US2991008A - goldberg - Google Patents

Description

July -4 1961 M. M. GOLDBERG COMPUTER OPERATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 12, 1957 xvi; K

INV EN TOR. fiAx/mumv/l 604025 mm Ms A TT'OR/VE) July 4, 1961 M. M. GOLDBERG COMPUTER OPERATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 12, 1957 6 m R o u m w y m 6 M R N 0 N "H i Eon Qua R $3M -0w ww m A. (kw m I Dun 3 (mom uuom in M N 5 I W H fl m w a A DsM \\N k\ own .2

m dun X w 8 I flan (Pom v Q a M; .0 n 0 5 New m; mun 2mm m5 1 CNN Q-OMI .RM mien New wum Man can mm n in mnon w when $3 m #2 Em C [\LFIIL w@ 5% Mhm in im July 4, 1961 M. M. GOLDBERG COMPUTER OPERATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1957 INVENTOR. llnxlmunu N. omssne United States Patent 2,991,008 COMPUTER OPERATING MEANS Maximilian M. Goldberg, 210 N. Main St., Dayton, Ohio Filed Mar. 12, 1957, Ser. No. 645,545 8 Claims. (Cl. 235-445) This invention relates in general to calculating or accounting machines and the like and is particularly directed to means for manually setting up values to be calculated by such machines.

In Far East countries the abacus is used extensively as a device to add and subtract quantities. It is by no means a calculating machine in the sense as we know it here and in other countries of the West.

The abacus is fundamentally both a set-up and manipulating device. Nothing happens automatically or by itself. In order to perform an arithmetical operation, the elements of the abacus have to be moved first into starting or set-up positions. The so called carrying over operations have to be done by hand by the human operation.

At the end of the operation only the end result is indicated. Nothing is shown as to what has happened.

Though the abacus thus appears to be a very crude device, it is nevertheless a popular one. To the user it gives the answer in an understandable language, and that is all.

In the present invention the abacus is combined with additional elements, to make it a calculating machine. These additional elements perform automatically all arithmetical operations, at the same time indicating in visible and also in printed form the initial items and the final results. During additions, the addends as well as the sum are indicated. In subtraction, the subtrahend, the quantity to be subtracted, and the difference are indicated. During multiplication, the multiplier and the product are indicated. Similarly it is with division. All this is done mechanically, without the eifort of the operator.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to make available to the users of the abacus, a modern calculating machine which is provided with a manipulator having the appearance of an abacus.

The abacus, as used in China and Japan, for example, usually consists of a rectangllar frame provided with horizontal rods, each of which carries operating or manipulating elements in the form of rings slidably placed on the rods. Five elements or rings are used for each rod. Four (4) have each a unit value while the 5th element has a 5 unit value. The unit value elements are separated from the 5 value element by means of a cross bar dividing the abacus frame into two sections.

To set up the amount 1, one unit value ring is slid forwardly on the rod. To set up the amount 2, two unit value rings are slid forwardly on the rod. To set up the amount 3, three unit value rings are slid forwardly on the rod, and likewise the amount 4 is set up by sliding forwardly four unit value rings. To set up the amount, 5, the 5 unit value ring is slid backwardly while maintaining the unit value rings in their backward or zero positions. To set up the amount 6, the 5 unit value ring is slid backwardly and the farthest one unit value ring is slid forward. To set up the amount 7, the 5 unit value ring is slid backwardly and two one unit value rings are slid forward. The amounts 8 and 9 are set up by moving the 5 value ring backwardly and by sliding forwardly threeor four unit value rings, respectively.

In some instances, additional elements are employed, so thatinstead of using 5 rings, for example, the Chinese may use 7 rings and the Japanese may use 6 rings. However, in the present invention only 5 elements or rings are required.

Patented July 4, 1961 Inasmuch as these manipulating elements are to control mechanically the calculating machine, specially formed levers are used instead of rings, 4 levers being used for the 1, 2, 3, and 4 digits of one order and 1 lever for the 5 digit of said order. These five specially formed levers perform the functions of the usual 9 keys in the amount bank for one denominational order of a typical calculating machine.

The main portions of such levers are placed underneat-h a horizontal plate, and are not visible to the user. Only the upper ends of the levers extend upwardly through slots in the horizontal plate and are visible to the user. These upper ends are provided with finger operated members or knobs which have the appearance of the abacus rings. Consequently the user, who is accustomed to the abacus, has before him a keyboard comprising rows of finger operated elements or knobs almost identical in appearance to the abacus rings which he is familiar with and understands how to operate.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a manipulator having the general appearance of an abacus, which is capable of being used for operating any conventional calculating machine which normally would be provided with the usual denominational rows of amount keys or equivalent devices.

It is also another object of this invention to provide a manipulator for use with conventional calculating machines, which manipulator comprises five levers displaying abacus-like operating members with one member on one side of a dividing bar and four members on the other side of said bar.

Another object of this invention is to provide a conventional calculating machine having my abacus-like manipulator with means to perform the arithmetical operations, total or reset, and sub-total or read operations, which are required in such machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a calculating machine having my abacus-like manipulator instead of amount keys with means for locking the levers of the manipulator during an operating cycle of the calculating machine.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view, with portions broken away, of one type of calculating machine to which the abacus type manipulator has been applied.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-section of the manipulator applied to another form of calculating machine.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are detail views looking upward from near the bottom of FIGURE 2, with certain parts omitted in each case to expose other parts to view.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are vertical cross-sections taken from a central part of FIGURE 2, looking leftward, with certain parts omitted in each case to expose other parts to view.

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are side elevations of certain parts used in the manipulator.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing a slightly different type of calculating machine to which the novel manipulator has been applied.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-section looking upward taken from near the bottom of FIGURE 10, with parts omitted.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 with further parts omitted to expose other parts to view.

In FIGURE 1 the manipulator is intended to be illustrated with a modern type of calculating machine.

By way of example only, FIGS, 2. to 9 inclusive of this application illustrate the manner in which the abacus type of manipulator may be used to replace the regular amount keyboard of calculating machines of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,626,749, issued to Raymond A. Christian et al. on January 27, 1953.

Where numerals between 500 and 999 are used in this application, they are intended to designate elements substantially similar to those of the same number in the Christian et al. patent, with such changes as are obvious from the description. Other numerals used in this application may or may not designate similar elements of the patent, as is obvious from the context.

The other US. patents referred to in the Christian et al. patent, particularly in columns 11 and 12, may also be used as examples of calculating machines to which this invention is applicable, and are made part of this disclosure. Without detracting from any of these patents, the patent to C. L. Lee, No. 2,181,975, issued December 5, 1939, will later be referred to for a disclosure of features not disclosed in the present application.

The keys 589 of the Christian et al. patent, and the members connected therewith are considered in connection with this invention, and the other keys of the patent may, in general, be disregarded. The patent discloses a differential bar actuator 617 for each row of keys. These bars have been similarly numbered in the present application, and have substantially the same construction, except that their left ends are of straight construction in the present application, instead of stepped, as at 618 in the patent. The general operation of these actuators 617 is'described in the patent in columns 35, et seq. The printer 942 and its operating elements are described in the patent columns 36 et seq. Such descriptions will not be repeated here, it being understood that the operation in, this invention is substantially the same.

The actuators 617 are moved to the right in FIGURE 2 of this application during the first part of the cycle by the action of the bar 115 and the spring 916 in a yielding manner, so the actuators 617 may be stopped by the position of the manipulator levers 301B-305B, as will be more fully described. The actuators 617 are returned during the last half of the cycle by means of the bar 915, as described in the Christian et al. patent. Totalizers 1, 2, X, etc. are described in column 38 et. seq., of the patent, and some of these have been shown in this application, by way of example. The totalizers, and their operation, are more conveniently described in the Lee 'Patent No. 2,181,975, supra, which will be later used for a disclosure of details thereof.

Whereas the actuators 617, in the patent, are stopped by means of steps 618 engaging square studs 605 of the amount keys 589, in this application such actuators 617 are stopped by means of the levers 301B-305B, as now more fully described.

As in the abacus, the regions of the abacus-like knobs 301-304 are separated from the region of the knob 305 by the bar 306. If the user allows the knobs 301-304 to remain towards him, as in rows A and K in FIGURE 1, or to the left in FIGURE 2, the setting is zero and corresponds to the home or undepressed positions of keys 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the patent. Position of knob 305 away from the user, as shown in rows A and G-K of FIGURE 1, is the Zero or home position of said knob 305. Movement of knob 305 toward the user, as in rows B-F in FIGURE 1, or to the left in FIGURE 2, corresponds to depressing the key 5 of keys 589 of the patent. Movement of the knob 30 1 away from the user, while the other knobs remain in their home or zero positions, as shown in row J, is the same as depressing the corresponding order key 1 of the patent. Movement of the knobs 301 and 302 away from the user, as in row I, With the other knobs in the home positions, registers the same as the depression of key 2 of the patent. Movement of knobs 30-1, 302, and 303 away from the user, while the other knobs remain at home, as in row H in FIGURE 1, is the-same as depressing key 30f the patent. Movement of knobs 301-304 away from the user, while 3051cmains at home, as in row G in FIGURE 1, is the same as depressing key 4 of the patent. The zero, or home, positions of knobs 301-305 are shown at A and K in FIGURE 1, wherein 305 is away from the user, and 301-304 are toward the user. The positions corresponding to values 6, 7,8, and 9 are shown respectively in'rows E, D, C, and B of FIGURE 1. The user can manipulate knobs 301-304 with his thumb and 305 with any other finger. Movement of any of the knobs 302-304 away from the user moves all smaller valued knobs as well, while movement toward the user of any of knobs 301- 303 moves all higher valued knobs 302-304 also. This is caused by abutting shoulders 344 (FIGURES 2 and 9).

In FIGURE 10 all of the knobs 301-305 of one denomination are shown in their home or Zero positions.

Knobs 301-304 are shown to the left and 305 is shown to the right.

In FIGURE 2, the knobs (full line illustration) are shown in position 5. Knobs 301-304 are to the left and 305 is shown in full lines moved to the left to the 5 value position. The dotted line represents the home or zero position of knob 305.

The distance of rightward movement of actuator 617 (FIG. 2) under the pulling action of spring 916 is in accordance with the positions of knobs 301-305. 'Dhese knobs are part of the respective bell crank levers 301B- 305B. Rightward movement of 301-304 raises the corresponding abutments 301A-304A and vice versa. Leftward movement of knob 305 lowers horizontal arm 305A and link 311 to the full line position. The right dotted line position of knob 305 maintains the link 311 in the upper dotted line position, since arm 305A has a guide slot 305C which guides the pin 310 of link 311'and thus determines the position of link 311. The left end of link 311 is pivoted on actuator 617 and the right end 312 of link 311 in dotted line position, engages the selected one of the abutments 301A-304A or 313 under the pulling action of spring 916. The link 311, in the lower full line position, moves under the abutments 301A-304A and 313 and allows the actuator 617 to move rightward five additional spaces until the stop member 317 of actuator 617 engages the selected abutment 301-304A or 313. Consequently the knob 305, in dotted line, home position, causes the end 312 of dotted line link 311 to engage the abutments for values 0-4 depending on the positions of knobs 301-304 and such knob 305, in full line position, causes link 312 to miss such abutments and permits stop member 317 to engage the abutments for values 5-9, depending on the simultaneous position of knobs 301-304 as will now be more fully described.

When knob 305 is in its dotted line home position to the right, in FIGURE 2, the guide slot 305C is in its up ward position. Under such conditions, while knobs 301- 304 are to the left, the actuator 617 cannot move rightward because the link 311 and more particularly its right end 312, in dotted line position, engages the abutment 301A, and the distances are such that the actuator 617 cannot move rightward at all. This corresponds to the zero position. With 301 to the right and 305 also to the right, the dotted line end 312 engages 302A and permits 617 to move one unit of distance. If 301, 302 and 305 are to the right, then 312 engages 303A allowing 617 to move two spaces. Likewise position of 301-303 and 305 all to the right, causes abutments 301A-303A to be moved up, and allows the end 312 to engage 304A with the movement of 617 a distance of 3 spaces. Position of all knobs 301-305 to the right raises all of the abutments 301A-304A and allows the end 312 to engage the stationary stop 313, permitting the actuator 617 to move 4 spaces.

For the 5-9 value positions the knob .305 is moved to the left, full line position, and the knobs 301-304. are moved rightward in the following manner. For the '5 value, knob 5 is moved to the left and knobs 30 1-30" remain at the left. This causes link 312, in its lower position, to miss the abutments and permits stop member 317 to engage abutment 301 with the movement of 5 spaces by actuator 617. For the 6 value, knob 301 is moved to the right which moves abutment 301A up out of the way, with the knob 305 to the left. This causes link 312 to miss the abutments and permits the stop member 317 to engage abutment 302A with a rightward movement of actuator 617. For values 7, 8 and 9 the knobs 301 and 302, 301, 302 and 303, and 301304, respectively, are moved to the right, causing the stop member 317 to engage abutments 303A, 304A, and 313 respectively for movement of 7, 8 and 9 spaces rightward of actuator 617.

An actuator 617 and corresponding elements 301-305 for each denominational order are placed side by side, as indicated at AK in FIGURE 1. The user may move anyof such elements in any of the orders to provide any movement of the actuators 617 for a distance corresponding to the digits O9. After the elements 301-304 have been properly set, the proper starting bar is manipulated to start the desired cycle of arithmetical computations, causing the actuators 617 to be pulled to the right by its spring 916. Any of the actuators 617 which are allowed to move to the right by the setting of the corresponding elements will then move the proper distance under the pull of the spring 916 to rotate the totalizers l, 2, etc., andwill cause the corresponding printing on the tape by the printer 942 as more fully described in the Christian, Lee and other patents referred to. The operation of the actuators, totalizers, and printers is well known, and the details thereof may be used, in accordance with well established practice. After the desired number of cycles have been performed, the grand total control may be manipulated and the grand total will be printed, and the setting will be cleared, as is well known.

At the beginning of each cycle, the elements 301304 are locked to prevent displacement of the elements during the cycle. This is accomplished by locking the snap acting bell-crank 320, which is pivoted on the fixed rod 321 and is pulled by the spring 322 in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 2. The end 323 of the bell-crank 320 engages the lugs 324 on each of the respective levers 301B-304B and lug 380 on lever 305B, FIGURE 8. When any of these levers are manipulated, the manipulated lugs 324 and/ or 380 slide past or by-pass the higher point of end 323 so the face 325 of such lever engages the face 326 of the bell-crank 320 with a snap action and resiliently holds the lever in its selected position. The bell-crank lever 320 must then be locked-by the hook 332 which must pass over the arm 333 before the cycle begins. All of the levers 301B305B must be in their full right or left positions so the bell-crank 320 can be in its full counterclockwise position to allow the hook 332' to move over the arm 333. The hook 332 is carried by the lever 330 which is fixed on the rotatable shaft 331. The shaft 331 passes transversely across each of the bellvcranks 320. The shaft 331 is rocked by suitable mechanism, now well known, to place the hook 332 over every arm 333 of every bell-crank 320. If any bell-crank 320 is displaced by incomplete setting of any of the levers 301B.305B, then the hook 332 cannot move completely to the right since it will hit the end of the displaced arm 333. t The mechanism which rocks the shaft 331 will then prevent the start of the cycle until the displacement has been corrected.

The means for energization for rotation and return of shaft 331 is well known in the art, and hence need not be further disclosed. Suitable mechanisms are disclosed in the patents herein referred to, and in other prior patents.

At the end of the cycle, the elements 301305 are returned to their home positions by automatic means, which operates just after the key locking means have beenreturned to their non-locking positions near the end of the cycle, such as the double cam 340 which is rocked by the shaft 341 at the end of the cycle, so the end 342 engages the cam surface 343 of the lever 301B. This returns the element 301, and also any of the other elements 302-304 which have been moved to the right through the action of the abutting shoulders 344 common to all of the levers 301B-304B. Likewise the end 345 of cam 340 engages the lever 30513 and moves the element 305 to the right, if it had been previously moved to the left. The cam 340 extends across the manipulators and engages every row of elements 301305 of FIGURE 1. Automatic key return is well known in the art, and one example is described in the Christian patent, column 30 etc., which described mechanism is capable of rocking the cam 340 of this application at the end of the cycle.

Each row of levers 301B305B and actuators 617' is mounted and supported on a vertical plate 602, corresponding to a similarly numbered plate in the Christian patent. These plates 602 support a slotted top plate 601 provided with parallel rows of slots 350 through which the levers 301B-305B pass. The rods 321, 351, 352, and the shaft 341 pass through each plate 602. Each plate 602 supports the stationary lug 314, which carries the stationary stop 313. The studs 354 and 355 are supported on plate 602 and slidably support the actuator 617 through the medium of the slots 356 and 357. The rod 321 carries the stationary lugs 314 and the respective plates 602. The rod 351 serves as a fulcrum for the lever 305B. The rod 352 serves as a common fulcrum for the levers 301B--304B. The rods 321, 351, and 352 are provided with spacing sleeves, such as indicated at 351A in FIGURES 5 and 6, to be placed between the plates 602 to space the plates apart. Nut take-up construct-ions, not shown, near the ends of such rods 321, 351, and 352, may be used to tighten the plates 602 into a unitary structure. Any of such rods may also be used to support the structure within the machine.

The levers 30'1305 are side by side at the level of the sections of FIGURES 3 and 4, so they can move up and down with respect to each other at that level. However their vertical arms are bent so they are aligned in the common slot 350, so that elements 301305 are likewise aligned above the level of the slot 350.

The printers 942 are in different vertical planes from that of the actuators 617, as is well known. This is necessary because the rows of elements 301-305 on the manipulator board 601 are much wider apart than the width of the printing on the paper ribbon. This change of vertical planes is well known in the art, and is inherent in such machines as that disclosed in the patent.

FIGURE 10 shows a modified form of machine, to which my novel manipulator has been applied. The main difference is that the actuator 617H, in FIGURE 10, to the left under the pull of spring 916H. This spring is connected to the actuator 6171-1 and to the rod 472 connected to the ends of two levers 470 which are rocked by the shaft 471. The two levers 470 are at the extreme ends of that part of the machine, and the rod 472 passes adjacent all of the actuators 617H. The rod 472 of the lever 470 returns the actuator 617H to the right at the end of the cycle by engaging the lug 473. The actuator 617H engages the pin 474 on the lever 475, which opcrates the printer 942H by well known mechanism in a manner broadly the same as that disclosed in the Christian patent, but different in detail, as is obvious. The actuators 617I-I \may operate one or more totalizers l, 2, X, etc., substantially the same in mode of operation as in the case of the Lee patent. Such totalizers may be placed anywhere along the extent of the actuator 617 and may be engaged by tooth construction, as is well known.

My manipulator, as applied to the construction of FIGURE 10, is broadly the same in construction and operation as that previously described with respect to FIGURES 1-9. However, certain details have been changed in order to adapt the manipulator to the leftward movement of the actuator 617H. Parts in FIGURE 10 which are substantially the same in construction and function'as in FIGURES 1-9 are similarly numbered, with the addition of the letter H where deemed convenient. Since elements 301305 are identical in all figures, these elements have been also numbered 301-305 in FIG- URE 10. Only such description is added, where deemed proper, where the parts are different in detail, it being understood that otherwise they are substantially the same in operation as in FIGURES 1-9.

One of the'main differences is that the abutment 301AH of the element 301 is at the right of the bank of abutments, whereas it was, on the left in FIGURES 2.9. Likewise the abutment 304AH of the element 304 is at the left of the bank instead of at the right as in FIG- URES 2e9. The abutments 302AH, 30-3AH are similarly reversed in position. The link 3 11H has its abutting end 312H to the left instead of the right, and the stop member 317H moves to the left instead of the the right.

In brief, changes have been made in certain parts of FIGURE 10 in order to compensate for the initial leftward movement of actuator 617H as compared to the initial rightward movement of the actuator 617 of FIG- URES 2-9.

The elements 301305, in FIGURE 10, are all shown in their home, or zero, positions, and therefore the actuator 617H cannot move to the left, when the lever 470 operates, and the spring 916H is merely tensioned without movement of the actuator 617H. This is so because all of the abutments 301AH-304AH are in their down positions and because the elements 301-304 are in their home positions. Link 311H is in the raised position because the element 305 is in its home position, thus raising the guide member 305AI-I to its upper position, and causing the end 312H to engage the abutment 301AH and prevent any leftward movement of the actuator 617H. If any one or more of the elements 301304 are moved to ther ight, the corresponding abutments 301AH-304AH are raised out of engagement with the end 3 12H of the link 311H. This would permit the end 31211 to move leftward to engage with any of the unraised abutments or with the stationary abutment 3 13H, in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIG- URES 2-9, except for the leftward movement of the actuator 617H. Similarly, when the element 305 is moved to the left position, the guide slot in arm 305AH is moved to its lower position, thus moving the end 312AH of the link 3-11H down below the level of any of the members 301AH-304AH, or the stationary stop 3131-1. This permits the actuator 617H to move leftward until the stop member 317H engages any of the unraised members 301AH304AH, or to engage stop 3 13H if all have been raised. For example, if the element 305 were moved to the left, and element 301 were moved to the right, then the end 3 12H would move down, and the stop member 3 17H would move until it engaged the abutment 302AH. This would allow the actuator 617H to move leftward 6 spaces, corresponding to the abacus setting of row E of FIGURE 1. In a similar manner, the elements may be placed in any of the values from -9, as previously described, vw'th the consequent control of the actuator 617H in an obvious manner.

The end 323H of the locking bell-crank 320H engages the lugs 3241-1 of the levers 301BH-304BH substantially in the same manner as in FIGURE 2. However, such end 323H engages the lug 380 of lever 305BH at 326H, in the position shown in FIGURE 10, while the members 301-305 are in the home positions. These lugs move to their opposite positions when the elements are moved from their home positions. The difference in position of lever 3058 in FIGURE 2, at the position, and lever 305BH at the 0 position in FIGURE 10, causes these lugs 380 to be differently illustrated in the FIG- URES 2 and 10.

Means are providedto permit the actuator bars 617 and 617H to move as far as required under the tension of spring 916 or 9*16H when the machine isoperated for totalizing and subtotalizing computations, such as-de= scribed in the Lee Patent 2,181,975, of December 5,1939, page 4, column 1, line 50, to column '2, line 29, and elsewhere in the patent. Means are provided automatically to move the elements 301-305 to the nine? position (shown at B in FIGURE 1) from their home positions at the beginning of the totalizing operation, from a time immediately prior to the locking operation of bellcrank 320 (or 320H) to a time just before the return of the elements by cam 340 (or 340H). By doing this, the actuators 617 and 617H can move from home position to permit totalizing as described in the Lee patent.

For this purpose, a pair of bell-crank levers 370 (FIG- URES 2 and 10) are fixedly mounted at each end of the manipulator on a shaft 371, which passes through the manipulator. This shaft 371, and the levers 370, are rocked counterclockwise just before the locking op eration of the bell-crank 320 (or 3-20H), and they are rocked back clockwise just before the return movement of the return cam 340 at the end of the totalizing cycle. Such rocking movement is effected by a suitable transmission from the usual main cam shaft, such as main cam shaft 253 of the Christian patent.

Each bell-crank 370 is connected to a rod 372, which passes through the manipulator and which pushes each lever 305B (or 305BH) 'to the five or left position at the beginning of the totalizing cycle. Each bell-crank 370 has a forked slot at 374 which receives the pin 373 of the pair of bell-cranks 375 at each end of the manipulator. Each bell crank 375- is rotatably pivoted on the rod 352, which is a rod passing through the manipulator. Each bell-crank 375 carries and rocks to the right or left a rod 3 7 6 which also passes through the manipulator, through suitable openings in the plates 602. The rod 376 engages each of the levers 304B (or 304BH), and moves such levers to the four, or right, position during the totalizing operation, and at the same time that rod 372 is pushing the levers 305B (or 305BH) to the five position. Thus the elements 301-305 are moved to the nine position at the beginning of the totalizing cycle, and thus free the actuators 617 or 617H for the required movement during the totalizing cycle.

The elements 301305 are returned to their zero positions at the end of the totalizing cycle by the return earn 340 (or 340H). Just prior to the movement of the return cam 340 (or 340H), the rods 372 and 376 have been moved rightward and leftward, respectively, out of the way for return to zero of elements 301-'-30=5. Such movement of rods 372 and 376 is accomplished by the clockwise movement of the shaft 371 and the bellcranks 370 with the simultaneous counterclockwise movement of the bell-crank 375, under the power of the main cam shaft, such as the main cam shaft 253 of the Christian patent.

The machine cycles may 'be controlled by any of the well known controls. For example, certain control keys have been shown in FIGURE 1, which are similar to the controls shown in- FIGURE 16 of the Lee Patent 2,181,975, and the computer may be controlled as described in such Lee patent, page 6, under theheading Control keys and their functions. The controls disclosed in the Christian patent may also be used, if desired, insofar as they are pertinent to this invention.

The knobs 301-305 have slots 360 (FIGURE 1) in their bottoms into which fit the upper ends of the levers 301B--305B (and 301BH-305BH) respectively. The top plate 601 has slots 350 through which the levers pass when the top plate 601 is being fitted on thevertical plates 602. Thereafter the knobs are fitted on the ends of the levers and are secured thereto in any obvious manner.

In the various views of the drawings, elements which are not pertinent to the feature being illustrated are generally not included in the views, for the sake of clarity. For example, in FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 various different elements are omitted in order to allow clear views of the particular elements sought to be disclosed, as willreadily be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In operation, the desired finger operated elements 301-305 of the various rows AK are placed in the desired positions by the user, in accordance with the values heretofore described in connection with this manipulator and in accordance with the values of the rings of an abacus, and then the desired controls shown in FIGURE 16 of the Lee Patent 2,181,975, are manipulated as described in such Lee patent. This causes the machine to operate under the control of the setting of levers 3018-30513 (or 301BH-305BH) in the manner previously described, for arithmetical operations, printing, totalizing, 'etc., in a manner otherwise similar to all calculating machines, such as disclosed in the patents herein referred to. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed as required by statute,,it is understood that many, other embodiments may be used, in accordance with'the'scope'ofthe claims, which follow.

' I claim;

1. A keyboard for an accounting machine, said keyboard arranged to simulate the appearance of an ordinary abacus, comprising incombination for eachdenominational order digit levers of values 1 to inclusive; a divider bar separating the 5 lever from the other levers, said levers constructed and arranged to be moved singly or in combination toward the bar, as is customary with the corresponding elements of an abacus, to set up the values 1 to 9 inclusive; and means controlled by the operated levers to enter the set-up digital values in the accounting machine.

2,, A keyboard for an accounting machine, said keyboard having the general appearance and arrangement of an ordinary abacus; comprising in combination a keyboard divider bar; digit levers of values 1 to 4 inclusive for each denominational order mounted on one side of the divider bar; and a digit lever of the value of 5 for each denominational order mounted on the opposite side of the divider bar, said levers operable singly or in combination toward the divider bar, similarly to the corresponding elements of an abacus, to set up the values 1 to 9 inclusive; and means controlled by the operated levers to enter the set-up digital values in the accounting machine.

3. In a machine of the class described, having an actuator for each denominational order, positionable in various digital positions, the combination of a keyboard divider bar; a settable digit lever for each of the values 1 to 4 for each denominational order mounted on one side of the divider bar; a settable digit lever of the value 5 mounted on the opposite side of the bar, said levers operable singly on in combination toward the bar, the same as the corresponding elements of an ordinary abacus to set up digital values 1 to 9 inclusive; a retractable stop element on the actuator; stop means on the 1 to 4 levers, effective when said levers are operated to coact with the retractable stop element to position the actuator in accordance with the corresponding digits 1 to 4; means operable by the 5 lever to retract the retractable stop element; and a stop member on the actuator, coacting with the stop means on the 1 to 4 levers, when the stop element is retracted, to position the actuator in accordance with the digits 5 to 9 inclusive.

4. In a machine of the class described, having an actuator for each denominational order, positionable in various digital positions, the combination of a keyboard divider bar; five settable levers for each denominational order corresponding to digit values 1 to 5, the 1 to 4 levers being mounted on one side of the divider bar and the 5 lever on the opposite side of said bar, said levers operable singly or in combination toward the bar, the same as the corresponding elements of an ordinary abacus, to set up the digital values 1 to 9 inclusive; a retractable stop element mounted on the actuator; abutments on the 1 to 4 levers, coacting with the stop element to position the actuator in accordance with the digital value of the operated 1 to 3 levers; a fixed abutment coacting with the stop element to position the actuator according to the operated 4 lever; means operable by the 5 lever to retract the stop element out of the path of all of the abutments; and a stop member on the actuator coacting with the abutments when the stop element is retracted to position the actuator in accordance with the operated 5 lever when it is operated alone, or in accordance with the combined value of the operated 5 lever and the operated 1 to 4 levers, when said levers are operated in combination.

5. In a machine of the class described, having a shiftable denominational actuator, positionable to various digital positions, the combination of a keyboard divider bar; four operable finger levers, corresponding to the digital values 1 to 4, mounted on one side of the bar; an operable finger lever corresponding to the digital value 5 mounted on the opposite side of the bar, said levers operable singly or in combination toward said bar to set up the digits 1 to 9 inclusive; an abutment on each of the l to 4 finger levers; a stop member on the actuator, constructed and arranged to coact with the abutments; a retractable stop element mounted on the actuator and normally positioned between the stop member and the abutments, and effective when no finger lever is operated to coact with the abutment on the corresponding numeral finger lever to position the actuator at zero, and to coact with the abutments on the higher order non-operated finger levers when the adjacent lower order finger lever is operated to position the actuator according to the digital value 1 to 4 of said operated lower order lever; and means operated by the 5 lever to move the stop element from between the stop member and the abutments to cause said stop member to cooperate with the abutment on the one finger lever when no finger levers are operated to position the actuator at 5, and to coact with the abutments on the higher order finger levers when the adjacent lower order finger lever is operated to position the actuator according to the digital value of the 5 finger lever when it is operated alone, and to position said actuator according to the value of the operated 5 finger lever, plus the value of the operated 1 to 4 finger levers when said levers are operated in combination.

6. In a machine of the character described, having recording and registering means, and a difierential actuator for each denominational order, for transmitting values to said recording and registering means, said machine including a device for setting up digital values to be entered in the recording and registering means, having the appearance and arrangement of an ordinary abacus, said device comprising in combination five operable levers for each denominational order for setting up the digital values 1 to 5, and for positioning the corresponding actuator according to the digital values set up; a divider bar for separating the 5 lever from the l to 4 levers, said levers operable toward the bar to simulate the operation of the corresponding elements of an abacus; a movable stop element mounted on the actuator; abutments on the l to 4 levers, normally coacting with the stop element to position the corresponding actuator at Zero, if no lever is operated, and to position the actuator according to the value of the operated l to 3 levers; a fixed abutment coacting with the stop element when the 4 lever is operated to position the actuator according to the value of said operated 4 lever; and a stop member on the actuator positioned to coact with the abutments, but normally shielded therefrom by the movable stop elements; and means operated by the 5 lever to move the stop element out of coacting relationship with the abutments to permit the stop member to coact therewith to position the actuator at 5 when the 5 lever only is operated, and to position the actuator according to the combined value of the operated 5 lever, plus the value of the operated-:1 to 4 levers, when said levers are operated togethen 1 a 7. In a machine of the class described, having reg istering and recording means, and an actuator for each denominational order for positioning said recording and registering means, the combination-of a keyboard divider bar; four operable levers corresponding to'digitalvalues -1 to 4' mounted on one side of the divider bar; an operable lever corresponding to the digital value 5 mounted on the opposite side of the divider bar, said levers operable toward said divider bar, singly or in combination, the same as the corresponding elements of an ordinary abacus, to set up the digital values 1 to 9 inclusive; abutments on the 1 to 4 levers for the digits to 3; afixed abutment for the digit 4; a s'hi-ftable stop element mounted on the actuator, and normally in the path of the abutments, to obstruct movement of said aotuator and position it at zerowhen no lever is operated, and to position said lever in accord'ance with the value of the eifective operated levers 1 to 4; connect-ions between the lever and the stop element, whereby operation of said 5 lever moves said step element out of co acting relationship with the abutments; and a stop memher on the actuator, constructed and arranged to coact with the abutments when the 1 to 4 levers are not operated and the 5 lever is operated, to position the actuator bar according to the value of the operated 5 lever, and to position said bar in accordance with the value of the operated 5 lever, plus the value of the operated 1 to 4 levers, to position said actuator in accordance with the combined values of said operated levers.

8. A manipulator for setting up digital values to be entered in a machine of the class described, comprising, in combination, a manipulator divider bar; five operable levers for each denominational order, having digital values 1 to 5, the 1 to 4 levers being located on one side of the divider "bar and the 5 lever being located on the other side of said divider bar, said levers and said di vider bar constructed and arranged tosimulate the ap-i pearance and arrangement of the corresponding: elements of'anordinary' abacus;- an actuator for each" denomin'a-i tional order of levers; an' abutment on each of'thepl to 4 levers; a movable. stop element mounted on the actuator and normally 'coacting with'the abutmentsflto position the actuator at zero when no lever. is operated, and to position said actuator in accordance withthe value of the operated 1 to 3 levers; a fixed abutment coacting with the stop element when the 4 lever is operated to position the actuator in accordance with the value of theoper-ated 4 lever; means operated by the 5 lever to move the stop element out of the path of the abutments; and a stop member on the actuator, constructed and arranged to coact with the abutments when the stop element is moved out of the path of said abutments to position the actuator in accordance withthe value of the 5 lever when operated alone, and in accordance with the value of the operated 5 lever, plus the value of the operated 1 to 4 levers when said levers are operated together. I 4.

References Cited' in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,046,513 Vincent et al. Dec. 10,1912 1,049,929 Sims Jan. 7, 1913 1,205,875 Enberg Nov. 21, 1916 1,208,919 Corell Dec. 19, 1916 1,533,045 Staples Apr. 7, 1925 1,534,938 Fournier et a1. Apr. 21, 1925 1,853,051 Horton Apr. 12, 1932 2,472,519 Carlsen June 7, 1949 2,733,009 Forbes Jan. 31, 1956 2,857,686 Blake Oct. 28, 1958

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