US1362605A - Amos i - Google Patents

Description

A. F. DEXON.

SELECTING SYSTEM.

' APPLicATloN FILED DEc.z9,191s.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMOS 1F. DIXON, 0F NEWARK, NEWl JERSEY, A-SSIGNOR TO VJESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW -YORK,

SELECTTNG SYSTEM.

specification of Letters Patent. Patented De@ 21, 1920.

Application led December 29, 1916. Serial No. 139,590.

To all 'ui/tom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Aires F. DIXON, citizen of the United States, residing` at Newark. in the county ot' Essex and State ot New Jersey, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Selecting Systems, of which the following .is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to selecting systems, and its principal object is to provide an improved system, particularly applicable :tor producing messages in different forms simultaneously, without the use of complicated selecting apparatus.

In accordance with its general features, the invention contemplates a selecting' printing and peri'orating mechanism arranged to produce characters in printed form, and to simultaneously produce corresponding cha-racters in code by means oi' groups ot perforations in a tape, cach group of perforations corresponding to a printed character, and arranged and grouped to iorm words corresponding to the words of the printed message.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means whereby the system may be operated as a printer, a tape periorator, or as a combined printer and tape pertorator.

rl`he invention finds an especially ready field in news bureaus, business houses, etc., where it is convenient and desirable to prepare at such otlices, messages ready tor transmission in the form of perforated tape, de-

liver the tape to the telegraph companies 'for transmission, and retain a printed copy ot the message 'for record.

In accordance with the principal features ot this invention, there is provided a controller adapted to selectively provide current to a plurality ot electro-mechanical selecting mechanisms, whose cooperation causes the performance of any desired operation, as, 'for example, the selection of a type, the closing oi a switch, the selection oit punching pins` or the simultaneous selection of a type and punching pins representing the type selected. Means are also provided whereby the apparatus is returned to normal upon the completion of a desired operation and prevented from returning to normal prematurely.

The above and other objects oit this invention will be fully set forth in the following description and appended claims, and will be more readily understood by the accompanying drawing, in ot the mechanism and circuit are shown diagrammatically.

In this system, there is provided a current controller comprising a plurality of control switches 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, each adapted to' selectively provideoperating current for the selecting magnets 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 respectively. The controller is provided with a locking magnet 15 and a pair of locking switches 1G and 17 The fixed contacts of switches 16 and 17 are connected to one terminal of the locking magnet 15 and the other terminal is connected to a grounded source ot potential 35.

Control switches to 14 inclusive are selectively actuated by any of the wellknown means, as, for example, a plurality of character keys arranged in the form of an ordinary typewriter keyboard, or an automatic actuator controlled by a perforated tape or the like. In either case, it is preferable to have this apparatus also operate switch 16. The locking magnet may be arranged in any of the well-known ways, so that, when it is energized by the closing reference to which part connections of switch 16, it holds all of the switches 10 to 14, which have been actuated, in this condition, and also establishes a holding circuit tor itself independently of switch 16, which need be closed only momentarily, as will be hereinafter explained.

The selecting magnets 20 to 24 inclusive control the selection of the proper character selecting and operation selecting levers 58. A plurality of selecting disks 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 are connected to and movable by the-respective selecting magnets through the agency of levers 40, 41, 42, .43 and 44 respectively. Disks l3() to 34 inclusive are adapted to be rotated about their centers and are each provided on their periphery with a plurality of notches 50. Passing through the center of the disks is a rotary type shatt 52, carrying a typewheel 54, having two rows oi' raised type characters arranged circumterentially upon its surface, and a stop arm 55. rl`he disks and their notches coperate with a plurality of spring-tensioned character and operation controlling levers 58, pivoted in acircle about the type shaft 52, and of which some are adapted to stop the'type wheelin any desired position, and others are adapted to control circuit contacts when presented with a continuous vertical row of notches, as will be hereinafter explained.

Normally the character and operation controlling levers are depressed below the level of the stop arm 55, and the vertical arms of all of these levers are held away from the peripheries of the disks by release and restoring levers 60 which are controlled by a pair of release magnets 62. The inner circular-shaped ends of levers 60 are normally held depressed'by means of suitable retractable springs 63, but the force of these springs is overcome and the inner ends are raised when the release magnets 62 are energized.

The selecting magnets 20 to 24 inclusive, in addition to controlling the selection of the desired character and operation selecting levers, also control, through the agency of the levers 40 to 44 inclusive, the selecting disks 30 to 34 inclusive, and the series of connecting levers to 74 inclusive, aplurality of punching pins for selectively forming perforations in a transmitting tape corresponding to the characters printed. or the operations selected.

The tape perforating mechanism is shown inclosed in a housing or frame 80, and consists of the following parts: A punching guide member 81, which is provided with a plurality of openings through which a number of character punches 75 and a similar feed hole punch 82 are adapted to reciprocate, is supported by uprights 853-83, only one of which is shown. Each punch is provided with a spring member 84, secured at one end to the punch guide member 81, the other end of the spring member passing through an opening in the punches 75 and 82, and normally resting on an angular stop bar 85. These springs are for the purpose of returning the punches to normal position after the punching operation has been effected. Mounted on the base of the frame is an electromagnet 86 having an armature 87, pivotally carried by shaft 88, which. is held in suitable bearings supported by the frame 80. Beneath punches 75 and 82 is a punch operating member which consists of a hardened'head 89 carried by a lever 90, which is securely mounted on the shaft 88 and rotates therewith when the electromagnet 86 attracts its armature 87. A suitable spring 8 may be provided for returning the armature to normal position after the deenergization of the electromagnet 86. Each of the character punches 75 has an associated lever 92, the free end of which may be projected between the corresponding punching pin and the striking head 89, so that when the electromagnet 86 is energized, the corresponding punches will be driven through a paper tape 931er the like, which passes between the punch guide member 81 and a die block 7 6. The feed hole punch 82 is of such length and so located as to be struck and driven through the tape upon each forward movement of the striking head 89, which is effected upon each energization of the electromagnet 86. The levers 92 are pivoted at 94 to a second set of levers 95, which are pivoted between the extensions 96-96, integral with the uprights 83 The opposite ends of levers are joined at points 97 to the links or connecting levers 70 to 74 inclusive.

The shaft 88 carries, in -addition to the lever 90, an arm 98 upon which is pivotally mounted a feed pawl 99. This feed pawl is adapted to engage the 'periphery of feed wheel 100, which is mounted upon a shaft 101, supported. by bearings in the punch guide member 81. ik spring 102, secured to arm 98 and to pawl 99, causes the pawl to engage the pins in the feed wheel to advance the wheel when the shaft 88 is rotated in a clockwise direction, but allows the pawl 99 to slip over the pins when the shaftl 88 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction. T he pins of the feed wheel. 100 engage with. the feed holes in the tape which are punched by the feed punch 82 at each. energization of the electromagnet 86, and upon the denergization of the electromagnet 86,

advance the tape to present an. unpunched area for a subsequent operation.

It is evident that by the energization of various combinations of the selecting magnets, characters to be printed are selected, and corresponding groups of punching pins are selected for forming perforations in the paper tape representing in code, characters corresponding toV those printed.. Only enough of the apparatus has been shown to give a complete understanding of the operation of selecting the desired character for printing and selecting a corresponding group of punching pins for perforating in the paper tape, a character corresponding to the one printet.

@ne of the terminals of the windings of release magnets 62 is connected. to a grounded source of energy 105, and one of the levers 60 is provided with a pair of switches 106 and 107. These switches normally stand open, but adapted to be closed when release magnets 62 are energized. The fixed contact of switch 106 is connected to ground through a back contact of armature 114 of clear-out relay 115, while. the movable contact thereof is connected to the terminals of release magnets 62, and a front contact coperating with the armature 109. The fixed contact of switch 107 is connected to a grounded source of energy 112, and its movable contact is grounded through the winding of a start control relay 118. JArmature 109 of release control relay 110 is connected to the movable contact of switch 17, and a back contact coperating with the armature 114 of clear-out relay 115. Release control relay 110 is also provided with an armature 116, connected to a holding winding 117 of clear-out relay 115, and cooperating with the front Contact, connected by a grounded source of ener'gy 118. Clear-out relay 115 is provided with an operating winding 119, one terminal of which is connected to a grounded source of energy 120, the other terminal being associated with contacts controlled by the levers 58. Some of these contacts are formed lby the engagement of the character selecting levers and stop arm 55, while others are formed by suitable switches controlled by the operation selecting levers, as will be hereinafter explained.

In the circuits including the stop arm 55 is a printing magnet 122 and a space lock relay 123. The space lock relay 123 controls the action of a spacing magnet 124 by completing a circuit therethrough from a grounded source of energy 125. Start con trol relay 113 causes the energization of a start ymagnet 126 by completing a circuit therethrough from a grounded source of energy 127, and when this magnet is energized, it withdraws a suitable pawl from a ratchet wheel 6 on shaft 52, allowing the shaft to be rotated by a spring 7 which is always tending to rotate the type wheel 54 in the direction of the arrow.

In addition to the apparatus already described, there is a feed magnet 128 for feeding the paper line by line, a shift magnet 129 for causing the type wheel to be raised so that its lower row of characters is in printing position, and a carriage return magnet 130 for causing the paper carriage to be returned to the beginning of the line of print. These magnets are respectively controlled by switches 132, 133 and 134, which are actuated by certain of the disk selected levers 58. The apparatus associated with and controlled by the start, space, printing, line feed, shift and carriage return magnets may be of any desired and appropriate form of construction, the preferred form being that shown in Patent No. 1,103,133, issued July 14, 1914.

The operation of the system when used as a combined printer and tape perforator, is as follows: When the keyboard or automatic device selectively actuates switches 10 to 14 inclusive, and closes switch 16, a circuit is completed from grounded source 135 through the operative contacts 10 to 14 inelusive, the corresponding magnets 20 to 24 inclusive, and release control relay 110 to ground. A circuit is also closed from grounded source 35 through locking magnet 15 and switch 16 to ground. The circuits first traced cause the selected magnets to 24 inclusive to rotate their corresponding disks to 34`inclusive through the agency of levers to -44 inclusive, resulting in a continuous row of notches being presented before only one of the' character or operation selecting levers 58, and the selection of one or more of the punching pins 75. These circuits also cause the release control relay 110 to pull up its armatures 109 and 116, whose functions will be presently described. rlhe circuitthrough locking magnet 15 causes this magnet to hold all of the operated switches 10 to 14 inclusive in closed position, and by closing switch 17, completes a holding circuit for itself from` grounded source 35 through switch 17 and the back contact and armature 114 of clear-out relay 115 to ground.- The attraction of armature 109 of release control relay 110 completes two circuits, one from grounded source 45 through the perforating magnet 86, lrey contacts 46, key 48 and front contact 47 to ground, and another from grounded source 105 through the release magnets 62, front contact and armature 109 of release control relay 110, and back contact and armature 114 of the clear-out, relay 115 to ground. The completion of the first circuit traced causes the energization of perforating magnet 86 and the actuation of the selected punching pins 75 Vand the feed hole punch 82. The completion of the second circuit traced causes release magnet 62 to elevate the inner circular ends of release levers 60, allowing all of the levers 58 to attempt to enter the slots 50. However, all but one of 100 these levers, as hereinbefore explained, is prevented from so moving by the unnotched portion ofthe periphery of at least one of the disks 30 to 34 inclusive.

The movement of the left-hand release 105 lever closes switches 106 and 107. Switch 106 completes circuits from source 105 through release magnets 62 to ground at armature 114 of clear-out relay 115, independently of the front contact of release con- 110 trol relay 110, so that the selected lever 58 will not be prematurely depressed, this action being now dependent upon the energization of clear-out relay 115, as will be hereinafter explained.

The closing of switch 107 completes a circuit from grounded source ofv energy 112 through start control relay 113. The start control relay 113, if the selection has been a type selection, in pulling up armature, 120 completes circuit vfrom grounded source 127, switch 132, start magnet 126 to ground at armature 114 of clear-out relay The start magnet thereupon allows the type wheel 54 to be rotated in the direction of the 125 arrow, and since the inner end of one of the levers 58 has been elevated, arm 55 will be engaged thereby, and the type wheel will be arrested in position to print the desired character. The engagement of the selected lever 130 58 and arm 55 completes a circuit from grounded source 120, operating winding 119 of clear-out relay 115, operating winding of the space lock relay 123, printing magnet 122, arm 55 and lever 58 to ground. Thereupon printing magnet 122, through the agency of the printing platen forces the paper against the desired type on the type wheel 54. The energization of space lock relay 123 completes a circuit from grounded source 125 through the space magnet 124, which initiates the movement of the paper carriage for spacing for the next character to be selected. Although the printing magnet 122 and the space lock relay 123 are in the same circuit, the time necessary for the space lock relay to attract its armatures, energize the space magnet and for the space magnet to cause the spacing mechanism to function, delays the spacing' operation until after the printing has been completed.

The energization of clear-out relay'115, due to the circuit just traced through its operating Winding 119` causes the attraction of armature 114, which if the release control relay is still energized, completes a holding circuit from grounded source 118, front contact and armature 116 of release control rclay 110, holding winding 117 of clear-out relay 15 to ground at armature 114. The attraction of armature 114 also interrupts the previously traced circuits through switch 106 and release magnets 62, that through switch 17 and the locking magnet 15, and also that through the start magnet 126. Springs 63 thereupon depress levers 60, and levers 58 are all returned to normal. Shaft 52 is also held from rotation by the pawl controlled by magnet 126. If, now, switch 16 has been opened by the controller mechanism, the interruption of the holding circuit through magent 15 causes the release of the selected switches 10 to 14 inclusive, together with switch 17. The opening of the selected switches 10 to 14 inclusive interrupts the circuits through the selected magnets 20 to 24 inclusive and the release control relay 110, whereupon the circuit through the perforating magnet 86 is broken at contact 47, and the holding circuit through the holding winding 117 of clear-out relay 115 is broken at armature 116 of release control relay 110, and all of the apparatus will be returned to normal. A character has been printed, a corresponding character perforated in a tape, and the paper carriage and the paper tape have been moved to present a clean surface for the next character.

The spacing of the paper carriage without printing, the operation of the line feeding mechanism and the shifting and unshifting of the type wheel may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but the preferred form is that shown in a copending application, Serial No. 21,542,fi1ed April 15, 1915.

Should it be desired to disconnect the perforating mechanism and operate the system as a printer only, the key 48 which may be mounted in some convenient position is opened or turned to its off-normal position so that the perforating magnet 86 will not be affected by the operation of the release control magnet 110.

In case it should be desired to operate the perforating mechanism only and disconnect the printer, this may be accomplished by moving switch 160 to the right or its offnormal position, thereby disconnecting the printing mechanism and connecting a perforator control relay 161 under the influence of the current controller. The energization of the perforator control relay 161 is then effected whenever one o1` more of the current control switches 10 to 14 are operated. The operation of relay 161 causes the attraction of armature 164 and the closure of front contacts 162 and 163. The closure of contact 162 completes a circuit from grounded source 45, winding of perforator magnet 86, armature 164, and front contact 162 of relay 161 to ground. This causes the energization of the perforator magnet 86, whereupon it attracts its armature 87, thereby causing the selected punching pins to penetrate the paper tape and also causing an extension on armature 87 to close contacts 49. The closing of contacts 49 completes a circuit from grounded battery 120, operating winding 119 of clear-out relay 115, contacts 163 and contacts 49 to ground. The completion of the circuit just traced causes clear-out relay 115 to pull up its armature 114 and thereby open the holding circuit through the locking magnetn 15 so that the current control switches 1() to 14 may return to normal, ready for a subsequent operation.

Various modications in the construction, arrangement and operation of the parts, aside from those mentioned herein, may be made by those familiar with the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

That is claimed is:

1. In combination, a current controller comprising a plurality of movable contacts, a magnet for locking said contacts in their actuated positions, an energizing circuit for said magnet under the control of said current controller, a plurality of selecting devices associated with said controller and operable simultaneously, a perforating mechanism adapted to be prepared for operation by said devices, an operating means for said mechanism, a circuit for said operating means, a perforator-control relay controlling said circuit, and a clear-out relay coperating with said perforator-control relay for restoring the system to normal after the completion of an operation.

2. In combination, a current controller comprising a plurality of movable contacts, a magnet for locking said contacts in their actuated positions, an energizing circuit for said magnet under the control of said current controller, a locking circuit for said magnet, a plurality of selecting devices associated with said controller and simultaneously responsive to the actuation of said controller', a selecting Adisk under the control oil each device and adapted to be moved thereby, a perforating mechanism adapted to be prepared for operation by movementl ot said disk, a printing mechanism, and means operated by said selecting devices and current controller for causing the operation oit' said printing and said perfor-ating mechanisms.

3. In combination, a current controller (.'omprising a plurality of movable contacts, a magnet for locking said contacts in their actuated positions, an energizingr circuit for said magnet under the control of said current controller, a plurality of selecting devices associated with said controller and operable simultaneously, a perforating mechanism, a printing mechanism, means controlled by said selecting devices for operating said printing mechanism and preparing said perforating mechanism for operation, operating` means for said perforator mech a; lsm, and means controlled by the selecting devices for restoring the printing and pertorating mechanisms to normal.

4. A selecting system comprising a current controller having a plurality of simul- 1taneously operable contacts, a magnet for locking said contacts in their actuated positions, an energizing circuit for said magnet under the control of said current controller. a locking circuit for said magnet, a plurality of selecting devices associated With Said controller, a perforating mechanism, a printing mechanism, means controlled by said selecting devices for operating said printing mechanism, means controlled by said selecting devices to prepare said perforating mechanism for operation and means oontrolled by said selecting devices and current controller for causing the operation of said printing and said pertorating mechanisms.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of December, A. D. 1916.

AMOS F. DIXON.

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