US1438718A - Combined typewriting and computing machine - Google Patents

Description

A. El OSWALD.

COMBINED TYPEWRITING AND COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm ocr. ll. I920.

1 338,7 1 8. Patented Dec. 12, 1922 I lj/ J9 if lnvemorfi- 1 6 5 2 56' I (W 6- a i :0 wjm fa/G y f I Milk/w Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFESE.

ALFRED E. OSWALD, OF BOGOTA, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERVJOOD COM- PUTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMBINED TYPPRVRITING AND COMPUTING MACHINE,

Applicationfilcd October 11, 1920. Serial No. 416,248.

To all whom it may concern: r

' Becit; known thatil, ALFRED E. OSW ALD a citizenofthe. United States, residing in Bogota, in the county of Bergen and State of ,New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful Lmproyernents in Combined Typewriting -gand rcomputing -Machines, ,.of which the following is a specification.

This invention-relates to the registers or totalizers-of computing machines, especially those ofthe type known as .the Underwood standard bookkeeping machine, which both typewritesiand computes; I i v The registers; are provided v with electric lamps Ito, illuminate the ,numberwheels and provision is'made whereby when anyregister is out of use, its lamp is automatically extinguished, thereby indicating to the operator Whether or.not -a ny register stands at zero. Theregister-lamps. for the .several registers mayibeioonnected. in a lighting circu it in series relation; .,,and. means are I provided, whereby, should the. lamp 4 for, any register fail,.the: lamp ,for, anyother register may be continued in use. LkCCOICliDg ,to,-one form of the present irivention the registerlamps may -beoonnectcd in series in a iightinggcircuit, ands suitable resistance 18 con- ,nectedrin multiple around each register-lamp,

thereby providingva-shunt for theilighting circuit, around each register-lamp that fails and x"enabling any other register-lamp the series tobe continuedin use. In this form of thepresent invention, each. register-lamp may becontrolled by means of a short-circuitcontrolleddiyhthc -number-wheels ofthe corresponding register, and in '01d81',tO prevent a destructi-ve rushof current through the short circuit. which otherwise in this arrangement would he established when all of the :registers stood at the zero. indication, a suitable main resistance, which may be. in the form of a deskilamp, may be included in series in the lighting circuit. This series ar rangement of lhc 'egister-lamps just referred to is particularly adapted for connection to the supply mains of a usual or suitable electrical supply system. supplying either direct or alternating current.

According to another form of the present invention which may be connected with any suitable supply of electrical energy, but which is particularly adapted to heoperatod on a battery circuit, the register-lamps are connected in the lighting circuit in multiple,

long so that, should a register-lamp fail, the lamps for theremaining registers may be continued in use. With a battery circuit it is particularly desirable to economize clcctricity in order to conserve the battery, and

therefore the arrangement is such that the main circuit from the battery is normally open. Provision is made of a manually-op erable circuit-controller or switch by means of which the normally open circuit may be closed momentarily or for a short period enough to observe the condition of the regrsters,and preferably this main circuit controller includes an autoniatically-returning contact-member. and may conveniently be in the form of an ordinary push-button for closing the circuit when pressed upon from-supply mains, similarly to the series arrangement, .1

; As another feature of the present inven' tion, a non-reflecting orlight-ahsorbing device is )rovided to fill the usual spaces hetwecn t e peripheries of the coaxiallyar-' ranged numberswhccls. at the side from which these number-wheels are viewed.

thereby to-accentuate the visibility of the numerals on the niuubcr-whcels. particularly when illuminated by the register-light.

This light-absorbing device may be in the form of curved fingers of dark ,color projecting from and formed in one piece with a supporting plate conveniently secured to a frame partof the machine.

Otherfeatures and udrauh-lgcs will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanyin; drawings.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the front part. at the right side and with parts omitted, of an Underwood standard bookkeeping machine embodying the present invention. and showing some of the number wheels as turned away from the zero position. so that. according to the present invention, the register-light would be lit to give this indication as well as to illuminate the number-wheels.

Figure 3 is a partial vertical section on a plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1 as viewed from the right. but with the parts of the device in the position corresponding to the zero position of all of the numberwheels in the register and with the registerlight extinguished, to apprise the-operator of the fact that the register is clear.

i igure 3 is a perspectiveview from the front and right. of substantially What is shown in Figure 1. withthe addition. indiagrannot another register and the electrical circuit for both registers, showing the register-lamps sis-arranged in series relationin a lighting circuit.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, with parts omitted, illustrating more particularly in detached relation, the light-absorhing'device apgearing' in Figures 1,2and3'.

' igure fi'shows diagrammatically a'modifid form df the inventioitin which the register-lamps may beincluded in" the lighting circuit in=multi ile relation.

In the Underwood standardbooltkeeping machine, one or severaltotalizersor registers areemployed, and in the machine illns tratedf in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. of the accompanying drawings, 'two totaliiers or registers A and Bare em loyed, the'register k being illustrated suflicieiitly for the purposes'o'f the present invention; while the register B, which'may be asubs'tantizildurili cate of the register Afiis shown diagrammaticall' at the'leftin Figurejfa'. Each register,'re erence now beinghad ni'or e 'particularly to the register kyincl 'utlesa plurality ofcoaxially-anangdnumber-wheels 1' journaled on a shaft 2 and rotated by means of gears 3 engaged by rackhars 4. each number-wheel 1 beingp'rovided with detentteeth 5 yieldingly engaged by a springpressed detent 6 pressed to .the engaging position by a retractilespring 7. all of the detents 6 being shown as'pivoted'nn arod -8.

The machine has the usual frame 9 and casing 10, the casing 10 having therein for eacllre "ster a glass-covered sight-opening or win ow 11 in position .for' reading the indication given by the ,line of numerals visible therethrough on the llHIIlliQPWliQlh' l. Tn carrying out the present imfentinn. register-lights 12 and '12". each of 'which may be a miniature incandescent: larnp. are

provided for illuminating the numberwheels 1 and 1" of the respective registers and B. These register-lamps 12 and 12" may he located viithiii'the casing lnat the rear of the respective sightopenings above and in position to illuminate thenumerals on'tlie nunihenwheels 1 and 1 of'theregisters A and B. as shown for the registr'A in Figures 1 and 2.

The register lamps 12 and 12" may be included in a lighting circuit in series relation with each other and with a suitable resistance 13, which may be a desk-lamp, as indicated in Figure 3, by means of a main conductor 14 connected to the desk-lamp 13, a second main conductor 15 connected to the registerdmnp 12!, a conductor 16 connecting the desk-lamp 13 to the register-lamp 12, and a 'conductor 17 between the registerlamps 12 and 12". As an important feature of the present-invention, means are pro- -vided whereby should one of the register- 'lanipslQ or 12* burnout, or otherwise fail,

the lighting-circuit maybe maintained intact through'theother register-lamp. so that the'latter may be continued in use for illumihating the number-wheels of the correspondin register. To accomplish this result, a suitable resistance 18 is connected in multiple with the register-lamp 12 by means of a"conductor"1-9 connected to the conductor 1'6, anda conductor- 20 connected tothe con ductor 17 and, similarly, the'registerdamp 12fbr the registei Bhas a similar suitable resistance 18 connected in multiple therewith by means of a'conductOr '21 connected to theconductor 20 and a conductor 22 connected with the main conductor 15. By

.means of this arrangement, it is obvious that should one of the register-lamps -fail, a shunt path for lighting current will be provided aroundthat'lamp-through the corresponding resistance, so that the other r'e""'s ter lamp maybe continued in use.

leans are provided, controlled by the number-Wheels of each (if the registers, for

extinguishing the corresponding registerlamp when the numbenwheels all stand at zero, and: for lighting the register-lamp then any number-wheel of the register 'is moved away from its zeroposition: In

the particular form .of'the invention, Shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. a short circuit is provided for each of the registerdamps. andth'is short circuit is arrangedto lie-closed for-extinguishing the register-lamp at the zero indication of'the number-wheels. and to be opened for lighting the register-lamp when any numbenwheel of the register stands away from zero. This lamp-coutrollingshort circuit for'fhe register-lamp 12 at the register A includes conductors "23 aud24 leadlngresflectivelv from the coir it'l 28. The lower ends of the contact strips 25 and 27 are secured by a screw 29 to the usual front bar of the frame 9 and are insulated therefrom and from the screw 29 by means of insulating washers 30, two of which appearin Figures 2 and 3. Normally or when all of the'number-wheels 1 of the register 'A stand at the zero indication, the

short circuit for the register-lamp 12 will be closedby reaso'n'of'tbe contact spring 25 holdingthe'movable contact terminal 26 in contact with the stationa contact terminal 27. 'Asimilar normally c osed short circuit isp'rovided .for theregisteplamp 12" of the register B through a conductor 31 shown as connecting the conductor 24 to a stationary contact terminal 27", and a conductor 32 connecting the main conductor 1 to a sprin ressed' 'movable contact terminal 26". hen both of'the short circuits around the register-lamps12 and 12" are in closed condition 'the desk-lamp 13-wi1l-pr0vide su fficient resistance to prevent a destructive rush-'of'current through'the normally closed circuit thus provided."

Referring now"'again" more particularly to theregistx Aiillustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and 'at jthe right of Figure 3. the meansoperateii the'number-wheels' 1 for ya. lo contact'26 away from the stationary terniinal 27, thereby to open the 'short ircinfi and flight the register-lamp 12 when a-ny' orie-"of thetiumber wheels is moved 'awav fromaero'indicati'on. will now be defscribGdL- A memberuniversal to all of the detentsti is shown in the drawings as in the ifdrm'o'f a bail comprising a transverse bail r'n'ein'bei 33 carried at its ends by a pair of upstandingrook arms 34. pivoted at their lower' 'eiids on"tlie-'pivot' rod- 8 of the detents 6. Sprin'gs35 normally press the transverse member 33backward until it is stopped by coming incontact with one or more of the detents 6 at the back thereof. The upper end of the insulating strip 28. carried by'the contact spring 25,-is located in the path'of the upper en of one of the bail arms345s'hown 'a the one appearing-at the left in register A, so that when the universal bail, comprising the transverse member 33 and the arms 34. is at its forward position. appearing in Figures 1 and 3. the movable contact terminal 26 will he separated from the stationary contact terminal 27 to close the lighting circuit through the register-lamp l2. and when this universal hail is at its rearward position. as shown in Figure 2. the movable contact terminal 26 will he in contact with the stationary contact terminal 27 to close the short circuit and extinguish the iegiste-r-lamp ll.

At the proper place thereon. correspondinc to its zero position. two adjacent teeth 5 of each number-wheel l are cut away or provided with recesses 36, thereby to permit the detcnts (3 to he seated more deeply be tween these t o adjacent tccth. My reason of this constru tion when all of the numher-wheels 1 stand at zero position. all of the detents (5 will he thus more deeply seated in the recesses 36 between the corresponding cut-away teeth. thereby pcrmitting the trans erse hail mcmher 33 to be moved by its springs 35 to the rearward position, for closin; the. short circuit for the register-lamp through the contact terminals 26 and 27. as shown in Figure 2. The detent-receiving notches provided hetwcen all the remaining number-wheel teeth 5, corresponding to the digit 1 to 9, inclusive. are of insufficient dimensions to permit the deep seating of the detents 6, which accordingly hold the transverse bail member 33 at its forward position thereby to hold the movable contact terminal 26 out of engagement with the stationary contact terminal 27. so that the lighting circuit is thereby closed through the registerlight 12 when any one of the number-wheels 1 stands away from its zero indication, as is shown in Figure 1 and at the right of Figure 3.

The register B, appearing at the left in Figure 3, is similarly provided with a circuit-controlling universal bail operated by the number-wheels 1", and comprising the transverse member '33", universal to all of the uumberavheels 1" and carried by rockarms 34:"; of which the upper part of one is shown in Figure 3. In the case. of the register B,'thc short circuit. which is provided through conductors 31 and 32 and controlled by contact-terminals 26" and 27" is shown as closed. thereby to extinguish the register-lamp 12", corresponding to the zero indication of the register B, as shown in Figure 3. the rock-arm 34" of the universal member 33"heing disengaged from the movable contact-terminal 26" to permit this spring-pressed contact-terminal 26" to close against the stationary mntact-tcrminal 27". as shown.

For printin; an appropriate sign. usually a star, when all the number-wheels stand at zero. there is provided. as is usual in the Underwood type of bookkeeping machine. a star-printin; key 7. having a stem 38 guided in the frame fl of thc machine. The upper part of the star-her stem 38. at the rear thereof. is provided with a locking hip 39. Referring: now to the register A and more particularly to Figure. 2 it will be seen that when the universal hail-memhcr 33 is at its rearward position. corresponding to the zero indication. the lug 39 will clear this laail-mcmhcr to provide for the peration of thc star-key 31 hot when our number-whcel l is moved away from it zero indication. then the aboredescrihcd movement of the universal bail-member 3;;

to Its loruurrl position wil' l.)l'lll this inciner into the path of the locking luu' 39 to lo k the star-key 37 when any iiuiiil;ca'-'rliecl stands .t\\'Zl V fl'un: .zrro. 'lherelorc. it is to he lltllt'tl that the universal liziil. comprisingthe transverse member iii! and l")(,'l(1tl'lll$ 34. besides controlling the ILL'iStLPllglll. 12 of the register also controls the correspond ing star-key 37. It isto he understood that :i star-key similar to the star-key J is provided for each of the registers of the machine.

In order to accentuate the visibility of the number-wheels 1, so as-to render the numerals thereon more readily readable. dark r-oloretl substantially non-reflecting or light- :ihsorbing filling pieces are provided be tween the spaced peripheries of the numher-Wheels 1, at thetopthereof. opposite the sightz-openiiig or'window llrand below and forwardly from the-register-light'll In the construction shownin the drawings. these light-absorbingfilling pieces are shown-as a plurality-of curved fingers comprising: black fingers 40 and red fingers 41, all carried by, andshown'as formed in on'e piece with. a supporting plate 42 secured to a frame-part 43 of the-regisber'A. The curved light-absorbing fingers '40-andc4i1' are substantially flush with .the -numerah'bearing peripheries of the-number-wheels Land, by reasomof their dark co}or',|not'0n1y' accentuate the illumination of'theimzmber-wheels. but also preventthe reflection o-f theilig-ht ofthe lamp 12 from'bright parts between the numberwheelsintb-tlie eyes 'ofthe operator, and which would have actendencyto interfere with the readingo'f the-numbers on theinumher-wheels; In tile-particular construction shown inithe drawings, the two redfingers 41 are employed-.for-separatingz-or demarking the hundreds number-wheel from the first thousands number-wheel. -nndthe -last thousands number-wheel from the first millions number-wheel, hiting readily distinguishable forthis purpose fromthe remaining black fingers 40. but all of the fingers 40 and 4t perform u-similarlighbahsorbing function; Obviously. the red fingeis 41 t'utlltl -he otherwise disposed between the hlark lingers 40. to demark the numberwheels into other groups. for example. to separate derima'l number-wheels from the units .numher-whcel. 'lllc .lig htahs rhin, device. comprising lingers 40 ml 41 and their supporting plate 42. is similarly applied to both-of the-registels A zindill'but, for convenience-of illustration. is illustrated in the drmvilgqs only in connectionnvith the register A. in other-wordsdt is to be linden stood-that this light-absorbing device is-to lit applied to each Clan) number of registers that may be employed on the machine.

or CXtiKLgtllSlllngJlll of the lamps in the lighting circuit, comprising the registerlamps l2 and 12" nntl Lhc duslt-liunp 1- or for including these lamps in the lightin; uirenit. subject to control nsnhovedescribed n ,manuallyioperzihle switch ,isprorided andthLs-circuit-controllingswitch.is

shou=n=as comprisinga movable manuallyoperable contnctunember 4' and-a stationary contact-member tfioconneeted-ni the main conductor 14. Iii-for any reason .it is pair- .ticuli-irly dixirablertoieconomize.inelectrichem lamp:

In-the modified formof'the invention diir grammatically illustratedqin'Figure 5. three sponding l number of registers, are arranged -to .be-i included in multiple-or parallel .rela tied-between!!! 'pairiofimainconductors 4:9

and 50, connected to a batteiyol as a=surce ofcurrent. In order toiconserve the battery 51. a normally open manuallytoperahlei circuit-controller for themain-circuit is provided-which -may hean ordinary. push-button. grammatically as comprising-a-stetionary eontactrt'erminal 52 -and a ;-movab1e-= z1utomatically-returningvcontact-terminal 53- normallymaintained at the open position shown in the dniwings-by-m'eansof a spring 54. In the;- formof the-inventiom'ithe circuits for the register-lampstfi; 47 and .48 are: normally open when the number-wheels of the corresponding registers stand-at the zero position. For-controlling their-circuits, the register-lamp :46 is provided with :2 mo able mntaeumember '55 eo-opemtive withn stationary etmtacbterniinai 56. the registerlamp 4? is-controlled by msimilar movable contact-member 57 oo oneratiye with in stn tiona-ry contact-terminal 58,'and theregister-lamp 48 is similarlyicontrollerl by a morable contact-member 59 -co-operative--with a stationary contact-terminal 60. It is to he understood thatthe movable contact-menihers nr routuctrterminals-55,57 and 59 are all spring-pressed. so as to have a normal tendency Ur letlllIt automatically to the own-circuit posit iolriofithe movable terminals 5T andflQ-I'or-the registcr'lnmps 47 and 49. For the respective-registers. unireisul members (it. 62 and 63 are. provided-to ucontrolled by the ummber wheels of tut-h register in the manner -ahoro pzu'tieuh'n-ly deserihetl in referenemtothe IItHDbQC-Wltflls I and I" in the fitskdescribed-construction. in Figure 5. the universal member 0! is shown in )OSltlOlt 'forelosing the circuit through th -re :istex=hunp 46 to light this lamp. indicating that a n uinber l as been This eircuit'control-ler is shown dialOO llLU

run into the corresponding register, while the universal members 62 and 63 for the registers corresponding to the register-lamp 47 and 48 are shown at the position for extinguishing these lamps, when all of the number-wheels stand at the zero indication. By reason of the fact that the register-lamps 46, 47 and 48 are connected to the main conductors 49 and 50 in parallel relation, it will be obvious that should one of these lamps fail, the remaining lamps may be continued in use.

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 computing machine, the combination with a plurality of registers each including number-wheels, of a register-lamp for each register, means controlled byeach register for establishing a lighting circuitthrough its lamp when any number-wheel of the register moves away from zero, and means for maintainin the operativeness of the lighting circuit for any register-lamp independently of the condition as to operativeness lot the lighting circuit for any other register-lamp.

2'. In a computing machine the combina tion with a lurality of registers each including numberwheels, of a register-lamp for each register, a' universal member for each register operable by the number-wheels to occupy one position when all the numberwheels stand at zero and toocc'upy another position when any number-wheel stands away from zero, means operable by each universal member for establishing a lighting circuitthrough the corresponding register-lamp when any number-wheel of the register moves away from zero, and means for maintaining the operativeness of the lighting circuit for any'register-lamp independently of the condition as to operativeness of the lighting circuit or any other register-lamp.

3. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of registers each including number-wheels, of a registerJamp for each register for illuminating its number-wheels, a lighting circuit'for each register-lamp, meansincluding a circuit-controller in control of each said lighting circuit, a member universal to and operable by the numbenwheels of each register for operating the circuit-controller for that register to cause its lamp to be lighted whenever any one of its number-wheels moves away from zero; and means for maintaining the operativeness of the lighting circuit for any register-lamp independently of the condition as to operativeness of the lighting circuit for any other register-lamp.

In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of registers each including number-wheels, of a register-lamp for each register, a lighting circuit in which the register-lamps may be included in series, means including a circuit-controller operated by the turning of any number-wheel of a register away from, zero for includin the register-lamp of that register in the ii iiiin circuit o light the lamp, and a resistance connected in multiple with each register-lamp for maintaining the integrity of the lighting circuit around any lamp which may fail, so that should the lamp for any one register failthe lamp for any other register may be continued in use. 1

In acomputing machine, the combination with'aplurahty of registers each in cluding number-wheels, a register-lamp for each register, a lighting circuit in which the registerdamps may be included -in series, a normally closed short circuit for each register-lamp, meansioperated by the turning'of anynui'nberwheel in a register away from "zero" for opening the short circuit of the register lamp for that register; thereby to light the register-lampfand a resistance connected in multiple with each registerlamp for maintaining the integrity o'fthe li 'hting' circuit; a'round fan "register-lamp which ma-yffail so that' sh ou dthe lamp 'for anyregis ter faihthe'lamp for any other register may'fbe continuedinfuse;

6. In a computin machina'the combination with a "plurality'fof registers each'ineluding .num "er wli'e'els, of a re'ster-Iamp for each la er/m1 a 'iiiain lamp,'. ai lighting circuit including the "main" lamp and in which the register-lampsinay' be included in series,".means' including a circuit-controllei operatedby the number-wheels for including th'e 'rggister lamp for that registe'r-in' the lighting 'circuit, therebytolight the registbla'mfi-when any number-wheel of a register is turned away from zero, and a resistanceconnected in multiple with each register-lamp,'wherby should any register- ]:imp fail the resistance for'that'lamp will provide a shunt around such lamp so that any other register-lamp in the series may he continued in use.

7. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of'registers including number-wheels, of a register-lamp for each register, a lighting circuit including a main resistance and in which the register-lamps may be included in series, a resistance in multiple with each register-lamp to provide a path for lighting current around the lamp in case of failure of the latter, a normally closed short circuit for each register-lamp and means operated by the number-wheels for any register for opening the short circuit. to light the registenlamp when the numbei u'heel of any register is turned from zero.

9. in u computing machine, the (I()llllllll'd.- tion with a plurality of registers each including number-Wheels of a main lamp, :1 register-lamp for each register for illumihating the number-Wheels thereof, a lighting circuit including the main lamp and in whirh the registerdamps may be inrluded in series, a resistance connected in multiple with each register-lamp to provide a path for lighting currentai'ound'the' latter incase of its to and operable by the' nun'i'her wheels of each register for incluldiiigJthe" register lamp f'or'tliat re'giste'i irl's'erie's in the'lighting circuit with" the main' lamp, thereby to light the rcgistenlamp any numberwheel of that register is tutned awa t'mm zero.

9. In a comput'i machine, the combina tion with p plurality er eluding: number-wheels, 6f im-mechani s, a register-lamp for each rfegist erlfor ilhimi hating the .number fivheels a ligliting circuit including'th1main resistance-and in which the register-am s m y be included in series,' a resistance connected witlreac'h'r gister-lanipf-tfoi provide a path forlig hting' c'urr'ent aroiincI'the La'tter in case of its failure, a normally closed short' circuit for each l'egister la'rhp; aswitch incontrol of each short circuit apd} a, member universal to (and operable by, the'f number u heels of cabl -fighter fastening the switch to open'the short circuit erehyito light-the registcmlamp whenever" any oneof the number-wheels ,is moved away from zero.

10. J Ina' oompiitirigiii achine, the combination with a plurality} of registers each including number-Wheels, of a main lamp, a register-lamp or each register for illuminatingthe numberwheels thereof, a lighting circuit including the main lamp and in which the register-lamps maybeinclutled in series, a circuit-controlling device for each register-lump operable by the number-wheels thereofi. and a, resistance connected iirmultL pie with each register-lamp to provide a shunt around that lamp, whereby should any register-lamp {ail any other lamp in the series may be continued in use.

11. In computingmachine, the combination with a plurality of registers each comprising numberwrheels, of a main resistance, a register-lamp for each register in series with the main resistance, a' short circuit for each register-lamp, a circuit-controlling derice for each register and controlled thereby to control the short circuit for its registerlamp, and t1 resistauce'in multiple with each registenlainp to provide a path for lightmg current around that lamp whereby should anv register-lump fail any lamp for any other register may he continued in u e lZ. ln :1 rouiputiu c luucl1i!uthcroluliiuution with u plurality of registeis each infailure, and a member universal in multiple with the detents,.cachnumher-wheel being move itsfdetenltiand thereby to move and hold the universal 'member against the tensidn' of its spring, a re'gister l'amofor each registeria lighting ciicuitin'wh'ich the registcnlamps may be included, means in coir trol of eajch register lampincludingcontabc termin'als'jc'oiitrolled hy'theunit 'e rsal mernh'c r to light the register-lamp'whenevr a numtier-Wheel is moved awayfrom' zero;'an1l means for maintaining the operatireness'of the lighting circuit' for any register-lamp 'iudep nd entl ziof the condition as'to perativeriessofthe fghtin'g' circuit of an'y'bther regism iii pi .1

13 computing machine; thecomhina tion' with a plurality of re'g'isters' eac'hl in eluding, neither-wheels, of: ajdeteiit for each riux ribergwlieel, a member vumijver's't1 t'oftlie' detents for 'ea'ch'registe'r to be operated,tl1 e1eb a spring normally tending tormov'e'tli'e universal member-"into operative relation with the detents, each number-wheel being'aelaptedfirhen inpved aiva "'fr'oin'z'ero' to m'o're its detent and [thereby to: move and, ,holdthe universal" ember against thelte'nsi'onof its spring, andanelectric circuit comprising a mainresistaaice', registerrlai'rips' forfeach regis ter, connected inqseries with each othen and with 'fl16[mf! ln,LESl S:btl I1C8,,a normally closed short cipcuit connected. immultiple .rvith each register-lamp, a sswit'chhin control rot each short i circiiit and Lopepable the universal member to open tihe-short circuit whenever a numberozgheel .moves away ,from zero, and a resistance connected in multiple with each resigter-lamm-whereby should any registerlamp .fail the resistance for that lamp 'will provide apatli for lighting current through any other register-lump in the series.

M. In a computing.iiiaeh-iiie, the cfllllllillih tion with a register including numberwheels, of a -.regi'sber-lamp for illuminating the'inumber wheels, a lighting-circuit for the-regietec-lamp, means controlled by the number-wheels for controlling the lighting circuit-tohprewent the lightingof the lamp when all oi -the number-wheels are at the zero position and to provide for t e lighting of the lamp when any number-wheel is moved away from its zero position; and a manuallypperuhle circuit-controller including an automatically returning contact member also controlling: the lighting circuit and normally preventin; the lighting of the ItJ1lStQIlkll]) whcrchv the condition of the register max he at any time determined h ope-rating the mauuullr-uperuhle rlrruitwoulroller.

15. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of registers each including number-wheels, of a register-lamp for each register, means for establishing a lighting circuit for each lamp, means for each register in control of the lighting circuit of its register-lamp to prevent or permit the lighting of the lamp depending upon the position of the number-wheels and adapted to prevent the lighting of the lamp when all of the number-wheels are at zero and to permit the lighting of the lamp when any number-wheel is moved away from zero, and a manually-operable circuit-controller including an automatically-returning contact-member for maintaining a normally open circuit in control of the lighting circuits for all of the register-lamps, whereby the condition of any register may be 'observed at any time by operating the manually-operable circuit-controller.

16. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of registers each including number-wheels, of a register-lamp for each register, said lamps being connected in series, means controlled by each register for establishing a lighting circuit through its lamp when any number-wheel of the register moves away from zero, and means for maintaining the operativeness of the lighting circuit for any register-lamp independently of the condition as to operativeness of the lighting circuit for any other register-lamp.

17. In a computing machine, the combination with a register including a plurality of coaxially-arranged and peripherally-spaced number wheels, of dark substantially nonlight-refiecting filling pieces occupying successive spaces between the number-wheels for accentuating the visibility of the numerals on the number-wheels.

18. In a computing machine, the combination with a register having a frame part and including a plurality of coaxially-arranged and peripherally-spaced numberwhecls. of a supporting plate fixed on the frame part, and dark curved light-absorbing lingers formed in one piece with and extending from said plate into successive spaces between the spaced peripheries of the number-wheels substantially flush therewith for accent-uating the visibility of the numerals on the number-wheels,

19. In a computing machine. the combination with a register including a plurality of coaxiallyarranged and peripherally-spaced number-wheels, of a plurality of differently colored comparatively dark stationary light-absorbing-filling pieces arranged successively between the peripheries of the number-wheels substantially-flush therewith adjacent to the upper sides there of. some of the filling pieces being of a color distinctively different from the others for demarking the number-wheels into groups.

20. In a computing machine, the combination with a register having a frame part and including a plurality of coaXially-arranged and peripherally-spaced number-wheels, of a light-absorbing device for the numberwheels comprising a supporting plate secured to the frame part, and dark substantially non-light-refiecting curved fingers formed in one piece with the supporting plate and extending therefrom into successive spaces between the peripheries of the number-wheels substantially flush therewith adjacent the upper sides thereof for rendering the numerals on the number-wheels more easily readable.

21. In a computing.n1aehine, the combination with a register including a plurality of coaxially-arranged and peripherallyspaced number-wheels, and a casing having a sight-opening above the wheels and slightly forward of the vertical plane through the axis of the number-wheels, of a register-lamp for the register positioned in the casing just to the rear of the sight-opening to illuminate the upper sides of the number wheels and dark substantially non-light-reflecting filling pieces arranged successively between the peripheries of the number-wheels adjacent to the upper sides thereof and below the register-lamp for accentuating the illumination of the peripheries of the numberwheels by the register-lamp, said filling pieces extending across the field of sight through said sight-opening.

22. In a computing machine, the combination with a register, having a frame part and a plurality of coaXially-arranged and peripherally-spaced number-wheels, and a casing having a sight-opening above, the wheels and slightly forward of the vertical plane through the axis of the numberwheels, of a registerdight in the casing just to the rear of the sight-opening, for illuminating the upper sides of the peripheries of the number-wheels, and :1 light-absorbing device comprising a supporting plate secured to the frame part, and a plurality of dark substantially non-light-refleeting curved fingers formed in one piece with and extending from said plate between the peripheries of successively adjacent nuinber-wheels adjacent to the tops thereof and substantially flush therewith for accentuating the illumination of the number-wheels by the register-light, some of the fingers being of a color distinctively different from the others for thereby demarking the number-wheels into groups.

ALFRED E. OSWA Ll).

Witnesses:

CATHERINE A. NEWELL, JENNIE P. THORNE,

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