US1370239A - Combined typewriting and computing machine - Google Patents

Description

B. C. STICKNEY.

COMBINED TYPEWRITING' AND COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1918.

1,370,239, Patented Mar. 1,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET //7 van for:

awa /w B. C. STICKNEY.

COMBINED TYPEWRITING AND COMPUTING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1918-' 1,370,239.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET /M van far".-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BUBNHAM C. STIOKNEY, OF ELIZABETH NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD COMPUTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMBINED TYPEWRITING AND COMPUTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURNHAM C. STIGK- NEY, a citizen of-the United States, residing in Elizabeth, in the county of Unionand State of New Jerse have invented certain new and useful m rovements in Combined Typewriting and omputing Machines, er which the following is a specification.

-This invention relates generally to combined adding and typewriting machines, and is of special value in those-machines in which indexing pins or devices are set up at the operation of the numeral keys and are subsequently carried into a totalizer or register; an exam le of this class of machine bein the wel -known Underwood bookkeeping machine which is illustrated in the patent to Minton, 1,280,065, and. other patents.

The indexing pins are usually arranged nine in'a row, each row representing a difierent denomination. Independent operable pin-settin bars are arrange transversely above t e index pins, one bar connected to each numeral 'key, so that any key can set a pin in any row. All of these pins are normally out of range of these setting bars; but through suitable mechanism the typewriter carriage operates to project the pin rows one at a time into the paths of the setting bars. Hence, the selection of an indexing pin depends partly upon the position of the. typewriter carriage, and partly upon the selection of the key. Springs return the setting bars and the 1n ars after the pin-setting operation. W en all of the pins have been set up for anumber, a general operator is usually. em loyed to advance all of the dial wheels slmultaneously, each to an extent determined by the described setting of the pin in its associated row.

In practice, it is important to guard against erroneous setting of the index ms,

since errors of this kind are diflicult i not of the bar upon which a pin has just been set; or the setting bar may obstruct the advance of. the bar of next lower denomination, which at the moment is being advanced by means of the train of mechanism which connects it to the typewriter carriage. In elther case an error is liable to occur, since all of the pins must be in their intended places at the operation of the setting bar, asotherwise a wrong pin may be set.

Th1s l ability of the setting bar to hinder the advance or return of the pin-carrying bars, is due'to failure of the pin-setting bar to rise or return to normal position with suflicient promptness at the release of the type-key. One of the main objects of the present invention, therefore, is to improve the machine, by providing improved and reliable means for returning the pin-setting bars or devices to normal positions.

It should be explained at this point that the numeral keys referred to operate typebars to print the numbers u on the worksheet, and that the letter-fee ing movement of the typewriter carria e is controlled by the numeral keys, as weIl as by the alphabet keys of the typewriter. In the Underwood machine, all of the type-bars are provided with heels which operate a curved universal bar, which controls the feeding dogs that cooperate with the escapement wheel of the carriage.

In carrying out the present invention in its preferred form, the heels of the numeral type-bars 1 to 9 are omitted, so that said type-bars cannot operate the universal bar, and hence cannot feed the carriage.

Each of said numeral keys operates a linkage or train of mechanism, of which one of the aforesaid pin-setting bars forms a part; and there is provided in the adding machine a special universal bar, which is operable by these trains, either by direct engagement with these setting bars or otherwise. This special universal bar is connected by a driving train to the universal bar of the typewriter, and hence the operation of any numeral key is effective, through its pin-setting train, to actuate the special universal bar, and thereby the typewriter universal bar, so that not only is the typewriter carriage fed, but the ink ribbon is also elevated in front of the platen, and other functions of the typewriter are performed.

The reason that an advantage is gained in operating the typewriter universal bar by means of the pin-setting linkages is that said typewriter universal ba'r cannot return to normal position without simultaneously restoring the special universal bar to normal position, together with the pin-setting linkage which has just'been actuated by its type-key. So instead of depending upon a more on less weak spring, as has been the custom, for returning the pin-setting linkage, the same is connected up to the universal bar of the typewriter, which is returned by a powerful'spring. Moreover, the special universal bar may be aided substantially by a powerful camming action between the escapement wheel of the typewriter and the detent dog with which said escapement wheel temporarily engages at the letter-feeding movement of the carriage. The driving spring or motor which propels the typewriter carriage may therefore be utilized by the described train of mechanism, to aid in restoring the pin-setting or indexing linkage to normal position, and hence the same is restored quickly and with certainty. If through any impediment or accident any linkage should not be restored, it follows that the typewriter universal bar would not be restored, and hence the typewriter carriage would not feed at the succeeding key operations, and the type-impressions would therefore be piled up on one another, and thereby inform the operator of the impediment. Hence no error from the above source is apt to be made unless the operator is made fully aware of the failure of the pin-setting linkage to return. Hence the operation of the adding mechanism is safeguarded.

Again, if through any accident or looseness of parts, the setting-bar should not operate properly, then the typewriter universal bar will not be operated correctly, so that the carriage will not feed as it should, and the letters will not print properly on the sheet, and the keys may even be obstructed, thus in several ways warning the operator.

Sometimes the machine is used only for typewriting, and it is of course desirable for the numeral keys to operate the typewriter universai bar when no addition is to be performed. The cutting away of the heels on the numeral.type-bars, so that they cannot operate the typewriter universal bar, will not prove to be a drawback when the adding mechanism is silenced, since these numeral keys will continue as before to operate the pin-setting linkages, and thereby operate the typewriter universal bar, even though no pins are set. The adding mechanism is silenced by effecting a disconnection between the typewriter carriage and the tie nomination trains which advance or displace one by one the rows of index pins, so that all of the index pins remain stationary out of range of any of the pin-setting bars. Hence, all of the operations of typewriting mayproceed whether computation is being performed or not.

In the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation from front to rear of a combined typewriting and computing machine of the Underwood-Hanson type, showing the present improvements in one form. The parts are in normal positions. v

Fig. 2 shows some of the parts seen at Fig. l, with'one of the numeral keys depressed to cause its type to print, and also to set an index pin.

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of a dogramming device usually employed in connection with the carriage of the Underwood typewriter, and seen at other views.

Fig. 4: is aperspective rear view to illustrate the operative connections between .a numeral type-key and the type-writer universal bar mechanism.

The typewriting mechanism usually comprises numeral keys 10, alphabet keys 11, key levers l2, sub-levers 13, and type-bars 14, which swing up against a platen 15 which is mounted upon a carriage 16. The alphabet type-bars have heels 17 to operate a universal bar or frame 18, which is usually carried at its rear portion upon rock arms 19, and has means 20 to engage a dog rocker 21, comprising a pair of dogs 22, 23. which move into and out of engagement with the teeth 2% of the escapement wheel 25, the latter connected by a pinion 26 and rack 27 to the typewriter carriage 16. The dog rocker is provided with a returning spring 28, and the universal bar is also provided with a returning spring29. The numeral type-bars 14*,with theexception of the 0 type-bar have no means to operate-the universal bar 18, the heels 17 being cut away from these bars.

The adding or computing mechanism comprises stems 30 pendent from the numeral keys 1 to 9, in position to descend and engage at their lower ends rock arms 31 mounted upon the forward ends of shafts 32. which extend forwardly and rearwardly, said shafts carrying a set of driving arms 33 whi h operate pin-setting linkages, of which there are nine. one for each numeral or digit key. These linkages comprise upper sets of transverse horizontal bars 34. having pins 35 which are engaged by said driving arms 33, and also comprise lower sets of horizontal transverse arms or bars 36, which are thepin-setting bars above referred'to. These bars 34, 36 are connected by bell-cranks 3?, 38 at their lefthand and right-hand ends, to form parallel motions or linkages. 7 Whenever a key is depressed, the linkage is moved thereby in a direction to. depress the bottom bar .36? whose function is to engage the corresponding index pin 39 in any. of the rows into which the set of index pins is divided. Each row of index pins is carried upon a separate bar 40, which extends forwardly and rea-rwardly of the machine, there being nine pins upon each her, one for each digit.

The pins in each row are separated sufiiciently to permit the pin-setting or indexing bar topass down idly between the pins. If, however, one of the pin-carrying bars 40 is previously-set forward, the descending pin-setting bar 36 will engage and de-i press the pin 39 which is in its forth in said Patent 1,280,065.

The setting forward or displacing of the path, as set in-carrying bars 40 one by one is effectedv y means of a dog 41, which is mounted upon the typewriter carriage 16 in a ositlon to traverse a set of acks 42, w ich are enga ed one after another by said dog. Each jac is vibrated by the dog, and thereby sets forward the associated pin bar 40, to wh ch it is usually connected by means of a lmk 43,. a lever 44, a transposition device 45 and a bell-crank 46.

It has been the practice to restore the numeral keys tonormal sitions by means of springs 47, and'the pin-bars 40 by means of sprlngs 43, these springs being in practice of relatively light tension. There is herein provided a novel returning device for the pin setting linkages, consisting of a universal bar 49 extending fore and aft of" the machine, and operable by any of the pinsetting bars 36. This bar may be used either alone or in connection with some or'all of the usual linkage returning springs (not shown). Said universal bar 49 may be con? venlently carried upon arms 50, which are carried by a shaft 51, thereby forming a veil or rocking frame; and an arm 52 may extend from said frame in position to drive upwardly a thrust link 53, which, at its upper end, is plvotally connected to a'lever 54 which is usually found in the typewriting machine, and has a driving connection-by means of an arm 55 with the rock arm or frame 19 which carries the typewriter -universal bar 18, so that at the operation of any numeral k ey' said typewriter universal bar or frame is given its customary backward movement; The link 53,1ikethe key stems 30, may be disengaged at its lower end, or

not attached to arm 52, for convenience in.

lifting the typewriter ofl from the adding By this'means, it results that at the re lease of the numeral key the typewriter uni universal bar.

versal bar or'frame 18 re-acts upon the special universal bar frame 49, and thereby upon the pin-setting bar 36 which at the moment is in enga ement with said special ence, the pin-setting bar is urged back to normal position not only by the spring 53 coiled around shaft 51 and connected therewith, but also by the typewriter universal bar spring 29, and also by the dog-rocker spring 28, preferably augmented by the power of the carriage-driving spring or motor 54. It is usual in the Underwood typewriter for. the detent dog 22 of the escapement mechanism to be beveled at 54 (Fig. 3)- in such. a manner that the pressure thereon byany tooth 24 of the escapement wheel 25-: urges said dog back to normal position, and thereby urges the typewriter universal bar 18 back to normal position. Hence, through the described train of connections, the special universal bar 49 is urged back to normal position toether with the active pin-setting bar 36. hrough these various instrumentalities, the pin-setting bar may be restored promptly and with certainty, and hence proper clearance between said bar and the index pins 39 is assured, so that there will be no interference either with the return of one pin carrying bar 40 tovnormal position, or with the advance of the succeeeding pin-carryin bar to setting position. It will be perceive further, that the usual impulse derived fbar frame 18 of the typewriter willbe impeded thereby in its return movement, and hence will actsluggishly, thus warning the operative, who, exce t for the connection between the pin-setting bar and the universal bar of thetypewriter, would have 110 warning. If the impediment is so great as' to arrest the pin-setting bar, the typewriter universal bar will also be arrested, and operation of the machine stopped, Hence, liability of an undiscovered error being made by the tardy return of the bar 36 is reduced or eliminated. When it is desired to silence the adding mechanism, the usual non-add key 55 may be pressed rearwardly, its rod 56 operatin a lever or arm 57, which is usually pivo to the machine, and'is provided with a short arm 58 which engages a cam 59 to depress a cam roll 60 which usually serves the purpose of elevating'or holding up to its working position the denomination-selecting dog #11. Hence, when said non-add key is pushed in, these dogs 11 are silenced, and hence none of the pin-carrying bars 40 are displaced, and the operations of the pin-setting link ages are idle. However, the pin-setting linkages all operate the special universal bar 49, and thereby the typewriter universal bar 18, so that typewriting proceeds the same as if the numeral type-bars had heels 17 to operate the universal bar 18.

The operation of the parts may be timed to secure the best results. The pin-setting bar 36 may begin to descend at the last portion of the down stroke of the numeral key, as is customary. The special universal bar 49 may be operated during the entire down stroke of the pin-setting bar. The typewriter universal bar 18 may operate during only the final portion of the down key stroke, or the type-bar printing stroke. Upon the return,.the universal bars may therefore be returned to normal positions at the initial part of the up stroke of the key, together with the pin-setting bar 36, so that said bar 36 may be clear of the pins 39 on the pin-carrying bar, permitting early return of the latter to normal position by the spring 48. Moreover, the pin-setting bar will at the same time be clear of the next advancing pin-carrying bar 40, and this maybe timed so that the pin-setting bar is not advanced by the carriage 16 until after the universal bar 49 has returned to normal position and cleared the pin-setting bar from the pins. To this end more or less clearance may be left between the arm 52 of the special universal bar frame and the typewriter operatin link 53, as at Fig. 1, or the arm may be made short, or both expedients may be used.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said universal .bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism comprising rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism .controlled by said carriage for displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the displaced rows, a special bar universally operable by said Setting devices,

and a connection from said special universal bar to the typewriter universal bar mechanism to operate the latter.

2. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said universal bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism comprising rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled by said-carriage for displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the displaced rows, a special bar universally operable by said setting devices, a connection from said special universal bar to the typewriter universal bar mechanism to operate the latter, and means for silencing the computing mechanism at the operation of the numeral type-actions, said silencing means including a device for disabling a part of the denomination-selecting mechanism, so that said setting devices, at the operation of the numeral type-actions may operate said special universal bar.

3. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said feeding mechanism, numeral type-actions, a computing mechanism comprising rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled by said carriage for displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the displaced rows, a special bar universally operable by said setting devices. and means to enable said special universal bar to operate said carriage-feeding mechanism.

4. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said feeding mechanism, numeral type-actions, a computing'mechanism comprising rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled by said carriage for displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the displacedrows, a special bar universally operable by said setting devices, means to enable said special universal bar to operate said carriage-feeding mechanism, and means for silencing the computing mechanism at the operation of the numeral type-actions, said silencing means including a device for disablin a part of the denomination-selecting mecfianlsm, so that said setting'devices, at the operation of the numeral type-actions, may operate said special universal bar and said feeding mechanism.

5. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said universal bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism comprising rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled by said carriage for displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the displaced rows, a special bar universally operable by said setting devices,

a connection from said special universal bar vices,

. special universal bar is actuated.

to the typewriter universal bar mechanism to operate the latter, and a returnlng spr ng for said universal bar mechanism, effectiveupon said special universal bar and any setting device by which the latter is actuated.

6.'In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-actions having means connected to operate said universal bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism comprising rowsof index pins or dedenomination selectin mechanism controlled by said carriage or displacing the index pins or devices row after row, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices on the dis laced rows, a special bar universally opera 1e by said setting devices, and a con,- nection from said special universal bar to the typewriter universal bar mechanism to operate the latter, said carriage-feeding mechanism including means whereby at the movement of the carriage the power of the carriage-propelling force is transmitted through said feeding mechanism and the typewriter universal bar mechanism to the special universal bar, to assist in returning promptly any setting device whereby said 7. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter vices, devices individual to sai carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, numeral type-actions, a computing mechanism including denominational set of index pins or devices, denominationselecting mechanism for said sets of index ins or denumeral type-actions for engaging the index pins or operation of the numeral type-actions, while maintaining the connection from said numeral type-actions through said setting devices to said carriage-feeding mechanism.

9, In a combined typewrlting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-keys havlng means connected to operate said universal bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism including rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled 'by said carriage fordisplacing index pins or devices, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins or devices, and means to enable said setting devices to operate the typewriter universal bar mechanism.

10. In a combined typewriting and computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, a universal bar mechanism to control said feeding mechanism, alphabet type-keys hav- 111g means connected to operate said universal bar mechanism, numeral type-actions unprovided with means to operate said universal bar mechanism, a computing mechanism including rows of index pins or devices, denomination-selecting mechanism controlled by said carriage for displacing index pins or devices, devices individual to said numeral type-actions for setting the index pins. or devices, means to enable said setting devices to operate the typewriter universal bar mechanism, and means for silencing the computing mechanism at the operation of the numeral type-actions, while maintaining operative connection between members individual to the numeral keys,

said digital members normally disconnected from said keys, of means to enable the type writer mechanism to aid in returning said digital members to normal position after actuation by said keys.

12. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, the combination with a typewriter mechanism includin a carriage and an adding mechanism, sai typewriter mechanism also includin alphabet and numeral keys, and letterceding mechanism for said carriage, and said computing mechanism including digital indexing members individual to the numeral keys, of means to connect the digital members to the carriagefeeding mechanism to operate the latter, and to enable the carriage-feeding mechanism in its return movement to aid in returning the digital members to normal position, so that the carriage-feeding mecha nism'cannot complete its cycle of operations unless the active digital member is returned.

13. In a combined typewriting and computing 'machine, the combination with a typewriting mechanism including alphabet and numeral type-actions, and type-writer escapement mechanism, of a computing mechanism operable by the numeral typeactions, and means whereby said typewriter escapement mechanism is controlled by the numeral type-actions through the computing mechanism throughout the advance and return movements of said numeral typeactions.

14. In a combinedtypewriting-and computing machine comprising a typewriter mechanism inclusive of alphabet and numeral keys and a carriage, and also comprising,a computing mechanism inclusive of a denomination selecting mechanism controlled by the carriage, of numeral-keyoperated index-setting devices, and means to make the full operation of the typewriter mechanism depend upon the return of the index-setting devices after actuation thereof.

15. In a combined typewriting and'computing machine comprising a typewriter carriage, a feeding mechanism therefor, numeral type-actions, a computing mechanism including index devices, denominationselecting mechanism for said index devices,

devices individual to said numeral typeactions for engaging the index devices to set the same, means to enable said setting devices to operate the carriage-feeding mechanism, and means for silencing said denomination selecting mechanism and thereby preventing setting of said index devices.

16. In a combined typewriting and com puting machine, the combination with typewriting mechanism including a platen and alphabet and numeral type-actions for printing thereon, of means operable by said alphabet type-actions for effecting a relative traveling movement between said platen and said typeactions, computing mechanism operable by said numeral type-actions, and means operable by the numeral type-actions, through the computing mechanism, for effecting a, relative traveling movement be tween the platen and the type-actions.

17. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, escapement mechanism therefor, keys including alphabet keys and numeral keys, alphabet-key-actuated means for operating the escapement, numeral-key-actuated means for operating the escapement, and computing means, including devices adapted to be actuated by said numeral-key-actuated means, to index a number to be computed.

18. In a combined typewriting and com puting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, alphabet and numeral keys, computing mechanism includin denominationselecting mechanism contro led b the carriage, numeral-key-operated in ex-setting devices, and means to render the -feeding movement of the carriage dependent upon the return of the index-setting devices after actuation thereof.

19. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, numeral keys, computing mechanism including elements in which digits may be indexed in different denominations selected by said carriage, and a device for actuating concomitantly all of said elements in which digits have been indexed, numeralkey-actuated setting devices, one for each key, to determine the digits to be indexed in said elements and means rendered effective upon a setting movement of any one of said setting devices to prevent movement of said carriage until the actuated setting device is withdrawn from effective setting range.

20. In combination, typewriting mechanism including a carriage, letter-feeding means therefor and numeral keys, computing mechanism including digital indexing members individual to andoperable by the numeral keys, and means whereby said letter-feeding means will be actuable by any one of said digital indexing members, and

the letter-feeding means will assist in returning the digital indexing members to normal position.

21. In a combined typewriting and computing machine, in combination, a typewriter-carriage, an escapement mechanism therefor, keys including alphabet and nu meral keys, computing mechanism including denominational devices in which digits may be indexed, carriage-actuated means for selecting the denominational devices in which indexing is to be effected, numeralkey-actuated means for indexing digits in said, denominational devices when selected and means for preventing movement of said carria e, and consequent actuation of the denomination-selecting means, until the numeral-key-actuated means has been restored to normal condition after indexing in any denomination;

22. In a combined typewriting and com- 'iputing machine, in combination, a typewriter-carriage, means urging the same in letter-feeding direction, an escapement mechanism for said carriage, including a controlling device given an advance and a return movement, to effect letter-feeding, means yieldably urging said device to normal position and opposing an advance movement thereof, numeral keys, computing mechanism including indexing elements, each actuable by one of said numeral keys,

and means whereby each of said elements,

when actuated, will actuate said device, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that both the carriage-urging means and the urging means for said controlling device will assist in returning an movement of the actuated indexing element to normal posisetting devices individual to said numeral keys and actuable thereby, each of said setting devices being adapted to index the corresponding digit on any of said denominational elements, carriage-controlled means for placing said denominational elements serzatim in position to enable indexing therein, and means to prevent a setting device, after operation thereof, from interfering with the return movement of a denominational element just set and the advance next denominational element.

BURNHAM o. s'rIoKNEY.

Witnesses:

EDITH B. LIBBEY, CATHERINE NEWELL.

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