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US3359397A - Lockdown key mechanism - Google Patents

Lockdown key mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US3359397A
US3359397A US578663A US57866366A US3359397A US 3359397 A US3359397 A US 3359397A US 578663 A US578663 A US 578663A US 57866366 A US57866366 A US 57866366A US 3359397 A US3359397 A US 3359397A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
keystem
bail
arm
spring
key
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US578663A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John I Clark
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unisys Corp
Original Assignee
Sperry Rand Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sperry Rand Corp filed Critical Sperry Rand Corp
Priority to US578663A priority Critical patent/US3359397A/en
Priority to FR117060A priority patent/FR1546592A/fr
Priority to GB39948/67A priority patent/GB1165076A/en
Priority to DES111797A priority patent/DE1300325B/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3359397A publication Critical patent/US3359397A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06C—DIGITAL COMPUTERS IN WHICH ALL THE COMPUTATION IS EFFECTED MECHANICALLY
    • G06C7/00—Input mechanisms
    • G06C7/02—Keyboards
    • G06C7/04—Interlocking devices, e.g. between keys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • B41J5/18—Locks
    • B41J5/20—Locks for subsidiary keys, e.g. for shift keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/50—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
    • H01H13/56—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member the contact returning to its original state upon the next application of operating force
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20396—Hand operated
    • Y10T74/20468—Sliding rod

Definitions

  • foam 1. came. 5y ⁇ M am AGE/V7.
  • the present invention relates to a control mechanism and more particularly to a lockdown device operative in response to the position of an element adapted to actuate a movable member.
  • lockdown type control mechanisms for the keyboard portion of ofiice machines such as typewriters, calculators, or the like.
  • typewriters when it is desirous to employ upper case symbols and lettering, a particular key on the keyboard is depressed by the operator and simultaneously the key is locked down in the depressed position by a latching device actuated by the associated keystem.
  • related shifting mechanisms are actuated whereby subsequent depression of printing keys arranged on the keyboard will result in upper case printing during normal operation until the locked down key is released.
  • the release function is carried out in many instances by depression of an independent key which actuates an appropriate mechanism to effectively release the latching device. It is also not uncommon to effect the release of such locked down key by toggling the holding portion of the latching device by means of a mechanism actuated by urging the associated keystem in a lateral direction with respect to the keytop.
  • Another object is to provide a novel control mechanism wherein a control element is locked down after a first depression thereof and released by a second similar depression.
  • a further object is to provide a reliable mechanism wherein alternate positions of an output member are ob tained in response to successive similar operations of an input member.
  • Still a further object is to provide a novel control mechanism wherein a control element is alternately locked down and released in response to successive equal force depressions by the operator.
  • Yet another object is to provide a novel lockdown key mechanism which is alternately locked down and released in response to successive similardepressions of the key and wherein alternatively the release may be effected by an external mechanism notwithstanding key depression.
  • Still another object is to provide a highly reliable lockdown key mechanism which will not malfunction regardless of the force and rapidity of key depression.
  • the present invention contemplates a novel control mechanism for providing alternate positions of an output member in response to successive similar operations of an input member.
  • the output membar is associated with the movable contact element of a circuit interrupter and the alternate positions of the output member provide successive open and closed conditions of the circuit interrupter.
  • the associated circuit is alternately disposed in an open and closed condition, i.e., no signal and signal conditions alternately prevail in response to a substantially identical input signal.
  • the subject mechanism also lends itself for utilization in the keyboard of an ofiice machine, such as a calculator, where it is common to make keyboard entries which are applicable during several subsequent operations, e.g., a constant multiplier or divisor.
  • the mentioned embodiment contemplates an electrical switch having contacts associated with the position of a control element such as a keystem mounted for linear movement between a normal nondepressed position and a depressed control position.
  • the normal position corresponding to open contact disposition and the depressed position accordingly corresponds to the closed condition.
  • a trip arm carried thereby engages a pivotally mounted bail member which under control of means coupling the bail and trip arm moves an integral latching lug to a position at which return of the keystem to its normal position is deterred.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a keyboard device which incorporates one embodiment of the novel control mechanism
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side e-levational view of the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the parts of the novel control mechanism.
  • FIGS. 4-9 schematically show the various inter-related operational disposition of the parts of the control mechanism when the input member is reciprocated between its two operative positions in response to an external activating force.
  • a keyboard switching mechanism is generally designated by the reference numeral and indicates by way of example apparatus incorporating an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Mechanism 10 is adapted to operate the contacts of an electrical circuit interrupter or the like, generally designated by reference numeral 11, and represented for the purposes of this invention, as a two state switching device mounted by a bracket 12 and having an actuator member 13 that is biased normally in the position shown, corresponding to a first state.
  • Actuator member 13 as in a conventional switch actuator, is illustrated as a button which responds to depression thereof to establish a second state when so depressed, e.g., the closed condition of contacts (not shown) of circuit interrupter 11.
  • actuator member 13 When the keystem is in the position shown actuator member 13 is in its extended position and the contacts of circuit interrupter 11 remain open.
  • a depression of keystem 15 results in the latching down of the keystem to hold actuator member 13 depressed and the contacts of circuit interrupter 11 are thereby held closed.
  • the keystem is delatched (or released) and consequently the circuit interrupter is returned to its normally open condition.
  • mechanism 10 shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown for convenience, schematically and in exploded relationship in FIG. 3, includes a mounting frame 16 on which keystem 15 and circuit interrupter 11 are mounted for operative engagement. Keystem 15 is slidable with respect to frame 16 and is guided at the top through a slot 17 (FIG. 1) in a peripheral flange portion 18 of frame 16 extending outwardly therefrom. The cross section of slot 17 corresponds substantially to the extending keytop mounting portion 20 of keystem 15.
  • the keystem is also guided by means of a slot 24 extending upwardly from the lower edge of keystem 15.
  • the slot registers with a mounting rod 25 secured to frame 16.
  • a collar 26, or the like, is secured to rod 25 to limit the axial freedom of keystem 15 along rod 25 and thereby effectively provide a slot through which keystem 15 is guided.
  • keystem 15 is limited in downward and upward excursions by the length of slot 24 and protrusions 22 and 23, respectively.
  • a trip arm 27 is pivotally mounted to keystem 15 by a mounting stud 28. Rotation of arm 27 about stud 28 is limited by an extending finger 30 projecting outwardly from arm 27 and registering with a cutaway portion 31 of keystem 15. Thus, when trip arm 27 is caused to pivot, its travel is limited by the contact of finger 30 with the opposing side edges of cutaway portion 31. It should be noted that trip arm 27 is mounted on keystem 15 for independent pivotal action about stud 28 regardless of the relative position of keystem 15 with respect to frame 16.
  • bail member 32 for performing the latching function, generally designated by reference numeral 32, the pivotal excursion of which is limited by an integral lug 33 extending outwardly therefrom and projecting through a hole 34 in mounting frame 16.
  • bail 32 is generally U-shaped in configuration and is mounted on rod 25 by virtue of opposing mounting holes in the leg portions of such bail member, as illustrated in the exploded schematic View of FIG. 3.
  • the upper edge of hole 34 limits the travel of lug 33 and, likewise, when clockwise rotation takes place the excursion of bail 32 is limited by con tact between the bottom edge of hole 34 and lug 33.
  • bail 32 mounted as described above for rotation about rod 25 which is affixed to frame 16, includes two integral lug portions 35 and 36 extending inwardly therefrom for selective operative engagement with the lower edge 37 of trip arm 27 in a manner to be described hereinafter.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show a ledge portion 38 of trip arm 27, which ledge portion serves to assure proper depth alignment and facilitates engagement between the lower edge 37 of arm 27 and integral lug portions 35 and 36.
  • Bail 32 further includes a latching lug 40, extending outwardly therefrom with respect to frame 16. At the limit of the clockwise excursion of bail 32, latching lug 40 is adapted to register with a notch 41 in keystem 15 when the keystem is in its lowermost position as determined by interaction between limiting slot 24 and mounting rod 25.
  • toggle spring 42 which comprises several coil sections and diverging end arm portions 43 and 44.
  • the spring is mounted between an axially disposed stud .5 on trip arm 27 and a stud 46 on upwardly extending mounting arm 47 on bail 32.
  • an urging force may be exerted by spring end arm portions 43 and 44 on studs 45 and 46, respectively, which in turn bias trip arm 27 and hail 32 and accordingly provide moments about stud 28 and rod 25.
  • trip arm 27 is urged in a counter-clockwise direction about stud 28 by means of the compressive force of spring 42 applied through end arm portion 43 and bail 32 is likewise urged in a counter-clockwise direction about rod 25 through spring end arm portion 44.
  • the force exerted on trip arm 27 also urges keystem 15 upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. Freedom of movement provides for the biasing of keystem 15 with protrusions 22 and 23 resting against flange 18 as a result of force transmitted from spring 42 acting against bail 32 rotated to its most counter-clockwise position and arm 27 also in its most counter-clockwise position.
  • actuator member 13 remains in its extended condition, i.e., circuit interrupter 11.is in its normally open position.
  • a leaf spring 48 is secured to a pin 50 extending from mounting bracket 12 and is resiliently urged against the lower edge of keystem 15.
  • the disposition of spring 48 permits actuator member 13 to extend in its normally open condition when keystem 15 is in the normal position (FIG. 1).
  • actuator member 13 retracts under the force of spring 48 and circuit interrupter 11 goes to the closed position.
  • a torsion spring 51 is provided for such purpose.
  • An integral L-shaped arm 52 extends from spring 51 and registers with slot 53 for urging keystem 15 upwardly.
  • Various combinations of spring tension and slot contours enable preselection of any desired feel; however, the presense of spring 51 is not absolutely essential to restore keystem 15 to its normal position, in that toggle spring 42 can readily perform that function, as explained hereinabove.
  • FIGS. 49 schematically show various interrelated disposition of the elements described above during intermediate .states of latching and delatching of the keystem, the specific elements of the control mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described during various operational steps.
  • the elements are'disposed in the relationship shown in FIG. 1.
  • hole 60 is shown in the keytop mounting portion 20 to illustrate the relationship between the slidably mounted keystem 15 and the fixed mounting frame 16.
  • the hole is disposed midway between keytop 14 and flange portion 18.
  • a subsequent depression of keystem 15 causes bail 27 to impinge on lug 35 of bail 32 as shown in FIG. 7.
  • latching lug 40 is rotated out of notch 41 as bail 32 is snapped counter-clockwise due to the resulting opposite moment applied as a consequence of the position change of toggle spring 42 (FIG. 8).
  • trip arm 27 is permitted to rotate counterclockwise to its original position and the keystem is urged upwardly (FIG. 9) until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the circuit interrupter is thereby returned to its original condition associated with the normal rest position of the elements (FIG. 1).
  • a lockdown key mechanism comprising,
  • said biasing means including means for operatively coupling said keystem and said latch means
  • said coupling means including trip means carried by said keystem for engagingly rotating said latch means to said restraining position when said keystem is moved to a predetermined longitudinal position from said normal position against said biasing means, whereby said keystem is retained in said control position.
  • trip means comprise an arm pivotally mounted on said keystem and movable relative thereto to first and second predetermined positions, said arm being operable in said first position to engage said latch means when said keystem is moved from said normal position to said predetermined longitudinal position, and said arm being operable in said second position to engage said latch means for rotation thereof to release said keystem from said control position when said keystem is moved from said control position to said predetermined longitudinal position.
  • said toggle spring comprises a coil spring under compression, having diverging end portions extending tangentially outwardly from said coil, said spring end portions being secured to said arm and said latch means respectively whereby the disposition of said spring provides alternately a force and a counter force respectively to rotatively urge said latch means in said extended and retracted positions.
  • said keystem includes an integral shoulder portion
  • said latch means comprise a bail member including a latching lug extending in the path of said shoulder for effecting physial engagement therewith under conditions where said toggle spring rotates said latch to said retracted position.
  • switch means including contacts
  • bail means pivotally mounted on said mounting means and adapted for operable engagement with said trip arm, said bail means being selectively driven relative to said keystem by said trip arm to an extended position and to a retracted position
  • said biasing means operatively associated with said bail means for selectively urging said trip arm to said first and second predetermined positions for operable engagement with said bail means when said bail means is disposed respectively in said extended and retracted positions
  • said bail means including means :for restraining said keystem in said second position when said bail means is driven to said retracted position, whereby said contacts are retained closed when said keystem is translated to said second position in response to associated movement of said key member.
  • said keystem includes an integral shoulder portion
  • said means for restraining comprise an integral latching lug portion of said bail means
  • said trip arm is pivotally mounted on said keystem and said means operatively associated with said bail means includes a compressed toggle spring having diverging end portions extending outwardly therefrom, said toggle spring end portions being secured to said trip arm and said bail means respectively, whereby said toggle spring provides a rotative force to urge said bail means and dispose said lug portion in the longitudinal path of said shoulder portion of said keystem to effect retentive of said control element in said control position, and said toggle spring provides a counter-rotative force to release the bail means when said keystem is moved from said control position to said predetermined longitudinal position by said key member.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US578663A 1966-09-12 1966-09-12 Lockdown key mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3359397A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US578663A US3359397A (en) 1966-09-12 1966-09-12 Lockdown key mechanism
FR117060A FR1546592A (fr) 1966-09-12 1967-08-07 Mécanisme de commande
GB39948/67A GB1165076A (en) 1966-09-12 1967-08-31 Control Mechanism for Typewriters, Calculators, etc.
DES111797A DE1300325B (de) 1966-09-12 1967-09-08 Verriegelungsvorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US578663A US3359397A (en) 1966-09-12 1966-09-12 Lockdown key mechanism

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3359397A true US3359397A (en) 1967-12-19

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ID=24313786

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US578663A Expired - Lifetime US3359397A (en) 1966-09-12 1966-09-12 Lockdown key mechanism

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3359397A (de)
DE (1) DE1300325B (de)
GB (1) GB1165076A (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3406589A (en) * 1967-10-18 1968-10-22 F & F Entpr Inc Push-push switch structures
US3688234A (en) * 1970-04-27 1972-08-29 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Push button type circuit protector

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3312808A (en) * 1965-03-17 1967-04-04 Allen Bradley Co Mechanically latched contactor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2053886A (en) * 1934-11-27 1936-09-08 Vaco Products Inc Control device
US2720961A (en) * 1954-03-31 1955-10-18 Ibm Key latching and release mechanism
US2933946A (en) * 1957-02-08 1960-04-26 Motorola Inc Safety positioning device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3312808A (en) * 1965-03-17 1967-04-04 Allen Bradley Co Mechanically latched contactor

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3406589A (en) * 1967-10-18 1968-10-22 F & F Entpr Inc Push-push switch structures
US3688234A (en) * 1970-04-27 1972-08-29 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Push button type circuit protector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1300325B (de) 1969-07-31
GB1165076A (en) 1969-09-24

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