Patent GB-875275-A (GB)
Abstract: 875,275. Calculating-machines. SVENSKA DATAREGISTER A.B. Dec. 9, 1957 [Dec. 10, 1956], No. 38266/57. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group XVI] A calculating or other keyboard machine is set and controlled by a small group of keys arranged for operation singly and in combination by the fingers of an operator's hand respectively, and each signal (electrical or mechanical) corresponding to a particular combination of keys is only passed to the setting or control mechanism of the machine when those keys are released. The keyboard may comprise five keys spaced as shown in Figs. 4 or 6 for operation by the fingers and thumb. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 the keyboard is shaped to fit the hand and may be held in the hand by a strap. A group of four keys K, Fig. 8, respectively representing the values 1, 2, 4 and 8 may control relays M1-M8 whose contacts are arranged in a de-coding network C by means of which solenoids 50, arranged to actuate the number keys and control keys of a ten-key adding machine, are energized. On depression of one or more of the four keys K a corresponding relay M1-M8 is energized for each key together with a relay M0 in series. The contact m 0  opens the de-coding circuit which is thus not made until the depressed keys are released. At that time, since the relay M0 releases more quickly than the other relays M, holding circuits are completed for the latter over their contacts m 1 -m s . If a wrong key has been depressed, the right one may be depressed and then the wrong one released without affecting operation of the adding machine. In the arrangement shown, the key-combinations corresponding to the numbers 11, 12, 13 and 14 cause depression of the Start, Subtotal, Total and Correction keys respectively. When the adding machine operates, a cam 52 on its mainshaft opens a main switch in the circuit of the relays and solenoids. In a mechanical arrangement, Fig. 2, the depression of a key, e.g. K2, rocks a corresponding lever M 2 , either directly or remotely by means, e.g., of a Bowden cable, into abutment with the end of a corresponding pawl A2 and then moves a bar M0 carrying the levers to the right so as to latch the end of the lever M2 behind the pawl A2. On release of the key, the bar M0 is restored and through the lever M2 rocks the pawl A2 and so releases for upward movement a bar mc 2  carrying the pawl. Each pawl cooperates with a projection 39 on the next lower bar or in the case of the lowest bar with a fixed projection. The bars mc 1 , mc 2 , mc 4  and mc 8  are associated respectively with the keys, and when a bar is released it can move upwardly relative to the bar on its left through a distance corresponding to its value 1, 2, 4 or 8 until a lug 42 engages a lug 43 of the bar to the left. When a bar is released, the higher value bars to the right are able to move to the same extent and consequently, the rightmost bar, which is driven by a spring 36 and which drives the other bars, moves upwardly through a distance corresponding to the sum of the values of the depressed keys. This differential movement may be used to enter the amount in a calculating machine. In another embodiment, Fig. 10, a multi-digit number is set in storage relays by successive actuations, in various combinations, of four keys K1, K2, K4, K8 and when a certain combination of keys is depressed, the number is transferred to means controlling differential actuators, and the machine is cycled to cause the amount to be entered. On depressing a combination of keys to enter a first digit, corresponding ones of the relays 01A-08A are energized together with a relay M0 and on release of the keys, the relay M0 releases more quickly than the relays 01A-08A and causes the energization of corresponding relays in a group O1B-O8B as the relays in the group O1A-O8A are de-energized. When a new combination of keys is depressed to enter the second digit, the relay M0 is again energized and causes the number registered in the relays O1B-O8B to be transferred to the relays 1A-8A. At the same time, the second digit is set up in the relays O1A-O8A. On release of the keys, the first digit is transferred to relays 1B-8B and the second to relays 01B- 08B. After entering the last digit, the keys are depressed in a combination representing a type of machine operation, all such combinations corresponding to numbers greater than eleven. This number is then stored in the relays O1B-O8B, the other digits having been stepped along the denominational groups of relays. A group of relays D1-D8 detects a combination setting of the relays O1B-O8B representing a type of machine operation and, in such an event, applies potential to a start solenoid S for the machine and to groups of solenoids S1-S8 for the several denominations and for the type of operation. The latter solenoids are also controlled by the B relays and themselves control pawls A1-A8 associated with bars as in the arrangement of Fig. 2. Actuated pawls are latched by levers M1-M8. The right-hand bar of each of the denominational groups is toothed for the actuation of a totalizer wheel while that of the group controlled by the relays O1B-O8B performs a control function. These bars are allowed to move upwardly into their differential positions and then restored by cam-controlled arms 66. The totalizer is engaged during the return stroke. As soon as a machine cycle commences, contacts 62 are opened to de-energize the registering B relays. A new amount may be entered into the relays and the type of operation may be selected while the machine is performing the previous operation; the new operation then immediately follows the previous one. If, during setting, the keys K1, K2 and K8 are depressed together, the relays D1-D8 cause energization of a Correction relay D which breaks the circuit for the other relays. Specification 493,638 is referred to.