US3088663A

US3088663A - Heuer

Info

Publication number: US3088663A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1963-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1980-05-07

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet l n... w H

W5/WOP May 7, 1963 H. HEUER ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1960 m f en. f No@ DW. mw HII \mi u u l n mi. g nm w May 7, 1963 H. HEUER ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1960 May 7, 1963 H. HEUER ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 25, 1960 YMWQ S WM @MMM May 7, 1963 H. HEUER 3,088,663

ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Nov. 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 'INVENTOR Ham/ LKF/MH 'L7 W SMM May 7, 1963 H. HEUER 3,088,663

ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed NOV. 25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 T ZJ I mlm-Hama@ Z /NVEA/TUR Pta/MMM United States Patent Ofi-ice 3,'8863 Patented May 7, 1963 3,088,663 ACTUATlNG ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Hans Heuer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany, assigner to Olympia Werke A.G., Wilhelmshaven, Germany Filed Nov. 23, 1960, Ser. No. '71,244 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 27, 1959 2t) Claims. (Cl. 23S-6l) The present invention relates to an actuating arrangement for a -business machine, and more particularly to an electro-magnetic input arrangement for introducing characters, such as digits, into a calculator.

Electromagnetic input arrangements for business machines are known in which the keys are operated by electro-magnetic means so that remote control of the machine is possible. However, the known apparatus requires a very strong electro-magnetic means for each key so that the electro-magnetic means are large, and are difficult to build into a compact business machine.

Other business machines are known in which electromagnetic means are provided in addition to the keyboard for introducing information into the storage means of the machine. Again, a great deal of additional space is required for these arrangements necessitating increase of the size of the business machine, and render-ing it impossible to provide existent manually operated machines with the electro-magnetic input means.

The above described known electromagnetic input arrangements have the :additional disadvantage that comparatively high currents are required for the operation, so that the control signals cannot be directly used for operating the electromagnetic input means, but have to be iirst ampliiied, resulting in additional space requirements and increased costs.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of known electrically controlled business machines, and to provide an electric actuating arrangement of small size and requiring comparatively small current for operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact electric input device for a calculating oiiice machine. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic input arrangement which can be built into the small space available in standard ten-key calculators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a calculator a set of selector means controlled by small currents, and a single actuator for introducing information selected by operation of the selector means.

Another object of the present invention' is to provide an electro-magnetic actuator, common to all digit-representing elements of a calculator, and a set of electromagnetic means requiring small currents and serving for connecting selected digit-representing elements with the actuator.

With these objects in View, the present invention relates to a business machine provided with a set of shiftable elements movable to and from an operative position, in which, for example, the pins of a pin carriage are set; an actuating means, such as a strong electro-magnetic means having an armature movable to and from an' actuating position; and a set of selector means, preferably smaller electro-magnetic means, respectively correlated with the shiftable elements. Each electro-magnetic selector means includes an armature by which a coupling means is moved between an inoperative position and a coupling position. When any one of the coupling means is in its coupling position, the actuating means moving to the actuating position shifts a thus selected shiftable element to the operative position so that, for example, the pins of a pin carriage are set.

Since the electro-magnetic selector means do not have to eect shifting of the pins of the pin carriage, they can be small, and consequently may be operated by small currents, such as impulses received from a remote control station. The actuating means which must be capable of shifting the elements of the pin carriage, is stronger and requires a higher current. However, in accordance with the present invention only a single actuating means is suiiicient for effecting all setting operations.

ln the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shiftable elements :are arranged in a row, and cooperate with the corresponding row of pins in a pin carriage. Whenever the actuating means is actuated, stepping means edccting a step-wise shifting of the pin carriage are operated so lthat the pin carriage moves to the next following position in which another row of pins thereof is aligned with the row of shiftable elements. i

Circuit means connect the electro-magnetic actuating means and the electro-magnetic selector means in such a manner that whenever a selector means is energized by an' impulse, the electro-magnetic actuating means is :automatically actuated to transfer the received information to the pin carriage. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit means include means for slightly delaying the action of the actuating means so that the coupling means of the selector means are in coupling position when the actuating means starts its operation.

A particularly compact construction is obtained if the set of electro-magnetic selector means is arranged on one side, and the larger electro-magnetic actuating means is located on the other side of the row of shiftable elements so that the apparatus can be arranged below the keyboard of a conventional ten-key calculator.

The movable armature of the electro-magnetic actuating means moves in the shifting direction of the shiftable elements, while the coupling means of the selectors move transverse to the direction of movement or" the shiftable elements, and are in coupling position located between the respective shiftable elements and the movable armature of the electro-magnetic actuating means.

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 specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in' which.

FIG. l is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing parts of the device in a position turned through an angle of as compared with FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View illustrating an electromagnetic means according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a calculator provided with the input device according to the present invention, a wall being broken off (for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. l in the position of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the electric ycircuit for the electro-magnetic means of the invention; and

FIG. 6a is a diagram illustrating a modified circuit connecting the electro-magnetic means of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. l, 2 and 5, a pin carriage 4 is mounted movable along a pair of guide rails 3 on frame walls 1 and 2 of the machine. Settable elements are arranged in transverse rows on the pin carriage 4, each row representing an order, and the settable elements 5 representing the digits. A set of stop pins 6 is mounted for shifting movement on pin carriage 4, the leading stop pin 6 abutting a stationary stop member 8 when the pin carriage is pulled by a spring 7 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5. When the leading stop pin 6 is shifted to a position releasing stop member 8, pin carriage 4 moves one step until the next following stop pin `6 `aibuts stop member 8.

In each shifted position of the pin carriage, one row of settable pin elements 5 is located opposite a corresponding row or set of shiftable elements to 18 Which `are guided for movement in bores of a frame plate 9, and of a guide plate 19. Each shiftable element has a portion 28 of greater diameter against which a spring 23 abuts whose other yend rests on -frame plate 9. Consequently, all shiftable elements 10 to 18 are normally in the illustrated position in which the shoulder 21 of the thicker portion 2.0 abuts plate 19.

Whenever one of the shiftable elements 10I to 18 is shifted against the action of `spring 23, its rfree end en- -gages one of the settable elements 5 on the pin carriage, and shifts the respective settable element 5 to a position representing lan introduced digit in the respective order.

Only nine settable elements respectively representing the digits from 0 to 8, are provided in each row of the pin carriage. The digit 9 is represented in a known manner by a step-wise movement of the pin carriage without setting of a settable element 5, while the respective transfer element of the calculator coopenates with a fixed abutment. Correspondingly, only nine shiftable elements 10 to 18 are provided.

A row of electro-magnetic selector means to 38 is located on one side of the plane of the shiftable elements 10 to 18, while a single larger electro-magnetic actuating means 52 is located on the other side of the plane of the shiftable elements.

The coils 25 of the row of electro-magnetic selector means are arranged in two lines, the coils of the selector means 30, 32, 34, 36 land 3-8 being located in one line and staggered to the coils of the selector means 31, 33, and 37 so that all coils can :be arranged in a shorter row, as if the coils 'were arranged in one line. In this manner, it is possible to dispose each coil 25 in a position aligned with a shiftable element 10 to 18.

Each electro-magnetic selector means 30 to 38 has a core 24 projecting into the respective coil 25, a movable armature including a part 26 projecting into coil `25, and a lever 27 pivotally supported on part 26. All selector magnets have a common rectangular yoke composed of two pairs of opposite parallel laminated plates which are connected to each other by tongue and groove connections. The cores 24 are secured to one of the plates 28 which is located opposite the row of shiftable elements 10 to 18, `and this plate 28 also has an elongated opening 29, best seen in FIG. 2. The yoke is -illed with a cast hardenable insulating material in which the coils 25 are supported, so that the coils need no additional supporting tubes. A connector plate l84 is also supported in the cast insulating material spaced lfrom the rectangular yoke. The cast insulating material has an inner chamber of rectangular cross section terminating in opening 29.

A row of coupling members or rods to 48 is located in this chamber, the rods 40 to 48 projecting from opening 29. Each rod has a head portion 50, on which one end of a lever 27 abuts. The other end of each lever 27 has a round head 85 resting on a stationary part 28a. A guide plate 49 is supported in the insulating mass and has a row of openings through which coupling rods 40 to 48 pass. A spring is provided between each head 50 and the guide plate `49, and urges the coupling rods 40 to 48 against lever 27 so that the head -85 ofthe lever abuts the stationary part 28a. Since the windings A2.5 fand the armatures 26,-27are staggered, the coupling rods 4t) to 48 can be spaced the same distance as the shiftable elements 10 to 18. Each shiftable element has a transverse bore -60 to 68 through which the coupling rod 40 to 48 of the respective correlated selector means 30 to 38 passes. When the

movable armature

26, 27 of a selector means is attracted by the energized coil 25, the armature 26 is in the position illustrated in FIG. '1 in which the respective coupling rod is advanced toward the respective shiftable element to a pre-selecting position projecting tfarther beyond the respective bore 60 to 68 than in the de-energized condition of a coil 25 in which the coupling rod is retracted by spring 51 to an inoperative position shown Ifor the lower coil 25 in FIG. 1.

An electro-magnetic actuating means 52 is disposed on the other side of the plane in which the row of shiftable elements 10 to 18 is located. The electro-magnetic actuating means-52 is a much stronger magnet than the elector magnets, and has a larger coil or winding 54 designed for a greater current and supported in a cast insulating mass within a rectangular yoke, as best seen in FIG. 3. The rectangular yoke includes two pairs of parallel laminated plates which are connected by tongue and groove connections. A connector plate 57 is supported in the cast insulating mass. A core 53 is secured to one of the plates of the yoke, and the yoke has in the opposite plate an opening 58 through which the movable armature part 55 projects. Part 55 carries a lever 55 on a pivot pin 72, lever 56 having a round head abutting a stationary plate, and a free end with a projection 73 projecting into an opening in a bar 75 of an actuating member 76. The movable armature part 55 has a slot 71 in which lever 56 is located, and the respective end plate of the yoke has a pair of corresponding aligned slots 69 and 70, as best seen in FIG. 3, in which the lever 56 is guided.

When coil 54 is energized, the armature part 55 is attracted and lever 56 performs a pivotal movement while turning about its round head 8S, so that the actuating member 76' performs a pivotal movement about a pair of supporting pins 77 which project from portions 78 of actuating member 76 into corresponding bores in the yoke of the electro-magnetic actuator means 52.

The actuating member 76 has a U-shaped actuator part including an actuating part 81 in the form of an elongated bar extending along the row of shiftable pin elements 10 to 18 across the shiftable pin elements and the coupling rods 48 to 48, as best seen in FIGS. l and 5. A spring 88 is connected to a fixed point and to a projection 79 on actuating member 76 and urges the actuating member to turn in clockwise direction into an inoperative position. When electro-magnetic means 52 is energized, the movable armature 55 is attracted, lever 56 is pivoted in counterclockwise direction, and effects pivotal movement of actuating members 76 in counterclockwise direction so that actuating part 81 moves across the bores 68 to 68 in the shiftable elements 1t) to 18.

Coupling rods 48 to 48 in inoperative positions are retracted from the path of movement of actuating part 81. When a coupling or pre-selecting rod is located in the advanced coupling position thereof, as shown in FIG. l, and also for coupling rod 47 in FIG. 5, then the end portion of the respective coupling rod is located in the path of movement of the actuating part 81, so that it is engaged by actuating part 81 when the same moves to its actuating position across the bores 68, 68, pivots in the respective opening of guide plate 49, and moves to a selecting position while shifting the respective shiftable pin element to a set operative position in which the respective pin element, for example the pin element 17, engages the lower endof a settable pin 5 in the pin carriage 4 and sets the pin 5 to introduce information in the pin carriage. For example, if the eighth shiftable pin element 17 is shifted, the respective pin 5 is set and the digit 7 is represented in the respective order in the pin carriage.

A member 83 is secured by bracket 82 to the actuating member 76, and moves with the same when actuating member 76 moves to its actuating position. As best seen in FIG. 5, member 33 is located opposite the leading stop pin 6 of the pin carriage so that every time the actuating member 76 performs a movement to its actuating position, the respective leading stop pin is pushed back from stop member 8, permitting the pin carriage 4 to move one step under the action of spring 7 until the next following stop pin 6 abuts stop member 8, and stops the pin carriage 4 in a new position in which the settable pin elements of the next following order are aligned with the shiftable pin elements l to 18.

Due to the fact that a closure plate 86 closes the space in which levers 27 of the selector means are located, and that a closure plate 87 closes the space in which the heads 85 of the levers 56 of the actuating means are located, levers 27 and 56 are confined, and pivotally supported without the necessity of providing pivot pins.

The electro-magnetic selector means 30" to 33, and the electro-magnetic actuating means 52 are connected into a circuit in such a manner that upon actuation of any selector means 30 to 38, the electro-magnetic actuating means 52 is also energized.

Referring lirst to the circuit shown in FIG. 6, the windings of the electromagnetic selectors 3th to 3S, and a resistor W are connected in parallel between a source of current B and a relay Z. Plugs 84a, see also FIG. 5 are provided for detachably connecting the electromagnetic means 30' to 33, and resistor W to the stationary circuit parts which are mounted on the frame of the machine. Electromagnetic means 30` to 38 and resistor W are connected in series with a set of switches S0 to S9.

The switches S0 to S8, and a switch S9 are associated with the ten digits. Switches S0 to S9 are respectively operated by the ten keys of a calculator of the type shown in FIG. 4, or may be controlled from a remote station. By closing one of the switches S0 to S9, a number is introduced into the pin carriage. As explained above, no settable pin is provided on the pin carriage 4 corresponding to the digit 9, so that no electromagnetic means is energized by operation of switch S9.

The electromagnetic actuating means 52 is connected in series with a relay switch z controlled lby the relay Z. Plug and socket connections, see also FIG. 3 are provided for detachably mounting the electromagnetic means 52 on the machine in the position shown in FIG. 4.

Relay Z operates with a short delay, so that when switch S9 is closed and relay Z is energized the closing of relay switch z is delayed, since the movable contact of switch z moves very slowly when the winding of relay Z is energized.

The circuit of the electromagnetic actuating means 52 is independent of the circuits of the electromagnetic selector means 361 to 38, so that a much greater current can How through the electromagnetic actuating means 52.

When one of the switches is closed, which corresponds to the introduction of a digit into the calculator, a current passes through the respective electromagnetic selector means 3@ to 3S and through relay Z. The relay switch z moves slowly and closes after a certain delay to connect electromagnetic actuating means 52 to the source of the current. ln the meantime, the impulse passing through one of the windings 2S, eifects shifting of the respective coupling rod 4@ to 48 to the advanced coupling position so that part 81 engages the respective coupling rod 40 to 48 under control of the electromagnetic actuating means 52.

As explained above, the energized winding 54 will attract the movable armature S so that lever 556 is pivoted and turns actuating member 76 in counterclockwise direction so that actuating part 81 engages the respective coupling rod in its advanced operative position,

and shifts the respective shiftable element ltl to 1S resulting in setting of the corresponding settable pin element 5 in the pin carriage 4.

When the digit 9 is introduced by impulses passing through switch S9 and resistor W, only the relay Z is energized, and effects energization of the electromagnetic actuating means SZ, and a corresponding movement of the actuating part Si, while lno coupling rod 4t) to 48 is advanced to coupling position. However, member 83 will be shifted by actuating member 76, will actuate the stepping means 6, 8 of the pin carriage, and will effect a single step of the pin carriage, which represents in the machine of the type described the digit 9.

FIG. 6a shows a modiiied circuit in which the same current passes through electro-magnetic means 52, and Sti-3S which are connected in series. This circuit is suitable when greater signal currents can be used. The relay Z is omitted, and impulses passing through switches stt to S9 directly pass through the electro-magnetic actuating means 52 to effect energization of coil 54, and an operation of the actuating part 3l. A condenser C is connected in parallel with the Winding of the electro-magnetic actuating means 52, so that the winding 54 is energized with a certain delay as compared with the energization of the respective electro-magnetic selector means 30 to 38, so that the actuated coupling rod 40 to 48 is already in the advanced coupling position when the actuating part Sl moves to its actuating position.

FIG. 1 is a horizontal section so that the shiftable pin elements l0 to 18 are horizontal and located in a vertical plane. FIG. 4 illustrates how the device is built into a compact tenkey calculator directly into the space below the keyboard. Since only one strong, and consequently larger electro-magnetic actuating means has to be provided in the arrangement of the present invention, and the electro-magnetic selector means can be constructed very small and combined in a single unit, the arrangement is extremely compact and can be disposed in the small available space in the housing of a conventional calculator, which is not possible in prior art devices where a strong electro-magnetic means is provided for each shiftable element for effecting the shifting movement of the same.

irrespective of the small dimensions of the apparatus, the apparatus is capable of receiving information from a remote station, and to store such information in the storage device of a calculator or similar business machine.

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 business machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an electro-magnetic actuating arrangement for a ten-key calculator, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any 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 and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit; an actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position Yand an actuating position; and a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movablebetween a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively,l and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shift-- able element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position.

2. In a business machine, in combination, an input arrangement comprising a row of shiftable elements located in `a plane, each shiftable element being movable in opposite directions between an inoperative position and -a set position for introducing information into the machine, each shiftable element representing a single character such -as a digit; an electro-magnetic actuating means including :an actuating part extending along said row of shiftable elements and being movable in said opposite directions in said plane between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; and a row of electromagnetic selector means adapted to be energized by electric impulses representing information, each selector means including a coupling member movable in a transverse direction transverse to said plane between an inoperative position and a pre-selecting position, located between one of said shiftable elements and said actuating part, and being movable in said opposite directions between said pre-selecting position and a selecting position, each coupling member moving a shiftable element from said inoperative position to said set position during movement from said pre-selecting position to selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position so that said actuator part moving to said actuating position moves a coupling member which is in said pre-selecting position to said selecting position whereby a shiftable element is shifted to said set position by said coupling member.

3. In a business machine, in combination, an input arrangement comprising a row of shiftable elements located in a plane, each shiftable element being movable in opposite directions between an inoperative position and a set position for introducing information into the machine, each shiftable element representing a single character such as a digit; an electro-magnetic actuating means located on one side of said plane of said row of said shiftable elements and including an actuating part extending along said row of shiftable elements and being movable in said opposi-te directions in said plane between a normal inoperative position and an `actuating position; and a row of electromagnetic selector means located on the other side of said plane of shiftable elements and adapted to be energized by electric impulses representing information, each selector means including a coupling member movable in a transverse direction transverse to said plane between an inoperative position and a preselecting position, located between one of said shiftable elements and said actuating part, and being movable in said opposite directions between said preselecting position and a selecting position, each coupling member moving a shiftable element from said inoperative position to said set position` during movement from said pre-selecting position to selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position so that said actuator part moving to said actuating position moves a coupling member which is in said pre-selecting position to said selecting position whereby a shiftable element is shifted to said set position by said coupling member.

4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shiftable elements are pin elements formed with transverse openings passing therethrough; wherein each coupling member is an elongated coupling rod passing through the opening in the respective correlated shiftable pin element and having an end portion projecting beyond the same; and wherein said actuating part includes an elongated bar extending across said shiftable elements and said end portions.

5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4 and including first spring means connected to said actuating part and urging the same into said normal position; second spring means connected to said coupling rods for urging the same to said inoperative position, and third spring means connected to said shiftable elements for urging the same to said normal position of the same.

6. An arrangement as set `forth in claim 4 wherein each electro-magnetic selector means includes a cylindrical winding having an axis perpendicular to said plane of said row of shiftable pin elements, and a movable armature having a pivoted lever; and including a guide plate having a row of openings, each coupling rod passing through one of said openings in said guide plate so as to be supported for longitudinal movement to `and from said coupling position and for pivotal movement when said shiftable pin elements are shifted; wherein said coupling rods have head portions against which the -ends of said pivoted levers abut; and including a spring on each coupling rod located between said head of the respective coupling rod and said guide plate.

7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein each lever of said selector means has a round head at the other end thereof, and including a stationary member on which said round head abuts so that said levers turn about said round heads when the movable armatures of said selector means are operated.

8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3 wherein each control means of selector means includes a winding having an axis perpendicular to the plane of said row of shiftable elements, said windings being spaced along two parallel lines, the windings of each line being staggered to the windings of the other line; wherein each coupling member is aligned with one of said shiftable elements, said coupling members being elongated rods located in a common plane perpendicular to the plane of said shiftable elements; and each of said shiftable elements having an opening receiving the correlated coupling rod, said openings being located in said common plane.

9. An arrangement as set `forth in claim 2 wherein each of said electro-magnetic actuator means includes a cylindrical coil, a rectangular yoke composed of a rst pair of parallel laminated plates and a second pair of parallel laminated plates, said laminated plates having tongues and grooves at the ends thereof and being connected by the same to each other, and an insulating material adapted to be cast located in said rectangular yoke and supporting said coil; and a connector plate supported in said insulating material spaced from said yoke.

l0. An arrangement as -set `forth in claim 2. wherein said electro-magnetic selector means have a common rectangular yoke composed of a first pair of parallel laminated plates and a second pair of parallel laminated plates, said laminated plates having tongues and grooves at the ends thereof and being connected by the same to each other, and an insulating material adapted to be cast located in said rectangular yoke, each control means of selector means including a coil supported by said insulating material and extending between the plates of said first pair;

one plate of said first pair having openings at the ends of said coils; said selector means including movable armatures having a part located in said coils `and a part projecting through said openings and being operatively connected to said coupling members.

11. In a business machine, in combination, an input arrangement comprising a row of shiftable elements located in a plane, each shift-able element being movable in opposite directions between an inoperative position and a set position for introducing information into the machine, each shiftable element representing a single character such as a digit; an electro-magnetic -actuating means located on one side of said plane of said row of said shiftable elements and including an actuating part extending along said row of shiftable elements and being movable in said opposite directions in said plane between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; and a row of electromagnetic selector means located on the other side of said plane of shiftable elements and adapted to be energized by electric impulses representing information, each selector means including a coupling member movable in a transverse direction transverse to said plane between an inoperative position and a preelecting position, located between one of said shiftable elements and said actuating part, and being 4movable in said opposite directions between said preselecting position and a selecting position, each coupling member moving a shiftable element from said inoperative position to said set position during movement from said pre-selecting position to selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said preselecting position so that said actuator part moving to said actuating position moves a coupling member which is in said pre-selecting position to said selecting position whereby a shiftable element is shifted to said set position by said coupling member; and electric circuit means connecting said electro-magnetic selector means with said electro-magnetic actuating means, and including means `for energizing said electro-magnetic actuating means after one of said selector means has been energized so that said actuating part moves to said actuating position when the coupling member of the energized selector means has arrived in said pre-selecting position.

l2. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit; an electromagnetic actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; yand a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and electro-magnetic control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shitable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuating position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said electro-magnetic actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position.

13. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such `as a digit; an actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal operative position and an actuating position; a set of selector means, e-ach selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shiftable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said preselecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said actuating means is common `to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position; and means operatively connecting said control means with said `actuating means so that sai-d actuating member is operated to move to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said preselecting position.

14. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as -a digit; an electro-magnetic actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a preseleoting position, and a selecting position, and electromagnetic control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said preselecting position, any one coupling member in said preselecting position being located between one of said shitable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling `the respective shiftable element with said `actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said yactuating member moves from said inoperative position -to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable e-lement is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said electro-magnetic actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position; and electric circuit means operatively connecting said electro-magnetic control means with said electro-magnetic actuating means so that said actuating member is operated to move to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said pre-selecting position.

l5. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit; an electro-magnetic actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; :a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a preselecting position, and a selecting position, and electromagnetic control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, `respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shiftable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said preselecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position -to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said electro-magnetic actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position; and electric circuit means operatively connecting said electro-magnetic control means with said elect-romagnetic actuating means so that said actuating member is operated to move -to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said pre-selecting position, said electric circuit means including means for delaying actuation of said actuating member until a coupling member has arrived in said pre-selecting position.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said delaying means includes a relay connected in series with said electro-magnetic control means, and a normally open relay switch closed by said relay a given time period after energization of said relay and connected in series with said electro-magnetic actuating means.

17. A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said delaying means includes a condenser connected in parallel with said electro-magnetic actuating means, and wherein said electro-magnetic actuating means is connected in series with said electro-magnetic control means.

18. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprising, in combination, a pin carriage having a plurality of sets of settable pins representing digits, said pin carriage being movable between a plurality of positions; a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit, said shiftable elements being aligned, respectively, with said pins of dierent sets of pins in each position of said pin carriage and setting said pins to represent digits when moving to said operative position; an actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shiftable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position and for setting the respective pin to represent a digit; and means operatively connecting said control means with said actuating means so that said actuating member is operated to move to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said pre-selecting position.

19. A data transferring device for business machines and the like, comprisingin combination, a pin carriage having a plurality of sets of settable pins representing digits, said pin carriage being movable between a plurality of positions; stepping means for stepwise shifting said pin carriage to said positions thereof; a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit, said shiftable elements being aligned, respectively, with said pins of different sets of pins in each position of said pin carriage and setting said pins to represent digits when moving to said operative position; an actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shiftable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the `force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position and for setting the respective pin to represent a digit, said actuating means including means for actuating said stepping means whenever said actuating member moves to said actuating posi-tion; and means operatively connecting said control means with said actuating means so that said actuating member is operated to move to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said preselecting position.

20. A data transferring device for business machines and. the like, comprising, in combination, a pin carriage having a plurality of sets of settable pins represenitng diglts, said pin carriage being movable between a plurality of positions; stepping means for stepwise shifting said pin carriage to said positions thereof; a set of shiftable elements, each shiftable element being movable between an inoperative position and an operative position and representing a single character, such as a digit, said shiftable elements being aligned, respectively, with said pins of different 'sets of pins in each position of said pin carriage and setting said pins to represent digits when moving to said operative position; an electro-magnetic actuating means including an actuating member movable along a path between a normal inoperative position and an actuating position; a set of selector means, each selector means including a coupling member movable between a normal inoperative position, a pre-selecting position, and a selecting position, and electro-magnetic control means for moving the respective coupling member between said inoperative position and said pre-selecting position, any one coupling member in said pre-selecting position being located between one of said shiftable elements, respectively, and said actuating member, and in said path of movement of said actuating member for coupling the respective shiftable element with said actuating member, and being moved by said actuating member from said pre-selecting position to said selecting position when said actuating member moves from said inoperative position to said actuated position so that the respective shiftable element is moved by said actuating member through the respective coupling member from said inoperative position to said operative position whereby said electro-magnetic actuating means is common to all said shiftable elements and provides the force to move any one of said shiftable elements to said operative position and for setting the respective pin to represent a digit, said actuating means including means for actuating said stepping means whenever said actuating member moves to said actuating position; and electric circuit means operatively connecting said electro-magnetic control means with said electro-magnetic actuating means so that said actuating member is operated to move to said actuating position when a coupling member arrives in said preselecting position, said electric circuit means including means for delaying actuation of said actuating mem ber until a coupling member has arrived in said preselecting position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,702,159 Reppert Feb. 15, 1955 2,824,688 Mehan Feb. 28, 1958 2,981,466 Beall et al. Apr. 25, 1961 2,987,243 Parker June 6, 1961 3,017,1080 Schwend Jan. 16, 1962

Claims

1. A DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE FOR BUSINESS MACHINES AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SET OF SHIFTABLE ELEMENTS, EACH SHIFTABLE ELEMENT BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION AND REPRESENTING A SINGLE CHARACTER, SUCH AS A DIGIT; AN ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING AN ACTUATING MEMBER MOVABLE ALONG A PATH BETWEEN A NORMAL INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN ACTUATING POSITION; AND A SET OF SELECTOR MEANS, EACH SELECTOR MEANS INCLUDING A COUPLING MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN A NORMAL INOPERATIVE POSITION, A PRE-SELECTING POSITION, AND A SELECTING POSITION, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR MOVING THE RESPECTIVE COUPLING MEMBER BETWEEN SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION AND SAID PRE-SELECTING POSITION, ANY ONE COUPLING MEMBER IN SAID PRE-SELECTING POSITION BEING LOCATED BETWEEN ONE OF SAID SHIFTABLE ELEMENTS, RESPECTIVELY, AND SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, AND IN SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FOR COUPLING THE RESPECTIVE SHIFTABLE ELEMENT WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, AND BEING MOVED BY SAID ACTUATING MEMBER FROM SAID PRE-SELECTING POSITION TO SAID SELECTING POSITION WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEMBER MOVES FROM SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID ACTUATED POSITION SO THAT THE RESPECTIVE SHIFTABLE ELEMENT IS MOVED BY SAID ACTUATING MEMBER THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE COUPLING MEMBER FROM SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION WHEREBY SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS COMMON TO ALL SAID SHIFTABLE ELEMENTS AND PROVIDES THE FORCE TO MOVE ANY ONE OF SAID SHIFTABLE ELEMENTS TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION.