JP2012024967A - One hand braille typewriter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a one hand braille typewriter which can be operated easily with one hand based on a key arrangement corresponding to arrangement of six braille components by taking advantage of a fact that a braille is specified by a braille structure consisting of six braille components.SOLUTION: When the input key 22 of a print lever member 20a out of six print lever members is depressed, a rocking lever 21 of the print lever member 20a rocks with reference to a support member 50 and moves a front side lever 21c upward so that a corresponding part of a tape 70 is projected by the print part thereof. Remaining print lever members operate similarly and each corresponding part of the tape 70 is projected by each print part. Consequently, a braille is printed on the tape.

Description

  The present invention relates to a braille typewriter, and more particularly, to a one-handed braille turner capable of inputting braille with one hand.

  In recent years, earthquake disasters and floods have occurred in various places. Naturally, visually impaired people such as those with severe amblyopia and those with total blindness who are affected in such disaster areas are also subject to relief and are protected. It must be done.

  However, the current situation is that these vulnerable people who are suffering from visual impairments are left behind. Therefore, in order to correct this, it is essential to transmit information in Braille to protect the visually impaired at the evacuation shelter in the disaster area. This means that braille typewriters are essential even at shelters.

JP 2001-166684 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 20-268756

  However, there are only Braille typewriters such as practice devices such as the finger Braille device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 and complicated operations such as the electronic Braille device described in the Patent Document 2.

  Therefore, in order to cope with the above, the present invention utilizes the fact that Braille is specified by a Braille component composed of six Braille components, and a key array corresponding to an array of six Braille components. It is an object of the present invention to provide a one-handed Braille typewriter that can be easily operated with one hand.

In solving the above-mentioned problems, the one-hand Braille typewriter according to the present invention, according to the description of claim 1,
Left and right with first to third braille components (Fa, Ma, Ra) and fourth to sixth braille components (Fb, Mb, Rb) respectively corresponding to the first to third braille components A one-hand Braille typewriter that uses braille structures (L) arranged in two rows, and allows an operator to operate the finger of one hand to sequentially print braille on the tape (70). There,
A housing (10), a Braille printing mechanism (T), and a feed mechanism (S);
The housing forms a printing opening (15) at the front portion of the upper wall (10b), and the first to sixth of the Braille structure at the rear portion of the upper wall. First to sixth through-hole portions (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) are formed so as to correspond to the braille components,
Braille printing mechanism
First to sixth print lever members (20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, 40a, 40b) and first to sixth spring members (23, 26, 33, 36, 43, 46) are provided. ,
The first to sixth print lever members are
A lever that is housed in the housing so as to extend in a longitudinally convex shape along its front-rear direction, and is supported in the housing so that it can swing in the vertical direction at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. Levers (21, 31, 41, 24, 34, 44) and push-type input keys (22, 32, 42, 25, 35, 45), respectively,
The front wall (21c, 31c, 41c, 24c, 34c, 44c) of each lever is printed on the upper wall at a position corresponding to each position of the first to sixth braille components of the braille component. And the rear part (21b, 31b, 41b, 24b, 34b, 44b) of each lever passes through the first to sixth through-hole parts of the upper wall and moves up and down. Extend movably,
Each corresponding input key is supported on the extended end of the rear of each corresponding lever,
The first to sixth spring members are respectively provided so as to urge the corresponding input keys in the direction opposite to the upper wall,
When the operator selectively pushes the first to sixth input keys against the first to sixth spring members with the finger of one hand, the corresponding lever is selected. Oscillates so as to enter the printing opening so that printing is possible at the front part thereof,
The feed mechanism
A rotation shaft (60a) along the front-rear direction in the housing so that the feed opening (16) formed adjacent to the printing opening at the front portion of the upper wall in the left-right direction faces directly below it. ) As a shaft, and a roller (60) supported rotatably.
A push-type feed key (90) supported by an extension end of a feed shaft (90a) extending in the vicinity of this roller so as to be movable up and down through a through hole (17) formed in the upper wall; ,
A spring member (92) for urging the feed key in the direction opposite to the upper wall;
A ratchet mechanism (80) connected between the feed shaft and the roller so as to rotate the rotor each time the feed key is pushed against the spring member;
In a state where the tape is pressed by the pressing plate (70a) and placed on the front side portion of the upper wall so as to cover the feeding opening and the printing opening, the respective levers are selectively operated. When the front part enters into the printing opening by a rocking motion, Braille is printed on the tape at the front part, and then the presser plate is rotated by the roller accompanying the pushing operation of the feed key. The tape was fed through the above-mentioned feeding opening under the pressure of the.

  According to this, when printing Braille using the one-hand Braille typewriter, the operator can selectively push the six input keys with the finger of one hand (for example, the index finger and the middle finger). For example, Braille can be printed on the tape based on the swing of the corresponding print lever member.

  Here, as described above, the input key and the printing unit of each print lever member correspond to the arrangement of the six braille components in the braille component of the braille component. Therefore, with reference to the composition of the Japanese syllabary and the corresponding braille structure, not only the low vision person but also a healthy person who has no knowledge of braille or the operation of the one-handed braille typewriter Even a beginner who does not know how to do this can easily and surely print Braille on a tape simply by pressing an input key corresponding to each Braille component of the Braille component.

  In addition, when the tape is fed after Braille printing, if the operator pushes the feed key with the thumb of one hand, the tape can be fed easily and reliably under the rotation of the roller by the ratchet mechanism. it can.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the one-handed Braille type lata which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. It is a partially broken side view of the inner print lever member of the Braille printing mechanism in the one embodiment. It is a partially broken top view of the inner printing lever member of the braille printing mechanism in the one embodiment. It is a partial fracture schematic side view which shows the support structure by the supporting member of each left inner printing lever member, middle printing lever member, and outer printing lever member in the one embodiment. It is a left view of the holding member in the said one Embodiment. (A), (b) and (c) are the front-back direction cross-sectional views which follow the XX line, the YY line, and the ZZ line in FIG. 7, respectively. It is a top view which shows the tape feed mechanism in the said one Embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows the tape feed mechanism in the said one Embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the tape feeding mechanism in the said one embodiment from the rear side in relation to a ratchet mechanism and an input key. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement configuration of the six braille components of the Braille printed on a tape. It is a Braille diagram which shows Braille in relation to the Japanese syllabary.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a one-handed Braille typewriter according to the present invention. This one-hand Braille type writer includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 and a Braille printing mechanism T and a tape feeding mechanism S assembled to the housing 10.

  The housing 10 has a housing body 10a having a U-shaped cross section and a rectangular plate-shaped upper wall 10b. The upper wall 10b is detachably attached to the opening of the housing body 10a, and closes the opening of the housing body 10a. In the present embodiment, the upper wall 10b plays a role as a keyboard of the one-handed Braille typewriter together with each push button type input key and feed key described later. In FIG. 1, the horizontal direction in the figure corresponds to the front-rear direction of the one-handed Braille typewriter. Accordingly, the upper and lower parts in the figure correspond to the right side and the left side of the one-handed Braille typewriter, respectively. In the present embodiment, the housing 10 is formed of a metal plate such as an iron plate.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the Braille printing mechanism T has six printing lever members 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, 40a and 40b. Of these print lever members 20a, 20b, 30a, 30b, 40a and 40b, the two print lever members 20a and 20b are the support members 50 (described later) as the inner print lever members 20a and 20b on the left and right sides, respectively. The two print lever members 30a and 30b are supported as the middle print lever members 30a and 30b on both the left and right sides of the support member 50 in the vertical direction from the left and right sides, respectively. The remaining two print lever members 40a and 40b are supported as tiltable to the left and right as outer print lever members 40a and 40b, respectively, and are supported by the support member 50 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction from the left and right sides. Has been.

  In the present embodiment, the support member 50 includes three block bodies 50a to 50c as shown in any of FIGS. 6 to 8, and these block bodies 50a to 50c are integrally formed with each other. Yes. Among the block bodies 50a to 50c, the block body 50c is provided on an intermediate portion of the front portion of the bottom wall 11 of the housing body 10a via a pedestal 50d (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 6). The pedestal 50d is fixed to the middle part of the front part of the bottom wall 11 of the housing body 10a at the lower wall, and the block body 50c is attached to the upper wall of the pedestal 50d at the lower wall. It is fixed on the top.

  Further, the block body 50b is integrally formed with the block body 50c so as to be laminated on the upper wall of the block body 50c at the bottom wall, and the block body 50a is blocked at the bottom wall by the block body 50c. It is integrally formed with the block body 50b so as to be laminated on the upper wall of the body 50b (see FIG. 7).

  The block body 50a has a vertical cross section (cross section along the front-rear direction of the block body 50a) as shown in FIG. 7, and a transverse cross section (a pedestal of the block body 50a) as shown in FIG. The cross-section in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of 50d is formed in a trapezoidal shape. Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, the width in the left-right direction of the block body 50a is gradually reduced from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50a.

  Accordingly, the left and right walls 51 of the block body 50a are inclined so as to approach each other from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50a. A predetermined acute angle α ° with respect to the center plane in the front-rear direction of the body 50a. As will be described later, the predetermined acute angle α ° corresponds to the six print portions of the braille component L (see FIG. 12) for the respective print portions of the left and right inner print lever members 20a and 20b supported so as to be swingable on the block body 50a. It is set so as to correspond to both front Braille components Fa and Fb of the Braille components. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the Braille component L is composed of six Braille components with both front Braille components Fa and Fb, both middle Braille components Ma and Mb, and both rear Braille components Ra and Rb. It is determined to be an element arrangement configuration. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the braille component L has a front braille component Fa, a middle braille component Ma, and a rear braille component Ra arranged in a line on the left side, and the front braille component Fa, the middle side, and the like. The front Braille component Fb, the middle Braille component Mb, and the rear Braille component Rb are arranged in a single line on the right side so as to be positioned on the right side of the Braille component Ma and the rear Braille component Ra, respectively.

  Similarly to the block body 50a, the block body 50b has a rectangular shape in the longitudinal section, and as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the cross section (cross section in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the base 50d of the block body 50b). It is formed to be trapezoidal. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the width in the left-right direction of the block body 50b gradually decreases from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50b.

  Accordingly, the left and right walls 52 of the block body 50b are inclined so as to approach each other from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50b. A predetermined acute angle β ° with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the body 50b. However, as will be described later, the predetermined acute angle β ° is set so that the print portions of the middle print lever members 30a and 30b on both the left and right sides supported by the block body 50b in a swingable manner are provided on the braille component L (see FIG. 12). It is set to be smaller than a predetermined acute angle α ° so as to correspond to both middle Braille components Ma and Mb of the six Braille components. Therefore, the horizontal width of the front wall of the block body 50b is wider than the horizontal width of the front wall of the block body 50a.

  Further, the block body 50c has a rectangular shape in the longitudinal section similar to the block body 50a, and as shown in FIG. 8C, the block body 50c has a transverse cross section (a longitudinal section along the upper surface of the base 50d of the block body 50a). ) It is formed to be trapezoidal. Here, as shown in FIG. 8C, the width in the left-right direction of the block body 50c is gradually narrowed from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50c.

  Accordingly, the left and right walls 53 of the block body 50c are inclined so as to approach each other from the rear wall to the front wall of the block body 50c. A predetermined acute angle γ ° is formed with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the body 50c. However, as will be described later, the predetermined acute angle γ ° corresponds to the printing portions of the left and right outer print lever members 40a and 40b supported on the block body 50c so as to be swingable, by the Braille structure L (see FIG. 12). The angle is set to be smaller than a predetermined acute angle β ° so as to correspond to both rear braille components Ra and Rb of the six braille components. In the support member 50, the front-rear direction center planes of the block bodies 50 a to 50 c are in the same front-rear direction normal plane of the bottom wall 11 of the housing body 10 a.

  The left inner print lever member 20a includes a U-shaped lever 21 and an input key 22, as shown in any of FIGS. The U-shaped lever 21 is composed of a rod having a columnar cross section. The U-shaped lever 21 includes a swing lever portion 21a and a swing lever portion 21a from a rear end portion of the swing lever portion 21a. On the other hand, the rear lever portion 21b extends in an L shape, and the front lever portion 21c extends from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 21a so as to be parallel to the rear lever portion 21b.

  Thus, in the left inner print lever member 20a configured as described above, the swing lever portion 21a is provided on the left side wall 51 (see FIG. 6) of the block body 50a of the support member 50 at the longitudinal intermediate portion. The left screw 51a (see FIG. 6) is supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. The left screw 51a is inserted into a through hole 21d (see FIG. 6) formed in the longitudinal intermediate portion of the swing lever portion 21a so as to be relatively rotatable, and is formed on the left wall 51 of the block body 50a. It is fastened to the screw hole 51b (see FIG. 8A).

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 21b of the left inner print lever member 20a extends outward through a front through hole portion 12a formed in the upper wall 10b of the housing 10, as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the front through-hole portion 12a is used together with other front through-hole portions 12b, both middle through-hole portions 13a and 13b, and both rear through-hole portions 14a and 14b. The upper wall 10b is formed in a penetrating manner. Here, both front side through-hole parts 12a and 12b, both middle side through-hole parts 13a and 13b, and both rear side through-hole parts 14a and 14b are both front-side Braille components Fa and Fb, It is formed in the upper wall 10b so as to correspond to the middle Braille components Ma and Mb and the two rear Braille components Ra and Rb.

  Further, the front lever portion 21c of the left inner print lever member 20a has a swing lever portion so that the front end portion thereof faces outward through the print opening 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the upper wall 10b. It extends outward from the front end of 21a. In the present embodiment, the front end portion of the front lever portion 21c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion, and the front end portion of the front lever portion 24c, the front end portions of the middle lever portions 31c and 34c, and the rear lever portions 41c described later. , 44c together with the front end portions of the projections 44c, so as to form an outwardly convex hemisphere.

  The input key 22 is coaxially supported on the extending end portion of the rear lever portion 21b of the U-shaped lever 21, and the lower end portion of the input key 22 and the outer peripheral portion of the through-hole portion 12a of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 23 is clamped so as to be coaxially inserted into the rear lever portion 21b. As a result, the coil spring 23 biases the input key 22 outward (outward of the upper wall 10b).

  The right inner print lever member 20b is formed to have the same configuration as the left inner print lever member 20a. The right inner print lever member 20b includes the U-shaped lever 21 of the left inner print lever member 20a and the input. A U-shaped lever 24 and an input key 25 corresponding to the key 22 are provided. Here, the U-shaped lever 24 includes the swing lever portion 24a, the rear lever portion 24b, and the front lever corresponding to the swing lever portion 21a, the rear lever portion 21b, and the front lever portion 21c of the U-shaped lever 21, respectively. It has part 24c (refer to Drawing 4).

  Thus, in the right inner print lever member 20b configured as described above, the rocking lever portion 24a has the right side wall 51 (see FIG. 8A) of the block body 50a of the support member 50 at the longitudinal intermediate portion. ) Is supported by a right-hand screw (not shown) so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. The right-hand screw is inserted into a through-hole formed in the longitudinal intermediate portion of the swing lever portion 24a so as to be relatively rotatable, and is tightened into the right-hand screw hole 51b formed in the right wall 51 of the block body 50a. It is worn.

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 24b of the right inner print lever member 20b is extended outward through the front through hole portion 12b of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10. Further, the front lever portion 24c of the right inner print lever member 20b extends upward from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 24a so that the front lever portion 24c faces outward through the printing opening 15 of the upper wall 10b. I'm out. The front end portion of the front lever portion 24c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion.

  The input key 25 is coaxially supported by the extending end portion of the rear lever portion 24b of the U-shaped lever 24, and the lower end portion of the input key 25 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 12b of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 26 (refer FIG. 1) is clamped so that it may be coaxially inserted by the rear side lever part 24b. As a result, the coil spring 26 biases the input key 25 outward.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the left middle print lever member 30 a includes a U-shaped lever 31 and an input key 32. The U-shaped lever 31 is composed of a rod having a cylindrical cross section. The U-shaped lever 31 includes a swing lever portion 31a and a swing lever portion 31a from a rear end portion of the swing lever portion 31a. On the other hand, the rear lever portion 31b extends in an L shape and the front lever portion 31c extends from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 31a so as to be parallel to the rear lever portion 31b.

  Thus, in the left middle print lever member 30a configured as described above, the swing lever portion 31a is vertically moved by the left screw 52a on the left wall 52 of the block body 50b of the support member 50 at the longitudinal intermediate portion. It is supported so that it can swing in the direction. The left screw 52a is inserted into a through hole 31d (see FIG. 6) formed in the longitudinal intermediate portion of the swing lever portion 31a so as to be relatively rotatable, and is formed on the left wall 52 of the block body 50b. It is fastened to the screw hole 52b (see FIG. 8B).

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 31b of the left middle print lever member 30a extends outward through the middle through hole portion 13a of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10 as shown in FIG.

  Also, the front lever portion 31c of the left middle print lever member 30a is outward from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 31a so that the front end portion thereof faces outward through the printing opening 15 of the upper wall 10b. It is extended. Note that the front end portion of the front lever portion 31c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion.

  The input key 32 is coaxially supported by the extending end portion of the rear lever portion 31b of the U-shaped lever 31, and the lower end portion of the input key 32 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 13a of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 33 is clamped so as to be coaxially inserted into the rear lever portion 31b. As a result, the coil spring 33 biases the input key 32 outward.

  The right middle print lever member 30b is formed to have the same configuration as the left middle print lever member 30a, and the right middle print lever member 30b includes the U-shaped lever 31 of the left middle print lever member 30a and the input. A U-shaped lever 34 and an input key 35 corresponding to the key 32 are provided. Here, the U-shaped lever 34 includes the swinging lever part 34a, the rear lever part 34b, and the front lever corresponding to the swinging lever part 31a, the rear lever part 31b, and the front lever part 31c of the U-shaped lever 31, respectively. It has a portion 34c.

  Thus, in the right middle print lever member 30b configured as described above, the swing lever portion 34a has a right screw (not shown) attached to the right wall 52 of the block body 50b of the support member 50 at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. ) So that it can swing in the vertical direction. The right screw is inserted into a through hole formed in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the swing lever portion 34a so as to be rotatable relative to the right screw hole 52b formed in the right wall 52 of the block body 50b. It is worn.

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 34b of the right middle print lever member 30b extends outward through the front through-hole portion 13b of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10. Further, the front lever portion 34c of the right middle print lever member 30b is outward from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 34a so that the front end portion thereof faces outward through the print opening 15 of the upper wall 10b. It is extended. Note that the front end portion of the front lever portion 34c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion.

  The input key 35 is coaxially supported by the extending end portion of the rear lever portion 34b of the U-shaped lever 34, and the lower end portion of the input key 35 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 13b of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 36 (refer FIG. 1) is clamped so that it may be coaxially inserted by the rear side lever part 34b. As a result, the coil spring 36 biases the input key 35 outward.

  The left outer print lever member 40a includes a U-shaped lever 41 and an input key 42, as shown in FIG. The U-shaped lever 41 is composed of a rod having a columnar cross section. The U-shaped lever 41 includes a swing lever portion 41a and a swing lever portion 41a from the rear end portion of the swing lever portion 41a. On the other hand, the rear lever portion 41b extends in an L shape and the front lever portion 41c extends from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 41a so as to be parallel to the rear lever portion 41b.

  Thus, in the left outer print lever member 40a configured as described above, the swing lever portion 41a is vertically moved to the left wall 53 of the block body 50c of the support member 50 by the left screw 53a at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. It is supported so that it can swing in the direction. The left screw 53a is inserted into a through-hole 41b (see FIG. 6) formed in the longitudinal intermediate portion of the swing lever 41a so as to be rotatable relative to the left screw 53a, and is formed on the left wall 53 of the block body 50c. It is fastened to the screw hole 53b (see FIG. 8C).

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 41b of the left outer print lever member 40a extends outward through the rear through hole portion 14a of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10 as shown in FIG.

  Further, the front lever portion 41c of the left outer print lever member 40a is outward from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 41a so that the front end portion thereof faces outward through the printing opening 15 of the upper wall 10b. It is extended. Note that the front end portion of the front lever portion 41c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion.

  The input key 42 is coaxially supported by the extended end portion of the rear lever portion 41b of the U-shaped lever 41, and the lower end portion of the input key 42 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 14a of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 43 is clamped so as to be coaxially inserted into the rear lever portion 41b. As a result, the coil spring 43 biases the input key 42 outward.

  The right outer print lever member 40b is formed to have the same configuration as the left outer print lever member 40a. The right outer print lever member 40b includes the U-shaped lever 41 of the left outer print lever member 40a and the input. A U-shaped lever 44 and an input key 45 respectively corresponding to the key 42 are provided. Here, the U-shaped lever 44 includes the swing lever portion 44a, the rear lever portion 44b, and the front lever corresponding to the swing lever portion 41a, the rear lever portion 41b, and the front lever portion 41c of the U-shaped lever 41, respectively. It has a portion 44c.

  Thus, in the right outer print lever member 40b configured as described above, the swing lever portion 44a has a right screw (not shown) on the right wall 53 of the block body 50c of the support member 50 at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. ) So that it can swing in the vertical direction. The right-hand screw is inserted into a through-hole formed in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the swing lever 44a so as to be rotatable relative to the right-hand screw hole 53b formed in the right wall 53 of the block body 50c. It is worn.

  Accordingly, the rear lever portion 44b of the right outer print lever member 40b is extended outward through the rear through hole portion 14b of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10. Further, the front lever portion 44c of the right outer print lever member 40b is outward from the front end portion of the swing lever portion 44a so that the front end portion faces the outside through the printing opening 15 of the upper wall 10b. It is extended. Note that the front end portion of the front lever portion 44c is hereinafter also referred to as a printing portion.

  The input key 45 is coaxially supported by the extending end portion of the rear lever portion 44b of the U-shaped lever 44, and the lower end portion of the input key 45 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 14b of the upper wall 10b. In between, the coil spring 46 (refer FIG. 1) is clamped so that it may be coaxially inserted by the rear side lever part 44b. As a result, the coil spring 46 biases the input key 45 outward.

  In the Braille printing mechanism T configured as described above, the predetermined acute angle α °, the predetermined acute angle β °, and the predetermined acute angle γ ° are set as described above. 20a and 20b (the front end portions of the front lever portions 21c and 24c), the left and right side middle print lever members 30a and 30b (the front end portions of the front lever portions 31c and 34c) and the left and right sides The mark portions of the outer print lever members 40a and 40b (the front end portions of the front lever portions 41c and 44c) are respectively the front braille components Fa and Fb of the braille component L and the middle braille components Ma and Mb. And it is located in each corresponding position in the printing opening part 15 of the upper wall 10b with respect to both rear Braille components Ra and Rb. This means that each input key 22, 25, 32, 35, 42 and 45 corresponds to each braille component Fa, Fb, Ma, Mb, Ra and Rb, respectively. In the braille table shown in FIG. 13, among the six points constituting each braille, the lower left side, left middle side, and upper left side in the figure are respectively the braille components Fb, Mb, and Rb in FIG. Further, the points on the lower right side, the right middle side, and the upper right side shown in FIG. 13 correspond to the braille components Fa, Ma, and Ra in FIG. 12, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the tape feeding mechanism S has a cylindrical roller 60 and front and rear L-shaped support walls 61. Is housed in the front left corner. The roller 60 is rotatably supported by front and rear L-shaped support walls 61 at the front left corner of the upper wall 10b in the housing 10 as follows.

  Here, the front and rear side L-shaped support walls 61 are each formed by extending the mounting wall portion 61b from the support wall portion 61a into an L shape. Each mounting wall 61b is mounted to the front left corner of the upper wall 10b so that the rotation shaft of the roller 60 is rotatably supported by the portion 61a from both front and rear ends. Thus, the roller 60 is rotatably supported by the front and rear L-shaped support walls 61 along the front-rear direction of the housing 10 on the rotation shaft 60a.

  Moreover, the roller 60 protrudes in the opening part 16 (refer any one of FIGS. 1-3) formed in the front left corner part of the upper wall 10b in the upper end part. The rotation causes the upper end of the braille printing tape 70 to come into pressure contact with the braille printing tape 70 from the lower surface side through the feed opening 16 and to feed the braille printing tape 70 in the left-right direction. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the braille printing tape 70 is placed along the left-right direction on the front intermediate portion of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10 and is pressed by a pressing plate 70a made of a transparent acrylic resin. It is pressed onto the front intermediate portion of the upper wall 10b from above. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing plate 70 a can be lifted in an inclined manner with reference to the rear end portion.

  The tape feed mechanism S has a ratchet mechanism 80 and a feed key 90. The ratchet mechanism 80 includes a ratchet 80a that is a claw wheel and a locking piece 80b. The ratchet 80a is coaxially supported by the back plate portion 81 on the front end portion of the rotation shaft 60a of the roller 60. Has been. Here, the series of claw portions 82 of the ratchet 80a extend forward from the outer peripheral portion of the back plate portion 81 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction.

  The locking piece 80b is screwed to the feed shaft 90a that supports the feed key 90 in the hollow portion of the annular boss 91 (described later) at the upper portion 83, and this locking piece 80b. The lower portion 84 extends from the lower end portion of the upper portion 83 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction (the axial direction of the feed shaft 90a). However, the locking piece 80b is connected to the upper portion 83 so as to tilt only downward from the illustrated inclined position in FIG.

  In the ratchet mechanism 80 configured as described above, the locking piece 80b is locked from above to any one of a series of claw portions 82 of the ratchet 80a as the feed shaft 90a moves downward. The ratchet 80a is rotated by pushing 82 downward. Further, as the feed shaft 90a moves upward, the locking piece 80b is tilted downward by any one of the above-described claw portions 82 and moves upward while being disengaged from the locking with the claw portion 82.

  The feed shaft 90a extends through the annular boss 91, the upper wall portion 61b of the L-shaped support wall 61, and the through-hole portion 17 (see FIG. 2) of the upper wall 10b, and the extended end of the feed shaft 90a. The feed key 90 is coaxially supported on the part. The coil spring 92 is coaxially fitted to the feed shaft 90a and is sandwiched between the lower portion of the feed key 90 and the outer peripheral portion of the through hole portion 17 of the upper wall 10b. The feed key 90 is urged in the direction opposite to the upper wall 10b. In the present embodiment, even when the coil spring 92 maintains the natural length, the feed shaft 90a has an axial length that is maintained in the annular boss 91 at the lower portion. The annular boss 91 is assembled to the upper wall 10b via the upper wall portion 61b of the L-shaped support wall 61.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, Braille is printed using the one-hand Braille typewriter as follows. It is assumed that the tape 70 is set on the upper wall 10b of the housing 10 of the one-handed Braille typewriter as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the tape 70 is pressed by the pressing plate 70a so as to cover both the openings 15 and 16 of the upper wall 10b from above. In addition, at the present stage, it is assumed that “ta” and “chi” are already printed in sequence as braille (see FIG. 13).

  In such a stage, when printing "T" of the fifty-sounds as Braille, first, the operator places his left hand on the upper wall 10b of the one-hand Braille typewriter. At this time, the left hand places its wrist on the front portion of the upper wall 10b, positions the thumb on the feed key 90 side of the tape feed mechanism S, and places the remaining fingers, for example, the index finger and the middle finger on the Braille printing mechanism T. Are located on the six input keys 20a to 40b side. This means that the feeding operation of the tape feeding mechanism T is performed with the thumb of the left hand, and the six input keys 20a to 40b are pushed with the index finger and the middle finger.

  Further, as described above, when printing “tsu” as braille, referring to the braille corresponding to “tsu” based on the chart of FIG. 13, the braille is represented by each braille component Rb, Ra, Ma, and Fb. Confirm that it is specified.

  Thereafter, if the tape feeding mechanism S is still in a state where “C” is printed in Braille, the operator presses the feeding key 90 of the tape feeding mechanism S against the coil spring 92 with the thumb of the left hand. To push. Along with this, the feed shaft 90a moves downward together with the locking piece 80b of the ratchet mechanism 80.

  Then, in such a downward movement process, the locking piece 80b pushes the one claw portion 82 of the ratchet 80a downward at the lower portion 84, and the ratchet 80a pushes the one claw portion 82 downward. To rotate the rotor 60 in the same direction. Accordingly, the tape 70 is fed in the direction from the left side to the right side of the upper wall 10b in accordance with the rotation of the rotor 60. Thereby, the site | part which prints the braille corresponding to "tsu" among the tapes 70 reaches newly on the opening part 15 of the upper wall 10b. Since the tape 70 is pressed onto the upper wall 10b by the pressing plate 70a, the tape 70 can be reliably fed by the roller 60.

  Therefore, when printing the braille corresponding to “tsu”, first, among the braille components Rb, Ra, Ma, and Fb, the input key 45 of the right rear print lever member 40b corresponding to the braille component Rb is coiled. Pushing operation is performed against the spring 46. Then, the right rear print lever member 40b is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6 around the axis of the right screw (corresponding to the left screw 53a) along the right wall 53 of the block body 50c of the support member 50 at the swing lever portion 44a. Then, it is swung clockwise as shown in the figure and printed on the tape 70 from below by the printing portion of the front lever portion 44c. This means that the Braille component Rb is raised on the tape 70.

  Next, the input key 42 of the left inner print lever member 40 a corresponding to the Braille component Ra is pushed against the coil spring 43. Then, the left rear print lever member 40a swings at the swing lever portion 41a along the left wall 53 of the block body 50c of the support member 50 in the same manner as the swing lever portion 44a around the axis of the left screw 53a. It moves and prints on the tape 70 from below by the printing part of the front lever part 41c. This means that the Braille component Ra is raised on the tape 70.

  Further, the input key 32 of the left middle print lever member 30 a corresponding to the Braille component Ma is pushed against the coil spring 33. Then, the left middle print lever member 30a swings in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 6 about the axis of the left screw 52a along the left wall 52 of the block body 50b of the support member 50 at the swing lever portion 31a. It moves and prints on the tape 70 from below by the printing part of the front lever part 31c. This means that the braille component Ma is raised on the tape 70.

  Further, the input key 25 of the right front print lever member 20b corresponding to the Braille component Fb is pushed against the coil spring 26. Then, the right front print lever member 20b is moved around the axis of the right screw (corresponding to the left screw 51a) along the right wall 51 of the block body 50a of the support member 50 at the swing lever portion 24a in FIG. Then, it is swung clockwise as shown in the figure and printed on the tape 70 from below by the printing portion of the front lever portion 24c. This means that the Braille component Fb is raised on the tape 70.

  As described above, “T” is printed on the tape 70 as Braille. Moreover, when printing other characters in the Japanese syllabary in Braille, not limited to “T”, using the one-hand Braille typewriter, printing is performed in substantially the same manner as described above. Is done.

  Here, as described above, the front print lever members 20a and 20b, the middle print lever members 30a and 30b, and the rear print lever members 40a and 40b on the left and right sides of the Braille printing mechanism T are respectively block bodies of the support member 50. 50a to 50c, braille printing on the tape 70 is performed by pressing the input keys of the front print lever members 20a and 20b, the middle print lever members 30a and 30b, and the rear print lever members 40a and 40b on the left and right sides. With the moving operation, it can be surely printed as braille.

  Further, the swing lever portions 21a, 24a, 31a, 34a, 41a and 44a of the front print lever members 20a and 20b, the middle print lever members 30a and 30b, and the rear print lever members 40a and 40b on the left and right sides are as described above. The block bodies 50a to 50c are supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Therefore, when printing Braille, the input key pressing operation causes the corresponding front lever portion to move up greatly in a state where the swing lever portion corresponding to the input key is used as the lever principle. . As a result, it is possible to easily print Braille using the one-hand Braille typewriter.

  Further, as described above, the input keys and the printing portions of the front print lever members 20a and 20b, the middle print lever members 30a and 30b, and the rear print lever members 40a and 40b on the left and right sides are as described above. This corresponds to the arrangement of six Braille components Fa, Fb, Ma, Mb, Ra, Rb.

  Therefore, with reference to the composition of each of the Japanese syllabary characters in the chart shown in FIG. 13 and the braille structure corresponding thereto, not only the low vision person but also a healthy person who has no knowledge of Braille, Even beginners who do not know how to operate the one-handed Braille typewriter can easily and surely braille simply by pressing the input key corresponding to each Braille component in the Braille component of the Braille component L Can be printed on the tape 70.

  In particular, if the one-handed Braille typewriter is stored at a shelter in a disaster-stricken area such as an earthquake disaster or flood, information that should be urgently communicated to low-sighted people can be sent even to those who have no knowledge of Braille. By using a typewriter, it is possible to easily print in braille. As a result, it is possible to swiftly provide relief for a weakly sighted disaster victim who is delayed in relief. It should be noted that the characters printed on the tape 70 can be easily confirmed by the thumb of a weak eyesight or by visual observation of a healthy person.

  Also, the tape 70 can be easily and reliably fed by simply rotating the feed key 90 of the feed mechanism S and rotating the roller 60 by the ratchet mechanism 80.

  In addition, the one-hand Braille typewriter is constructed by assembling the Braille printing mechanism T and the feeding mechanism S configured as described above to the housing 10 so that Braille can be printed as described above. Braille can be printed by simple mechanical operation. This means that the one-handed Braille typewriter can be provided as a simple typewriter with a simple configuration using only mechanical elements without depending on an electric element such as an electric motor.

In carrying out the present invention, the following various modifications are possible without being limited to the above embodiment.
(1) In carrying out the present invention, the one-hand Braille typewriter can be configured to be operated with the right hand instead of the left hand.
(2) In carrying out the present invention, not limited to the Japanese syllabary, for example, if there is a diagram that targets numbers, alphabets, kanji, etc. as braille, as in the above embodiment, the one hand braille typewriter Can be printed as
(3) In practicing the present invention, the lever of each print lever member described in the above embodiment is not limited to a U-shape, and has a downwardly curved shape, a bent shape, or other downwardly convex shape. May be.
(4) In carrying out the present invention, each print lever member described in the above embodiment is not limited to the support member 50 and may be supported by the inner wall of the housing 10.
(5) In carrying out the present invention, the front lever portion and the rear lever portion are not limited to the shapes described in the above embodiment, and the braille components of the braille component L are arranged as described above. Each print lever member may have any shape as long as it is positioned so as to correspond.

Fa, Fb, Ma, Mb, Ra, Rb ... Braille components, L ... Braille components, S ... Feed mechanism,
T ... Braille printing mechanism, 10 ... Housing, 10b ... Upper wall,
12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 17 ... through hole,
15 ... Printing opening, 16 ... Feeding opening, 20a, 20b ... Front printing lever member,
30a, 30b ... middle print lever member, 40a, 40b ... rear print lever member,
21, 31, 41, 24, 34, 44 ... U-shaped lever,
21b, 31b, 41b, 24b, 34b, 44b ... rear lever part,
21c, 31c, 41c, 24c, 34c, 44c ... front lever part,
22, 32, 42, 25, 35, 45 ... input keys,
23, 26, 33, 36, 43, 46 ... coil spring, 60 ... roller,
60a ... rotating shaft, 70 ... tape, 70a ... pressing plate, 80 ... ratchet mechanism,
90a ... feed axis, 90 ... feed key.

Claims (1)

Using the braille components formed by arranging the first to third braille components and the fourth to sixth braille components corresponding to the first to third braille components, respectively, in left and right rows, A one-hand Braille typewriter that allows the operator to sequentially print Braille on the tape by operating the finger of one hand.
A housing, a braille printing mechanism, and a feed mechanism;
The housing forms an opening for printing at a front portion of the upper wall, and the first to sixth braille components of the braille structure at a rear portion of the upper wall. Forming first to sixth through-hole portions to be correspondingly located;
The Braille printing mechanism is
Comprising first to sixth print lever members and first to sixth spring members;
The first to sixth print lever members are
A lever that is housed in the housing so as to extend in a longitudinally convex shape along the front-rear direction thereof, and is swingable in the vertical direction at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. Each of which has a lever supported by and a push-type input key,
The front portion of each lever faces the opening for printing on the upper wall from below at positions corresponding to the respective positions of the first to sixth braille components of the braille component, and The rear portions of the levers extend through the first to sixth through-hole portions of the upper wall so as to be vertically movable,
Each corresponding input key is supported on the extended end of the rear portion of each corresponding lever,
The first to sixth spring members are provided so as to urge the corresponding input keys in directions opposite to the upper wall,
When the operator selectively pushes the first to sixth input keys against the first to sixth spring members with the finger of one hand, The lever is selectively swung to enter the printing opening so that printing can be performed at the front portion thereof.
The feeding mechanism is
Rotates around the rotation axis along the front-rear direction in the housing so that the feed opening formed adjacent to the printing opening at the front portion of the upper wall in the left-right direction is directly below it. A roller to be supported,
A push-type feed key supported by an extension end portion of a feed shaft extending so as to move up and down through a through hole formed in the upper wall in the vicinity of the roller;
A spring member for urging the feed key in a direction opposite to the upper wall;
A ratchet mechanism coupled between the feed shaft and the roller so as to rotate the rotor each time the feed key is pushed against the spring member;
In a state where the tape is pressed by a pressing plate and placed on the front portion of the upper wall so as to cover the feeding opening and the printing opening, the levers are selectively rocked. When the front part moves into the printing opening due to movement, Braille is printed on the tape at the front part, and then the presser is rotated by the roller accompanying the pushing operation of the feed key. A one-handed Braille typewriter that feeds the tape through the feed opening under pressure by a plate.

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