US1838844A - Writing machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1931. A. T. KuRowsKl ET AL 1,838,844

WRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12. 1927 Sweets-sheet 1 DCC- 29, 1931- A. T. KURowsKl r-:T AL 1,838,844

WRITING MACHINE Filed Augl2. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. y29, 1931. AA T. KuRowsKl ET AL 1,838,844

WRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. l2. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventors: lzzfed T. Kum wsK Patented Dec. 29,1931

-Nrlueb` STATES PATENT OFFICE- y 4ALFRED T.-KUROWSKI, OF MONTROSE, AND ERIC N. KUROWSKI, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW`l YORK; ALFRED G'. F. KUROWSKI, ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID ERIC N.'KUROWSKI, DE- `CEASED, ASSIGNORS TO UNDERWOODI ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK,

IN. Y., A CORPORATION F DELAWARE WRITING MACHINE Application led August Y12, 192'?. vSerial No. 212,396.

This invention relates to typewriting machines wherein a swinging typebar is moved through the operation ,of a key lever from a position of rest to printing position against a platen, and particularly to machines wherein the printing is done by a pressure and not by impact to provide a silent or noiseless typewriting machine, and it is the object of movement thereof in a direction toward and away from the platen, the typebar sectors being arranged with teeth to mesh with transverse fiutes in the base member arranged in concentric arcs of circles whose center lies yin a line extending vertically through the printing point on the platen. A slotted segment extends downward in opposed. and spaced relation to the base member, and the typebars are carried by levers pivotally connected thereto at the center from which the curved portion of the sector is struck and said typebar carrying levers are mounted on a pivot support arranged in an arc of a circle extending transversely ofthe slotted portion of the segment, 'and the centerof which arc lies in a vertical line extending in a plane with the printing point on the platen. Key levers for operating the typebar carriesy have an operative connection withsaid carriers at a point intermediate the ends thereof. The typebarsand carriers therefor'are constructed and connected to constitute a toggle joint so arranged that when the parts are in exhausted position the pivotal connection of the typebarand carrier .will be in line with the pivotal support of the carrier and the last tooth of the sector engaging a Bute in the base member, in which position of the parts the typebar will be brought momentarily to rest with the type contiguous to but out of impression making positionon the platen, and the type is brought to impression making position against the platen with a forcible pressure by the overthrowing of the toggle connection thereby rocking the typebars on the last' tooth of the sector engaging with a flute of the base, after which yielding means is brought into action tourge the parts to normal position. of rest.

In the drawings accompanying andrforming al part of this specification, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a typewriting machine showing an embodiment of the present typebar action applied thereto with the parts in normal position of rest.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but showing the parts in impression making position, certain beenv omitte Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a modiied arran ement of the typebar mechanism shown in igures 1 and 2 and" A y 7Figure 4 is a longitudinal section in perspective to show the mounting,` construction parts shown in Figuerl having and arrangement of a side typebar action in relation to a typebar action-located' centrally ofthe segment.

In Figure 1 the invention is shown in connection with a typewriting machine embodying a framework, shown in dot and dash lines and indicated in a general way by F, upon which are mounted ink ribbon carrying spools 4 and a ribbon vibrator and guide 5 in relation to a cylindrical platen 6 rotatably mounted in a platen frame 7 mounted b means of a ball carrier 8 in a frame 9pivota ly carried by links 10, pivotally mountedon the framework, as 'at' 11, to permit of the platen carriage and platen to'have adjustn ment in a vertical direction and position the writing line on ,the platen in diiferent positions, for instance to write upper and lowerf 9 case characters. They frame, 9 also carries means to control the feed of the platen carriage letter space distances embodying` escapement mechanism including a ratchet wheel 12 with which a pivoted feeding pawl 13 and holding detent 14 co-operate, the esl capement'mechanism being actuated bya pivoted arm 15 co-operating with the feeding pawl upon the operation of typebar actuatlng key levers 16 through a universal bar 17 Ion extending transversely of the framework below the key levers and carried by arms 18 fixed to and extending upward and forward from a rock shaft 19, the feed pawl actuating arm 15 being connected with the universal bar carrying arms by a link 20, the universal bar also imparting ribbon feeding movement to the ribbon spools by pawls 21 in the form of bell crank levers connected to the arms 22 fixed to and extended forward from the universal bar. The platen carriage carrying frame is shifted by a key lever 35 having a fulcrum support 36 in a bar 37 extending transversely of the machine, the lever having a pin and slot connection with the platen carriage frame, as at 38.

The improved typebar action as shown in said Figure 1 comprises type carrying bars arranged with a sector portion 23 to have to and fro rolling engagement with what is herein termed a base member or segment 24 located in a vertical plane below the platen and having transverse flutes 25 arranged in concentric arcs of circles whose center is in a vertical plane passing through the printing point on the platen. A typebar guide 26 extends upwardly from the top and midway between the ends of the base member, said guide being arranged below the printing point on theplaten and in a plane passing through said printing point. In the structure shown in Figure l the face of the base member or segment arranged with the flutes is of convex form and in the arc of a circle whose center lies in a pivot support or fulcrum rod 27 (for a purpose to be hereinafter described) carried by a slotted portion of a segment 28 fixed to and extending downward from the top of the framework in opposed and spaced relation to the segment.

Type carrying heads 29 are mounted upon the edge of `a protection 30 extended laterally from the sector at the juncture of the curved portion with a radial edge portion 31 thereof with the type facing in the direction of the teeth of the sector. The typebars are carried by levers 32 having a laterally extended portion 32 for engagement in the slots of the segment 28 and whereby they are mounted upon the pivot or fulcrum support 27, said support being arranged in an arc of a circle whose center is in a vertical plane passing through or intersecting the printing point and perpendicular to the platen. The opposite end of the carriers` are pivotally connected at 33 with the typebars at the center from which the arc of the scctor is struck, the pivot having an enlarged head at one side of the typebar to provide a large bearing surface and prevent canting of the typebar relative to the carrier. The typebar carriers are operatively connected with and operated by the levers 16 having finger keys 34 connected to angular end portions thereof wlth the keys arranged in the usual banked row formation, and at the opposite ends fulcrumed upon the fulcrum support 36.

It will be seen that a novel internal gear segment is erected in front of the platen, in the form of an internal spheroidal segment, which is suiiiciently wide at its base to be engaged by the divergent or radiating type-bar sectors 23, and narrows at its top. The segment curves upwardly and forwardly over the type-sectors. Arm 32 extends towards the printing point when the type is in printing position, and the weight of the type- carrier 23, 31 is not driven with a hammer effect towards the platen. Toggle 31, 32 is normally closed and folded down, but straightens out as the type reaches printing position; that is to say, the pivots 27, 23 are substantially in line with type 29 when the latter is printing. The type-bar sectors are neste-d within the internal spheroidal segment.

The key levers are connected with the typebar carriers by links 39 pivotally connected at one end with a nose 40 extending laterally from the carrier intermediate the pivotal support 27 and the connection 33 thereof with the typebars. The opposite end of the link is pivotally connected to one arm 41 of bell crank levers pivotally mounted in a crossbar 42, the other arm of the levers having a pin and slot connection 43 with the .key levers intermediate the ends thereof. The parts are normally yieldingly urged to a position of rest with the type head carrying projections 30 of the typebars engaging upon a cushion 44 carried by the segment 28 by springs 45 connected at one end to ears 46 extended downward from the key levers and the opposite ends connectedwith a transverse bar 47, the key levers being arranged with a tongue 48 extending parallel therewith for engagement with the universal bar when a key lever is depressed for actuating the platen feed devices. The key carrying ends of the levers are guided in a comb 49.

In the operation of the typebar when a key lever is depressed a bell crank lever 41 is rocked as shown in Figure 2 exerting a push upon the connected link 39 and typebar 32 causing the toothed sector to roll up the fluted face of the base member. It will be noted that the typebar carriers and the typebars constitute in effect a toggle joint due to the mounting of the typebar carrier and the connection thereof with the typebar, the one hearing of the toggle being the pivot or fulcrum support 27 and the other the engagement of the tooth of the sector with the fiutes of the base member. When the typebar has been moved to exhaust the toggle the pivot support 27 of the carrier and the connection 33 thereof with a typebar will bc in line with the last tooth of the sector engaging with a flute of the base member, as shown at 50, in which position of the parts the type on the type head 29 will be in contiguous relation to the platen but out of -impression making position. However,` due the platen. The teeth of the sector are made with one face of the teeth convex and the4 other face concave and the flutes of the base member are made to correspond therewith whereby to get a close fit between the sector teeth and the -flutes of the base member. However, the last tooth of the sector is made of V shape as shown and the last flute in the base member is made to correspond therewith whereby this rocking movement of the typebars is permitted.

In the modification shown in Figure 3 the iuted face of the base member is arranged in a perpendicular plane tangential to the platen and the typebar guide 26 is extended forwardly of the platen.` In this instance the teeth of the sector are of involute form and the base flutes 25 are made to correspond therewith. In this arrangement the typebar carriers 32a are pivotally mounted, as at 51,

on arms 52 engaging in slots of a segment 28 and mounted upon a pivot or fulcrum support 27', the links 39 being connected to anextendedportion 53 of the typebar carriers. The segment extends to adjacent the bottom of the frame and the typebars in the normal position thereof rest on a cushion 44 carried by a bail 54 mounted on the segment. Upon the depression of a key lever the type head is moved to and brought at rest adjacent the platen but out of impression making position, and is brought into impression making engagement with the platen by the inertia of the parts and a projection 55 on the typebars engaging Awith a resilient covering 56 on a rod 57 carried by arms 58 extended laterally l,from the cushion carrying bail 54. The parts are yieldingly urged to position of rest by springs 59, 60 connected at one end to a pin 61 ixed in the framework the opposite ends of the springs 59 being connected, as at 62, with the arms 52,'and the opposite ends of the springs 60 with the key levers.

It will be obvious that various modifications may be made in construction and arrangement of parts and come4 within the scope of the invention. j.

' Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a front-strike typewriting machine,

the combination with a platen, of type-bars each arranged with a sector-portion, an in- .ternal gear spheroidal segment arranged below the platen for rolling engagement by the sector-portion of the type-bars in the movement of the typebars to and away from printing position on the platen, a `second segment arranged in opposed relation to the first segment, levers pivotally supported at one end in the second segment and pivotally connected at the opposite end with and carrying the type-bars at the center from which the arc of the sector-portion of the type-bars is struck, the type-bar sectors being nested within said spheroidal segment, and keylevers operatively connected with the first levers to actuate the type-bars.

2. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a type-bar arranged with a sector-portion, an internal gear segment arranged below the platen with which the sector-portion of the type-bar is adapted to have to and fro rolling engagement 'in the movement of the type-bar to and away from the platen, a pivoted carrier for the type-bar pivotally connected Ito and forming a normally closed toggle with said type-bar, the toggle being straightened when the type is in printing position, and a keylever operatively connected with the type-bar carrier to actuate the same.

3. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of radial type-bars, each-having a toothed sector-portion, an internal gear spheroidal segment erected below the platen and having transverse arcuate concentric flutes in the face thereof to correspond with the teeth of the type-bar sectors and with which the sector-teeth are adapted to mesh and the sectors have to and fro rolling movement relative to the segment to. move the type-bars toward and away from the platen, pivoted members pivotally connected to and forming normally closed toggles withsaid type-bars and adapted upon the actuation thereof to effect the rolling movement of the type-bar sectors relative to the segment, the toggles being straightened when the types are in printing positions, and levers operativel)r connected with said pivoted members to actuate the type-bars.

4. In a front-strike ltypewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a fixed internal gear segment erected below the platen, a toothed sector, the teeth of which mesh with tlie segment, the segment curving upwardly and forwardly over the sector, said sector being arranged with a type-carrying projection, a support, a lever pivoted thereo'n, said lever also pivotally connected with the sector at the center from which the arc of the segment is struck and adapted upon the actuation thereof to impart rolling movement to the sector relative to the segment to move the type-carrying projection in a direction toward and away from the platen,

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claimed in claim 4, wherein the sector carryin g lever is pivotally mounted in a slot in a segment arranged in opposed and spaced relation to the first segment, and the connec tion of the lever and sector arranged to constitute a toggle joint.

6. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a fixed internal gear segment extending in a vertical plane below the platen and arranged with concentric flutes in the face thereof, a sector having teeth to correspond and mesh with the segment flutes, said sector having a typecarrying projection, a support, and a lever pivoted thereon, said lever also pivotally con'- nected with the sector at the center from which-the arc of the sector is struck, said lever and sector constituting a normally closed toggle adapted to assume an extended position when the type nearly reaches the platen, said segment having means to serve as a fulcrum for the sector when the type is close to but out of contact with the platen,

and said lever being mounted to move suliiciently to rock the sector upon the fulcruin to impress the type against the platen.

7 A typewriting machine as claimed inr claim 4, wherein the type carrying projece tion extends from the sector'at the juncture of the curved portion with a radial edge portion, and the sector carrying lever is pivotally supported in a slot in a segment arranged in opposed and spaced relation to the first segment andthe connection thereof with the sector being at the center from which the curved portion of the sector is struck whereby said sector and lever is arranged to constitute a toggle for the purpose specified.

8. A typewriting machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flutes in the segment are in the form of concentric arcs of circles whose axis lies in a vertical plane passing through the printing point and perpendicular to the platen.

9. A'typewriting machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flutes in the segment are in the form of concentric arcs of circles whose axis lies in a vertical plane passing through the printing point and Aperpendicular to the platen, and is also arranged with a type guide positioned in a vertical direction to intersect the printing point on the platen.

10. A typewriting machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flutes in the segment are in the form of concentric arcs of circles whose axis lies in.a vertical plane passing through theprinting .point and perpendicular to the platen, and the sector carrying lever is pivotally supported in a segment opposed to the first segment. s v

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a segment disposed in a plane below therplaten arranged` with concentric flutes the center common to all of which flutes lies in a vertical plane intersecting the printing point on the platen, a slotf ted segment extending downward in opposed and spaced relation to the first segment arranged with a curved pivot support arranged in an arc whose center liesin a vertical plane intersecting the printing point and perpendicular to the platen, a toothed sector having a type carrying projection extending laterally therefrom at the juncture of the curved portion and a radial edge portion, said sector being adapted to have rolling engagement with the segment with the teetl in mesh with the flutes thereof, a level mounted on the pivot support of the segment and having a pivotal connection with the sector at the center from which the curved portion thereof isl struck, and a key lever having an operative connection with the first lever intermediate its pivot support and its connection with the sector.

12. A typewriting machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein thekey lever is fulcrumed at one end, and the connection thereof with the sector carrying lever comprises a bell crank lever one arm of which has a pin and slot connection with the key lever intermediate the ends thereof, and a link pivotally connected to the other arm of the lever and the sector carrying lever.

13. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of type-carriers arranged Jforwardly of and below the platen, radial levers extending forwardly and rearwardly vbelow said carriers, said carriers having types upon their upper ends and being pivoted at their lower portions to the rear ends of said levers, pivots connecting the forward ends of said levers to the framework, and means in rear of said levers for connecting said carriers to the framework, to co-operate with the levers in guiding the types upwardly and rearwardly and presentingV them to the platen; each carrier with its lever forming a normally closed toggle and the toggle being substantially straightened out when the type is in-printing position. i

ALFRED T. KUROWSKI. ERIC N. KUROWSKI.

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