US3674201A

US3674201A - Numerical data transfer device

Info

Publication number: US3674201A
Application number: US12175A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicolo Giolitti
Original assignee: Olivetti SpA
Current assignee: Telecom Italia SpA; Olivetti SpA
Priority date: 1969-02-20
Filing date: 1970-02-18
Publication date: 1972-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-04
Also published as: DE7006680U; FR2037106A1; JPS4924718B1; DE2008530C3; BE745231A; FR2037106B1; JPS4924717B1; AU1117170A; DE2008549A1; DE2008536A1; OA03441A; DE2008539A1; NL7001788A; CH512789A; DE2008528A1; DE2008530B2; JPS4938760B1; DE2008559A1; CH500557A; GB1300762A

Abstract

A numerical data transfer device including an input store, a variably positionable output member and a transfer member. The device also includes means for relatively displacing the transfer member and the input store in a first direction, and an actuating means cooperable with the input store during said relative displacement for shifting the transfer member in a second direction. The device further includes means for connecting the transfer member to the output member for positioning the output member in response to the shifting of the transfer member.

Description

O Umted States Patent 1151 3,674,201 Giolitti July 4, 1972 [54] NUMERICAL DATA TRANSFER [56] References Cited DEVICE UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor: Nicolo Gio1itti,lvrea, ltaly 3,065,904 11/1962 Parker ..235/61 PC 3,313,481 4/1967 Kondur, Jr. et al. ..235/61 PC [73] Assgnee' 3,373,933 3/1968 Pfleger ...235/6l PC Y 3,504,163 3/1970 010111116: al. ..235/60 R [22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1970 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky PP NOJ 121175 Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT A numerical data transfer device including an input store, a Feb. 20, 1969 Italy ..50659 A/69 variably positionable output member and a transfer member The device also includes means for relatively displacing the l 235/61 235/61 transfer member and the input store in a first direction, and an 235/61 R actuating means cooperable with the input store during said [51] lnt.Cl. ..G06c 3/00, 006g 1/00 relative displacement for shifting the transfer member in a [58] Field of Sear h 235/61 R, 61 PA, 61 PB, 61 PC second direction. The device further includes means for con- 235/61 PE necting the transfer member to the output member for posilllT tioning the output member in response to the shifting of the transfer member.

24 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmenwn m2 315%211201 SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR. NICOLO GIOLITTI PATENTEDJUL "'4 I972 3. 6 74. 2 01

sum

2 or 2 Fig. 5

Fig. 6

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices for transferring numerical data, and specifically to a device which includes a plurality of relatively displaceable mechanical elements for transferring numerical data.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of devices are known which include relatively displaceable mechanical elements for transferring numerical data. Such devices commonly are used in calculating and other business machines in which numerical data must be transferred from one or more parts of the machine to other parts thereof. The elements employed in the prior art devices of this type include stepped drums, racks, stops and accumulator wheels. These elements are relatively bulky and must be precision machined to provide the necessary accuracy. Thus, the prior art numerical data transfer devices are relatively heavy and cumbersome, and are relatively expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The numerical data transfer device of the present invention obviates the bulkiness and expense of the prior art devices.

Generally described, the device of the invention includes an input store, a variably positionable output member, a transfer member, and the improvement comprising means for relatively displacing the transfer member and the input store in a first direction by a constant amount, actuating means associated with transfer member and cooperable with the input store during said relative displacement to cause the transfer member to shift in a second direction, and means for connecting the transfer member to the output member for positioning the output member in response to said shifting of the transfer member in said second direction.

The relative displacement between the transfer member and input store in the first direction may be rotational displacement of the transfer member with respect to the input store, and the shifting of the transfer member in the second direction may be rectilinear shifting of the transfer member axially thereof.

The elements of the device may be of relatively small dimensions and only relatively small amounts of relative movement therebetween are required to effect the transfer of numerical data from the input store to the output member. Moreover, due to the relatively low forces which attend interaction of the elements, such elements can be made from a relatively low strength, low mass material, such as a plastic material.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for transferring numerical data.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device as described in the preceding object which includes a plurality of relatively movable mechanical elements for transferring numerical data.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device as described in the preceding object in which only relatively small amounts of relative movement between the elements are required to effect the transfer of numerical data.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a numerical data transfer device which includes an input store, a transfer member and an output member and in which numerical data is transferred incident to relative displacement of the transfer member and the input store in a first direction and shifting of the transfer member in a second direction.

It is another object of the invention to provide a numerical data transfer device which includes a plurality of relatively moveable mechanical elements for effecting the transfer of numerical data and in which the forces which attend interaction of the elements are relatively small.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a numerical data transfer device which is relatively light-weight, compact and economical to manufacture, and which is reliable and ac curate.

As indicated by the foregoing objects and general description, the numerical data transfer device of the present invention is ideally suited for use in calculating and other business machines. In addition, the devicealso may be employed advantageously in any apparatus or system in which numerical data must be transferred from one to another part thereof, such as specialized production machineryand the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The device of the invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a development of the transfer members of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a development of the transfer member of the device shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on VI-VI of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the device of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3, and comprises a numerical data transfer device disposed between the numerical keyboard and a setting store of a calculating machine.

The numerical keyboard comprises ten

keys

23, 24 corresponding to the digits zero through nine and each of which includes an integral shank 34 (the key 23 for the digit four is shown in FIG. 3). Each shank 34 terminates in a shaped projection 41 which is pivotally mounted in a recess 42 formed in the frame of the calculating machine to thus pivotally mount the associated key 23, 24in the frame of the machine.

The input store of the transfer device comprises a plurality of individually movable, settable input members corresponding to the number of individual digits transferrable by the device, and specifically, ten sliders 44 (FIG. 3) associated with the

keys

23 and 24. Sliders 44 are slidably mounted in two

combs

46 and 47 affixed to the frame of the machine. Each slider 44 is pulled to the left as seen in the drawings by a spring 49, and bears by means of an integral projection 48 against a setting projection 50 which forms an integral part of the shank 34 of the corresponding key 23.

Each slider 44 also includes an integral projection 56 (FIG. 3) for cooperating with a transfer member constituted by a hollow drum 57. Drum 57 and sliders 44 are relatively displaceable in a first direction by a constant amount, and specifically, drum 57 is adapted to be rotated with respect to projections 56 of the sliders by a constant amount. Drum 57 preferably is made from a plastic material and has two diametrically opposite slots 58 on the inside thereof. Slots 58 slidably engage two keys 59 of a sleeve 60 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 61. Drum 57 is thus mounted for rotational movement and rectilinear axial movement.

The transfer device also includes actuating means associated with the transfer member, i.e. drum 57, and cooperable with the input store, i.e. sliders 44, for causing the transfer member to shift in a second direction during the relative displacement between the transfer member and input store in the first direction. Such means comprise four camming surfaces defined by inclined raised

portions

62, 63, 64 and 65 on the outer surface of drum 57, each of which has an inclined edge 66 (FIG. 2) adapted to selectively and individually engage projections 56 of sliders 44. Thus, as drum 57 is rotated by sleeve 60, the drum is simultaneously shifted axially thereof by an amount determined by which slider 44 has been set, i.e. by

being shifted to the right as seen in the drawings, due to the interaction between one of the edges 66 and the projection 56 of the set slider 44. Each inclined edge 66 terminates in a rectilinear section 67 parallel to sliders 44 and forming onehalf of a groove through which only one projection 56 can pass at a time. The groove corresponding to raised portion 63 is formed between the respective section 67 and a parallel edge 68 of another raised portion 69. The grooves corresponding to raised portions 62 and 65 are formed between the respective sections 67 and parallel edges 71 of raised

portions

63 and 64, respectively. The groove corresponding to raised portion 64 is formed between the respective section 67 and a parallel edge 72 of another raised portion 73.

The various inclined edges 66 are equally inclined and are duplicated for the purpose of distributing sliders 44 therealong in such manner as to space the individual sliders apart a distance which is twice the minimum axial movement step of drum 57. More particularly, drum 57 normally occupies a datum position which is the axial position corresponding to the digit zero and in which the slider 44 of the digit zero is aligned with the groove of raised portion 64 (FIG. 2). The sliders 44 of the digits two and four are cooperable with the inclined edge 66 of raised portion 64, and the sliders 44 of the digits one and three are cooperable with the inclined edge 66 of raised portion 65. The sliders 44 of the digits five, seven and nine are cooperable with the edge 66 of raised portion 63, and the sliders 44 of the digits six and eight are cooperable with the edge 66 of raised portion 62.

The digit represented by each slider 44 is indicated in FIG. 2 for clarity. Upon examination of FIG. 2, it will be apparent that drum 57 can assume four axial positions below the datum position for the digits one to four, and five axial positions above the datum position for the digits five to nine. Significantly, the axial positions of drum 57 do not directly correspond to the values of the digits to be represented, but rather the digits most frequently used, i.e. zero and five, require the minimum amount of drum movement.

Raised portion 69 also defines an inclined edge 74 which is symmetrical with the edge 66 of raised portion 63. A zeroizing member defined by a tongue 76 is normally engaged by the groove between raised

portions

63 and 69, i.e. when drum 57 is in the datum position, and is engageable by edge 74 or by the edge 66 of raised portion 63 for moving the drum back to the datum position after one of the edges 66 has disengaged the projection 56 of a set slider 44, i.e. after the drum has been shifted in the second direction. The tongue is integral with a plate 77 (FIGS. 1 and 3) affixed to the frame of the machine.

Drum 57 also is provided with two circumferentially disposed raised portions 78 which are parallel to sliders 44 and have a diameter greater than that of raised

portions

62, 63, 64 and 65. Raised portions 78 form a groove 79 therebetween (FIGS. 1 and 3) adapted to cooperate with a movable output member provided for each order of the calculating machine. The output members are part of a setting store indicated generally by the reference numeral 80. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, store 80 includes eight output members comprised by eight sliders 81 (FIGS. 1 and 3) slidably mounted for rectilinear movement in a series of slots 82 in a second drum 83 disposed parallel to and adjacent drum 57 Drum 83 also preferably is made of a plastic material and is fixed to a shaft 84, the lower end of which is axially slidable and rotatable in the frame of the machine. The upper end of shaft 84 (FIG. 1) is provided with a blind hole 88 in which one end 89 of a shaft 91 may be engaged. Shaft 91 also is rotatably mounted in the frame of the machine.

Each slider 81 is provided with a plurality of teeth 92 preferably having a pitch of less than 1 mm. This pitch constitutes the step of the transfer device, i.e. the minimum axial step of drum 57, for transferring numerical data from the keyboard to the setting store. Teeth 92 are normally engaged with a circular lip 93 (FIG, 3) defined by plate 77, and are adapted to be engaged by raised portions 78 on drum 57. Circular lip 93 is provided with an interruption 94 adjacent drum 57 which is adapted to permit one slider 81 at a time to move rectilinearly, i.e. shift axially of drum 83 upon engagement of the slider by portions 78.

Drum 57, in addition to raised

portions

62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 73 and 78 (FIG. 2) hereinbefore described, also is provided with a second series of raised portions 62', 63', 64, 65',69', 73', and 78' similar to the first-mentioned raised portions. Raised

portions

62, 63, 64, 65, 69 and 73 occupy an angular development of 90, with

inclined edges

66 and 74 occupying 80 and

rectilinear edges

67, 68, 71 and 72 occupying 10; while raised portions 78 are circumferentially adjacent the first-mentioned raised portions and occupy an angular development of another 80. Projections 56 (FIG. 3) of sliders 44 are spaced from tongue 76 by about 90.

The device also includes means for rotating sleeve 60 to thereby rotate drum 57 with respect to sliders 44. Such means include a pinion 107 (FIG. 1) fixed to sleeve 60 and a gear 108 which meshes with the pinion. Gear 108 includes a hub 109 having a series of radial slots 110 therein, two of which are normally engaged by two pins 111 fixed to shaft 84. The transmission ratio between gear 108 and pinion 107 is such that by rotating shaft 84 through 45, i.e. one angular step, sleeve 60 is rotated through 180.

As will be apparent, since the transfer cycle of each digit requires that drum 57 be rotated through 180, i.e. one-half revolution, the number of series of raised portions on the drum is two (one

series comprising portions

62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 73 and 78 and the other

series comprising portions

62', 63', 64', 65, 69, 73 and 78'). The drum could be rotated a greater or lesser fraction of a revolution for each transfer cycle, in which instance a greater or lesser number of series of raised portions would be required. Thus, the number of series of raised portions required is the positive integer which equals the denominator of such revolutional fraction, the numerator thereof being unity.

Normally, sliders 81 of setting store are at a datum position representing the digit zero, as shown in FIG. 1. Upon the depression of a key 23 or 24, the respective shank 34 (FIG. 3) is pivoted counterclockwise about the associated projection 41. Projection 50 of the pivoted shank 34 then acts on the corresponding slider 44 to shift such slider to the right as seen in the drawings, i.e. setting the slider. The projection 56 of the set slider 44 is then brought into the path of one of the inclined edges 66 (FIG. 2) of drum 57. Shaft 84 is then rotated clockwise through one angular step by a conventional drive means (not shown) which causes the pinion 107 to rotate counterclockwise through together with sleeve 60 and drum 57.

At the beginning of the rotation of drum 57, the section 67 of raised portion 63 and section 68 (FIG. 2), which move in the direction of the arrow 114 relative to tongue 76, release the tongue so that drum 57 is free to shift axially on sleeve 60. Thereafter, the inclined edge 66 adjacent the slider 44 which has been set engages the projection 56 of such slider, as a result of which drum 57 is shifted axially from the datum position to the axial position corresponding to the digit of the key 23 depressed. This position is reached when the rectilinear section 67 of the engaging inclined edge 66, engages the projection 56 of the set slider 44. Since the rectilinear section 67 forms part of a groove which permits the passage of the engaged projection 56 therethrough without any appreciable lateral play, drum 57 is positioned exactly without reboundmg,

Simultaneously, drum 83 (FIG. 3) is rotated clockwise with a reduction ratio of l/4 with respect to drum 57. The slider 81 which is to be set (in FIG. 3 the one immediately below the plane defined by the axes of shafts 61 and 84) is brought into correspondence with interruption 94 at the instant when drum 57 is positioned exactly as described hereinbefore, i.e. when the engaged projection 56 passes through the groove partially defined by the section 67 of the engaging inclined edge 66. As rotation of drum 57 continues, the rectilinear section 67 (FIG. 2) disengages the projection 56 of the slider 44 which has been set. Raised portions 78 then engage teeth 92 of the slider 81 to be set, connecting such slider to drum 57.

Simultaneously, raised portions 63 and 69' are brought into correspondence with tongue 76, which is engaged by one of the respective inclined edges 66' and 74, as a result of which drum 57 is brought back exactly to the datum position. During this return movement of drum 57, raised portions 78 shift the slider 81 to be set (FIG. 1) axially of drum 83 so that such slider is set by a stroke equal and opposite to the previous axial movement of drum 57, the slider thus being brought into a position corresponding to the digit of the key 23, 24 depressed. Immediately afterwards, tongue 76 is engaged by parallel sections 67 and 68' (FIG. 2), while raised portions 78' disengage the set slider 81 (FIG. 1). Finally, in the last part of the 180 rotation of drum 57, teeth 92 of the set slider 81 engage circular lip 93, as a result of which the set slider 81 remains locked in the position reached. The key 23 or 24 corresponding to the digit of the following order can now be depressed and the cycle is repeated in similar manner.

It is to be noted that the setting of the digit zero does not entail any axial shifting of drum 57 or of the slider 81 to be set, whereas the setting of the digit five entails the shifting of drum 57 by one step, as a result of which the slider 81 to be set is shifted downwardly, as seen in the drawings, by one step. The setting of the digits lower than five entails a shifting of the slider 81 to be set upwardly from the zero position by a corresponding number of steps; whereas the setting of the digits higher than five entails a shifting of the slider to be set downwardly by a number of steps equal to the difference between the digit to be set and five, starting from the five position.

Each slider 81 also is provided with a tooth 220 (FIG. 1) which is adapted to be read by one of ten sliders 216 corresponding to the digits zero through nine. Sliders 216 transfer the numerical data represented by the positions of teeth 220, and therefore of sliders 81, to the accumulator of the calculating machine.

Each slider 81 is moreover provided with a zeroizing projection defined by a tooth 221 adapted to cooperate with another drum 222 which is fixed on shaft 61 and also preferably is made from a plastic material. Drum 222 is provided with two raised

portions

223 and 224 defining

inclined edges

226 and 227, respectively, (FIG. 2) which converge toward each other and define a groove 228 therebetween. After all of the digits of a particular number have been transferred to setting store 80 and transferred from the setting store to the accumulator of the machine, shaft 61, through a gear train and power source (not shown), rotates shaft 91 through 45 upon each revolution of shaft 61 (sleeve 60 and drum 57 remaining stationary). The upper end of drum 83 (FIG. 1) is provided with eight radial recesses 229 similar to recesses 110 and in which there can be engaged two pins 230 fixed to shaft 91. Pins 230 are normally disengaged from recesses 229, as a result of which shaft 91 normally has no effect on drum 83.

To reset sliders 81, drum 83 is shiftable axially to disengage pins 111 and to engage pins 230 to thereby connect the drum to shaft 91. Thereafter, by rotating shaft 91, drum 83 also is rotated. Drum 222 thus sequentially engages the tooth 221 of each of the previously set sliders 81 by means of one of inclined edges 226 and 227 (FIG. 2) of raised

portions

223 and 224, and moves each slider back to the datum position. The settings of the orders of store 80 are thus zeroized.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6, and comprises a numerical data transfer device disposed between a store (not shown) and a printing mechanism. This transfer device comprises an input store formed by ten sliders 155, each of which is provided with a projection 276 (FIG. 6) adapted to cooperate with a transfer member constituted by a drum 277, which preferably is made of a plastic material. Drum 277 is axially slidably mounted on a shaft 143, but is angularly fixed to the shaft, and is provided with two raised portions 278 and 279 (FIG. 4) defining

inclined edges

281 and 282, respectively, such edges converging toward each other and defining a groove 283 (FIG. 5).

Inclined edges

281 and 282 occupy an angular development of 150 on drum 277. A fixed blade 284 is engaged by groove 283 when the device is at rest.

Drum 277 (FIG. 4) extends upwardly as seen in the drawings and includes an elongated cylindrical portion 286. Portion 286 is provided with a tooth 287 adapted to cooperate with a series of notches 288 provided in a fixed plate 289. Portion 286 also is provided with a series of annular grooves 291 which engage a pinion 292 (FIG. 4). The pinion is fixed on a shaft 293 rotatable in the frame of the machine. Also fixed on shaft 293 is a drum 294 carrying a column of ten embossed types or characters 296 for the digits zero through nine. A hammer 297 cooperates in known manner with drum 294 to selectively print the digits on a paper 32. The portion of drum 294 normally presented in front of hammer 297 is the gap between the types 296 of the digits four and five.

When one of the sliders is set by the total device of the calculating machine, i.e. shifted to the left, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6, and the shaft 143 is rotated clockwise (FIG. 6), groove 283 first disengages projection 284 and the projection 276 of the set slider is then engaged by one of

inclined edges

281 and 282. The set slider 155 is locked in the shifted position by a pivotally mounted bail controlled by a cam 163 (FIG. 6). As a result of the engagement of

edge

281 or 282 with projection 276 of the set slider 155, drum 277 is shifted selectively upwardly for the digits zero to four or downwardly for the digits five to nine.

correspondingly, by means of the grooves 291 and the pinion 292, drum 277 (FIG. 4) causes shaft 293 to rotate in one direction or the other together with drum 294. When projection 276 of the set slider 155 is engaged in the groove 283 (FIG. 4), drum 294 will have been rotated to a position in which the character of the digit represented by the set slider 155 is presented in front of hammer 297. Simultaneously, tooth 287 (FIG. 4) is engaged by one of notches 288 in plate 289, thus holding drum 286 in the selected position and aligning the selected type 296 with the hammer. Thereafter, hammer 297 performs a striking action to print the selected character on paper 32.

As drum 277 continues to rotate,

inclined edges

281 and 282 engage projection 284 and the drum is axially shifted back to the datum position. Also, cam 163 pivots bail 160 to unlock the set slider 155 so that such slider can be returned to the inoperative position. The transfer device is then ready to transfer another digit to the printing mechanism.

While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of two specific embodiments of the numerical data transfer device of the invention, it is recognized that various modifications thereof adapted for use in various apparatus and systems will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim: 1. In a device for transferring numerical data including an input store, a variably positionable output member and a transfer member, the improvement comprising:

means for relatively displacing said transfer member and said input store in a first direction by a constant amount;

actuating means associated with the transfer member and cooperable with the input store during said relative displacement to cause the transfer member to shift in a second direction; and

means for connecting the transfer member to said output member for positioning the output member in response to said shifting of the transfer member in said second direction.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said relative displacement in said first direction constitutes rotational displacement of said transfer member with respect to said input store, and said shifting in said second direction constitutes rectilinear shifting of said transfer member axially of the rotational axis thereof.

3. A device as recited in claim 1; wherein said actuating means includes at least one inclined edge on the transfer member engageable with the input store; and wherein said connecting means includes an element affixed to the transfer member for engaging the output member.

4. A device as recited in claim 3; wherein said input store comprises a plurality of selectively movable, individually settable members corresponding to the number of individual digits transferrable by said device, each of said settable members, when set, being engageable by said inclined edge; and wherein said device further comprises a zeroizing member engageable by said inclined edge for moving the transfer member back to a datum position after the inclined edge has disengaged any set one of said settable members.

5. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein said actuating means includes at least two of said inclined edges, said edges converging toward each other to form a groove therebetween, said groove being wide enough to engage only one of the group consisting of one of said settable members and said zeroizing member at one time, said groove normally engaging said zeroizing member; and wherein the transfer member is positioned at said datum position when said groove engages said zeroizing member.

6. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said transfer member comprises a cyclically rotatable, axially shiftable drum, and said inclined edge is defined by an inclined raised portion on the outer surface of said drum.

7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein said engaging element comprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed, parallel raised portions on the outer surface of said drum, said circumferentially disposed portions extending through an are less than the entire circumference of said drum.

8. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said output members, said output members being sequentially connectable to the transfer member by said connecting means so that a multiple order number may be transferred by said device.

9. A device as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said output members comprises a rectilinearly shiftable slider engageable by said connecting means.

10. A device as recited in claim 9; wherein said sliders are mounted on a cyclically intermittently rotatable drum positioned adjacent the transfer member; and wherein said device further comprises a locking member defining a circular lip engageable with said sliders for locking the sliders in position on said drum, said lip having an interruption therein adjacent the transfer member for sequentially releasing the sliders for engagement by the connecting means.

II. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein said actuating means includes a plurality of said inclined edges, all of said edges being equally inclined; and wherein said settable members are positioned adjacent and distributed along said edges and are individually spaced apart a distance greater than the minimum shifting step of the transfer member in said second direction.

12. A device as recited in claim 7; further comprising a zeroizing member engageable by said inclined edge for moving the transfer member back to a datum position after the inclined edge has disengaged the input store; and wherein said inclined raised portion and said circumferentially disposed raised portions extend through equal, circumferentially adjacent arcs, and said circumferentially disposed raised portions are engageable with said output member for positioning the output member while said inclined edge is engaged with said zeroizing member.

13. A device as recited in claim 12; wherein said drum is adapted to be rotated a constant predetermined fraction of a revolution during the transfer cycle of each digit transferred by said device, the numerator of said fraction being unity and the denominator of said fraction being a positive integer; and wherein a plurality of said circumferentially adjacent inclined portions and circumferentially disposed portion pairs are disposed in circumferential adjacency on the outer surface of the drum corresponding to the denormnator of said fraction;

and wherein said zeroizing member is engageable by an inclined edge rotatively following the inclined edge last engaged with the input store.

14. A device for transferring numerical data comprising:

a frame;

at least one movable input member mounted on said frame;

at least one movable output member mounted on said frame;

a movable transfer member mounted on said frame for rectilinear and rotational movement, said transfer member including carnming means and engaging means, said input member being selectively movable into the rotational path of said carnming means and said output member being engageable by said engaging means; and

means associated with the transfer member for shifting the transfer member rectilinearly relative to a datum position by an amount dependent upon the interaction between the camming means and the input member, and for moving the output member relative to an initial position upon engagement of the engaging means with the output member by an amount dependent upon said first-mentioned interaction and the interaction between the engaging means and the output member.

15. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input and output members are mounted for rectilinear movement.

16. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input member is mounted for rectilinear movement, and said output member is mounted for rotational movement.

17. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input member comprises a slider disposed adjacent said carnming means and mounted for rectilinear movement.

18. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said transfer member comprises a drum.

19. A device as recited in claim 18, wherein said carnming means comprises at least one inclined edge on said drum.

20. A device as recited in claim 19, wherein said inclined edge is defined by an inclined raised portion on the outer surface of said drum.

21. A device as recited in claim 18; wherein said engaging means comprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed raised portions on the outer surface of said drum; and wherein said output member comprises a slider disposed adjacent said raised portions and mounted for rectilinear movement.

22. A device as recited in claim 18; wherein said engaging means comprises a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves in the outer surface of said drum; and wherein said output member comprises a pinion disposed adjacent said grooves and mounted for rotational movement.

23. A device as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for returning the transfer member to said datum position after said first-mentioned interaction; and wherein the engaging means is engageable with the output member only during said return movement.

24. A device as recited in claim 14; further comprising means for returning the transfer member to said datum position after said first-mentioned interaction; and wherein the engaging means is engaged with the output member during said first-mentioned interaction.

I i i

Claims

1. In a device for transferring numerical data including an input store, a variably positionable output member and a transfer member, the improvement comprising: means for relatively displacing said transfer member and said input store in a first direction by a constant amount; actuating means associated with the transfer member and cooperable with the input store during said relative displacement to cause the transfer member to shift in a second direction; and means for connecting the transfer member to said output member for positioning the output member in response to said shifting of the transfer member in said second direction.

7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein said engaging element comprises at least one pair of circumferentially disposed, parallel raised portions on the outer surface of said drum, said circumferentially disposed portions extending through an arc less than the entire circumference of said drum.

11. A device as recited in claim 4; wherein said actuating means includes a plurality of said inclined edges, all of said edges being equally inclined; and wherein said settable members are positioned adjacent and distributed along said edges and are individually spaced apart a distance greater than the minimum shifting step of the transfer member in said second direction.

13. A device as recited in claim 12; wherein said drum is adapted to be rotated a constant predetermined fraction of a revolution during the transfer cycle of each digit transferred by said device, the numerator of said fraction being unity and the denominator of said fraction being a positive integer; and wherein a plurality of said circumferentially adjacent inclined portions and circumferentially disposed portion pairs are disposed in circumferential adjacency on the outer surface of the drum corresponding to the denominator of said fraction; and wherein said zeroizing member is engageable by an inclined edge rotatively following the inclined edge last engaged with the input store.

14. A device for transferring numerical data comprising: a frame; at least one movable input member mounted on said frame; at least one movable output member mounted on said frame; a movable transfer member mounted on said frame for rectilinear and rotational movement, said transfer member including camming means and engaging means, said input member being selectively movable into the rotational path of said camming means and said output member being engageable by said engaging means; and means associated with the transfer member for shifting the transfer member rectilinearly relative to a datum position by an amount dependent upon the interaction between the camming means and the input member, and for moving the output member relative to an initial position upon engagement of the engaging means with the output member by an amount dependent upon said first-mentioned interaction and the interaction between the engaging means and the output member.

17. A device as recited in claim 14, wherein said input member comprises a slider disposed adjacent said camming means and mounted for rectilinear movement.

19. A device as recited in claim 18, wherein said camming means comprises at least one inclined edge on said drum.