US1883697A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 18, 1932. cs.v a. some 1,833,697 I TYPEWRITING' MACHINE I I Filed Fb. 24. 1928 ZSh e tB-Sheet ,1

, WITNESSES INVENTOR WM my ATTORNEY Oct. l8,' 1932. a. a. some 1,883,697

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES \NVENTOR W M I ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 18, 1932 PATENT oFFIcE GEORGE G. GOING, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T REMINGTON TYPE- WEITER COMPANY, OF ILION, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TYPEWRITING MACHINE Application filed February 24, 1928.

My invention relates to type actuating mechanism adapted particularly to typewriting machines and other machines employing type bars for printing purposes. The main object of the invention is to provide actuating mechanism which is practically noiseless in operation and is moreover readily adaptable to small typewriting machines or soc'alled portable typewriters.

To the above and other ends which will subsequently appear, my invention consists after described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front-to-rear vertical sectional view taken about centrally of a typewriting machine embodying my invention, only so much of the machine being shown as is necessary fully to understand said invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary operating View.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing in part one of the type actions and the mounting thereof as seen from the rear, some parts and their relative disposition being slightly distorted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the section line 4-4 in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows at said line, some of the parts shown in Fig. 1 being omitted from Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken on a plane indicated by the section line 5 in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrow at said line.

As will be understood from Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the set of type bars to which my invention is shown as applied are pivoted in an arc of a c rcle and adapted for visible writing, their points of contact being on the front upper quarter of the platen. Each type bar 1 is adapted to turn about a fixed pivotal center, the set of type bars being preferably fulcrumed on an arcuate wire 2 which is detachably mounted on a type bar support or segment 3 of. any suitable construction. The

Serial No. 256,613.

type bars are, or may be disposed, in guide slots 4 cut radially in the front and lower portions of the segment, the lower portion being in effect a downward extension which is provided in the present instance for additionally supporting other parts of the type action. The segment is angularly disposed to the vertical, igiclining upward and rear-' ward towards the platen 5 which is diagram-' matically illustrated. Said platen is mounted on a suitable traveling carriage, not shown. Each type bar carries a type block 6 which is preferably provided with two types, a lower case type 7 and an upper case type 8. Normally the lower case types 7 are effective to print, but the upper case types may be rendered operative at will by relatively'shifting the platen and the type bars in any known manner. For example, the platen may be shifted for this purpose as indicated by the dotted line position in Fig. 1. As is well understood, the type bars at and near the middle of the set or system are 'substantially straight throughout their lengths but as they approach the sides or ends of the system they are bent near their type ends to progressively varying extents in order to bring their types when in printing position into proper relationship with the printing point on the platen.

Each novel type action embodying the present invention comprises three pairs or sets of toggles, these being so related and combined as to effect an accelerated movement of the type bar from normal position to a position in proximity to the platen, after which the type bar is slowed down rapidly so as to contact Very lightly with the platen thus .minimizing the noise, a sufficient pressure being thereafter applied to effect a suitable imprint of the printing type. The sets of toggles are operated by a set of printing Referring to the novel construction in detail, one set of toggles comprises straight elements or links 9 and 10 which are normally disposed in folded relationship under their associate type bar. The link 9 is preferably a two-part link composed of two parallel plies or arms, the ends of the two parts or plies being rigidly connected by cross pins 11 and 12. The cross pin 11 passes loosely through a hole in the type bar near its type end and provides a pivotal connection between the type bar and the link 9, whose plies at their forward ends embrace the type bar.

The cross pin 12 passes loosely through a hole in the link 10, which consists of a single arm or part disposed between the plies of the link 9, said pin 12 pivotally connecting the two links 9 and 10. The link 10 normally extends upward and forward substantially parallel with its associate type bar and has a fixed anchorage.

To provide a support for the type ends of the type bars and certain of the toggle links, a segmental support 13 is employed having a downward extension or flange 14. The support 13 is arrangedin parallelism with the segment 3 and suitably maintained in rigid relationship therewith. The type ends of the type bars normally lie on an arcuate support or rest 15 made of fibre or other suitable material and contained in an arcuate metal trough or U-shaped casing 16 which is suitably secured to the upper face of the support 13. The rear face of the flange 14 may be formed with a rearwardly progecting rib 17 in which is a series of radial guide slots or kerfs 18 that receive and guide the forward ends of the links 10. An arcuate pivot wire or rod 19 extends through holes in the ribpart 17, these holes with the slots 18 providing a continuous opening or seat for the wire 19 which serves as a common pivot for the links 10. Each link 10 between its ends is formed with a downward extension or lug 10 adapted to receive a pivot pin 20 which connects the link 10 with one link 21 of a second'toggle. The link 21 is preferably made in two parts or plies embracing the extension 1O between them and'being rigidly connected by the pin or stud 20 which passes loosely through a hole in said extension. The opposite end portions of the two-part link 21 loosely embrace the forward end of the asso-- ciate toggle member 22, a cross-pin or stud 23 rigidly connecting the lower end portions of the parts 21 and passing loosely through a hole in the member 22, the pin 23 serving as a pivotal connection between the toggle members 21 and 22. The member 22 in the present instance is in the form of a bell crank having a downwardly extending short arm 22, the bell cranks 22, 22 being received in the lower end portions of the guide slots 4 and being mounted on a common arcuate pivot wire 24 which passes through an opening in the lower end portion of the segment 3 and is secured thereto.

The two sets of toggles 9, 10 and 21, 22 are, as will be understood from Figs. 3 and 4, arranged in radial planes substantially corresponding with the plane of the associate type bar. The remainder of the actuating mechanism for each type bar is however disposed in substantially vertical planes and comprises a member or link connected directly to the short arm 22 of the bell crank 22, 22*. Said member preferably comprises two parts 25 and 26, the part 25 being in effect a screw hook, the rear hooked end portion of which pivotally engages a hole in the arm 22, the opposite end being threaded and engaging in a tapped hole in an ear 26 on the part 26. The two-part member is thus adjustable so that it may be contracted or extended as required, a lock nut 27 being provided to hold the parts 25 and 26 in adjusted position. The forward end portion of the part 26 is bent upward at an angle and is pivotally connected at 28 with the downwardly bent portion of an angular member or link 29, the forward end of which has a fixed anchorage, being pivotally connected to a stud 30 which bridges aslot 31 in a bifurcated hanger'32 having a shank 33 which is rotatably received in a hole in the flange 14. The hanger 32, 33 is clamped in place on the flange by a headed clamping screw 34. The construction is such that by loosening the screw the hanger may be rotatably adjusted, thereby eflecting a corresponding adjustment of the member 29. It will be understood that this member 29, together with the member 26, constitutes the third pair of toggles. Further,.'it will be apparent by reference to Fig. 4 that the hangers when considered as a set are disposed in an are on the flange 14 so' that the links 29 anchored to' them are disposed in a corresponding arc, the middle link of the set being lower- .most and said links being gradually elevated as the sides or ends of the set of links are approached, the end links being highest. Between its ends each link 29'is pivotally connected at 35 to the upper end of a downwardly extending pull-link 36, the lower end whereof is pivotally connected at 37 to a key lever 38, the set of key levers 38 extending in parallelism fore and aft of the machine. The rear end of each lever is formed with a keyhole slot 39 whereby it is disconnectibly pivoted on a pivot rod 40 which is flattened at opposite sides and is secured at its ends to ears 41 extending downward from the end portions of a stationary cross bar 42. Theforward end portions of the key levers 38 terminate in stems 38 which are capped by buttons or keys 43. The key levers vary in length as do their stem portions 38, thus enabling the keys to be disposed in four banks or rows as is usual in the standard keyboard. Near their forward ends the key levers pass through a slotted guide or comb plate 44 which is fixed to the frame of the machine and has secured to it oppositely faced seats 45 and 46 which respectively receive stops 47 and 48 of fibre or other suitable material. The

-front end portions of the key levers are so shaped that normally they cooperate with the upper stop 47 to arrest the key levers and maintain them in normal position. The lower stop 48 is arranged to limit the downward strokes of the key levers. As will be understood from the dotted lines in Fig. 1,

. each of the key levers at the end of its downward stroke when arrested by the stop 48 will have swung its connected type bar to operative position. The extensible and contractible two- part member 25, 26 affords means for synchronizing the effect of the stops 48 and 52.

To assist in restoring the parts to normal position after operation, each type action is provided with a coiled restoring spring 49 the forward end of .which is hooked through a hole in the tail portion of the associate bell crank 22, 22 The opposite end of the spring has a stationary anchorage, and for this purpose there may be provided a flanged sheet metal plate 50 arcuate in form and fixedly secured to therear face of the segment 3. The plate 50 is formed with a series of holes indicated at 51 through each of which the rear end of one of the springs 49 is hooked, the plate thus providing a common anchorage for the springs. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the links 36 vary in length increasing progressively from the middle to the side of the system, thus connecting the key levers 38 which are in one horizontal plane with the progressively mounting links 29.

Stop devices are preferably provided for preventing overthrow of the toggles in each type action, said. stop devices as herein shown comprising parallel spring arms 21 formed integrally with the associate parts 21 and connected at their free ends by a shouldered rivet or stop pin 52, thus constituting a spring stop. This pin, as will be understood from Fig. 2, is adapted to coact with its associate member 22 when the type bar has reached the limit of its movement in printing direction. At this time the points 20, 23 and 24 will be barely out of alignment. In other words, the toggle 21, 22 will be not quite straight.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that normally the uppermost toggle 9 and 10 and the middle toggle 21, 22-22 are nearly closed, whereas the lowermost toggle 25-26, 29 is approximately open or extended. In operation, when one of the printing keys 43 is actuated it will swing its lever 38 down about the pivot 40 or fulcrum rod, exerting a downward pull on the link 36 which will break the toggle 25-26. 29, causing the link 26 to pull forward. the arm 22 thereby swinging the arm or link 22 upward and gradually straightening or extending the toggle 22, 21 which in a turn will transmit movement to the type bar by its stop 48 the type bar will be in operative.

relationship with the platen. The effect, however, of the linkage 9, 10 in association with the linkage 21, 22 is to slow down the type bar just before contact so that the printing operation will be minimized as to noise. The pressure of the nearly straightened toggle 21, 22, however, will exert after contact sufficient force to give a clear impression of the type. It may be found desirable to weight the member 21 in order to give the best results for quietness without'afl'ecting the ability of the action to attain clear printing. This may be done, for example, by merely increasing the thickness of the stock from which the member 21 is made, or the member 21 may be weighted in any other suitable manner.

During the operation of the type action the connected spring 49 will be stretched and after printing the springs will assist ip returning the parts to normal position.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be understood that when the parts of each type action are in the normal position, both of the toggles 9-10 and 21-22 are broken, whereas the associated toggle 25-26 and 29 is substantially in a straight line condition. That is to say the pivotal points 30, 28 of the last mentioned toggle and the point of pivotal connection between the member 25-26 and the arm 22 are all disposed in a straight line. This straightened toggle therefore locks the long arm of the member 22 against upward movementand resists any tendency of the type bar to rebound from its supporting pad 16, and prevents rebound of the type bar from normal position. When, however, a printing key is depressed the associated normally straight toggle is broken, effecting a straightening of the two companion broken toggles 21-22 and 9-10 to actuate the type as hereinbefore described.

Various changes may be made without departing from my invention, which it will be seen, relatesto a type action orsystem of actions, each including. generally, three pairs of toggles, toggle elements or links; and, specifically, toggle elements, links or arms in combinations as hereinafter set forth.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is a 1. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connections between said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle arms, two of the pairs being normally broken and the remaining pair being normally substantially straight.

2. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connections between said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle arms, two of the pairs being normally broken and the remaining pair being normally substantially straight, and a pull link connecting one member of the normally straight pair to the key lever.

3. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, operative connections between said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle arms united by a constantly maintained pivotal connection, and a stop for said key lever.

4. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, operative connections between said key lever and said type bar for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle links united by a constantly maintained pivotal connection, a stop for said key lever, and coacting stops on one pair of links for preventing overthrow.

5. The combination of a type bar, a key lever, and operative connections between said key lever and said type bar for-effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle elements, certain of the toggle elements lying substantially in the plane of the type bar and certain other of said elements lying substantially in the plane of the key lever.

6. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of a circle, a pluralitv of key levers arranged "in a horizontal plane and lying parallel with each other, and connections between each type bar and its associate key lever for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of toggle arms, and means for preventing all of saidtoggle arms from moving beyond their straight line positions.

7. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of a circle, a plurality of key levers arranged in a horizontal plane and lying parallel with each other, and connections between each type bar and its associate key lever for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising three pairs of "toggle arms, one pair of toggle arms being normally substantially in a straight line condition, and a pull link connecting an element of one pair directly with the key lever.

8. The combination of a plurality of type bars arranged in an arc of a circle, a plurality of key levers arranged in a horizontal plane and lying parallel with each other, and

connections between the type bars and the key levers for efi'ecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said connections comprising in each instance three pairs of toggle arms and a pull link, one pair of toggle arms being normally substantially in a straight line condition, the pull links progressively increasing in length from the middle to the sides of the system and connected to an element of the toggle arms which are normally in a straight line condition.

9. The combination of a type bar segment, a type bar thereon, a support for the free end portion of the type bar, a key lever, and connections between the key lever and the type bar comprising three pairs of toggle links all three pairs having stationary anchorages for one of their links, two of such anchorages being on said support and the third anchorage being on said type bar segment.

10. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling means therefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said means comprising a finger key, and a plurality of toggles one of which normally is substantially in a straight line condition and prevents rebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest and when broken transmits movement to the type bar through the other toggle or toggles to straighten them and apply a pressure imprint.

11. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling means therefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said means comprising a finger key, a plurality of toggles one of which normally is substantially in a straight line condition and prevents rebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest, connections between said key and said toggle which normally is substantially in a straight line condition, and means for operatively connecting said last mentioned toggle to and controlling the movementof the remaining toggle or toggles and applying the type bar wlth a pressure imprint by a straightening of said last mentioned toggle or toggles.

12. The combination of a type bar, and actuating and controlling means therefor for effecting substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said means comprising a finger key, a plurality of toggles one of which normally is substantially in a straight line condition and prevents rebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest, means for'preventing said toggles from overthrowing beyond a substantially straight line condition, connections between said finger key and said toggle which normally is substantially in a straight line condition for breaking it, connections between said last mentioned toggle and the remaining toggle or toggles for straightening the latter from a normally broken condition by the br is w of the normally straightened toggle, an means for connecting said normally broken toggle or toggles with the type bar.

13; The combination of a type bar, and actuatin and controlling means therefor for efiectmg substantially a noiseless pressure imprint, said means comprising a finger key a plurality of toggles arranged in series and one of which normally is substantially in a straight line condition and prevents rebound of the type bar from its normal position of rest, and adjustable means for efiecting a lengthening or shortening of said toggle which normally is substantially in straight line condition. I

Si ned at Middletown, in the county of Mid lesex and State of Connecticut this 21st day of February A. D. 1928. a

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