US3858035A

US3858035A - Position selecting device

Info

Publication number: US3858035A
Application number: US00296231A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Englund
Original assignee: Hugin Kassaregister AB
Current assignee: Hugin Kassaregister AB
Priority date: 1971-10-08
Filing date: 1972-10-10
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31
Also published as: SE365051B; GB1409278A

Abstract

Position selecting device for transferring number or character values stored in an electronic calculating unit to mechanical calculating and printing units, and for setting said number values. The selecting device comprises a power source, a pulse transmitter and also for each number position a setting mechanism. The device may be used in connection with, for instance, cash registers.

Description

United States Patent [191 Englund [451 Dec. 31, 1974 POSITION SELECTING DEVICE [75] Inventor: John Sven Englund, Ektorp, Sweden [73] Assignee: I-lugin Kassaregister AB, Stockholm,

Sweden [22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 296,231

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 8, 1971 Sweden 12770/71 [52] U.S. Cl. 235/156, 235/61 PG, 235/61 PJ [5]] Int. Cl G06c 9/00 [58] Field of Search 235/156, 61 PG, 61 PH,

235/61 PJ, 61 PK; 101/93 R, 93 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,009,635 11/1961 Deighton 235/61 PG 3,063,625 11/1962 Bodnar et al. 235/61 PG 3,146,941 9/1964 Heise 235/61 PH 3,652,826 3/1972 Chekroun 235/61 PG 3,691,360 12/1972 Gross et a1 235/61 PK Primary Examiner-Charles E. Atkinson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby and Cushman [57] ABSTRACT Position selecting device for transferring number or character values stored in an electronic calculating unit to mechanical calculating and printing units, and for setting said number values. The selecting device comprises a power source, a pulse transmitter and also for each number position a setting mechanism. The device may be used in connection with, for instance, cash registers.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] DEBS 1 I974 SHEET 10F 2 PNENTED DEC 3 T 4 SHEET 2 0F 2 POSITION SELECTING DEVICE The invention relates to a position selecting means or device for transferring characters or number values stored in an electronic calculator to mechanical calculating or printing mechanisms. The position selecting means connects an electronic calculating unit to a mechanical or calculating or printing mechanism and comprises a power source and a pulse transmitter, and also for each type position a setting mechanism.

Transfer of characters or number values, either from a keyboard of a calculator, cash register or the like, or from an electronic calculator to a mechanical calculating or printing mechanism has previously been accomplished with a variety of types of equipment. In calculators it has, for instance, been common to use guide rules, often spring biased, operated via a keyboard. These guide rules often transfer, via a complicated mechanism of levers and toothed segments, a linear guide rule movement into a rotational movement in an indicating unit or a printing unit. In such cases there is initially a positive coupling between guide rule and indicating wheel, disengagement between said parts taking place when the desired relative position has been arrived at. Thereafter said movement is completed. For resetting it is required that the direction of movement is reversed. I

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable position selecting means which eliminates the drawbacks of previous types of position selecting means, especially the drawbacks of reciprocating guide rails. Another object is to provide a position selecting means having a reliable resetting function. Still another object is to make it possible to perform printing against still-standing printing blocks, thus requiring that the indicating units are at a standstill for a while before resetting occurs. It is also required that the position selecting means be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

This is accomplished, according to the present invention, by providing a position selecting means having the features indicated in the appending claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of exam ple, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows schematically a complete registrating unit of which the position selecting means is a part,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the position selecting means showing-only essential parts,

FIG. 3 is a schematical elevation of some of the parts shown in FIG. 2, said parts being positioned in a starting position for setting,

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 but shows the parts in position at the very beginning of a setting operation,

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 but shows the parts after a completed setting operation,

FIGS. 6-8 correspond to FIGS. 3 5 showing another embodiment,

FIG. 9 is an elevation of a setting unit, and

FIG. 10 is a section along the line X-X in FIG. 9.

The registration equipment shown in FIG. 1 comprises an electronic calculating unit 1, a control unit 2 having a keyboard and also a position selecting unit 3 having a mechanical printing unit 4 attached thereto.

These different parts, which are connected to each other, can be positioned in different ways relative to each other, and can for instance be integrated into a single unit. The position selecting means 3 and the printing unit can be mounted separately from the calculating unit 1 and the operating unit 2, which in turn can be combined or be mounted separately. The registration equipment is preferably electrically operated.

The operating unit 2 is operated manually and is used to introduce certain data into the calculating unit and to process them therein. As desired some of these data, or some calculation results based on these data, can then be transferred to the position selecting means 3, which transfers the electrical signals introduced into the calculating unit into corresponding movement of mechanical parts so that the printing unit 4 will produce a receipt 5 or similar printed matter with the information wanted.

Of the various units in the registration equipment only the position selecting means 3 will be described in more detail in the following. For the sake of clarity FIG. 2 shows only the parts essential for understanding of the invention, and only two out of several mutually identical character or number positions in the position selecting means 3 are shown. A power source in the form of an electrical motor 6 is controlled by the calculating unit 1 and drives via gear wheels 8, 9 and 10 which are mounted on the end plate 7, a setting shaft 11 which has one end journalled in the end plate 7. On the setting shaft 11 is mounted a setting unit 12 comprising a blocking wheel 13 and a gear wheel 14. Said blocking wheel and gear wheel are connected to each other by means of an intermediate part 15 acting as a clutch and permitting a limited relative movement. The setting unit 12 can by means of the clutch be made to rotate together with the setting shaft 11. The gear wheel 14 is in engagement with an intermediate wheel 17 rotatably mounted on a shaft 16, said intermediate wheel being in engagement with an indicating wheel 19 rotatably mounted on a shaft 18, said indicating wheel indicating in a window on the position selecting means the number that has been set. The gear wheel 17 is also in engagement with a setting wheel 20 that via a shaft 21 is connected to the printing unit 4. The shafts l6 and 18 have one end supported in the end plate 7. The shaft 21 comprises a number of nested tubular shafts for axially spaced gear wheels. The innermost tubular shaft is journalled in the end plate 7. The gear wheel 9 also en gages the gear wheel 22 which is rotatably supported by the end plate 7 and is fixedly attached to a cam disc 23 which in turn via a shaft 24 is fixedly attached to a pulse generating disc 25 that is provided with a number of indicating holes 26. As the pulse generating disc rotates, the indicating holes 26 will pass an indicator unit 27 that extends on both sides of the pulse generating disc and is connected to the calculating unit 1.

The cam disc 23 operates a cam follower 28 that is attached to an arm 29 pivotably supported by the end plate 7. In the free end 30 of the arm 29 is provided a bar 31 which is parallel to the setting shaft 11 and by means of the arm 29 is movable in a direction perpendicular to its lengthwise direction. On a blocking shaft 32, which is parallel to the bar 31 and has one end mounted in the end plate 7, is arranged a plate like upper blocking device 33 which is movable in a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the blocking shaft. The upper blocking device 33 is arranged to be operated by the bar 31 and also by a lower blocking device 34 movable mainly in the same plane as the upper blocking device. The lower blocking device is mounted on a shaft 35 secured to the end plate 7 and parallel to the blocking shaft 32. A relay 36 controlled by the calculating unit 1 operates the lower blocking device 34, which in turn via a spring 37 operates the upper blocking device 33. The upper blocking device 33 and the lower blocking device 34 are arranged to be in mutual engagement in various positions. In some of its positions the upper blocking device can be in engagement with notches 39 on the circumference of the blocking wheel 13 by means of a blocking stud 38.

FIGS. 3-5 show schematically the different parts essential for the setting sequence in various positions during a setting sequence. As is evident from these figures the blocking wheel 13' is along its circumference provided with 10 evenly spaced notches 39 and corresponding blocking teeth 40 of which nine have the same length and one tooth 41 is longer than the others. The upper blocking device 33, which is rotatable on the blocking shaft 32, can have three different positions. In the uppermost of these positions the blocking stud 38 engages one of the notches 39. In the intermediate po sition the short blocking teeth 40, but not the longer blocking tooth 41, can pass the blocking stud 38. In the lowermost position also the long blocking tooth 41 can pass the blocking stud 38. The upper blocking device 33 is provided with a hole 42 through which the bar 31 extends. Further, on its lower side it is provided with an upper abutment or shoulder 43 and a lower abutment 44, said abutments cooperating with a locking member 45 on the lower blocking device 34. The lower blocking device 34 can have two different positions, an upper position in which the relay 36 is not engaged, and a lower position in which the relay 36 is engaged.

The cam disc 23 which via the cam follower 28, the arm 29 and the bar 31 operates the upper blocking device 33, has its periphery divided into three different cam surfaces, e.g. an outer cam surface 46, an intermediate cam surface 47 and an inner cam surface 48 and intermediate transition surfaces. The cam disc 23 is, as is the case also for the pulse generating disc 25, common for all number positions. However, there can be more cam discs and/or pulse generating discs. The gear ratio between the cam disc 23 and the setting shaft 11, via the gear wheels 9, l0 and 22, is such that the setting shaft 11 rotates one revolution while the cam follower 38 slides along the inner cam surface 48. This means that the cam disc 23 rotates slower than the setting shaft 11. In the embodiment shown the pulse generating disc 25 is provided with nine indicating holes 26 corresponding to the characters 1-9, said indicating holes being arranged on a circular arc. Seen from the shaft 24 the juxtapositioned indicating holes 26 are located between two radii defining a center angle which is substantially equal to the centre angle between the radii at the ends of the cam surface 48.

The indicating unit 27 extending on both sides of the pulse generating disc 25 preferably comprises a light source and a photo diode, but also other embodiments are possible; For each indicating hole 26 passing the indicating unit 27 the indicating unit 27 sends a pulse to the calculating unit 1, which via memory cells for the various number positions sends pulses to the relays 36 of the different number positions.

The operation of the device will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 35. When the operator wishes to print a character or number combination previously fed into the calculating unit or calculated therein,

which number combination has been stored in the calculating unit, he operates a special key on the control unit, thus causing the calculating unit 1 to receive an order impulse for effecting setting of the printing unit 4 and printing of the number combination or value desired. All the blocking wheels 13 in the position selection means 3 will at this time be positioned in the starting position shown in FIG. 3, in which the long blocking tooth 41 engages the blocking stud 38 so that the setting unit 12 is not in engagement with the setting shaft 11. The upper blocking device 33 is in its intermediate position and is held by means of the spring 37 with its lower abutment 44 in engagement with the locking member 45 on the lower blocking device 34 which is in its upper position unaffected by the relay 36. The cam follower 28 has just engaged the inner cam surface 48 and thus the arm 29 holds the bar 31 in such a position within the hole 42 that a rotation of the upper blocking device 33 corresponding to the displacement of the locking member 45 from the lower abutment 44 to the upper abutment 43 is possible. In the position thus described the indicating wheel 19 as well as the corresponding type wheel in the printing unit 4 are set in the position showing the character 0. The first indicating hole 26 on the pulse generating disc 25, corresponding to the character 9, is on its way into the indicating unit 27.

The cam disc 23, the pulse generating disc 25 and the setting shaft 1 1 are all arranged to rotate counterclockwise, in the direction of the arrow 49. Seen in the clockwise direction, the various notches 39 on the blocking wheel starting from the long block tooth 41 correspond each to a number or character from l to 9 and 0".

When the operating key on the control unit 2 is depressed, or when the calculating unit 3 receives a required signal in any other way, the setting shaft 11, the cam disc 23 and the pulse generating disc 25 start to rotate simultaneously in the same direction, as indicated by the arrow 49. At the same time as the setting shaft 11 rotates within the still-standing setting unit 12, one indicating hole 26 after the other passes through the indicating unit 27 while the inner cam surface 48 is advanced under the cam follower 28. Pulses transmitted from the indicating unit 27 to the calculating unit 1 are in the calculating unit compared to a previously stored value for the number position in question. When the number of pulses transmitted from the indicating unit corresponds to the predetermined number value stored in said number position, a pulse is transmitted to the relay 36.

This causes the lower blocking device 34 to be brought to its downmost position and the spring 37 to pull down the upper blocking device 33 so that the upper abutment 43 will engage the locking member 45. The result is that the blocking stud 38 will move away from the long blocking tooth 41, thus causing the clutch provided in the setting unit 12 to engage the setting shaft 11 so that the setting unit rotates together with said shaft (see FIG. 4). When setting the character 9, the setting shaft 11 has rotated only one tenth of a revolution from the starting position when the clutch engages, whereas when setting the character 1" the shaft has rotated nine tenth of a revolution, when the clutch engages.

During continued rotation of the setting shaft 11 the gear wheel 14 now, via the intermediate wheel 17,

turns both the indicating wheel 19 and the setting wheel 20, which via the shaft 21 operates the printing unit 4. When the cam follower 28 slides upon the outer cam surface 46 the upper blocking device 33 is by the bar 31 moved to its upper position and disengages the setting unit 12 from the setting shaft II (see FIG. 5). At the same time the relay 36 is deactionated and the spring 37 pulls the lower blocking device 34 to its upper position, shown in FIG. 5. This occurs simultaneoulsy for all of the number positions when the setting shaft 11 has rotated one revolution from the starting position, i.e., when all the indicating slots or holes 26 have passed through the indicator 27.

In the position shown in FIG. 5 the character 8 has been set, and during the continued rotation of the cam disc 23 other work functions such as printing occur, while the setting unit is standing still. The various setting movements are thus initiated at different points in time determined by the values in the respective number positions. However, all the movements are terminated at the same time. Resetting of all of the setting units I2 is initiated when the intermediate cam surface 47 slides in beneath the cam follower 28. The bar 31 is moved so far downward that the spring 37 can pull down the upper blocking device 33 to its intermediate position where the short blocking teeth 40 can pass the blocking stud 38 (see FIG. 3). When this has happened the setting unit 12 engages with the setting shaft II and rotates with the same until the long blocking tooth hits against the blocking stud 38, and disengagement occurs so that the starting position shown in FIG. 3 is returned to. In this way a reliable resetting at all the number positions is achieved. In contrast to what is usually the case a continuous rotational movement of the setting shaft 11 is utilized to perform the setting as well as the resetting. Thus all problems with reciprocating guide rules and similar mechanisms are completely eliminated.

The device shown in FIGS. 3-5 can of course be constructed in a number of differnet ways, while essentially retaining the function. FIGS. 6-8 show a preferred embodiment in which the upper blocking device 33 has a different construction and in which the disc 22 is a combined cam disc and pulse generating disc. The end of the upper blocking device 33 which is farthest from the blocking stud 38 is constructed as a cam follower 50 which can contact either the outer cam surface 51 or the inner cam surface 52 or be at an intermediate position between them. In the starting position shown in FIG. 6 the upper blocking device 33 is in its intermediate position in which the blocking stud 38 bears on the long blocking tooth 41 so that the setting unit I2 is disengaged. The cam follower 50 is in an intermediate position a bit above the inner cam surface 52. In the position shown in FIG. 7 the relay 36 has just been activated and has pulled down the lower blocking device 34 having thereby brought the setting unit I2 into engagement with the setting shaft II. The cam follower 50 now slides along the inner cam surface 52.

In the position shown in FIG. 8 the cam follower 50 has slid up on the outer cam surface 51, thereby forcing the upper blocking device into its upper position for disengaging the setting unit 12, which has now reached the desired position. The electrical current to the relay 36 is broken and the spring 37 has returned the lower blocking device 34 to its upper position. Resetting is initiated when the cam follower 50 slides down from the outer cam surface 5 I and thereby brings the setting unit I2 into engagement with the setting shaft II for such a large part of its revolution that the long blocking tooth again reaches the starting position shown in FIG. 6 in which the setting unit is disengaged.

As will be understood from both of the described examples above, the setting of the character 0 is obtained by the blocking wheel 13 remaining in its starting position since the pulse generating disc never gives off a zero impulse and, accordingly, the relay 36 will not become activated. The gear ratio between the setting shaft II on the one hand and the cam disc and the pulse generating disc on the other hand can be selected in various ways, and it is also not necessary that the cam disc and the pulse generating disc have the same shaft. Other positionings and constructions than those given here can also be used.

One of the prerequisites for the proper functioning of the device described is that the setting unit I2 can be quickly and effectively brought into engagement with the setting shaft II, and after the completed movement be quickly and effectively disengaged again.

A suitable embodiment of the setting unit I2 is shown in FIGS. 9 and III. As will be seen from FIG. It), a sleeve 53 has been mounted onto the setting shaft II, since sleeve having a shoulder 5 The sleeve 53 is rotationally fixed relative to the setting shaft II by means of a pin 55 extending through the shoulder 54 and the setting shaft II. A ring 56 is mounted onto the shoulder 54 and is rotatable on the same and is further secured to the blocking wheel I4. Both rings 56 and 57 and the sleeve 53 have the same outer diameter, and it is important that the deviation between the diameters is kept within rather narrow limits. The mantle surface formed by the ring 57, the sleeve 53 and the rings 56 is enclosed by a helical spring 58 which by means of

fastening members

59 and 60 is secured at its ends on the

respective ring

56 and 57. The helical spring 58 is closely winded so that a plurality of spring turns will enclose the sleeve 53. In the gear wheel I4 is secured a pin III which with its free end extends through a hole 62 provided in the blocking wheel I3. The diameter of the hole 62 is greater than the diameter of the free end of the pin M. The direction of winding the thread of the helical spring 58 is selected such that the spring, when the gear wheel 14- is arrested, and the blocking wheel I3, seen in the direction towards the gear wheel I I, is turned clockwise, tends to increase its diameter.

When the blocking wheel I3 is not actuated by any force, that is when the blocking stud 33 is not in engagement with any of the blocking teeth 44) or 41, the helical spring will grip the sleeve 53 with such a force that the whole setting unit I2 is brought to rotate together with the sleeve 53 and the setting shaft II. In order to disengage the setting unit I2, the diameter of the helical spring 53 must be increased so much that the spring will release its grip around the sleeve 53. This is effected by moving the blocking stud 38 into engagement with the rotating blocking wheel I4 so that it will rest against any of the blocking teeth and prevent further rotation of the blocking wheel. The force required for disengagement is very small, and the friction and/or inertia of those gear wheels which are directly or indirectly actuated by the gear wheel I4 is often sufficiently great to produce a force which will retain the gear wheel I I in the desired position. However, if the gear wheel I4 due to play can be rotated to such an angle that disengagement will occur, the setting unit 12 will be rotated so much that the blocking tooth will again be pressed against the blocking stud 38 and thus after sufficiently small turning again will disengage the setting unit. The sleeve 53 will accordingly in such case in some instances slip within the helical spring 58, but all the time the position of the setting unit will be main tained so that the blocking stud 38 will prevent rotation. The pin 61 and the hole 62 will serve as a locking mechanism in order to lock the blocking wheel 13 and the gear wheel 14 to each other upon a certain permitted rotational movement.

The embodiment of the setting unit described may be varied in several ways. For example, the helical spring 58 may be used without any sleeve 53 and may grip directly around the setting shaft 11. It may with its end portions be directly secured to the blocking wheel 13 or the gear wheel 14, respectively. It will also be possible to eliminate the cam disc and the cam follower mechanism and insteadprovide a modified pulse generating disc controlling a blocking which comprises one or more relays or similar members. Also, the power source may, with a suitable power transmission system, be used for driving for instance a printing unit or for effecting other functions. The pulse transmitter may for example be so constructed that the pulse generating disc has a shape similar to a gear wheel, or one can also for instance use a device which generates a varying magnetic field.

In order to safely attain that the setting unit be rotated exactly the predetermined portion of a revolution, it is important that the time between the disengagement of the blocking mechanism and the engagement of the blocking wheel is well adapted to the speed of rotation of the setting shaft. if the blocking mechanism should be disengaged too early, the setting unit will rotate too far, and if the disengagement is made too late, the setting unit will not be able to rotate sufficiently far. The synchronizing of the pulse transmitter is therefore important.

The advantage of the coupling of the type described is that it will result in a high power transmission capacity in relation to the control force required for effecting engagement or disengagement, and further it is quick to operate because the actuating movement may be made quite small. The wear caused by a rotating setting shaft, with or without a sleeve, will be small. In relation to prior devices the device according to the invention will be much simpler, more reliable and less expensive to manufacture and may further be constructed to form a compact device.

The type of coupling described may also be used for other applications, for instance when it is desired to obtain an intermittent rotation with predetermined intervals of rotation. The blocking mechanism and the blocking wheel may then be given such a shape that the blocking mechanism will let the blocking wheel free at predetermined intervals.

What is claimed is:

l. A position selecting device for transferring number of character values having at least one position and represented by electrical pulses in an electronic calculating unit to mechanical indicating means such as a mechanical calculating or printing unit or the like, and for setting the values so represented, said selecting device comprising a. a power source,

b. a setting shaft rotatable in only one direction, said setting shaft being driven by said power source,

c. a plurality of rotatable setting units, one for each number position, each setting unit having a first position thereof which is the normal and reset position thereof, and a second position thereof which is the setting position thereof, each setting unit upon rotation thereof for operating said mechanical indicating means, each setting unit being rotatable in only one direction from said first position thereof, through said second position thereof, and back to said first position thereof,

d. means for providing selective engagement and disengagement between said setting shaft and each of said setting units to provide either for rotation of each of said setting units with said setting shaft or no rotation of each of said setting units with said setting shaft, said setting shaft being common to all setting units,

e. a pulse transmitter common to all number positions, said pulse transmitter operatively connected to said power source to rotate synchronously with said setting shaft and adapted to determine said second positions of said setting units, and

f. means for providing simultaneous disengagement of all said setting units from said setting shaft, said means comprising (i) a blocking mechanism for each setting unit, each blocking mechanism having a first position thereof during which its corresponding setting unit is in engagement with said setting shaft for rotation therewith toward said second position thereof, a second position thereof corresponding to its corresponding setting unit being in its second position thereof, and a third position thereof corresponding to its corresponding setting unit being in its first position thereof or rotating toward said first position thereof, and (ii) a cam disc common to all said setting units and corresponding blocking members, said cam disc operatively connected to said power source to simultaneously rotate with said setting shaft, said cam disc for operating said blocking mechanisms simultaneously from said first to said second position thereof and from said second position to said third position thereof while not interfering with movement of said blocking member from said third to said first position thereof.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a relay operatively associated with each of said setting units for moving its corresponding blocking member from its third to its second position thereof, said relay being controlled by said pulse transmitter.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said blocking mechanisms comprises a first blocking device adapted to cooperate with its corresponding setting unit and adapted to be actuated by said cam disc, and a second blocking device operatively connected with said relay and adapted to actuate said first blocking device.

4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said pulse transmitter comprises a pulse generating disc which is synchronously movable with said setting shaft and is provided with indicating holes therein, and a pulse transmitting sensor cooperating with said pulse generating disc.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said cam disc and said pulse disc are integral.

6. A device as recited in claim wherein said means for providing selective engagement between said setting shaft and each of said setting units comprises a helical spring enclosing said setting shaft and forming a coupling between said setting shaft and said setting unit, said helical spring adapted to transmit the rotational movement of the setting shaft, by friction between the windings of the spring and the setting shaft or a thickened portion thereof, to said indicating means.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said spring is closely wound and has an inner diameter of such dimensions relative to the outer diameter of said setting shaft or said thickened portion thereof, that a small disengaging movement of the end portions of said spring increases the outer diameter thereof sufficiently to disengage the setting unit from said setting shaft.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein one end portion of said helical spring is secured to a blocking wheel cooperating with said blocking mechanism, the other end portion of said helical spring being secured to a gear wheel cooperating with said indicating means.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein the periphery of said blocking wheel is provided with a number of blocking teeth corresponding to the desired number p of setting positions, one of said blocking teeth being longer than the others.

10. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein each end portion of said helical spring is secured to a rotatable ring located on either side of and concentric with said setting shaft, said rings being secured to said blocking wheel and said gear wheel respectively, each spring end being secured to its corresponding ring by a fastening member enclosing said end portion of said spring.

ill. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein a locking mechanism is disposed between the end portions of said spring for limiting the torsion of said spring ends relative to one another.

12. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein a locking mechanism is disposed between the end portions of said spring for limiting the torsion of said spring ends relative to one another.

Claims

1. A position selecting device for transferring number of character values having at least one position and represented by electrical pulses in an electronic calculating unit to mechanical indicating means such as a mechanical calculating or printing unit or the like, and for setting the values so represented, said selecting device comprising a. a power source, b. a setting shaft rotatable in only one direction, said setting shaft being driven by said power source, c. a plurality of rotatable setting units, one for each number position, each setting unit having a first position thereof which is the normal and reset position thereof, and a second position thereof which is the setting position thereof, each setting unit upon rotation thereof for operating said mechanical indicating means, each setting unit being rotatable in only one direction from said first position thereof, through said second position thereof, and back to said first position thereof, d. means for providing selective engagement and disengagement between said setting shaft and each of said setting units to provide either for rotation of each of said setting units with said setting shaft or no rotation of each of said setting units with said setting shaft, said setting shaft being common to all setting units, e. a pulse transmitter common to all number positions, said pulse transmitter operatively connected to said power source to rotate synchronously with said setting shaft and adapted to determine said second positions of said setting units, and f. means for providing simultaneous disengagement of all said setting units from said setting shaft, said means comprising (i) a blocking mechanism for each setting unit, each blocking mechanism having a first position thereof during which its corresponding setting unit is in engagement with said setting shaft for rotation therewith toward said second position thereof, a second position thereof corresponding to its corresponding setting unit being in its second position thereof, and a third position thereof corresponding to its corresponding setting unit being in its first position thereof or rotating toward said first position thereof, and (ii) a cam disc common to all said setting units and corresponding blocking members, said cam disc operatively connected to said power source to simultaneously rotate with said setting shaft, said cam disc for operating said blocking mechanisms simultaneously from said first to said second position thereof and from said second position to said third position thereof while not interfering with movement oF said blocking member from said third to said first position thereof.

6. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for providing selective engagement between said setting shaft and each of said setting units comprises a helical spring enclosing said setting shaft and forming a coupling between said setting shaft and said setting unit, said helical spring adapted to transmit the rotational movement of the setting shaft, by friction between the windings of the spring and the setting shaft or a thickened portion thereof, to said indicating means.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein the periphery of said blocking wheel is provided with a number of blocking teeth corresponding to the desired number of setting positions, one of said blocking teeth being longer than the others.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 wherein a locking mechanism is disposed between the end portions of said spring for limiting the torsion of said spring ends relative to one another.