US3817366A

US3817366A - Keyboard controlled encoding mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3817366A
Application number: US00308623A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Blum
Original assignee: Triumph Werke Nuernberg AG
Current assignee: TA Triumph Adler GmbH
Priority date: 1969-12-27
Filing date: 1972-11-21
Publication date: 1974-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-18

Abstract

A keyboard controlled encoding mechanism employs a continuously rotating snatch roll to drive translatable interposers which, when driven, operate code selector bails. The interposers are normally biased toward engagement with the snatch roll but are held latched by release levers rockably responsive to key depression. A rocked release lever releases its associated interposer and moves into a ball lock precluding depression of a second key. The release lever is held in the ball lock by its interposer until moved out incident to movement of its associated interposer to a limit. During movement of the interposer to its limit a code for processing will be generated. The same movement of the interposer moves the release lever to a position where it can relatch its interposer. The movement of an interposer also positions a bistable blocking bail to preclude engagement of another interposer which however can be unlatched by its associated release lever and placed in readiness or memory as soon as the first release lever leaves the ball lock. The interposer in memory immediately moves into engagement with and is driven by the snatch roll as soon as the blocking bail is restored in response to a signal from the system acting on or processing the code generated.

Description

United States Patent [191 Blum [ June 18, 1974 KEYBOARD CONTROLLED ENCODING MECHANISM [73] Assignee: Triumph Werke Nuernberg A.G.,

Nuernberg, Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 308,623

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 98,565, Dec. 16, 1970 abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 197/16, 197/107 [51] Int. Cl B4lj 23/02 [58] Field of Search 197/16, l7, 18, 52, 55, 197/107-11 l [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,021,936 2/1962 Lambert 197/17 3,038,577 6/1962 Ryan et al 197/16 3,086,635 4/1963 Palmer 197/16 3,191,740 6/1965 Smusz et al 197/16 3,306,417 2/1967 Gassino et al. 197/17' 3,353,646 11/1967 Young l97/l6 3,422,946 l/l969 Rekewitz 197/16 3,565,231 2/1971 Dannatt 197/16 X 3,592,313 7/1971 Castle et al.... 197/16 X 3,721,327 3/1973 Werf et a1 197/16 X Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerR. T. Rader [5 7] ABSTRACT A keyboard controlled encoding mechanism employs a continuously rotating snatch roll to drive translatable interposers which, when driven, operate code selector bails. The interposers are normally biased toward engagement with the snatch roll but are held latched by release levers rockably responsive to key depression. A rocked release lever releases its associated interposer and moves into a ball lock precluding depression of a second key. The release lever is held in the ball lock by its interposer until moved out incident to movement of its associated interposer to a limit. During movement of the interposer to its limit a code for processing will be generated. The same movement of the interposer moves the release lever to a position where it can relatch its interposer. The movement of an interposer also positions a bistable blocking bail to preclude engagement of another interposer which however can be unlatched by its associated release lever and placed in readiness or memory as soon as the first release lever leaves the ball lock. The interposer in memory immediately moves into engagement with and is driven by the snatch roll as soon as the blocking bail is restored in response to a signal from the system acting on or processing the code generated.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PMENTEMM vs @914 3.817.366

sum 1 or 2 3 32 a 33 33 1 33 I 33 =l 5:5 INVENTOR RUDOLF BLUM M @Zbw ATTORNEY PMENTEWNW m4 3817.366

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2 or 2 I'NIVENTOR RUDOLF BLUM ATTORNEY KEYBOARD CONTROLLED ENCODING MECHANISM This is a continuation of copending US. application Ser. No. 98,565, filed Dec. 16, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to keyboard controlled encoding mechanism which can serve as the input to typewriters, adding and like machines. Mechanisms of this kind are well known and have been successfully used for various key operated machines. Such mechanisms are characterized by pivotally supported and translatable interposers which, when translated, operate code selector bails thereby to generate code signals for processing. In these mechanisms, a key depression rocks an interposer into position for translation by a toothed drive shaft and into a ball lock. Such mechanisms have shortcomings which are overcome with the present invention. For instance, in one known keyboard mechanism (German patent, 1,207,942 corresponding to US. Pat. No. 3,086,635) an interposer is positioned to be driven by a toothed shaft and in being so positioned operates on a bail common to all interposers to trigger a half revolution clutch thereby to couple power to the toothed shaft. The shortcoming here lies in the fact that the operation of the bail, the triggering of a clutch, and the start up of the toothed shaft occur serially and result in a time delay before the positioned interposer can be driven. Another disadvantage resides in the fact that to move the bail to trigger the clutch demands the application of a force by the operator, even though small.

In another known keyboard (Siemens publication No. 41, Book 4, pages 283-285) a keylever rocks the interposer via an intermediate lever. The interposer in turn causes the activation of a bail common to all interposers which activates a clutch to turn a ratchet roll one-third revolution. With this device, the operator does not have to provide the force to move the bail that activates the clutch. The timing however is also disadvantageous and the action is delayed because of the many intermediate parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a continuously rotating snatch roll is employed to drive a key selected interposer. Movement of the interposer switches a bistable blocking bail common to all interposers to preclude engagement of another interposer until restoration of the blocking bail. The blocking bail is restored by the system which operates on or which is operated by the code generated by the interposer. The advantage is that with this device the snatch roll is constantly in rotation and does not have to be triggered by a clutch. Furthermore, the arrangement of keylevers and interposers results in a light, and for all banks, identical touch which enhances the activation of the keyboard. Another advantage is achieved in that in a simple way a second function can be called and held in memory awaiting the completion of a previously called function. Beyond this, the device, according to the invention, consists of relatively few parts which insures a safe functioning and a simple assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the elements comprising the keyboard of the invention in rest positions;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 following keylever depression and release of an interposer for engagement with the power roll;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a first interposer driven to its limit, its release lever driven out of the ball lock and a second release lever rocked by keylever depression and its associated interposer in memory; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing an interposer held in memory awaiting restoration of the blocking bail following processing of a previously generated code.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a number of keylevers which are pivotally mounted on a fulcrum 2 in the machine frame which is not shown. Springs 3-retum the keylevers l to their rest position against a stop 4. The keylevers l have extensions 6 to rock release levers 5. The keylever extensions 6 are arranged in a staggered fashion according to the individual key rows or banks to assure identical key dip and key force for all banks.

The release levers are mounted on a common fulcrum rod 8 which extends through an elongated hole 7 which allows the release lever 5 to rotate about and translate relative to fulcrum rod 8. The release levers 5 are under tension of return springs 9 which pull them against the stop 10 into their rest position. Extensions 11 on the release levers 5 work in conjunction with balls 12 of a well known ball lock shown schematically.

Bends or extensions 13 on the release levers 5 are provided for cooperation with intermediate levers or interposers 14.

The intermediate levers 14 are also mounted on a common fulcrum rod 16 which extends through elongated holes in the interposers 14 allowing pivotal and sliding or translating motion. The interposers 14 are under tension of extension springs 17 and have depending lugs 18 which can work in conjunction with the also well known code selector bails 19. On one end each interposer 14 is provided with a knife type drive extension or tooth 20 which is to work together with a snatch roll 21. Two further extensions 22 and 23 are provided to work together with a bistable blocking bail 24 which pivots around the axis 25. The blocking bail 24 is under control of an overcentering spring 26 which is designed in such a way that the blocking bail is held in one of the two rest positions determined by the stops 27 and 28. More particularly the upper end of spring 26 is connected to the trigger arm 31 of the blocking bail 24 below the pivot thereof. The other lower end of the spring 26 is connected to a fixed anchor and a line through pivot 25 and the fixed anchor represents an overcenter or switchover line. Movement of the blocking bail 24 from either rest position moves the point of connection of spring 26 to the trigger arm 31 towards and past the switchover line thus causing the spring 26 to become compressed and once overcenter, to urge the blocking ball 24 to its other stable rest position. In the embodiment shown there is provided a sole noid 29 whose armature 30 can move against the trigger arm 31 of the blocking bail 24 and cause it to be rocked back to the FIG. 1 rest position. The code selector bails 19 are pivotable around the axes 32 to thereby generate code signals and are under tension of springs 33 in the well known manner.

The code selector bails 19, which are activated by the lugs 18 of the interposers 14 activate by the code signals generated other functions of the equipment (not shown) for instance, the positioning of a type carrier in a typewriter.

OPERATION When depressing a keylever 1 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. I), the keylever will swing around the fulcrum 2 and its extension 6 will exert pressure on its associated release lever causing it to swing around the fulcrum 8, and its extension 11 to be pushed between two balls 12 of the ball lock thereby blocking, for the time, the depression of another keylever 1.

With the rotation of the release lever 5 by its keylever 1 its extension 13 slips off the back end 14a of its associated interposer l4, releasing the interposer l4 and allowing the energy stored in the spring 17 to rock, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive extension 20 into a gap of the snatch roll 21, which constantly rotates in the direction of arrow B. In this condition, the release lever 5 is held in the ball lock by the interposer 14.

When the interposer 14 is so engaged with a tooth of the snatch roll 21, the interposer 14 will be translated from the position shown in FIG. 2 into the position shown in FIG. 3, in the direction of the arrow C. This shift causes function representative code selector bails 19 to be rocked by the interposer lugs 18 and to effect the required operation, for instance, the positioning of the type carrier of a typewriter.

When translating the interposer 14 in the direction of arrow C, the extension 22 thereof moves the bistable blocking bail 24 in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 2) so that the trigger arm 31 of the blocking bail 24 gets in front of the armature 30 of the solenoid 29 as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the blocking bail 24 is positioned under all extensions 23 of those interposers 14 which were not called, so that should one of them be called, its extension 23 would rest on the upper side of the blocking bail 24. In this way, the interposer 14 associated with a second depressed keylever I cannot engage its driving extension 20 with the snatch roll 21. With the extension 13 of the first pivoted release lever 5 positioned behind the end 14a of the released interposer 14, the keylever 1 may be released. The pivoted release lever 5 will then move toward and be held by the end 14a of the released interposer 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the release lever 5 is driven by interposer end 14a to the position shown in FIG. 3 as a result of the movement of the interposer 14 in the direction of arrow C. The driven release lever 5 slides relative to fulcrum 8 because of its angularly elongated hole 7 in the direction of arrow E (FIG. 2) causing its extension 11 to become free of the ball lock 12 as shown in FIG. 3. It is therefore possible in this position of the release lever 5 to call a second keylever l. The interposer 14 associated with a second keylever 1 however, as described above, cannot enter the snatch roll 21 as long as the blocking bail 24 is in its active position following movement in direction of arrow D resulting from a first driven interposer 14. Movement of the release lever 5 associated with the first keylever l in the direction of arrow E toward keylever 1 also causes its extension 13 to slide off the back 14a of the interposer l4 and, under the influence of its spring 9, rock and translate to its rest, interposer latching, position (FIG. 1). If its keylever 1 remains depressed, the release lever 5 will rock about fulcrum rod 8 and its translation relative to fulcrum rod 8 will be blocked by the still depressed keylever 1 to preclude a repeat action.

At a given point in time, which depends on the device or system that is to act on or process code signals generated by the keyboard, the solenoid 29 is energized over a current supply in response to a signal generated by the system indicating the code signals have been received or processed. This causes the armature 30 to move in the direction of arrow F, moving the blocking bail 24 into its stable rest position (FIGS. 1 and 2). Should in the meantime, an intermediate lever 14 have been brought into a position of readiness by being unlatched on depression of a second keylever 1, the upper edge of the locking bail 24 on its return will slip off and out of the path of extension 23 so that the second interposer 14 now propelled by the force of the spring 17 will move its drive extension 20 into the snatch roll 21. The blocking bail 24 in this way releases the second interposer 14 from memory or its unlatched but blocked condition for code signals generation. If no other inter mediate lever or interposer 14 was activated during the time blocking bail 24 was in its blocking position, the next called interposer 14 will move into engagement with the snatch roll 21 immediately as described before.

The interposers 14 are pulled back into their rest positions by the springs 17 when the extensions 13 of the release levers 5 have left the end of the intermediate levers 14. Before this occurs, however, the positioning of the code selector bails 19 and therefore the preparations for the called for function represented by the code signals generated have been accomplished.

FIG. 4 more clearly shows how, during processing of a first called function, after a first called interposer 14 has moved its associated release lever 5 out of the ball lock, a second keylever I may be depressed to rock its release bail 5 into the ball lock and to release its associated interposer 14 which however, because its extension 23 rests on the blocking bail 24 cannot engage the snatch roll 21 until the extension 30 of the solenoid 29 has restored the locking bail 24 to its rest position, according to FIG. 1.

Because of the fact that the interposers 14 can be caught immediately by the constantly rotating ratchet roll 21 and does not have to wait until a clutch is called through intermediate members, the whole cycle of the function is considerably faster. Also, in comparison to similar known devices less moving parts are necessary leading to generally more advantageous conditions and therefore also less wear. Alternative to the embodiment shown in the drawing, a purely mechanically functioning device can be provided to take the place of the solenoid 29 which would bring the blocking bail 24 back into its rest position. The decision as to which approach to use will depend mainly on the function which will follow in response to the code signals generated.

The invention claimed is:

l. A keyboard for generating code signals for processing having a plurality of depressible keylevers comp g a continuously rotatable snatch roll,

a plurality of interposers mounted for rotation and limited translation,

means rotatably biasing said interposers for engagement with said snatch roll for translation thereby,

release means associated with each interposer normally positioned to latch said interposers out of engagement with said snatch roll and rockable to an active position in response to associated keylever depression'to release said'interposers for engagement with and translation by said snatch roll,

bistable bail means underlying all of said interposers movable from a rest to active position in response to translation of an interposer by said snatch roll for precluding until restored to rest position the engagement with said snatch roll of another subsequently released interposer,

code selector bails responsive to translation of a interposer for generating code signals,

and means for restoring said bistable bail means to rest position in response to a signal indicating gen erated code signals have been acted on to allow the engagement with said snatch roll of another released interposer.

2. A keyboard as recited in claim 1 including means operative to hold said release means in active position to be driven by its associated released interposer to a normal latching position and to relatch its associated interposer incident to translation of its associated released interposer.

3. A keyboard as recited in claim 2 further comprising means responsive to movement of said release means to active position to preclude depression of a second keylever.

4. A keyboard as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said release means comprises a lever having a locking blade for cooperation with a ball lock and an extension, said lever being mounted for rotation and translation on a frame supported fulcrum and biased to normal position,

said extension in the normal position of said lever being positioned in the path of rotation to which said interposers are biased, and movable out of said path thereof when said release means is rocked to active position to a position for engagement by its associated released interposer for return toward normal position incident to translation of said released interposer.

5. A keyboard as recited in claim 1 wherein interposers have an extension and wherein said bistable bail means is located in the path of movement of said extension for movement to active position thereby when an interposer translates and,

overcenter spring means connected to hold said bail in the position last moved.

6. A keyboard for generating code signals for pro cessing comprising,

a plurality of depressible keylevers,

a continuously rotatable snatch roll,

a plurality of interposers mounted for rotation and limited translation,

a plurality of release means normally positioned to latch associated ones of said interposers out from engagement with said snatch roll and rockable to an active position in response to keylever depression to release associated interposer for engagement with and translation by said snatch roll,

said release means in active position being in the path of translating movement of a released interposer and movable to a normal latching position to relatch its associated interposer incident to translation by said snatch roll of the released interposer,

means responsive to translation of an interposer for generating code signals,

and further means responsive to translation of an interposer by said snatch roll for blocking another subsequently released interposer from engagement with said snatch roll until generated code signals have been processed.

7. A keyboard as recited in claim 6 further comprising a fulcrum rod,

said release means being mounted for rotation on and translation relative to said fulcrum rod,

means responsive to movement of a release lever to active position to block the movement of another release lever to active position,

spring means biasing said release levers to normal position,

said spring means serving with an interposer in released position to hold its associated release lever in active position whereby incident to translation of the interposer said release lever will be translated and withdrawn from said means blocking movement of another release lever to active position and restored by said spring means to normal position.

8. A keyboard for generating code signals for processing having a plurality of depressible keylevers comprising,

a power roll,

a plurality of interposer means mounted for movement by said power roll,

means biasing said interposer means for engagement with said power roll,

release means associated with each interposer means normally positioned to latch said interposer means out of engagement with said power roll and rockable to an active position in response to associated keylever depression to release said interposer means for engagement with said power roll,

code selector bails responsive to movement of interposer means by said power roll for generating code signals,

first interlock means responsive to movement of said release means to active position to preclude depression of a second keylever until a first release means is moved from active position by its associated power roll driven interposer,

and second interlock means movable from a rest to active position in response to movement of an interposer by said power roll for precluding until restored to rest position the engagement with said power roll of another subsequently released interposer.

9. A keyboard for generating code signals having a plurality of depressible keylevers,

a corresponding plurality of release levers having a rest and active position,

a corresponding plurality of code generating interposers having a normal arrested position releasable to an operative position to generate code positioned and returnable to arrested position,

means for holding said interposers arrested,

a release lever when rocked to active position by a corresponding keylever acting to release an associated interposer and being postioned for restoration to rest position by its associated released interposer,

interlock means precluding depression of a second keylever while a release lever is in active position,

second interlock means for holding a second released interposer in an intermediate position while first generated code signals are being processed,

and means for restoring a released operatively positioned interposer to normal arrested position.

10. A keyboard having a plurality of keylevers,

first lever means associated with each keylever actuated upon depression thereof,

ball lock means responsive to an actuated first lever means for precluding actuation of another first lever means by a second keylever depression,

interposer means releasable from a normal position to an active position by an associated actuated first lever means for generating printing signals and operative in active position to effect movement of associated first lever means out of said ball lock means,

means responsive to interposer means in active position for storing in an intermediate position second interposer means released in response to a second actuated first lever means after the first actuated first lever means has been moved from said ball lock,

said last named means permitting the second stored interposer means to move to active position to generate print signals and move its associated first lever means from said ball lock means after restoration of said first released interposer means to normal position,

and means to restore said interposer means to normal positions.

11. Storing and interlocking typewriter input mechanism,

comprising a set of key means,

a set of first control means spring biased to a position of rest, and

being operable by said key means, respectively, to

move to an actuated position,

first locking means permitting only one first control means at a time to move to said actuated position,

and engaging the one first control means which is in said actuated position,

arresting means,

a set of second control means controlled by said first control means, respectively,

each second control means having a normal position arrested by said arresting means and an operative position,

and being spring biased to move to said operative position,

each second control means in said arrested normal position being released by the correlated first control means moving to said actuated position to move to said operative position,

typing means actuated by each second control means in said operative position to type a different character,

second locking means permitting only one of said second control means at a time to move to said operative position,

and holding an other subsequently released second control means in an intermediate stored position,

said second control means in said intermediate stored position holding the respective associated first control means in said actuated position so that all remaining first control means are locked in said position of rest,

and lock the respective key means,

and power means for restoring a second control means to arrested normal position and for moving said second locking means to permit a second control means to move from said intermediate stored position to said operative position.

12. Storing and interlocking typewriter input mechanism,

comprising a set of key means,

a set of first control means spring biased to a position of rest, and

being operable by said key means, respectively, to

move to an actuated position,

and engaging the one first control means which is in said actuated position,

arresting means,

and being spring biased to move to said operative position,

second locking means permitting only one of said control means at a time to move to said operative position,

1: a: at

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORREQTEQN PATENTNO.: 3,817,366

DATED I June 18, 1974 |N\/ ENTOR(S) Rudolf Blum It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In The Heading:

After item [21], insert "Foreign Application Priority Data December 27, 1969 Germany..l96503l8--.

Signed and gcatcd this Twentieth Day Of July 1976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParents and Trademarks lllttl'llt Nu.

lmted Juno 1 -8 1974 Inventor(s) Rudolf Blum It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7 claim 9, lines 1 and Z, "posi-tioned" should read signals sighed and sealed this 1st day of October i97'-+.

Quart;

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. 0.. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents DRM PC4050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.5, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:

Claims

1. A keyboard for generating code signals for processing having a plurality of depressible keylevers comprising, a continuously rotatable snatch roll, a plurality of interposers mounted for rotation and limited translation, means rotatably biasing said interposers for engagement with said snatch roll for translation thereby, release means associated with each interposer normally positioned to latch said interposers out of engagement with said snatch roll and rockable to an active position in response to associated keylever depression to release said interposers for engagemeNt with and translation by said snatch roll, bistable bail means underlying all of said interposers movable from a rest to active position in response to translation of an interposer by said snatch roll for precluding until restored to rest position the engagement with said snatch roll of another subsequently released interposer, code selector bails responsive to translation of a interposer for generating code signals, and means for restoring said bistable bail means to rest position in response to a signal indicating generated code signals have been acted on to allow the engagement with said snatch roll of another released interposer.

4. A keyboard as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said release means comprises a lever having a locking blade for cooperation with a ball lock and an extension, said lever being mounted for rotation and translation on a frame supported fulcrum and biased to normal position, said extension in the normal position of said lever being positioned in the path of rotation to which said interposers are biased, and movable out of said path thereof when said release means is rocked to active position to a position for engagement by its associated released interposer for return toward normal position incident to translation of said released interposer.

5. A keyboard as recited in claim 1 wherein interposers have an extension and wherein said bistable bail means is located in the path of movement of said extension for movement to active position thereby when an interposer translates and, overcenter spring means connected to hold said bail in the position last moved.

6. A keyboard for generating code signals for processing comprising, a plurality of depressible keylevers, a continuously rotatable snatch roll, a plurality of interposers mounted for rotation and limited translation, means rotatably biasing said interposers for engagement with said snatch roll for translation thereby, a plurality of release means normally positioned to latch associated ones of said interposers out from engagement with said snatch roll and rockable to an active position in response to keylever depression to release associated interposer for engagement with and translation by said snatch roll, said release means in active position being in the path of translating movement of a released interposer and movable to a normal latching position to relatch its associated interposer incident to translation by said snatch roll of the released interposer, means responsive to translation of an interposer for generating code signals, and further means responsive to translation of an interposer by said snatch roll for blocking another subsequently released interposer from engagement with said snatch roll until generated code signals have been processed.

7. A keyboard as recited in claim 6 further comprising a fulcrum rod, said release means being mounted for rotation on and translation relative to said fulcrum rod, means responsive to movement of a release lever to active position to block the movement of another release lever to active position, spring means biasing said release levers to normal position, said spring means serving with an interposer in released position to hold its associated release lever in active position whereby incident to translation of the interposer said release lever will be translated and withdrawn from said means blocking movement of another release lever to active position and restored by said spring means to normal position.

8. A keyboard for generating code signals for processing having a plurality of depressible keylevers comprising, a power roll, a plurality of interposer means mounted for movement by said power roll, means biasing said interposer means for engagement with said power roll, release means associated with each interposer means normally positioned to latch said interposer means out of engagement with said power roll and rockable to an active position in response to associated keylever depression to release said interposer means for engagement with said power roll, code selector bails responsive to movement of interposer means by said power roll for generating code signals, first interlock means responsive to movement of said release means to active position to preclude depression of a second keylever until a first release means is moved from active position by its associated power roll driven interposer, and second interlock means movable from a rest to active position in response to movement of an interposer by said power roll for precluding until restored to rest position the engagement with said power roll of another subsequently released interposer.

9. A keyboard for generating code signals having a plurality of depressible keylevers, a corresponding plurality of release levers having a rest and active position, a corresponding plurality of code generating interposers having a normal arrested position releasable to an operative position to generate code positioned and returnable to arrested position, means for holding said interposers arrested, a release lever when rocked to active position by a corresponding keylever acting to release an associated interposer and being postioned for restoration to rest position by its associated released interposer, interlock means precluding depression of a second keylever while a release lever is in active position, second interlock means for holding a second released interposer in an intermediate position while first generated code signals are being processed, and means for restoring a released operatively positioned interposer to normal arrested position.

10. A keyboard having a plurality of keylevers, first lever means associated with each keylever actuated upon depression thereof, ball lock means responsive to an actuated first lever means for precluding actuation of another first lever means by a second keylever depression, interposer means releasable from a normal position to an active position by an associated actuated first lever means for generating printing signals and operative in active position to effect movement of associated first lever means out of said ball lock means, means responsive to interposer means in active position for storing in an intermediate position second interposer means released in response to a second actuated first lever means after the first actuated first lever means has been moved from said ball lock, said last named means permitting the second stored interposer means to move to active position to generate print signals and move its associated first lever means from said ball lock means after restoration of said first released interposer means to normal position, and means to restore said interposer means to normal positions.

11. Storing and interlocking typewriter input mechanism, comprising a set of key means, a set of first control means spring biased to a position of rest, and being operable by said key means, respectively, to move to an actuated position, first locking means permitting only one first control means at a time to move to said actuated position, and engaging the one first control means which is in said actuated position, arresting means, a set of second control means controlled by said first control means, respectively, each second control means having a normal position arrested by said arresting means and an operAtive position, and being spring biased to move to said operative position, each second control means in said arrested normal position being released by the correlated first control means moving to said actuated position to move to said operative position, typing means actuated by each second control means in said operative position to type a different character, second locking means permitting only one of said second control means at a time to move to said operative position, and holding an other subsequently released second control means in an intermediate stored position, said second control means in said intermediate stored position holding the respective associated first control means in said actuated position so that all remaining first control means are locked in said position of rest, and lock the respective key means, and power means for restoring a second control means to arrested normal position and for moving said second locking means to permit a second control means to move from said intermediate stored position to said operative position.

12. Storing and interlocking typewriter input mechanism, comprising a set of key means, a set of first control means spring biased to a position of rest, and being operable by said key means, respectively, to move to an actuated position, first locking means permitting only one first control means at a time to move to said actuated position, and engaging the one first control means which is in said actuated position, arresting means, a set of second control means controlled by said first control means, respectively, each second control means having a normal position arrested by said arresting means and an operative position, and being spring biased to move to said operative position, each second control means in said arrested normal position being released by the correlated first control means moving to said actuated position to move to said operative position, typing means actuated by each second control means in said operative position to type a different character, second locking means permitting only one of said control means at a time to move to said operative position, and holding an other subsequently released second control means in an intermediate stored position, said second control means in said intermediate stored position holding the respective associated first control means in said actuated position so that all remaining first control means are locked in said position of rest, and lock the respective key means, and power return means to cause movement of the respective second control means after actuation of said typing means back to said arrested normal position so that said second locking means permits the other second control means to move from said intermediate stored position to said operative position.