US2125826A - Typewriter - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 2, 1938.

w. TQBlAs TYPEWRITER Filed Dec. 2s, 19:55 2 sheets-sheet 1 IIx w. ToBlAs TYPEWRITER Filed Deo. 25. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .attorney- 'Patented Aug. 2, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE TVYPEWRITER Application December z3, 1935, serial No. 55,793 In Germany February 8, 1934 6 Claims.

The invention relates to calculating typewriters provided with fixed totalizing mechanisms, in which the entire calculating mechanlsm including the totalizing mechanisms is located in a casing separately from the body of the typewriter, the casing serving as a stand for the typewriter. Hitherto, the controlling movement for the totalizing mechanisms of such machines has been effected by adjustable riders mounted l0 on the paper carriage or by interchangeable stop rails, the movement being transmitted to the calculating mechanism b y a system of rods. 'I'he number of rod connections on the typewriter increases with the number of the totalizing mechanisms and with the devices acting in coordination with the totalizing mechanisms.

The problem of theinvention is to establish between the typewriter part and the calculator part an at all times dissoluble connection consisting of a single member and suitable for a number of totalizing mechanisms, so that except for the attachment of a connecting member to the typewriter carriage, no alterations or additions are necessary on the typewriter for the 5 purpose of controlling the totalizing mechanisms.

The invention is applicable to machines of the kind described in Patent No. 1,776,800, but is not confined to such application.

According to the invention the desired result is secured by providing a pinion to slide under the action of a single driver along a spindle mounted on the calculator part in accordance with the movements of the paper carriage, the

pinion being rotated with the spindle at prescribed positions, a suitable guide rail; this rotational movement is transmitted by the spindle to a control plate for automatically controlling the totalizing mechanisms.

'I'he control plate is preferably provided as a templet and the rods actuating the totalizing mechanism are fitted with feeler pins which derive the setting position from the templet. Templets and co'ntrol plates are known in connection with calculating machines but not with the mechanism hereinbefore described.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine, all the parts not required for the understanding of the invention being omitted.

Figure 2 is a plan of the under portion of the machine, the typewriter portion being removed.

Figure 3 shows the sliding pinion on an en- (Cl. 23S-59) larged scale, with vthree views oi the guide rail.

Figure 4 is a comparative of a form and of the corresponding guide rail.

Figures 5 and 6 represent two diierent templets.

Figure 7 shows the engagement of the feeler pins in the templet, and

Figure 8 is a section through the base-plate of the calculating machine with the actuating rods.

Secured to the frame of the typewriter carriage I (Figure 1) is a connector 2 which extends downwardly beyond the rear part of the machine and terminates at its lower end in a flat member or driver 3 engaging in an annular groove 4 (Figure 2) of the pinion 5. The pinion 51s slidably mounted on a spindle-here shown as a squared spindle G-so that it is constrained to follow all the movements of the paper carriage I. The spindle 6 is rotatably mounted in two bearing eyes 'I and 8 on the lower casing 9 of the machine, which also houses the rest of the calculating mechanism. On the casing 9 below the spindle 6 and parallel therewith is also secured a rail I4 having a chamfered edge directed towards the centre of the spindle and tting closely into the teeth of the pinion 5, which it restrains from rotation so long as this straight line guidance remains. In order to enable the pinion 5 and thus the spindle 6 to set the calculating mechanism into operation in known manner by means of cams, rods and the like, the rail I4 is provided with tooth-like cams which may-as shown in Figure 3--be formed as separate members I1 of identical form, tted in corresponding recesses I6 in the rail I4. In order to obtain proper sliding contact-and not merely point contact-surfaces, the pinion 5 is preferably formed as a worm wheel, and the cams are formed with sloping surfaces to correspond with the inclined teeth of the pinion 5. The oisetmend of the cam is displaced exactly to the circular pitch of the teeth of the pinion, so that after the oiset portion Ila of the cam has been traversed, the rail I4 which subsequently acts as a guide once more bears against the flattened parts of the worm wheel on both sides of the tooth space as shown in Figure 3. vThe guide rail I4 also projects a little beyond the offset end of the cam I'I so that for a short distance both guide members are in operation, as at 5a and 5b, and can also ensure that a rapid transition shall not cause overspeeding. The cams I1 are provided at all desired operating positions and the rail I4 together with the cams are interchangeably provided, being disposed at different distances.

secured in this case for example by knurled nuts il (Figure 2) Figure 4 clearly shows the juxtaposition of a printed form and the corresponding guide rail il, so that a cam contour I1 is provided at each change over to another calculation column. 'I'he first column (old balance. debit) is determined by a basic setting oi' the reversing wheels of the calculating mechanism. The parts are protected against damage and dirt for the full travel of the worm pinion by a cover plate Il (Figure l).

'I'he further transmission of the control movement from the driver member 3, and the spindle I. to the operative wheels of the calculating mechanism is eifected not as heretofore by means oi cams and rod connections but by means of a perforated templet (Figures 5 and 6), here shown by way of example as a circular plate I2. I'he plate i2 bears (Figure 2) against a transmission ring il mounted on the spindle 0 and is set and secured in the correct position by means of two pins Il and the milled nut i3. The templet i2 is provided with variously disposed holes (Figures 5 and 6) engaged by feeler pins 2li (Figure 2). The pins 2li are slidably mounted in a plate I! on the member 'I of the casing so as to be movable towards and away from the templet i2 and are articulated at their rear end on the long transmission levers 22 by means of pins 2l. The levers 22 are pivotally mounted on the pins 24 in a slotted member 2l at the side of the casing 9 and in turn engage with transversely disposed push bars 2l, 20a suitably mounted in the front part of the casing, in such a manner that in accordance with the depth to which the pins penetrate into the holes in the templet, the bars 20 and Ila-and with them the operative wheels of the calculating mechanism. as will be hereinafter described-are correspondingly moved. 'I'he connection between the push bars 28. 28a, and the levers 22 is established by means of heads 21, in the slots of which engage the pins 28 secured to the ends of the respective levers. The distance between the pivotal pins 2l and the pins 20 is not the same for all in order to obtain the same operative strokes with the push bars 2l and 2la In order to utilise the pin 20 for several key positions its width is stepped in several stages 20a and 20h (Figure 7) corresponding to the dinering dimensions of the holes Ila, I2b of the templet i2 (Figures 5 and 8). In this way, three different positions of engagement of the templet are obtained, as will be clear from Figure 7. A perforation symbol is therefore provided. on the templet I2, for each setting rendered possible by the pitch of the teeth of the worm pinion. and the desired operative connections are marked out in the order in which they are to be applied. To facilitate the selection and interchanging of the templets they are provided with markings,v (the narrow 5I in Figures 5 and 6) on the rim, which markings must be set opposite a corresponding marking on the casing when the paper carriage is in its extreme righthand position. The additional holes I2 in the templet are disposed in accordance with the setting pins I i hereinbeiore referred to and at diiferent distances from the central axis so as to makev it impossible for the templet to be mounted with the reverse side to the ring I0.

It will be understood that the holes and symbols for a number of smaller operations may be combined on a single templet and with this object in view several markings indicating the corresponding printed forms are Figure 6.

The three positions in which the feeler pins can be set correspond to the three positions of the usual simple reversing mechanism shown'in Figure 8. The member 2l is the spindle that extends throughout the calculating mechanism (not shown in this ilgure). It is provided of square section to carry the actual change pinion u, which is moved by means of a driver member u secured to the push bar 2l and engaging in the annular groove Il in the pinion Il, the member 32 passing through a gap Il in the base plate Il (which may be integral with the lower casing I) of the calculating machine. 'I'he indicated position of the pinion 3l is the non-calculating position, whereas when in the two positions indicated by the intermediate pinions ll and I1, the wheel transmits the subtracting or adding rotational movement to the spindle (not shown) driving the adding mechanism which is disposed to the rear. It will be understood that in the converse case, the spindle 2| can also serve to actuate the totalizing mechanism, and-the two pinions Il and Il be connected to the spindle of the calculating mechanism without any change in the operative conditions. An operative-pinion mechanism of this kind with a push bar 2l is provided for each independently operated totalizer. The pressure of a spring Il against the adjusting ring 2l forces each push bar in the direction in which the feeler pin 20 tends to penetrate the holes of the templet provided as shown in The withdrawal of the feeler pins 2l out of the holes in the templet I2 is effected by an added movement produced in this case. for example. by depressing one of the decimal tabulator keys Il of the typewriter. The ordinary arrangement of the typewriter tabulator device is assumed to be known, and is therefore not described and illustrated. In the calculating typewriter an angular member Il mounted to rock on the spindle Il (Figure 1) extends beneath all the tabulator levers (Figure 2). At about the mid-position of the front part of the angular member a link Il is suspended which connects it with the outer end of a double lever I4 (Figure 8). The lever u is mounted on the base plate Il and carries an arm Il which is bent downwards at right angles and is of such a width that it engages over all the adjusting rings 2l of the push bars 2l, 2id. A tension spring ll tends to urge all the mechanism 4l, 46, M, 40 into a neutral position in which the upper edge of the angular member Il bears lightly against the lower edges of all the tabulatoi levers 4l whilst at the same time the cranked arm ll is in contact with the free surface of the rings 2l as shown in Figure 8. Consequently depressing any of the tabulator keys causes the angular member 48 to swing downwards and so to press the rod mechanism against the action of the springs 3i. It neutralizes the action of the springs and by means of the adjusting rings forces the push bars 2l, 28a and the operative rods Hand the feeler pins 20 back into the original position. `The templet is thereby released and the paper carriage can at the same time spring into the position set for it by the action of the tabulator stop. A release key, for example, similar to that provided for the return of the carriage, may also be provided for the release of the feeler pins whenever required.

After the general preparations have been made' for all entries of the same kind by inserting or exchanging the templet I2, and the carriage of the typewriter is in position on the extreme right. the whole calculating operation proceeds in the following manner: y

In order to reach the ilrst calculating columnfor example the debit column, old balance" on the form shown in Figure 4-the tabulator key corresponding to the decimal position is struck.

' By means of the attached rod mechanism 46, 44,

4II the angular member 43 presses the adjusting rings 29, the push bars 23, 28a and operative rods 22 out of their position, and thereby draws the feeler pins 20 out of the.holes in the templet I2. At the instant the tabulator key is fully depressed, the paper carriage travels without any restriction and without turning the worm pinion out of the position occupied up to the first tabulator stop. On the tabulator key being released the feeler-pins accompanied by the rod mechanism drawn back by the springs 3| and 4I, move forward and drop into their allotted holes in the templet. Where there are no holes, the feeler pins rest on the surface of the templet-the addition position-whilst where they encounter holes they penetrate into th'e templet as far as the shoulders 20a or 2IIb and assume `the position for subtraction or non-calcu1ation.` According to requirements those parts of the templet where there are not holes may be selected as representing the non-calculating position by suitably arranging the shift pinions 34, 36 and 31 shown in Figure 8 with their sequence in the axial direction changed. By the action of the rod mechanism 20, 22, 28, 28a, 32 all the shift wheels 34 are brought into the corresponding concordant operative positions, which they retain throughout the carrying out of the calculation.

When it is desired to pass to the next columnthe credit column, old balance"-the corresponding tabulator key is depressed. The feeler pins withdraw from the'templet at once in the manner hereinbefore described. When the key is right down the carriage is again free to move. The worm pinion turns through the distance of one tooth as the result of being traversed along thevadjacent cam I1 by the action of the connector 2 and driver 3. This rotation is transmitted to the spindle 6 and from the latter to the templet I2. 'I'he templet I2 is moved into the next position, determined by the travel of the worm pinion on the straight section of the guide rail I4, and on the tabulator key being released the feeler pins 2D again engage in accordance with the particular setting of the calculating wheels. At each new,tabulated setting therefore the feeler pins withdraw, allow free passage to the carriage and then by penetrating the templet set the wheels of the calculating mechanism. 'Ihe movement of the carriage thus merely turns the worm pinion 5 with the attached templet I2 and is practically unaffected by a resistance set up in operating the mechanism.

Any positions that are to be left blank in tabulating can be skipped by again tapping the tabulator key. Moreover, 4an interchange of the guide rail for the Worm wheel is not necessarily entailed by a change in the printed forms employed. On the contrary the full width of the writing space in the sections concerned can be allocated to the positions that are operative. It will however be understood that in the case of such positions as are not required for the work in hand no holes will be provided in the templet.

The mechanism according to the invention may be employed universally with all types of typewriter provided With tabulator keys, since only a single connectionrepresented by the connector 2 is necessary between the paper carrlageof the machine and the mechanism according to the invention. The connector 2 may be of a shape to accord with the design of the particular machine. The nature of the calculating unit is of no importance. As an example of machine to which the invention may be applied reference may be made to the Patent No. 1,776,800 before referred to. In the machine 'as therein described it is sufficient to provide two feeler stations 22/23, whereas the drawings accompanying the present specification show four feeler stations 22/23, that is to say, for four shift positions or for four stationary counting mechanisms. 'Ihe two shift positions in the construction according to the specification referred to would replace the hand-actuated control there provided and represented by 22a and 22h of Figure 4. 'I'hus the slider I5 operated by the keys II Nos. l to 9 move by way of bevel wheels the spindle 2| shown in Figure 8 of the drawings accompanying the present specification. According as the intermediate pinion 34 is moved by the device of the invention so it rotates the counting mechanism driving spindle by means of the toothed wheel 36 directly for adding or by way of the interposed wheel 31 in the opposite direction for subtracting. In the position shown in Figure 8 of the drawings accompanying the present specification the teeth of the wheel 34 are shown out of engagement with the teeth of both the wheels 36 and 31. The driving spindle cannot therefore be rotated and the totalizing mechanism is disconnected in the non-calculating position. The toothed wheel 36 would thus have to be mounted in the construction according to the prior specification in the place of the bevel wheel 21 of Figure 16 or of the bevel wheel 21' of Figure IBa. Thus, for each totalizing mechanism driving spindle in the prior construction, that is to say, 23a and 28a' there is assigned a set of pinions 34, 36 and 31 as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings of the present specification and to each set of these pinions there corresponds a rod controlled by the perforated templet.

The invention is applicable to all kinds of totalizing mechanisms according as the conditions of design and the operable steps will allow. It is particularly suitable for application to power driven totalizing or calculating mechanism. The movement of rotation for the calculating operation requires in all cases to be transmitted to the spindle 2I, while the wheel or pinion 36 requires to be mounted in all cases on the driving spindle or actuator of the totalizing mechanism.

I claim:

1. A control device for the totalizing mechanisms of calculating typewriters, comprising a control element, transmission mechanism operated from the control element for setting the state control mechanism of the totalizing mechanism, a spindle upon which the control element is mounted, a pinion that is slidably but nonrotatably mounted upon the said spindle, a driving element engaging the said pinion and moving it upon the spindle in accordance with the change of position of the typewriter platen carriage and a guide rail extending parallel with the spindle, the said guide rail being provided at determined intervals with means for rotating the pinion through a determined angular space as the pinion moves axially.

2. A control device for the totalizing mechanism of calculating typewriters, comprising a con- (ifftrol templet. a yspindle upon which the said tempiet is set, a pinion that is slidabiy but nonrotatably mounted upon the said spindle. a driving element cnglslns the said pinion and moving italongthespindleinaccordancewiththe changes oi' position oi the typewriter platen carriage, a guide rail extending parallel with the spindle. the said guide rail being provided at intervals with means for rotating the pinion through a determined angular space as the pinion moves axially, for the rotation ot the spindle to eiiect angular adjustment of the tempiet, and ieeler ments bearing upon the templet and respec vely coupled to the selecting elements of the totalling mechanisms by which the state of the said mechanisms is determined, the said leeler elements being set into their required operative positions by the templet.

3. A control device for the totalizing mechanisins oi calculating typewriters, comprising a control templet having therein a number of groups of holes, in which groups the number and dispositions oi' the holes may vary from group to group, pinlons in each totalizing mechanism relatively adjustable lor determining the state of thel corresponding totalizing mechanism, a movable adjusting element for eachtotalizing mechanism for eecting the required adiustment oi the said pinions, a ieeler pin for actuating each o! lsaid adjusting elements, the said feeler pinsbearing upon the templet and being constrained to enter corresponding holes in one ot the groups oi holes o! the templet for the required state control setting oi the totalizing mechanisms, a spindle upon which the said templet is set.- a pinion that is slidable but non-rotatably mounted upon the said spindle, a driving element engaging the said pinion and moving it along the spindle in accordance with the changes oi position of the typewriter platen carriage, and a guide rail extending parallel with the spindle, the said guide rail being provided at determined intervals with means for rotating the pinion through a determined angular space as the pinion moves axially, for the rota;

ausm

nisms oi calculating typewriters according to claim 3. having the slidably and non-rotatably mounted pinion formed as a worm wheel o! small width and with teeth which have their surfaces formed with sloping parts inclined to the plane oi the wheel and with parts which are parallel with the axis of the wheel and having the guide rail provided atintervals with removable cam elements that interrupt the operative edge oi the guide rail and are oiiset for the purpose o! engaging the sloping part oi a tooth of the pinion and rotating the pinion, the teeth oi the pinion being provided with flat surfaces which engage the guide rail up to the moment of engagement oi the sloping part oi! a tooth with a cam element.

6. A control device for the totalizing mechanisms oi calculating typewriters according to claim 3, in which the feeler pins have the operative ends stepped in dimensions and the holes in the templet are provided of correspondingly diiiering widths according to the extent of entry of the ieeler pin into the templet that is required for the particular setting oi the adjusting member of a determined totalizing mechanism so that the position of the said ieeler pins may result in the setting oi the totalizing mechanisms for no calculation or for addition or for subtraction.

WERNER TOBIAS.

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