of the typewriter is moved to its starting position which, as in normal typewriter ration, is to the farthermost right position. this an the contact 17 kes with the fixed electrical contact marked 100T of group l. The number to be printed by the typewriter is then set up in the computer. This is usually done by a hand operation of a plurality of keys. In order to understand th invention, the operation of the apparatus will be d oed with. an illustrative example wherein the number 536.07 is to be printed by the typewriter.

In the computer mechanism the keys, not illustrated, are depressed which correspond to the rnulti-order number 536.07. These keys move the sliding or movable contacts 11 so that the following electrical connections are made: the contact 13 corresponding to the hundreds order is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 5; the contact 13 corresponding to the tens order is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 3; the contact 13 corresponding to the units order is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 6; the contact 13 corresponding to the tenths order is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 6; and the contact 13 corresponding to the hundredths order is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 7.

The means for moving the sliding or movable contacts 11' by means of the computer keys is not illustrated but it is apparent this may be easily carried out in any conventional manner.

After the keys of the computer corresponding to the number 536.97 have been depressed the lever 22? is moved downwardly operate-cl Tn lines about its pivot 6 point 28 to urge the contact 3 of the switch 18 against the action of the spring 36 into electrical contact with the contact 30. When the lever 28 is moved downwardly it is caught and held by the catch 29 as shown in the drawing.

When the switch 18 is moved into its closed or operated position by the lever 28, the positive terminal of the source of direct-current potential is directly connected on conductor 31 to the bus bar 20. Therefore the contact 17 connects this positive terminal to the fixed electri 1 contact marked T of the group I. Since the contact -3 in the computer corresponding to the one hundred thousands order has not been moved from its normal position it is directly connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the space bar L. Therefore the solenoid made up of the solenoid coil 25 and the solenoid core 32, for actuating the space bar L, is energized in the following manner: the positive terminal of the source 19 is connected through the closed switch 18 and the conductor 3i to the bus bar 29 at the typewriter; the bus bar 2% is connected to the contact 17 which in turn is connected to the fixed electrical contact identified as 100T in group I; this contact, in turn, is connected to its respective conductor 15 back to the computer and to the contact 13 corresponding to the one hundred thousands order 100T; the movable contact 11 connected to this contact 13 is directly connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the space bar L which in turn is connected by the conductor 26 to one side of the solenoid coil 25; the other side of the solenoid coil 25 is connected by conductors 25' and 26 to the negative terminal of the source 19.

Accordingly, when the solenoid coil 25 is connected across the source 19, as described hereinabove, it is energized and attracts the remainder of the core 32 into the coil 25. This movement of the core 3?. actuates the space bar L which as in a conventional typewriter mechanism advances the carriage 16 one space without causing any digit to be printed on the paper carried by the carriage 16.

When the carriage 16 is advanced one step, it is apparent that the contact 17 moves into electrical contact with the contact marked lOT of group I. With this connection it connects the potential of the bus bar 2t) to this fixed electrical contact and this potential i a plied on its respective conductor 15 to the correspond contact 13 in the computer. Since, for the illustrated c. iple, there is no digit occupying the ten thousandths order, the movable Contact 11 corresponding thereto is electrically connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the space bar L. Accordingly, the space bar L will again be actuated and the carriage 16 advanced to the next step.

In the next step of the carriage the contact 17 will make electrical contact with the fixed electrical contact marked 1T of group I. As before this will apply the potential of the bus bar 20 to the contact 13 in the one thousands order in the computer. This will again actuate the space bar L without any digit being printed by the typewriter. The carriage 16 will then be advanced one step so that the contact 17 will make electrical contact with the con tact marked 100 of group I. In this last position the potential supplied from the bus bar 29 will be applied on the corresponding conductor 15 to the contact 13 in the computer corresponding to the hundreds order. It can be seen that the movable contact 11 electrically connected to the contact 13 marked 100 is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 5. Accordingly, this will energize the solenoid made up of the solenoid coil 23 and solenoid core 24 so that the core 24 will be attracted into the coil 23. This will actuate the key of the typewriter for printing the digit 5 on the paper carried by the car riage 16.

When the key 5 has been actuated and the digit 5 printed by the typewriter, the carriage is stepped into its next position in accordance with conventional typewriter operation. in the next position the contact 17 makes 7 contact with the fixed electrical contact marked 10 of the group I. In this position the positive potential supplied by the bus bar 20 is directly applied to the contact" 13 in the computer corresponding to the tens order. It can be seen that the contact 11 connected to the contact 13 in the tens order is electrically connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 3. The contact 12 corresponding to the digit 3 is electrically connected to a solenoid in the typewriter for actuating the key for printing the digit 3 on the paper of the carriage 16 in the same manner as illustrated for the digit 5. v 7

Accordingly, the digit 3 is printed in its proper denominational order and the carriage 16 is stepped into its next position where the contact 17 makes electrical contact with the contact marked 1 of the group I. This applies a positive potential of the bus bar 20 to the contact 13 in the computer corresponding to the units order. This contact is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 6. This latter contact in turn is connected electrically to a solenoid in the typewriter for actuating the key to print the digit 6 on the paper of the carriage 16. This again steps the carriage 16 ahead one position so that the contact 17 makes electrical contact with the contact marked This applies the positive potential from the bus bar 20 to one side of the solenoid coil 21, the other side of which is connected to the negative terminal of the source 19. Accordingly the solenoid coil 21 will attract the solenoid core 21 therein to actuate the key of the typewriter and to print a on the paper in the typewriter.

This will advance the carriage 16 another step so that the contact 17 will make contact with the contact marked 1/10 in the group I. As can be seen the contact 13 corresponding to the one-tenths order is connected to the digit 0. This energizes a solenoid in the typewriter for actuating the 0 digit key in the typewriter and thereby print the digit 0 on the paper.

This last operation steps the carriage 16 ahead by one step so that the contact 17 makes contact with electrical contact marked 1/ 100 in the group I. Referring to the computer portion of the drawing it can be seen that the contact 13 corresponding to the one-hundredths or der is connected to the contact 12 corresponding to the digit 7. Accordingly the connection of the positive potential of the bus bar 20 will actuate the key in the typewriter corresponding to the digits 7 and will print the digit 7 on the paper.

When the carriage 16 has been stepped forward by the last operation the contact 17 will make contact with the contact marked L of the groupI. It can be seen that this contact is connected on the conductor 27 to the lower portion of the contact 12 in the computer corresponding to the space bar L. Accordingly, this will actuate the space bar of the typewriter so that the carriage 16 will be stepped forward one more position without any digit being printed on the paper on the carriage 16.

In this last position of the group I the contact 17 will make contact with the contact marked L and will simultaneously make contact with the contact A of the group I. This connection will cause two things to happen simultaneously. The connection between the contact 17 and the contact marked L will cause the space bar of the typewriter to be actuated and move the carriage 16 into its next position. At the same time the connection of the positive potential of the bus bar 20 to the contact A will apply this positive potential on the conductor 41 to one end of the solenoid coil 33, the other end of which is connected to the negativeterminal of the source 19. This will energize the solenoid coil 33 and attract the solenoid core 34 thereto against the action of the retaining spring 35. This will cause the lower end of the catch member 29 to be deflected towards the right about its pivot point so that the lever 28 will be free to move upwardly about its pivot point 28' under the action of the spring 36,

The upward'mov'ement of the lever 28, as in conventional computing hand-operated machines, will cause the keys which had been depressed in the computer to return to their original position. This action will also open the switch 18 thereby removing any potential from the bus bar 20.

Therefore when the contact 17 moves into simultaneous contact with the contact marked L and the contact A, the carriage 16 will be moved one step forward and then the carriage will stop because the action of the contact A will be to open the switch 18 and restore all of the keys to their original position. The carriage 16 is now positioned in the highest decimal order, namely, the one hundred thousands order of the next tabular column corresponding to the group II. In operation, the next number to be printed in the second tabular column by the typewriter will now be set up by depressing the proper keys in the computer. When the lever 28 is again depressed to close the switch 18 the typewriter carriage 26 will be moved in stepwise fashion, as described hereinabove, to print each of the digits in their proper denominational or decimal order to form the multi-order number corresponding to the keys depressed by the computer. After the lowest decimal or denominational order of the multi-order number of the tabular column corresponding to group II has been printed, the carriage 16 will be moved by the action of the fixed electrical contacts L and L into the position of the highest decimal or denominational order for the next tabular column to be printed in the column corresponding to group III. Also, when the contact 17 makes contact with the contact L it will simultaneously make contact with the contact A of group II so that the lever 23 will again be returned to its original position in the computer thereby returning the depressed keys of the computer to their original position.

In the illustrative example a multi-order number having five decimal orders has been chosen. However it is apparent that for the illustrated embodiment, a multiorder number having a total of ten decimal orders may be printed in each tabular column of the typewriter.

Between the lowest decimal order of each group and the key marked L of each group, there is shown one contact marked L However it is apparent that there may be any number of contacts marked L between the lowest decimal order of the tabular column and the last contact marked L This is arranged so that when the various tabular columns are printed in side-by-side rela tionship on the paper of the typewriter there will be a certain amount of space between adjacent columns for easier reading. It is apparent that the amount of space between adjacent columns may be adjusted to suit the particular problem for which the bookkeeping machine or the typewriter-computer apparatus is being used.

It is therefore apparent that the present invention permits the automatic positioning of the carriage of the typewriter simultaneously with the printing of the lowest decimal order of a particular tabular column. That is, the carriage is automatically moved from the lowest decimal order of one tabular column into a position corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column. At the same time all of the keys of the computer corresponding to one particular tabular column are released and returned to their original position so that the next number may be set up in the computer.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of printing and reg istering apparatus diifering fro'rn the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a computer-typewriter apparatus, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in my way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art. fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a remotely controlled typewriter mechanism having a movable carriage wherein a plurality of multiorder numbers are to be printed in different tabular columns along the carriage, in combination, a first electrical contact mounted on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups or" fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a different tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a difierent decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of keys mounted on said typewriter, each of said keys corre sponding to a difierent digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of actuating means, each of said actuating means being adapted to actuate one of said keys, respectively, when energized, to print the corresponding digit for said key and to move the car riage to its next position; a source of operating potential for energizing said actuating means; circuit means connected between each of said plurality of fixed contacts and said actuating means for connecting said source of operating potential, whenever desired, to one of said plurality of actuating means when said first electrical contact engages one of said fixed electrical contacts; at least one second fixed electrical contact positioned between the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the lowest decimal order of one tabular column and the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column and adapted to be engaged by said first electrical contact; and means connected in circuit with said second fixed electrical contact for moving the movable carriage to its next position without any digit being printed when said first electrical contact engages said second fixed electrical contact.

2. In a remotely controlled typewriter mechanism having a movable carriage wherein a plurality of multi-order numbers are to be printed in different tabular columns along the carriage, in combination, a first electrical contact mounted on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a ditferent tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of keys mounted on said typewriter, each of said keys corresponding to a different digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of actuating means, each of said actuating means being adapted to actuate one of said keys, respectively, when energized, to print the corresponding digit for said key and to move the carriage to its next position; a source of operating potential for "10 energizing said actuating means; circuit means connected between each of said plurality of fixed contacts and said actuating means for connecting said source of operating potential, whenever desired, to one of said plurality of actuating means when said first electrical contact engages one of said fixed electrical contacts; and means arranged adjacent the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the lowest decimal order of each tabular column for moving said movable carriage to the position corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column after the digit for the lowest decimal order has been printed.

3. In a remotely controlled typewriter mechanism having a movable carriage wherein a plurality of multi-order numbers are to be printed in difierent tabular columns along the carriage, in combination, a first electrical contact mounted on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a different tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of keys mounted on said typewriter, each of said keys corresponding to a difierent digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of actuating means, each of said actuating means being adapted to actuate one of said keys, respectively, when energized, to print the corresponding digit for said key and to move the carriage to its next position; a source of operating potential for energizing said actuating means; circuit means connected between each of said plurality of fixed contacts and said actuating means for connecting said source of operating potential, whenever desired, to one of said plurality of actuating means when said first electrical contact engages one of said fixed'electrical contacts; a plurality of second fixed electrical contacts positioned between the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the lowest decimal order of one tabular column and the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column and adapted to be sequentially enga ed by said first electrical contact; and means connected in circuit with said second fixed electrical contacts for mov ing the movable carriage to its position corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column without any digit being printed when said first electrical contact sequentially engages said plurality of second fixed electrical contacts.

4. -In a remotely controlled typewriter mechanism having a movable carriage wherein a plurality of multi-order numbers are to be printed in different tabular columns along the carriage, in combination, a first electrical contact mounted on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed elect-rical contacts corresponding respectively to a difierent tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of keys mounted on said typewriter, each of said keys corresponding to a different digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of solenoids, each of said solenoids being adapted to actuate one of said keys, respectively, when energized, to print the corresponding digit for said key and to move the carriage to its next position; a source of operating potential for energizing said solenoids; circuit means connected between each of said plurality of fixed contacts and said solenoids for connecting said source of operating potential, whenever desired, to one of said plurality of solenoids when said first electrical contact engages one of said fixed electrical contacts; 'at least one second fixed electrical contact positioned between the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the lowest decimal order of one tabular column and the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column and adapted to be engaged by said first electrical contact; and means connected in circuit with said second fixed electrical contact for moving the movable carriage to its next position without any digit being printed when said first electrical contact engages said second fixed electrical contact.

5. In a computer-typewriter apparatus wherein the movable carriage of the typewriter is moved through a plurality of positions to print a plurality of multi-order numbers set up by the computer in respective tabular col-' umns along the carriage, in combination, a first electri cal contact arranged on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter and adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a different tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of printing means arranged on said typewriter, each of said printing means corresponding respectively to a different digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of actuating means, each of said actuating means actuating one of said printing me'ans'respectively upon energization thereof to print the respective digits and to move the carriage to its next order position; a source of operating potential connected in circuit with said actuating means for energizing the same; a plurality of slidable contacts arranged in said computer and connected in circuit between said source and said actuating means and movable between a plurality of different circuit-closing positions depending upon the computed number set up by the computer, each of said different circuit-closing positions corresponding respectively to a different digit to be printed by the typewriter; and means arranged adjacent the fixed electrical contact cor responding to the lowest decimal order of each tabular column for moving said movable carriage to the position corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column after the digit for the lowest decimal order has been printed.

6. In a computer-typewriter apparatus wherein the movable carriage of the typewriter is moved through a plurality of positions to print a plurality of multi-order numbers set up by the computer in respective tabular columns along the carriage, in combination, a first electrical contact arranged on the movable carriage of the typewriter and movable therewith; a plurality of groups of fixed electrical contacts mounted on said typewriter and adapted to be sequentially engaged by said first electrical contact when the typewriter carriage is moved between its first and its last position, each group of said groups of fixed electrical contacts corresponding respectively to a different tabular column to be printed by the typewriter, each of the fixed electrical contacts of each of said groups corresponding respectively to a different decimal order of its respective tabular column; a plurality of printing means arranged on said typewriter, each of said printing means corresponding respectively to a different digit to be printed by said typewriter along said carriage; a plurality of actuating means, each of said actuating means actuating one of said printing means respectively upon energization thereof to print the respective digits and to move the carriage to its next order position; at least one space bar actuating means for actuatthe space bar of the typewriter to move the carriage of the typewriter into the next position of the tabular column without printing any digit; a source of operating potential connected in circuit with said actuating means for energizing the same; a plurality of slidable contacts arranged in said computer and connected in circuit between said source and said actuating means and movable between a plurality of different circuit-closing positions depending upon the computed number set up by the computer, each of said different circuit-closing positions corresponding respectively to a difierent order position in which a digit is to be printed by the typewriter, said plurality of slidable contacts being normally arranged'in initial respective positions wherein they are connected in circuit with said space bar actuating means; and means arranged adjacent the fixed electrical contact corresponding to the lowest decimal order of each tabular column for moving said movable carriage to the position corresponding to the highest decimal order of the next tabular column in which a digit is to be printed after the digit for the lowest decimal order has been printed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,928,656 7 Von Reppert Oct. 3, 1933 1,942,106 Kottmann Jan. 2, 1934 2,403,005 Lake et al. July 2, 1946 2,493,709 Wittenmyer Ian. 3, 1950 2,718,354

Sharpe Sept. 20,1955