Patent GB-1008058-A (GB)
Abstract: 1,008,058. Typewriters. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Aug. 4, 1964 [Sept. 12, 1963], No. 30549/64. Heading B6F. Keyboards; keyboard operators; keys.-A data entry machine associated with a computer is provided with an auxiliary keyboard 50 (Fig. 1, not shown), superimposed on the regular keyboard of the data entry machine, said auxiliary keyboard comprising a plurality of banks. of amount keys 52, and control keys 53, Fig. 4. Each of the amount keys 52 includes a key stem 47 engaging a plunger 68 of an associated solenoid 69. The key stem of each control key 53 engages a similar plunger 70, Fig. 3, of an associated solenoid 71. In operation, the keys may be depressed manually or the solenoids energized by signals from the computer to move the associated plungers downwardly so as to engage the stems 87 of the keyboard of the data entry machine. A number of control keys in the first bank of the auxiliary keyboard which do not require to be computer controlled are provided with guide members 74. Key locks.-Each of the stems 87 of the regular keyboard is mounted for vertical movement in a guide plate 88, Fig. 3, supporting a series of studs 89 which act as a guide for a coil spring 90 stretched between studs 91, 92 and which restores the stems 87 and holds them in the undepressed condition. Each of the amount and transaction banks of the regular keyboard includes a detent (not shown) to lock any depressed key and to release the key to its undepressed position upon the depression of another key in the same bank. The first and second control key banks are further associated with detents 77 and 80, Fig. 3, which co-operate with slots 76 on key stems 47. The first detent 77, called a lever lock detent is attached to a lock-out lever 78 operated manually. The second detent 80 called a key lock detent is mounted on a control arm 81, which is operated by a key lock 82 to provide control over certain of the keys only. Keyboard interlocks.-Each of the key banks is provided with an individual locking detent 83, Fig. 3, the front of which is attached to a lever 84, all levers 84 being mounted fast on a shaft 85 (Fig. 5, not shown). Upon completion of entering of all the information into the keyboard, a control key 53 is depressed to operate the detent mechanism to lock all keys to permit the computer associated with the data entry machine to perform its function uninterruptedly. Thus, depression of said key causes a cam 151, Fig. 7, to rotate and lift a link 140 upwardly, thereby lifting a selection link 134 into engagement with a stop 133 on a lock yoke 127 and pivoting a selection arm 152 to remove a stud 156 out of engagement with a notch 147 of two control plates 108. The plates are thus allowed to be displaced angularly according to the transaction keys depressed. Subsequently a cam 121, Fig. 6, actuates its cam follower 118 to lift a link 117 which rocks an arm 116 about a shaft 110. The arm 116 engages a pin 126 on the lock yoke 127 and rocks the lock yoke anticlockwise which movement is followed by the arm 129 fast on the shaft 85 whereby all the arms 84 are rocked in an anticlockwise direction to move all detents 83 to a position locking all the keys of the keyboard. Also the selection link 134 has moved up under action of spring 143 to engage the stop 133 with its cut-out portion 158. Continued rotation of cam 151 rotates the associated cam follower 146 clockwise, which if the control plates 108 present a pair of notches 147 adjacent the stud 156, will follow the cam surface to withdraw the portion 158 of the link 134 from engagement with the stop 133, permitting the lock arm 129 and yoke 127 to rock in a clockwise direction and return the detents 83 to their home positions to unlock the keyboard. If a pair of projections 157 are presented adjacent the stud 156, the action of cam 151 has no effect on the cam follower 146, thereby allowing the link 134 to block the stop 133 so preventing unlocking of the keyboard. The keyboard may be unclocked manually by depression of a release key 54 (Fig. 2, not shown), which controls the pivoting of shaft 110. Mounted fast on the shaft is an arm 115 which engages a link 112, upward displacement of which pivots an arm 111 fast on the shaft 85 to rock the arms 84 into their unlocking position. Specification 772,423 is referred to.