US1520478A - System of operation of automatic typewriters and devices thereof - Google Patents

Description

m 23, 9 4 szmm R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Fiied April 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 1' 1 N VEN TOR. R4 WILSON MORE.

'T; TTORNE Y.

Deg, 23, 1924.

SYSTEM OF OPERATION Filed April 2, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. P. WILSON MORE A TTORNEY.

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. R. WILSON MORE.

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ATIORNEY.

R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2., 1921 Dec. 23, 152@947 R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet A INVENTOR. 1?. W/L 601V MORE.

A TTORNE Y.

1924- 1,52%? R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. R. WILSON MORE.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 23, 19 241. mmma R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheei a oooooooooooo 000000400 Y ooooooooo ooo oooo 00000000 67w INVENTOR.

' R. WILSON Mopg.

R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2, 1921, 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jae 5K 1545 INVENTOR. R. WILSON M095 R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF 9 Sheets-Sheet a 10,9

Filed April 2, 1921 INVEVTOR R. WILSON MORE.

A TTORNE Y.

mm. 23; T9224. imam R. W. MORE SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF Filed April 2, 1921 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 fi? M5 T1 q 51 1659 160 14 3i 1664 161 162 16/0 I I 162C INVENTOR. R. W/L50N MORE.

7 Hm Vfli ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UN? t ST ROBERT WILSON MORE,

SYSTEM OF OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC Application filed April 2,

To ((7! whom it may concern Be it known that I, Ronnnr lViLsoN Moan, a citizen of the l nited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Operation of Automatic lypewriters and Devices -Thereof. of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates-to an improvement in systems of operation of automatic typewriters and devices thereof in which I provide for the simultaneous and automatic operation of a plurality of typewriting machines from the same controlling or actuating devices together with means for connecting or disconnecting any one of the type writing machines as desired. and I further provide in connection with the controlling or actuating devices. two controlling mechauisms. each for actuating a separate group of said typewriting machines, the controlling mechanism in the one case being preferably automatic in its operation, as for example devices actuated by, a record strip as commonly used in connection with automatic piano players. while the other actuating mechanism may be operated manually so that the typewriting machines connected therewith may be operated to write any special subject matter desired. By my invention I also provide devices for interchanging the relation between the controlling mechanisms and the groups of typewriting machines so that either group as desired may be operated by the automatic controlling and actuating mechanism or by the manual operating mechanism. By my invention I further provide devices for con neeting each typewriting machine or disconnecting the same so that whether the actuating mechanism be automatic or manual, any one or more of the machines of either group may be actuated as desired. For certain parts of the work it is desirable to operate one machine at a time by means of manual control, as for example in filling in individual headings in letters where the body of the letter is to be the same for a large number of letters to be written. and in doing this with my system. the attendant, after placing the paper in the machine. inseits the heading by operating the machine through the manual controlling mechanism. This first machine with its letter sheet in readi ness for the body portion of the letter is then disconnected from the controlling mechrear OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TYPEWRITERS AND DEVICES THEREOF.

1921. Serial No. 458,101.

anism, a second machine of the same group is connected. and similarly prepared and so on one after another for the same group, so that when the last machine has been prepared the entire group is in readiness for the automatic operation. During thisinterval of preparation of the machines of the group referred to all of the machinesof the other group are preferably being operated simultaneously by the automatic controlling mechanism to write on the several letter sheets in the different machinesof the second group, the subject matter previously punched or placed on the record strip aetuating the automatic controlling mechanism. The record sheet or strip is preferably endless so that it passes through the automatic controlling mechanism repeatedly and the most effective results are secured by having such a number of machines in each group that the time required for the attend-v ant to remove the written letters from each machine of one group. insert a fresh sheet. in each machine and place the proper heading on the sheet so that each machine of the group will be in readiness for the body portion of the letter is substantially equal to the time required for the automatic controlling mechanism to simultaneously write the body portion of the letter on all of the machines of the other group. In this way the record strip is kept in operation practically continuously and no time is lost. Any num ber of machines may be used in each group depending upon the circumstances and the total number of letters to be written, and if desired the headings may be put in by manual operation of the machines directly instead of through the manual controlling mechanism, in Which case several attendants may, if necessary be engaged in preparing the machines of one group while the machines of the other group are being automatically operated. If desired both groups of machines may be connected for operation by either controlling mechanism.

In carrying out my inventionLI find that electromagnets may be u d effectively in connection with suitable switching and controlling devices connected with the circuits of the magnets for securing the operation above referred to and in connection with such an electric system of operation I provide two groups of relays, each connected with the corresponding group of machines, contact fingers controlled by the record strip for closing individual" circuits corresponding in number with the number of relays in each-group andindividual switch contacts adapted to be closed by theoperation ofa standard typewriting machine key-board as a part of the manual controlling mechanism, together with switching devices for connecting either the contact fingers of the automatic'controlling mechanism or the individual switch contacts of the manual controlling mechanism with either group of relays as desired, the currents flowing through these circuits being relatively preferably small to preventundue arcing. and wear at the contacts controlled by the contact fingers and at the individual switch contacts of the manual controlling mechanism. In additionswitching mechanism is provided inv the circuits extending from the contacts of each-group of ,relays so that electric circuits connecting with the actuating magnets of the several typewriting machines of each group maybe connected to or disconnected from the relay contacts of the correspond- 'ing group as desired. these connections being in parallel relation and the relay contacts being constructed to take care of the relatively large currents required to operate the typewriter electromagnets of either group when connected in parallel relation.

My invention further provides improved devices of the kind set'forth for operating a typewriting machine electrically and also improved devices for eifecting the various controls referred to.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof in whichi.

Fig. 1 shows in front elevation one of the typewriting machines employed in my .sys tem.

Fig. 2 is a detail bottom view of the elec-v tric switch actuated at the end of the carriaI ge return,

ig. 3 is a side elevation of the typewriting machine shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a detail end view of the electric switch controlling the carriage return clutch,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the carriage of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 3,

Fig. 6 shows in side elevation somewhat diagrammatically the devices and electro-- magnets for actuating the tabulating mechanism of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 3,

Fig. 7 shows in rear elevation a part of the mechanism employed to operate the said tabulating mechanism,

Fig. 8 shows in a view similar to Fig. 7 certain of the parts of Fig. 7 in their alternate position,

Fig. 9 shows in longitudinal sectional view one of the electromagnets employed to operate the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 3,

Fig. 10 shows plan view a. spring disk employed in the magnet construction shown} in Fig. 9, K

Fig. 11 is an edge view of the disk shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 shows in plan viewthe automatic controlling mechanism for making contact through the contact fingers of the individual circuits for actuating one group of relays of the controlling mechanism and also shows one of said groups of relays,

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 12 taken along the line 1313', Figf H is an end view of the motor control switch shown in Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation of the left hand side wall and adjacent relay mechanism shown in Fig. 12,

16 is a plan view of a part of the contact roller and record strip,'showing the relation of the contact openings to the con' tact roller,

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the complete controlling mechanism of my system with the exception of the manual controlling mechatact strips employed in connection with the switch contacts shown in Fig; 19,

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the switching and connectingdevices shown in Fig. 17 for connecting or disconnecting oneof the typewriting machines,

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 21 talgenalong the line 22-22,

Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view to an enlarged scale through one of the yokes for efiectmg simultaneous operation of all of the connecting switches for one group of machines,

Fig. 21 is a. sectional view to an enlarged scale of the revelsing switch shown in Fig. 1? takenalong the'line 247-21, 4

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the contact roller or commutator shown in Fi 24. and

Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections employed in my system.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the typewritipg machine employed in my system. which may as to its mechanical construction be of standard type, consist of a frame 10, the key .bars11 of which; have. connected with them operating wires 12 extending downwardly to the plungers 13 of electromagnets 14, which electromagnets are preferably of the solenoid type to secure most effective operation. The magnets are preferably arable frame extending downwardly from the base of the typewriting machine and this frame also supports other operating mechanism to be described. For convenience the space bar 16 is connected in asimilar 15 manner to that described with a similar electromagnet 17 supported above the magnets "11 on the frame work 15 and another elec-J troma'gnet 18 of similar type is similarly connected with devlces for in part actuating 0 the tabulating key mechanism in a manner to be described.

Each of the electromagnets is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 9 and has a single actuating coil 14 surrounded by a tubular shell 14", the coil 14 being wound on a non-magnetic sleeve 1-1. A core 14 extends from a magnetic base plate 146 to substantially the mid-portion of the sleeve LP and a plunger 13 is provided to be moved 30 into the sleeve 1-1 towards the core 14 by the magnetic action when current flows in the coil. A magnetic bar 11 closes the upper end of the magnet with a central opening of substantially the size of the bore of the sleeve 14. The upper end'of the plunger 13 is engaged by an adjusting screw 14* which passes through a yoke 11*, the upper end of the yoke being connect-edwith a block 11" of insulating material. whichblock is connected with one of the -wires 12. The screw 14" is provided with lock nuts on either side of the yoke 1-1 so that any desired adjustment of the plunger 13 may be secured and maintained. A disk 14 of non-magnetic material is provided on the upper end of the core 1-1, this disk being made. as indicatcd in Figs. 10 and 11 with a number of radial cuts extending nearly to its center and with the edges of the cuts or slots bentslightly in opposite directions so that the disk. which preferably is of spring material. such as spring brass or bronze. will cushion the impact of tlic plunger when it is forcibly drawn into the sleevel-l against the disk. The disk serves several useful functions. for .it not only cushions the impact referred to. but in addition it serves as an anti-sticking medium and by its spring action. it imparts an upward impulse to the plunger 13 immediately upon the de-ener-- gization of the electromagnet and thus contributes in large measure to the quick ret'uu of the key bar connected therewi h.

The typewriting machine is provided with adjustable margin stops 19, IQ engaging a rod 20 so that movement 'of the typewriter carriage 21 to the position for beginning a new line, engages the stop 19 wherever it may be placed and imparts-a small amount of longitudinal movement to the rod 20 against the action of the spring 22, which movement causes engagement between the right hand end of the rod 20 and the upper end of a lever pivot-ally supported at 24 by a bracket extending from the frame 10. The lever 23 carries at its lower end, a block 25 of conducting material insulated from the lever 2, which, upon the movement of the lever referred to. is moved between switch contacts 26 and 27, the relation of these parts being more clearly shown in Fig. 2. The contacts 26 and 27 are supported by a suit able block of insulating material from the frame 10 of the machine. Immediately upon the release of the carriage return mechanism in amanner to be described, the lever 23 is moved by a spring 28 to disen gage the cont-act block 25 from the switch contacts 26 and 27.

The return of the carriage 21 to its posi tion for writing a new line is accomplished as follows: A motor 29 is supported by the frame work 15 to drive by a belt 30 a pulley 31 secured to one end of a shaft 32 supported in suitable'bearin gs on the frame work so that its other end carries a magnetic clutch 33. The clutch 33 is provided with a winding 34 the ends of which are connected with contact rings 35 and 36 carried by .and insulatedfrom the shell of the clutch and on these contact rings brushes 37 and 38 are supported by a bracket carried by the frame work 15. The shaft 32'terminates at about the mid-portion of the clutch coil and serves as its core. A second shaft 39 is supported in suitable bearings carried by the frame work 15 in line with the shaft 32 and its right hand end as shown in Fig. 3, enters the coil 34 to form the plunger of the magnetic clutch. A disk 40 of magnetic material rigidly carried by the shaft 39 so that when current passes through the coil 34: the shaft 39 and the disk 40 are moved to the right against the action of a spring 41 to bring the disk into engagement with the end of the shell of the clutch and the ends of the shafts 39 and 32 together. For this condition of the parts. the shaft 39 is driven'and a drum 42 carried by the shaft 39'is rotated to wind up a cord or band 43 which extends upward-. ly from the drum. over the guide roller 41 rigidly supported from the frame 10 of the machine and then horizontally to engage a rod 45 connected with the return and line spacing lever 16 of the carriage. The relation of the latter parts is more clearly shown i; Fig. 5. The carriage return is continued as described until the contacts 26 and 27 are connected by the contact block 25 which en; ergizes the electromagnet 47, the operation of the lever 51 so that when it is energized magnet operates pivotally supported at 56 and connected with of which magnet breaks the circuit through the coil 34 and releases the disk 40 under the action of the spring 41 thus stopping the driving of the shaft 39. The circuit of the coil 34 is closed through contacts 48 and 49 by a contact block 50 carried by and insulated from alever 51 pivotally supported at 52 on the frame work 15. The magnet 47 is connected with the lever 51 by a rod or Wire 53 so that when the magnet 47 is energized, the contact block 50 is moved from engagement with the contacts 48 and 49 and'a second magnet 54 is connected to the other end the contact block 50 is moved into engagement with the contacts 48 and 49, the relation of the latter parts being more clearly indicated in Fig. 4. The contacts 48 and 49 are carried by a block of suitable insulating material secured to the 'frame work 15. A third electromagnet 47 similar to the electromagnet 47 and similarly connected to the lever 51 is also provided for a purpose to be described. As a result of the construction described when the magnet 54 is energized which is done at the end of awritten line in a manner to be described, the circuit of the coil 34 is closed, the disk 40 is attracted, the shaft 39 is rotated and the carriage is re-. turned as described and at the end of its return movement the closing of the contacts 26 and 27 energizes the magnet 47 which dis .connects the contacts 48 and 49 from each other and thus interrupts the circuit through the coil 34 and releases the carriage return mechanism. The motor 29 is intended to be operated continuously during the operation of the machine.

, To provide for proper operation of the tabulating key by the momentary current impulse delivered by the controlling. mecha' nism, the devices shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are employed. As shown in these figures the tabulating key 11 is connected with an actuating magnet 14 so that energization of the the key, rotates the lever 55 the key 11*, and moves the rod 57, thus rocking the bar 58 on its end bearings 59 to release the spacing mechanism of the machine in the'usual manner and permitting the car.- riage to move until the tabulating stop is brought into operation. The current impulse energizing the magnet 14 is momen- .tary and to provide against the release of the key lever 11 bringing the spacingmechanism of the'carriage into operation before 05. f the achinethe' tabulating stop has reached its proper position, the following. devices are, employed: The bar 58 is provided with .a rearwardly projecting arm60 which as more clearly shown in Fig. 7, rests on a shoulder on the upper endof. a bell crank lever 61 pivotally supported at 62 from the frame 10 The lever 61. is engaged by the tabulating a spring 63so that when the bar 58 is rocked by energization of the magnet 14 in the er the actuation of the key bar 11 is momentary or not. 'The record strip'employed 1n the controlling mechanism is provided'with two perforations for engaging different contact fingers, the first one of said fingers ing first permitted to make contact with the contact roller to energize the magnet 14 and sufficiently thereafter to certainly permit movement of the carriage until stopped by stop, a second perforation is provided in the record strip for the second contact finger to energize the magnet'18 which is connected by the rod 65 with the lower 'end of the lever 61, which action moves thelever' against the action of the spring 63 and permits the arm 60 to again engage the shoulder at the upper end of the lever 61 and thus returns the tabulating mechanism to its normal position. The screw 64 is held in desired adjustment ,by means of a lock nut as indicated.

The typewriting machine shown in the figures referred to is preferably of the shift. key type to reduce the number of circuits and magnets required, although I do not limit myself to the actuating of any particular type of typewriting machine, and with a machine of the shift key type, it is preferable that the shifting operation shall be effected by first actuating the shift key bet through its proper magnet, that will lock the parts in their shifted position so that a momentary electric impulse will efiect and retain the shifted condition, after which another magnet is energized, at the end ofthe writing of the upper case characters, to actuate the shift key release of the mecha- I nism of the machine.

The controlling mechanism employed to control the circuits of the several typewriter a grooved clutch-member 68 splined there- The shaft 68 also carries on for engagement with a clutch member 69 carried by the. worm wheel 69, an operating lever 68 pivotally mounted on a fixed support at 68 being provided to engagethe member 68 to move it into or from engagement with the member 69 as desired. A

.crank 68 is securedto the end of the shaft 68 to rotate the same when the clutch members are disengaged, to facilitate adjusting the record strip as desired. The pulley 72 is engaged by a belt driven by a small pulley 74 carried by the shaft of a motor 75, which motor is supported by the frame work 66. The motor circuit is controlled by a contact block 76 and switch contacts 77 and 78, said contacts being mounted on a block of insulating material carried by the frame work 66. The contact block 76 is carried by and insulated from a lever 79 pivotally mounted at 80 on the frame work 66, said lever having connected thereto on opposite sides of its pivot, the plungers of electromagnets 81 and 82 as a result of which energization of the magnet 82 moves the block into engagement with the contacts 77 and 78 and energization of the magnet 81 moves the block 76 from engagement with said contacts. The roller 67 as more clearly shown in Fig. 13 has strips of insulating material 67 inserted in its surface longitudinally, leaving narrow strips of conducting material. between them WhlCh similar strips of conducting material are a part of, or are carried by the body portion of the roller 67 which is also of conducting material. ,The roller 67 is provided at each end with driving pins 67 for engaging regularly spaced apertures 83 formed in each edge of the record strip 83 as indicated in Fig. 16, so that each of the circuit controlling apertures 83 through the record strip 83 will be brought into registry with one of the conducting strips of the roller 67, the apertures 83 being of greater extent longitudinally of the record strip than the width of the conducting strips ofthe roller 67 for a purpose to be explained. Pressure rollers 84 and 85 are mounted adjacent the roller 67 to insure that the record strip 83 shall be held in properrelation to the circuit-closing devices. A series of contact arms 86 is secured to a strip of insulating material 87 hinged at 88 to the frame work of the controlling mechanism and each of these arms carries at its outer end a plurality of brush wires 86 bent at their outer ends to engage the surface of the record strip 83, which record strip is of thin pliable insulating material, such for example as paper or fibrous material. There are as many of the arms 86 as circuits to be controlled by the mechanism and apertures 83 are formed in the record strip 83 in line with each arm where it is desired to close the circuit controlled by said arm and its brush wires. When one of the said apertures 83 passes under the corresponding brush wires, the ends of the wires'drop -into the aperture under their spring action and first rest upon one of the insulating strips ma am are lifted by the edge of the aperture 83*.

In this manner any arcing that takes place at the ends of the brush wires, occurs at a distance from the edges of the apertures 83*, which prevents charring the edges of the apertures and damaging the record strip. The pressure roller is carried by spring arms 89 secured to the bar 87 and a bent wire 90 is pivotally connected at its ends as indicated at 91 so that said bent wire will hold the roller '85 in the raised position indicated in Fig. 13 when it is desired to insert or remove the record strip. Raising the roller 85 moves the bar 87 and the contact arms carried thereby to the position indicated in Fig. 13 against the action of one or more springs 92 which normally hold the bar in a position bringing the brushnwires into engagement with the record strip. The roller 67 is provided at the left hand end as shown in Fig. 12, with a spring operated bearing stud 93 having an end knob 94 by which the stud may be removed from engagement with the roller, the other end of the roller preferably having a slot or slots 95 for engaging a pin or pins 96 carried by the shaft 68 so that with the stud 93 withdrawn from the roller, the roller may readily be removed from the machine .to facilitate removing or inserting the record strip. The roller 84 is similarly provided with a spring actuated bearing stud 97 to permit its removal from the machine when desired.

Besides the circuit controlling mechanism described, the frame 66 carries relays 98, there being one relay for each of the contact arms 86 for the arrangement shown in Fig. 12. These relays together constitute a first relay group and in practice T-find it desirable to employ a second-similar relay group to secure most effective operation of the system in a manner to be described. As indicated in Fig. 12 the relays are arranged 1n rows across the frame work and as they are all of the same construction it will be necessary to describe but onefof them -as for example the relay 98*- shown in Fig. 13.

The'plunger of the relay 98 is connected by relay mechanisms to support all of the spring arms of the relays of said row. The arm 99 carries at its free end a contact 101 adapted when operated to engage a contact 102 mounted on a common conducting bar 103 extending throughout the row of corresponding relays, which conducting bar in turn is mounted on a bar 1% of insulating material which also extends throughout said row of relays. A rigid rod 105 is supported by the frame work over the free ends of the arms 99, said rod 105 being covered with suitable insulating material such as rubber tubing 106 to prevent electrical contact between the rod and the arms, said rod serving as a back stop for said arms. The re-- lays 98 are of the same general construction as the magnets 11, the principal difierence being their energizing windings. Each of the relay windings consists of a large numhand consists of much fewer turns of coarser wire since the amount of current required and work to be done is-relatively great and this largecurrent is readily controlled by the contacts 101 and 102 of each relay with which the corresponding magnet 14 is connected, since the contacts 101 and 102 may be made solely to withstand arcing to the best advantage, as for example said contacts may consist of small carbon blocks'which will withstand the arcing action for a considerable time and when they are worn away they may easily be replaced. .In connection with the circuit requiring but small current- I find it advantageous to use resistances 107 and 108 as for example in the relay actuating circuits and the circuit of the motor respectively, the resistance 10'? being connectedin the common conductor of 'the relay actuating circuits.

As shown in Fig. 17, my complete system consists preferably of a controlling mechanism K in which two groups of relay mechanism R and R are mounted, each group being as described above in connection with Figs. 12-15 inclusive. The controlling mechanism isadapted' to control the operation of two groups of typewriting machines, a first group being indicated diagrammatically at T T ,.T and T and a second group being similarly indicated at T T, T and T The typewriters T T T and T are connected with the'controlling mechanism by cables of electrical conductors C C,- C and C respectively and the typewriters T T,

T and T are similarly connected by cables C C, C and C respectively. The cable C" is connected with a connecting and u swltchmg mechanism b by whlchthe circuits extending to the controlling mechamsm K from the typewriter T* may be s1- multaneously made or broken as desired Ill a manner to be explained and from the switching mechanism 5* connection is made -connected by a. cable of conductors C with the contacts of an automatic circuit controlling mcchanism A constructed as described in connection with Figs. 12-15 inclusive and also with another cable of conductors C extending to a manually controlled switching mechanism for controlling the energizing circuits of the relays in a manner to be described. The function of the reversing switch is to colmect the conductors of the cable C either with the corresponding conductors of the cable C or the cable C as desired and at the same time to connectthe conductors of the cable C with the conductors of'the cable C or the cable C The switch RS also provides for connecting the conductors of eitherthc cable C or C? with the corresponding.conductors of both of the cables C and C as desired in parallel relation. The reversing switch is provided with an operating handle 109 projecting from the front of the casing of the controlling mechanism by which the connections referred to may be effected. The switching mechanism S is connected to an operating. rod 110 which projects through the front of the cabinet and has secured to its outer end an operating handle 111. The switching mechanism S 13 similarly connected by a rod 112 with an operating handle 113. Each of the cables 0, C C and C is connected with a switching mechanism, of the same construction as that shown at S, which switching mechanisms are mounted in the cabinet one above another on separate supports and the other terminals of these several mechanisms are connected re. spectively in parallel and to the corresponding conductors of the cable C The cables C C, C and C are similarly connected to separate switching mechanisms like the switching mechanism S the other contacts of which switching mechanisms are respectively connected together in parallel relation and to the corresponding conductors of the cable C. The several switching mechanisms referred to are connected with operating rods provided with handles as de- Inn scribed above for the switches S and S these several handles being shown more clearly in Fig. 18, the handles 111, 114, and 116 controlling connection respectively with the cables 0*, C C and C and the handles 113,117, 118 and 119 controlling connection respectively with the cables C C, C and C As a result of the construction described the pulling out of any one of the handles disconnects the corresponding typewriting machine and the pushing in of said handle connects said machine with its relay group for operation thereby. It will be observed that the handles 111, 114, 115 and 116 are disposed in a vertical row and it will be understood that the operating rods extending from the handles are similarly disposed over each other. A common operating mechanism for said rods is provided as follows: The rod 110 has rigidly secured thereto a collar 110 located between the ears of a yoke 120 suitably mounted on the rods connected with said handles. An operating rod 121 projects forwardly from saidyoke and has secured to its outer end an operating handle 122. All of the operating rods are provided with collars in the manner described for the rod 110 as a result of which,

movement of the handle 122 moves all four of the rods either inwardly or outwardly as desired and therefore operates all of the corresponding switch'ng mechanisms to their closed or open position. Sufficient clearance is provided betweenthe ears of the yoke 120 to permit' individual operation of said rods in any desired combination and the relation of the parts is such that whatever may be the position of the several switching mechanisms connected with said rods, pulling the handle 122 outwardly will move all of the closed switching mechanisms to their open position and moving said handle inwardly will move the open switching mechanisms to their closed position.' The construction of the yoke 120 and the relation of the several operating rods to each other is more clearly shown in Fig. 23. The rods connected with the operating handles 113, 117, 118 and119 are provided with a similar common operating mechan sm controlled by ahandle 123 operating in the same manner as the handle 122 to produce the same re- "sults for the typewriting machines T T, T and T as produced by the handle 122 forthe typewriting machines T T T and T Push buttons 124 and 125 are mounted on the front of the cabinet to respectively start and stop the operation of the automatic controlling mechanism A as desired in a manner to be described.

To complete the controlling mechanism shown in Fig. 17 the cabinet is provided with a cover upon which a manual circuit controlling mechanism B is mounted preferably upon a base-plate 126 so that it may be moved forwardly from the front of the cabinet somewhat, in the slides 127 carried by the top of the cabinet, to make operation of the mechanism B by the operator more con venient. The manual switching mechanism B consists essentially of keys and key levers arranged preferably in the same manner as the arrangement of the keys on a standard key-board and it may if preferred, consist of a standard typewriting machine having key levers provided with switching mechanism as follows: Each of the key levers 128 as shown in Fig. 19 has connected thereto a downwardly extending rod 129 threaded at its lower end to engage a turnbuckle 130 which also engages the threaded upper end of a lower rod 131, the threads on the ends of the rods being of reverse inclination to effect proper adjustment by means of the turnbuckle. The rod 131 extends through a guide plate 132 of insulating material supported by the frame of the machine B and its lower end rests above spring contacts 133 and 134 carried by a bar of insulating material 135 supported by the frame work of the machine. The contacts 133 and 134 are separated somewhat from each other so there is no electrical contact between them and when the rod 131 is moved downwardly by depression of the key bar 128, it moves between the contacts 133'and 134 making electrical connection between said contacts. The turnbuckles are preferably bars of insulating material to prevent the possibility of short circuits occurring between the sev eral contacts of the machine. Each of the contacts 134 is an individual contact connected to one of the conductors 136 of the cable C, the contacts 133 being common contacts constructed preferably as indicated in Fig. 20 so that a single strip of contacts extends throughout the length of the bar 135 for operation by a series of key levers 128. For convenience other series of said key levers are connected with corresponding series of spring contacts of the same construction as those just described, carried by insulat ing bars 135, 135 and 135 similarly supported from the frame work of the machine B. The contact strip 133 is connected by a Wire 137 with a common conductor 138 of the cable G to which the other similar strips of contacts are also connected as indicated. Each of the key levers is returned to its upper position when released, by a spring 139 and thus electrical connection between the corresponding contacts 133 and 134 is interrupted. It will be observed that the contact construction referred to permits a considerable range of operation of the key levers to accommodate the differences which may exist in the operating strokes of different operators and furthermore for any operation the rods 131 make sliding contact between the spring contacts 133 and 134 ll r thus maintaining good electrical contact bea tween the parts. In this manner the connec- 'tions between the common conductor of the trolling connection with the cables C -C v an insulating bar 140 mounted upon a position indicated in Fig. 17.

inclusive is of the same construction and it will be necessary to describe but one of them, as for example the switch S". As shown in Figs. 21 and 22 the switch S consists of a first series of spring contacts 139 secured to shelf or plate 141 which in turn is secured in the cabinet of the controlling mechanism in the These contacts 139 are individual and insulated fromeach other and are arranged to be engaged by a corres onding series of switch blades 141 secure to an insulating bar 142 provided with end pivots 143 located below and to the right of contacts .139 for the relation of the parts shown in Fig. 22, saidend pivots or bearings 143 being supported in brackets 144 carried by the shelf 141. The bar 142 has secured thereto at one of its ends, an upwardly extending arm 145 to the upper end of which the end of an operating rod 110 is loosely connected so that movement of the operating rod to the right for the relation of the parts" shown in Figs. 21 and 22 will ro- I the end pivots 143 of tate the bar 142 and the switch blades connected therewith around to the right in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 22 on i,

the bar. Acontact 139 and cooperating switch blade 141 are provided for each condugtor in the corresponding cables connected with the switching mechanism as a result of which movement-of the rod "110 serves to interrupt connection between all of the conductors of the cable C and'all of the corresponding conductors of cable C. Connection of the contacts 139 to the cable C is indicated in Fig. 22 by the wire 146 and corresponding connection beand the cable C is indicated in the same figure by wire 147 it being understood that the cable C may have an suitable support not shown from the ,shelf 141 and that its conductors are connect ed in parallel relation with the several series of switchblades 141 of the different switching mechanisms employed below the switching mechanism S for the relation of the'parts shown in Fig. 17. The conductors Y of thb cable C are similarly connected with the switch blades of the switching mecha-.

nism S and the other swltching mechanisms located below said switching mechanism for the relation of parts shown in Fig. 17. It willbe observed that the contacts 139 constitute a convenient-terminal strip for the conductors of the cable C so that in wiring the typewritin machines the cables may have any desire length depending upon where the machines are to be located relatively to the controlling mechanism.

The reversing switch BS is constructed preferably as shown in Figs. 24 and '25 and consists of a roller or commutator 14S mounted on suitable end bearings supported in brackets as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 17 for rotation by the operating handle 109 through degrees. The roller 148 is of insulating ma an angle of substantially 180.

terial and is provided with a plurality of slots extending transversely through it in which segments 149 and 150 of conducting material such as copper or brass are inserted, there being as many pairs of segments 149 and 150 as there are circuits to be reversed by the reversing switch, or in other words as many as there are conductors in the cables C3, C, C or C. Each pair of segments 149 and 150 is disposed in the same manner in the roller 148 for-enga ement with four contact springs as in icated in Fig. 24. The first one of these springs 151 is mounted upon a bar 152 of insulating material and for the position of the roller 148 shown in Fig. 24 rests upon the left hand end of the segment 149, this spring being connected by; a wire with one of the conductors of the cable (3 A second contact spring 153 rests upon the right hand end of the segment 149 in which position it is supported by the material, said spring being connected by a wire with one ofthe conductors of the cable A third contact spring 155 rests upon the right hand end of the segment 150 and a fourth contact spring 156 restsupon the left hand end of said segment, said contacts being held in place by bars 157 and 158 respectively of suitable insulating material and connected by wires each with a conductor of the cables C and C respectively, there being a complete set of contact springs 151, 153, 155 and 156 for each pair of segments 149 and 150 which springs are insulated from each other by thednsulating mounting plate and bars, are connected with the wires of the cables C 7 C and C respectively. It will appearthat for the position of the roller 148 shown in Fig. 24

and which springsthe relay group R has its relay windings connected respectively with the 'spect-ively' connected with the corresponding" contacts of the manual switching mechanism 149, and that tlierelay windings of the relay group R are re- B through the cables 0 and 0 these circuits being closed through the segments 150. When the roller 148 is moved through substantially 90 degrees around to the right as shown in Fig. 24, each segment 150 establishes electrical connection between a spring 151 and a spring 156 and each segment 149 establishes electrical connection be-m tween a spring 153 and a spring 155 and for this position of the roller 148 the relay windings of the relay group R are connected respectively with the contacts of the manual switching mechanism B through the cables C and C and the relay windings of the relay group R are connected with the brush fingers of the automatic controlling mechanism A through the cables C and C. In this manner the operation of either group of relays may be controlled eithefby the operation of the manual switching mechanism or of the automatic switching mechanism by proper operation of the reversing switch and at the same time the other group of re v lays may be operated by the other of said switching mechanisms. Again, by rotating the roller 148 substantially 45 degrees around to the left from the position indicated in Fig. 24, each segment 149 has resting upon it springs 153, 151 and 156, or in other words the conductors of cables C, C and C are connected respectively and both of the relay groups R- and R are connected for simultaneous operation by the automatic controlling mechanism and the manual switching mechanism is disconnected from a both relay groups; or, by turning the roller 1 48 around to the right substantially 135 degrees from the position indicated in Fig. 24, each segment 149 has resting upon it springs 153, 155 and 156 connecting the respective conductors of cables (1, C and C together at which time both of the relay groups are connected for simultaneous operation by the manual controlling mechanism and the automatic controlling mechanism is disconnected from both relay groups..

In Fig. 26 I have shown diagrammatically the circuit connections employed throughout my system. In this connection since the electromagnets used for operating the key bars of the several typewriting machines are of the same construction and similarly operated, I show but one of these electromagnets for each of said typewriting machines, for example the electromagnet employed in connection with each said machine for writing the letter a. Since the special controlling mechanism associated with each typewriting machine is of the same kind and similarly operated from the relay mechanism, and since the control exercised by the relay mechanism in eiiecting the operation of the special electromagnets is exercised through similar circuits to those employed for operating the key lever magnets, I show'the special electromagnet mechanism for but one of the typewriting machines, for example the machine T To further simplify the diagrammatic circuit connections shown in Fig. 26, I show but one relay circuit for each group of relays and but one contact closing device of the automatic switching mechanism and the manual switching mechanism for controlling said relay circuits and but one set of reversing contacts for controlling said circuits, it being under stood that the circuits are duplicated so that each relay of each group is provided with similar operating circuit and controls simi ar circuits through the typewriting machine electromagnets.

As shown in this figure, current is supplied to the system by means of main feed wires 159 and 160 extending through main switch'iMS from any suitable source not shown which may if desired, be the regular lighting circuit available for lighting purposes. The feed wire 159 extends to the automatic switching'mechanism A and is also connected with a wire 161 connected in parallel with the switching mechanisms S '5 S and S from-which switches, supply wires 161 161 161 and 161 extend through cables C C C and C to the typewriting machines T T T and T respectively where said wires are connected with all of the electromagnets of said typewriters respectively. The feed wire.159 is also-similarly connected by wire 162 through switching mechanisms S S S, S to wires 162, 162*, 162 and 16% through cables C C, C", C extending respectively to the typewriting machines T T, T and T in which machines they form common conductors for the various electromagnets. The back contacts 102 of the relays of group R are connected together and by wire 163 with feed wire 160. The back contacts 102* of the relays ofgroup R are similarly connected, together and by wire 164 with feed wire 160. The front contacts 101 of the relays of group Rare each connected by a Wire 165 in parallel relation with corresponding ones of the switch contacts of the switches S S S and S from which individual connections are made by wires 166, 166, 166", 166 through cables C C C C with the magnets 14 of the machines T T T and T respectively as a result of which current flows through the wires 166, 166, 166', and 166 simultaneously upeif the closing of the corresponding contact 101 against its contact 102 and simultaneously actuates the corresponding electromagnets 14 of the said machines. Each of the front contacts 101 of the relays of the group R is similarly connected by a wire 167 in parallel relation with corresponding switch contacts of the switches S S, S and S connected respectively-by Wires 168, 168, 168 and 168 16 common supply The feed wire 160' is also connected by wire l with correspondingmagnets 14 of the machines T, T, T and T so that closing any one of the contacts 101 against its had; contact 102 energizes a corresponding one '6 of the electromagnets 14 of each of said machines. 4

The feed wire 160 is connected by wire 169 through cable G with the contacts 133 of the manual switching mechanism and 10 each of the contacts 134 of said mechanism is connected b a corresponding wire 170 of the cable 8 with one of the switch springs 155 of the reversing switch, as a result of which the wire 169 constitutes a wire for the contacts 133.

171 through resistance 107 with the conducting roller 67 of the automatic switching mechanism, each of the contact fingers 86 of which is connected by wire 171 with a A 55 38 respectively.

wires 159 and 160 R The wire 162' a common feed wire nected by wire corresponding one of the contact springs 151* of the reversing switch, the wire 170 i and the wires 171 constituting conductors'of the cable C The feed wire 159 is con- I 85 nected by wire 172 with one terminal of the winding of each of the electromagnets 81 and 82, the other terminals of said windings being connected respectively with contacts of the push buttons 125 and 124,'the other 80 contacts of which push buttons are connect ed together and by wire 173 with the wire 160. The wire 159 is also connected by wire 174 with contact 78 and contact 77 is connected through resistance 108 by wire 175i 5 with one terminal of the motor 75 theother terminal of which is connected by wire 176 with the wire 160. The motor 75 is providcd with a shunt field winding 7 5? having its terminals connected directly with the in the automatic switching mechanism, so that the motor will stop qulckly whenever its armature circuit is opened at the contacts 77 and 78. H

of the cable C constitutes besides being connected of the winding of each machine T and with one terminal I of its electromagnets-14, it is also connected with one electromagnet 18 land by wires 177, 178, 178

terminal of the winding of the and 179 with oneterminalof the windings of, electromagnets 14 47, 47 and spectively, and by- wires 180 and 181 with one terminal of the motor 29 and the brush The other terminals of the windings of magnets 18, 14, 47 and 54 are connected respectively with wires 182, 183, 184 and 185 constituting individual wires of the cable C and extending -through the switching mechanism S and controlled in the same manner as is each of the individual connections 168 from the electromagnets 14 of said typewriting machine T The brush 37 is con- 186 with the contact 48 .cated in Fig. 26, when any for the typewriting corresponding relj'ay tion of the clutch operates and the contact 49 is connected with-a wire 187 extending through the cable O and connected through the switch S and cable G with the feed wire160. The contacts As a result B is depressed the pin 131 establishes elec-t trical connection between the contacts 133 and 134 closing the following circuit: feed wire 159, wire 162, relay winding 98*, .wire

-191 of cable C spring 156, segment 150,

spring 155, wire 170, contact 134, pin 131, contact 133, wire 169, to feed wire 160 thus energizing the relay and closing the corresponding contacts 101 and 102. This closes the following circuit: feed wire 159,

wire 162, contacts of, switch S wire 162, winding of electromagnet 14, wire 168, contacts of switch S wire 167, contact 101, contact 102 wire 164, to feed wire 160, thus energizing the electromagnet. 14. ,A similar circuit is provided in the manual switching mechanism B and through the reversing switch RS for the relay for actuating each of the electromagnets 18, 14, 47

' and 54 through contacts of said relay mechin. a similar manner through the switch S Thus at the end of a written line by depressing a proper key at the switching mechanism B, the electromagnet 54 is energized over the following circuit: feed wire 159, wire 162, contacts of switch 8*, wire 162, wire 179, winding anism connected IOU of electromagnet 54, wire 185, through contacts 101 98 to feed wire 160. This moves the Contact block 50 into engagement with contacts 48 and 49 closing the following circuit from the eed wire 159 over the path above traced to wire 162, wire 181,"-brush 38, slip ring 36, winding switch S -34 of clutch 33, slip ring 35, brush 37,

wire 186,contact 48, contact block 50, contact 49, wire 187 through switch S and cable (1 to feed wire 160. The energizaas above described to move the carriage ofthe machine T to its position forbeginning the nextwritten line for which position the contact block 25 is moved into engagement with the contacts 26 and 27 as above described to close the following circuit, the energizing circuit of the electromagnet 54 being at and 102 of the measure this time interrupted by release of the carriage return key of the switching mechanism B; feed wire 159, over the path above traced to wire 162 wire 178 winding of electromagnet 47, wire 188, contact 26, contact block 25, contact 27, wire 189, to wire 187 and through the connections \above described to feed wire 160, thus energizing electromagnet 47 and moving the contactblock 50 fromengagement with the contacts 48 and 49, thus opening the circuit above traced through the electromagnetic clutch and placing the carriage of'the'typewriting machine in condition for writing the next line. The wire 184 constituting an individual conductor, extends from electromagnet 47 through the cable C? which, for the position of the reversing switch shown in Fig. '26, may be connected in a similar manner to that described above with the feed wire 160 by operation of a carriage release key of the manual switching mechanism so that when it is desired to rotate the platen of the typewriting machine T without effecting a complete return of the carriage, this may be done by first operating the carriage return key and immediately releasing it and operating the carriage release key as many time as desired, the effect being that the platen of the typewriting machine will be rotated and the return of the carriage be partly effected as a result of the time element required for complete return of the carriage. Two electromagnets 47 and 47 are provided to open the circuit through the wire 186 to prevent the possibility of the opening of the circuit throughtcontacts'26 and 27 prematurely stoppin movement of the carriage 0 one of-the other typewriting machines connected in panallel with the machine T in the event the carriages of said machines do not re turn in exactly the same time. The switching. mechanism B is also provided with a tabulating key and a tabulating release key for controlling independent switch contacts controlling in the manner above described a the energization of the electromagnets 14' and 18 through individual wires 183 and 182 of the cable 0 the electromagnet 14' being first energized and then after'a suficient interval to permit the corresponding movementof the carriage, the electromagnet 18 being energized to release the locked condition of the tabulating mechanism described in connection with Figs. 6, 7 and 8 above. I

The automatic switching mechanism A is provided with a contact brush 86 corresponding with each of the pairs of contacts 133 and 134 described above in connection with the manual switch mechanism B, which contact brushes, for the osition of the reversing switch shown in ig. 26 control the the return operation of the relays of the group R in the same manner above described for the control of the relays of the group R by the manual switching mechanism B. In view of this it will be necessary to trace but one of these circuits as follows: feed wire 159, winding of relay 98, wire 192 of cable C contact spring 153, segment 149, contact spring 151, wire'171, brush 86, roller 67, resistance 107, wire 170. to feed wire 160. The closing of the contacts 101 and 102 energizes the electromagnets 14 corresponding with said relay 98 and forming part of the typewriting machines T T T and T through circuits identical with those described for the typewriting machines T T, T and T. To start the operation of the automatic switching mechanism A, the push button 124 is operated'closing the following circuit: feed wire 159, wire 172, winding of magnet 82, contacts of push button 124, wire 173, to feed wire 160. The energization of the magnet 82 moves the contact block 76 into engagement with the contacts 77 and 78 closing the motor circuit as follows: feed wire 159, wire 174, contact 78, contact block 76, contact 77, resistance 108, wire 175 to and through the motor 75, wire 176 to feed wire 160. The motor is thus operated and drives the roller 67 in the manner above de scribed and moves the record strip not shown in Fig. 26, under the brushes 86 to permit them tomake contact with roller 67 through apertures therein at the proper time to secure the desired sequence of operation of the several ma ets of the machines T T T and T en it is desiredfor any reason tostop the operation of the switching mechanism A, the push button 125' may be operated closing the following circuit; feed wire 159, wire 172, winding of magnet 81, contacts ofpush button 125, wire 173 to wire 160. The energization of the magnet 81 moves the contact block 76 from engagement with the contacts 77 and 78 thus opening the circuit through the motor 75.

To provide for automatic stopping of the motor at the end of the record on the record strip by 'a suitable, perforation insaid strip,

a contact brush 86 'isprovided in line with by the arrow, the segment 149 no longer c0n-' nects springs 151 and 153 nor does the segment 150 longer connect the springs 155 and

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