US899965A - Adding-machine. - Google Patents

Description

H. L. FISHER. ADDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 1905.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908* 4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

H. L. FISHER.

ADDING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 20, 1905.

H. L. FISHER. v ADDING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE so. 1905.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

4 SHEETB-SHEET s H. L. FISHER.

' ADDING MACHINE, APPLICATION FILED mm: 30, 1905.

899,965. Patented Sept. 29, 1908. l 4 SHEE TBSHEET 4.

Waves g0 2706/ UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

HARVEY L. FISHER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR-TO BURROUGHS ADDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ADDING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that 1,,HARVEY L. FISHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, inthe county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to adding machines and the like adapted to print, list and add individual items and more particularly to the key mechanism thereof, and the object thereof is to provide means adapted to cooperate with mechanism for detaining an operated key and locking the remainder of the keys in its row or column against operation and arranged under the control of a predetermined one or more of the number or value keys for releasing any one of the keys in its row after, it has been operated or depressed, with the result that in case a wrong key has been operated, the same may be released and permitted to be restored by simply operating or movingthe predetermined value key or keys in the manner hereinafter explained. The setting of the keys and the release thereof is thus under the manual control of the operator, through the medium of the regular keys and without the employment of any additional keys, levers or the like for the purpose of releasing an operated key. My im ention is particularly applicable to the key mechanism of the type of machine exemplified in the Burroughs patents os. 504,963 and 505,078, issued on September 12, 1 893 and in the present instance, for the sake of a clear and definite description of my invention, I have shown the same embodied in the well known Burroughs machine made in general accordance with said Burroughs patents, but it will be understood that my invention is applicable to machines of other types and other makes and that I contemplate using my invention wherever applicable. Moreoter, while I have shown my invention in connection with a multiple keybank type of machine, yet it will be understood that it is applicable to a single keybank or so called IO-key machine. therefore proceed to describe my invention as applied to the well known Burroughs machine without intention of limiting my invention thereto, when viewed in its broader aspect.

I will- In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevae tion of one section or train of the key mechanism with a portion broken away to expose the parts constituting my attachments or improvements; Figs. 2 and 3 detail views illustrating different positions of the operating parts; Fig. 4 a plan view of the key mechanism, with the keyboard proper and keys removed; Fig.5 a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a modified form of construction in which the resetting of the key is under the control of the 1 key; Figs. 6 and 7 detail views of such modification; Fig. 8 a plan view of a key mechanism embodying such modification, but with the keyboard removed, and Fig. 9 a detail view illustrating another modification.

As is well known, the Burroughs machine is of the multiple key-bank type having a plurality of rows of keys representing difierent denominations, increasing from right to left, each row representing the digits 1 to 9, the 1" keys being arranged at the forward end of the keyboard and the 9 keys at the upward or rearward end thereof. As shown more particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the stems 221 of the number or value keys 291 pass through suitable openings or slots in the keyboard plates 212 and 213 and are arranged to cooperate with a series of hell cranks 21? pivotally mounted upon the transverse rods 200. These bell cranks which are arranged on one side of the rear wardly extending portion of the plate 210 are operatively connected (with the 6X06 tion of the bell crank corresponding to t 1e 9 key) with a series of stop rods 270, whose forward ends work in slots in the plate 210 in the usual and well known manner. Each row of keys is provided with a sliding bar or strip 214, with which the bell cranks cooperate. in such manner that when one key in the row of keys is operated, such bar is moved rearwardly from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to the position indicated in Fig. 2. hen the bar has been moved rear- \vardly, as stated, it is retained in such shifted position by means of the pawl 228, which is spring-pressed by means of the spring 283, towards a position'of engagement. It will be understood that after the bar 214 has been shifted rearwardly,,by the depression of any one key in the row of keys, all the other 9 bell cranks and keys are locked against deression, inasmuch as the solid part of the her is brofight below the shoulders 217 of the bell cranks. In the regular 0 eration of. a Burroughs machine, the sliding ar or bars 214 which may have been operated in the listing and printing of an amount or item, are released by the forward swinging of the transverse rod or bell. 202, which rocking thereof causes a movement of the pawls 228 in a clockwise direction and the consequent release and, restoration of the bars 214.

Moreover, in the ordinary Burroughs machine, the rod or pawl 202 is also under the control of the error key which, when operated, causes a similar'movement or swinging of the rod or shaft 202 and the release and restoration of the slidin bars 214.

0 crate or depressed in its row of keys, with t e result that in case a figure of an item or amount set up on the keyboard is wrong, the error may be corrected by simply operating the said predetermined value key in the row of keys in which said wrong figure occurs, so

that the key, thus wrongly operated, is released and the keys of that row restored to permit the correct key to be operated, without the necessity of releasing all of the keys representing the item or amount and setting up the entire item anew. It will be understood that-my invention contemplates the control of the key locking mechanism by a predetermined one or more of the value keys in each row of keys, and in Figs. 1 to 4, I have illustrated one form of construction in which such mechanism is under the control of the 9 key or keys, while in the remaining figuresI have shown a construction wherein the mechanism is under the control of the l key or keys. It will be understood, however, aswill be obvious after the following description, that any one or more of the keys in a row of keys may be chosen to control saidmechanism, but the employment of either the 1 key or 9 key'will be found the more convenient in practice,

Referring to the embodiment of my invention, as illustrated in Figs. .1 to 4 of the drawings, wherein the locking mechanism is under the control of the 9 key or keys, 1 provide a lever 229, which is in the form of a plate pivoted upon the transverse rod 200, on which the bell crank 217, corresponding to the 9 key is hung, and position the same between such bell crank and the side of the rearwardly extending portion of the plate 210'. This late 229 is pivoted intermediate of its lengt its rearwardly extending arm being provided with a lateral pin or stud 229 and the forwardly extending arm thereof with a lateral stud or pin 229K. The latter pinjis inposition to be engaged by a transverse slot 221 near the lower or inner end of the key stem of the 9 key, which ke with the plate or lever 229. The other pin or stud 229 is arranged to cooperate with the pawl 228, corres onding to the row of keys being described and for the pur ose of controlling the same through the me ium of'the 9' key, such pawl 228 is made slightly different than heretofore by being provided with an upwardly extending cam surface 228, which is arranged to cooperate with the pin orstud 229 Normally this latter pin or stud is positioned at the base of the cam surface or extension 228 as seen in Fig. 1, but in this clockwise movement, caused by a depression of the 9 key, the same is adapted to rock or swing the pawl 228 in the 'same way as the transverse rod -202,.in the manner hereinafter explained.

ated, assuming for example the 1 key, the bar 214 corresponding to that row ofkeys is moved or slid rearwardly and engaged and held in such rearward osition by 1ts pawl 228. If, now, before t emachine is operated and before the item has been put 111130. the. machine and printed, the operatorv should discover that the -3 key, for instance, instead of the 1 key, should have been operated, he simply depresses the 9 key of that row of keys, with the result that the pin or stud 229 is swung upwardly by the movement of the plate 229 in a clockwise direction and the pawl 228 rocked u wardly or in a clockwise direction and the ar 214 thereby released. It will be understood that this depression of the 9 key for releasing purposes is sli ht, inasmuch as the shoulder 217" of its bel crank which, as usual, has a little play, soon comes in contact with and is stopped by the. operated bar 214, but. such When any one of the value keys is -oper.--

therefore has a pin and slot connection movement is sufficient to swing or rock the pin 229 upwardly to a position to give the awl 228 its greatest degree of movement, and to thereby release the operated bar'214 and permit it to be restored, as indicated in 238 for restoring action. n the regular limited amount of movement.

hereinbefore stated, thesam'egeneral result stored 'to its normal position by its spring to locking position with respect to the o er-'- ated bar 214,

as indicated in Fig. 2, at w ich time the pin or stud 229 after passing the effective part of the cam surface 228, has

reached an upward position where the pawl 228 is permitted to be rocked by the, tension.

of its spring 283 into locking engagement with the bar 214. Thus, while in the depression of the 9 key the pawl 228 is rocked away from locking position, it is permitted to return to that position at or before the bell crank 217 reachesits fulloperated condition, so that the bar 214 is engaged in the.

same manner as though one of the other value keys was operated.

In the event that the 9 key was deressed by mistake and it is desired toreease that key, the operator simply pulls the key upwardly from the position indicated in Fig. 2, with the result that the lever or plate 229 is rocked in an anticlockwise direction and the pawl 228 released by contact of the pin or stud 229 against the effective part of the cam surface 228' at which time the sliding bar 214, together with the bell crank 217 of the 9 key will return to normal position, whereupon the proper key of that row may be operated.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the key release mechanism of each row of value keys is under the control of One' of those keys, such controlling key in the referred embodiment of my invention, bemg the 9 key, which may be operated in the usual manner, that is simply depressed, with the result that the operated key may be released, or if the 9" key is the one to be released the same may be restored by simply pulling it upwardly. Moreover, it is immat erial whether the touch on the controlling key be light-or heavy, as it has a slightand can be accomplished in another manner and by the operation-of a value key other than connection between'such key and the pawl 228. As shown in the drawings, this connection comprises a sliding release bar 230, which is located and has its bearing against one side of the rearwardly extending portion of the plate 210 and near the upper edge of the latter and below the lower keyboard However, as;

plate 212. Ordinarily, the stems of the value keys have only sufficient opening in the keyboard plates 212 and 213 to permit of the straight up and down movement, but in the present instance I provide these openings or slots of sufficient length for the 1 key (or keys in case of a multiple key-bank type of machine) to permit the latter to be rocked rearwardly from the normal position indicated in full lines to the position indicated Ln dotted lines in Fig. 6. For the purpose f shifting the release bar 230 when the 1 key -is rocked rearwardly as described, such bar is provided at its forward end with a laterally extending lug-230, which is arranged in the path of the movement of the lower or inner end of the key stem of the 1 key,

with the result that the release bar is shifted from its normalcposition, indicated in full lines to the shifte or dotted line position indicated in Fig. 6, whenever the 1 key is rocked rearwardly, this'movement taking place against the tension of the spring 230*.

The other or rearward end of the release bar 230 is arranged to cooperate with and to control the pawl 228 and for this.purpose such end of the bar is provided with a lateral extension orlug 230 arranged in the path of movement of an upward extension 228? on the pawl 228; forward sliding of the release bar, itsrearward end orlug 230? will engage the extension 228 of the pawl 228, and will rock the latter in a clockwise direction, with the result that in case'the sliding bar 214 has been operated and retained by its pawl 228, the

same will be released and be permitted to be restored to a normal position. .The pawl 228 is thus rocked by the release bar to the dotted lineposition indicated inFig. 6, in the same manner as rocked by the lever or plate 229, according to the first described 'construction. Assoon as the pressure of the operators finger on the --.1 key is released, the release bar is restored to normal position by. its spring"230 and- -the pawl 228- is re- 283. In practice, assuming for example that an 8 key has'b'een operated, as shown in It is evident that upon the I Fig. 7, the bar 214 is shifted rearwardly and 1 engaged by its pawl 228, but in the event that the operation of this key was. an error, the operator simply rocks rearwardly the 1 key in the same row as the erroneously operated key and thereby causes a release of the pawl and a restoration of the different parts to the normal-position, as indicated in Fig. 5, 'with the resultthat the correct key may beoperated without restorin all of the operated keys on the keyboard. hile, according to this particularconstruction, it is desired to employ the 1 key, yet it is obvi-,

ous that the release bar 230' may be opera- .tively connected with any one or more. of the value keys in the row of keys, so that such bar may be shifted by rocking one of the other value keys in such row.

The particular construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 involve the rocking of the 1 key, but it is possible to control the proper operation of the release bar by the movement of the 1 key in the usual manner, that is by movement, straight up and dorm, to which end the construction or modification illustrated in Fig. 9' may be adopted. ,According to this modification, the stem of the 1 key has a pin and slot connection with therelease bar 230, the forward end lug beingdispensed with. As shown in the drawings, therelease bar is provided with. a.pin or stud 230, while the stem 221 of the 1 key is provided with an angular slot 221". ()bviously, upon the first movement or depression ofthe 1 key the bar 230 is moved forwardly, owing to the oblique inclination of the lower end of the slot 221 with the result that the pawl 228 is rocked upwardly when the 1 key is at or about its middle point of depression. After the upper end of the slot 221', which is reversely inclined as compared with the lower end of the slot, is presented to the pin230 the release bar and its pawl 28 are permitted to be restored to normal position, with the result that such pawl will lock the bar 214 in its position as operated or shifted by the 1 7 key. This describes the usual or full movement of the 1 key, but assuming thatone of the other keys in the row of keys has been erroneously depressed and such key or its bell crank locked by the bar 21% and it is desired to release such-operated key,'the o erator simply depresses the 1 key s ightly, amounting practially to a half depression thereof, until the bar 230 is caused to be shifted forwardly in the manner explained, whereupon the pawl 228 is released from its engagement with the bar 214 and the latter, as well as the operated bell crank and the erroneously depressed key, permitted to be restored to normal position, after which the proper key may be operated or depressed. Thus, in all the forms herein illustrated and above described, the locking and detaining mechanism, which serves to detain the operated key of each row in depressed condition and to lock the remainder of the keys in such row in normal or raised condition and against operation, is under the control of a predetermined value key, with the result that by the operation of such key such mechanism may be actuated and an erroneously operated key permitted to be restored to normal, all the keys int-hat row thenbecoming normal, ready for the depression of the proper key.

I claim: 1. In an adding machine, the combination of a series of value keys, and means for detaining an operated key ofsuch series in operated condition and simultaneously interposing an obstruction to the full operation of the remainder of the keys, independent movement of a key operating said detaining means to release any detained key and remove the obstruction to the operation of other keys. j

2. In an adding machine, the combination of a row of value keys, and means for detain-- ing an operated key of such row in operated condition. and simultaneously interposing an obstruction to the full operation of the remaining keys of the row, independent movemeniot a key operating said detaining means to release any detained key and remove the UbSLl'UCllOll to the operation of other keys of the row. i

3. Inan adding machine, the combination of arow of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, and means normally operating to detain an operated key of such row and to interpose an obstruction to the full operation of the remainder of the keys, independent movement of the 9 key operating said detailiing means to release any detained key and remove the obstruction to operation of other keys of the row.

4. In an adding machine, the combination with a series of "alue keys, of mechanism for detaining a key in operated condition and under the control of a single one only of said keys.

5. In an adding machine, the combination, Willi a row of value keys, of mechanism for detaining a key in operated condition and under the control of a single one only of the keys of said row of keys. 7

6. In an adding machine, the combination, with a row of value keys, of mechanism for desaining key in operated condition and .under ihc control of a predetermined one of the keys of said row of keys.

7. In an adding machine, the combination with a row of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, oi mechanism under the control of the 9 key for locking and retaining a key in operated mmdltimi and under the-control oi the S1 key alone.

8. In a multiple key-bank adding machine, the combination, with a plurality of rows of value keys of different denominations, of mechanism for detaining a key or keys in oper: ed condition and under the control of a single one only of the keys of each row.

9. In a multiple key-bank adding machine, the combination, with a plurality ofrows of value keys of dill'crent denominations, of mechanism for detaining a key or keys in operated condition and under the control of a single corresponding key only of each row of keys.

10. In a multiple key-bank adding machine, the combination, withla plurality of rows of value keys of diilerent denominations, each row representing the digits 1 to 9, of mechanism for detaining a key or keys in operated condition and under the control of the 9 key only of each of the rows of he cooperating with said keys, a pawl or detent for holding or detaining said bar in looking position, and an operating connection between said pawl and the 9 key of said value keys.

13. Inan adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys, of mechanism for retaining a key in operated condition, means operated by a movable part of. the machine for restoring said mechanism to normal position, and thereby releasing the operated 'key, and supplemental means under the control of one of said keys only for restoring said mechanism and releasing the operated key.

14. In an 'adding machine, the combination, with a plurality of rows of keys of different denominations, mechanism cooperating with each row of keystor retaining a key or keys in operated condition, means operated by a movable part of the machine for restoring said 'mechanisms to normal position and thereby releasing at a single operation all the keys operated in the different rows, and supplemental means, one for each row of keys, for independently controlling the mechanisms of their respective rows of keys, said supplemental means correspond ing to each row being under the control of one only of the keys of that row.

15. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series oi value keys, of a shirtable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl or detent for detaining said bar in shifted or looking position, and a pivoted lever operatively connected with the pawl'and the stem of one of said keys.

16. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, of a shi'ltable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9 key and adapted to detain said bar in shii'ted or looking position, and a pivoted letger operatively connected with the pawl and. the stem of the 9 key.

17. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys, representing the digits 1 to 9, of a shiftable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9 key and adapted to detain said bar in shifted or locking position, said pawl being arranged to rock and having a cam surface, and a pivoted ie'" 3 o tively connected with the stem of the 9 it y and arrangedto cooperate with said cam surface to rock the pawl and thereby release the bar. 1

18. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, of a shiftable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9 key, and adapted to detain said bar in shifted or looking position, and a pivoted lever operatively connected with the stem ofv the 9 key, said pawl being arranged to rock and having a curved cam surface con-' tacted by said lever and of a contour to cause the pawl tobe rocked away-from and back again to engaging or detaining position.

19. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys representing the digits. 1- to 9, of a shifta'ble bar cooperat ing therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9 key and adapted to detain said bar in shifted or looking position, and a pivoted lever operatively connected with the stem of the 9 key and having a pin. or stud, said pawl being arranged to rock and-having a curved cam surface in the path of movement oisaid pin and of a contour to cause the pawl to be rocked away from and return to engaging or detaining position.

20. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, of a shiftable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9-key and adapted to detain said bar in shifted or looking position, and a lever pivoted intermediate its length-and at one end operatively connected with the stem of the 9 key and at its other end having a pin or stud, said pawl having a curved cam surface in the path of movement of said pin or stud and of a contour to cause the pawl to be rocked away from and returned to engaging or detaining position.

21. In an adding machine, the combination, with a series of value keys representing the digits 1 to 9, of a sliiitable bar cooperating therewith, a pawl arranged adjacent the 9 key and adapted to detain said bar in shifted or looking position, and a lever piv oted intermediate its length and at one end having a pin and slot connection with the lower end oi the 9 key and at its other end having a stud, said pawl having a cam sur face in the path of movement 01 said stud, whereby the pawl controlled by said lever and said 9 key.

22. In a machine of the character described, a series of independently depressible keys, a detent common tosaid keys for holding any one oi" the same depressed, and means for locking other keys against depression while any one of them remains depressed and so held by said detent, with provisions provisions for releasing the depressed key and for displacing the detent and unlocking the unlocking the other keys by limited manipu- 10 keys bylimited nlilanipulfation ofhone of theni. lation of one of them.

23; n a mac ine o t 1e 0- aracter e- 5 scribedya series of independently depressible HARVEY FISHER keys, and means for automatically looking a Witnesses: depressed key against returning and looking J ESSE G. VINCENT,

the remaining keys against depression, with ALVAN MAOAULEY.

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