Patent GB-1345592-A (GB)
Title: Keyboard control unit
IPC: G06F3/02
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1345592 Perforating apparatus SILVER SEIKO Ltd 19 April 1971 [11 April 1970] 27276/71 Heading B4B [Also in Divisions G4H and B6F] A keyboard control unit for use in a data applyingmaehine having means, e.g. aperforator or magnetic device for applying data to a data carrier wherein the control unit comprises a plurality of keys 2 arranged to operate members 18, a plurality of rotatable bars 28 adapted to be connected to the data applying means, the members 18 each carrying a number of first elements 21 arranged to co-operate with a corresponding number of second elements 34 mounted on the bars 28, the second elements being manually displaceable from a position in which they are engageable with the first elements to a position in which they are not engageable with such first elements. The keys 2 each act, when depressed, against a lever 3 via respective plates 6, such movement causing a hooked portion 8 thereon to engage a lever 9 pivotally mounted on the member 18 such that a tooth 16 on the lever 9 is moved into a position in which it can be engaged by a wing 14 or 14<SP>1</SP> on a continuously rotating shaft 13. Such engagement causes the lever 9 to move member 18 which via a bail bar 22, operates a clutch so as to connect the shaft 13 to a driving shaft 57 of a punch mechanism, Tyre levers 23 are connected to the member 18 by links 24 so that upon movement thereof, typing is performed on paper 27 located on a platen 26. The member 18 is provided with fingers 21 constituting the first elements, the fingers being adapted to engage respective members 34 constituting the second elements, mounted on bars 28, Fig. 3, which are rotatably mounted at their ends in side plates 31, 31<SP>1</SP>; the side plates are connected to frame members so as to form a removable coding unit in the machine frame. Upon selection of a certain key one or more bars 28 are rotatable so that via members 34<SP>1</SP> thereon levers 39, Fig. 2, are rotated. Each lever 39 acts through a lever 40 and link 42 to rotate a lever 43 thereby allowing a further lever 47 to be rotated via a spring 49 and locked in such position by means of a lug 46 on the lever 43 engaging a notch 47<SP>1</SP> on the lever 47. Movement of the lever 47 causes a projection 53 on a member 50 pivoted on the lever 47 to be moved out of engagement with a portion 55 on a lever 54 thereby allowing the latter to move upon engagement of the clutch; the lever 54 then operates a punch pin 60 via levers 58, 59. In a variation of the latter embodiment, the members 34<SP>1</SP> may be arranged to operate switches via levers 101, 101<SP>1</SP>, 101<SP>11</SP>, Fig. 15, the switches being connected to a plug 104 adapted to be connected to a magnetic data recorder. The punch pins not selected are prevented from operation by means of the portion 55 engaging with projections 53. In order to vary the particular punches selected by certain keys, the coding unit is removed and the position of the members 34, 34<SP>1</SP> adjusted on the bars 28 to engage with different members 18 as required. In a modification, Fig. 7 (not shown) the members (62) may be locked to the bars by means of spring-loaded members (63) thereby enabling the members (62) to be moved readily from a position in engagement with a tooth 21 on the member 18 to a disengaged position. In the modification shown in Fig. 11, the member 18 is replaced by a slidable member 70 having thereon a number of pivotably mounted elements 72 which may be held by springs 73 in a position in which each element contacts an abutment plate secured to bar 79 corresponding to bars 28 of the previous embodiment. Movement of the bars can be used to actuate a solenoid-operated punch or magnetic tape data recording device. By pivoting the elements 72, they may be held in an inoperative position by means of the springs 73. In a variation of the latter embodiment, Fig. 12 (not shown) abutment plates (90) may be arranged to be moved between operative and non-operative positions, the plates being movable in slots formed in a bar (88) and held in either position by means of a lug-and-slot device under the action of a spring; the plates engage projections formed on a slidable member (83) actuated by a key (2<SP>11</SP>).