Patent GB-501404-A (GB)
Abstract: 501,404. Calculating-apparatus. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Aug. 24, 1937, No. 23144. Convention date, Aug. 24, 1436. [Class 106 (i)] To increase the keyboard capacity of a calculating machine, an arrangement comprising a plurality of rows of keys is provided associated with a type carrier, a single actuating member connected to the carrier, and a stop member having' a plurality of differently positioned stops coupled to the actuator so that it - can be driven thereby when the actuator is released for movement during a machine operation, and adapted to co-operate directly with the keys to control the positioning of the actuator and type carrier in accordance with the key actuated. In the form shown as applied to an Ellis type of machine as described in Specifications 28263 /08, [Class 106], and 420,807, an auxiliary keyboard, Figs. 1 and 10, is located in front of the main keyboard and is enclosed in a casing attached to the machine base. The auxiliary keyboard includes date keys, symbol keys, and control keys and thus provides space on the main keyboard to increase its capacity. The auxiliary keys are arranged in groups in a plurality of rows and each group co-operates with its respective differential actuator and type member. The symbol keys 116, 117 may be manually released by the release key 71 of the main keyboard, but the date keys 118, 119, 120, 121 are released by the release key 122. A control key 110 designated " black serves to control the bichrome inking ribbon in subtract operations as described in Specification 501,405. Regarding the keys 116, Figs. 3 and 16, those at the ends of the row have stems with extensions carrying studs 123 extending through a guide plate 124 while the other key stems carry studs 126 extending in the opposite direction through a partition plate 108. Each key has a stud 128 that co-operates with a locking detent plate 130 and a control plate 134 connected by a spring 135. When a key is depressed, the detent plate holds the key down and the control plate operates a zero latch 138 to release the actuator 141. The keys 117 are similar to the keys 116 and cooperate with a detent plate 143 and control plate 144 similar to the plates 130, 134. The control plates 144, 134 are engaged by lugs 145, 146 integral with a rotatable shaft 147 so as to move in unison. The detent plates 143, 130 are similarly tied together by lugs 150, 151 on a shaft 152. The other groups of keys are similar and have shafts 149, 163, 269, 267, &c. aligned with the shafts 147, 152. The auxiliary keys are locked in depressed position during a machine operation by rotating a shaft 154 through 90‹ to cause slots 160 therein to obstruct movement of the locking detents. The shaft 154 carries a pinion 155 that meshes with a sector 156 operatively connected by a link 166 to mechanism operated by the main drive shaft. During the operation, the differential movement of the actuators, e.g. the actuator 141 for the symbol keys 116, 117, is effected by a sleeve 184, Figs. 6 and 8, having staggered lugs 183, 186, 187 and 210 that co-operate with the studs 123, 126, on the key stems when the sleeve 184 is rotated by a pinion 188 thereon.in mesh with rack teeth on the actuator. The. actuator is displaced when the bail 92 is rocked by the shaft 89 that is operated by the slotted arm 88, Fig. 17, and the arm 84 on the main drive shaft 83. The movement is transmitted by a three-armed lever 190 to the type sector 67 which is moved to effect an impression on the continued move. ment of a shaft 101 to free a trigger 201 from a control plate 195 on the arm 194, the zero pawl 198 having been freed by a stud 196 on the lever 190. To release automatically the depressed symbol key, the shaft 152 that carries the lugs 150, 151 is provided with a similar lug 203 to co-operate with an extension 204 of a control plate 205, Figs. 9 and 16, pivoted to a slide 207. This slide is connected at its rear end, Fig. 10, to a link 215 pivoted to a bell-crank on a release shaft 217. The shaft 217 carries an arm 218 operatively connected to a slide 220 having a pawl 233 that co-operates with a roller 236 on a disc 237 secured to the main drive shaft 83. In adding and subtracting operations, the disc moves first counterclockwise and then clockwise so that near the end of the operation the slide is moved to shift the detent plates to key release position. The manual release key 71 is operatively connected to the slide 220 by a toggle link 230, Fig. 10. If it is desired that the symbol key remains depressed, a knob 227 is rotated and a cam 225 on its spindle depresses the control plate 205 to move the extension 204 out of the path of the lug 203 of the release shaft 152. In total and sub-total operations, the slide 220 must be shifted to release any amount key or symbol key that has been depressed. The selection of a totalizer for these operations effects the rocking of the lever 243 in well known manner to urge a release pawl 246 pivoted on the slide 220 in a direction to engage its notch 248 with a roller on arm 250 so that on the initial movement of the main shaft the disc 237 rocks the arm 250 and pulls the slide to release the depressed keys. The parts are spring-returned to normal position by a roller 257 on the disc engaging a surface 258 on the pawl 246 to disengage it. The groups of date keys 118 ... 121 for the months, days of the month, and year numbers are only released on depression of the release key 122, the stem of which carries a pin 306 that co-operates with an arm 307 on the shaft 208, the shaft being rocked to cause other arms 274, 283, 294 and 299 thereon to engage lugs on the shafts 267, 281, 287 and 153 to free the locking detents for the various groups. U.S.A. Specification 1,601,102 also is referred to.