US1920237A - Signal recorder - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 1, 1933. c. E. BEACH ET AL S IGNAL RECORDER Filed April 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l 5 7 5 6 w a 4 \H y B 5 w 7 u WI. my H dmg/ AW 5: 7 H

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SIGNAL RECORDER Filed April 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 t9 INVENTORS Aug. 1, 1933. c. E. BEACH El AL S IGNAL RECORDER Filed pfil 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IVENTORS WEM/ 723% 6% Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED STATES SIGNAL RECORDER Clarence E. Beach, Boston, and Foster E. Weld,

Newton, Mass., assignors to the Gamewell Company, Newton Upper Falls, Mass., at Corporation 01' Massachusetts Application A ril 1, 1929. swarm. 351,725

30 Claims.

This invention relates to signal recorders; and more particularly to those of the electro-mechanical type in which record of a signal transmitted to the recorder is made upon suitable rec- 0rd material.

The invention is herein shown for illustrative purposes embodied in a mechanism for receiving signals transmitted through the medium of an electric circuit, such, for example, as the circuit of a fire alarm system, and producing a permanent record of the signals received on a recording medium, herein by punching perforations in a paper tape. The mechanism herein shown in-' cludes constantly impelled driving devices for actuating the punching mechanism with constantly impelled driving devices for feeding the paper, together with electro-magnetic escapement mechanism responsive to the signals received for releasing and governing the movement of the paper feeding mechanism and the punching mechanism.

The machine herein disclosed for illustrative purposes embodies in combination various improvements in the escapement mechanism and the punching mechanism, but such improvements are susceptible of embodiment, either separately or together, in signal recorders of widely varying types and in combinations other than those herein shown.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration 'of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with the machine frame removed, showing the principal working parts of the escapement controlled mechanism,

including the driving trains for the punching and paper feeding mechanism and the control devices and escapement devices therefor, all in a position corresponding to an idle or inactive condition of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the top thereof removed and certain parts broken away or omitted in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 3 shows the control and escapement members in a position assumed during operation incident to the receipt of a signal;

Fig. 4 is a plan showing details of the holding and trip devices of the magnetically actuated trip mechanism;

Fig. 5 shows various positions assumed by the trip lever when the catch devices are arranged for response to a normally'closed signaling circuit;

Fig. 6 shows positions assumed by the trip when the catch devices are arranged for response to a normally open signaling circuit.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken through the punch or paper perforating device in a plane extending perpendicularly at right angles to and transversely to the tape;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same in section taken in a. plane at right angles to and parallel with the length of the tape;

Fig. 9 shows different positions assumed by the cutting end of the punch in perforating the P p Fig. 10 is a plan view of the punch casing looking from beneath, with the die plate removed;

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the die plate applied; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting or perforating end of the punch.

Referring to the drawings and to the specific embodiment of the invention therein shown, the recorder comprises a frame 15 at the side of which (Figs. 2 and 7) is mounted a casing 17 containing recording mechanism in the form of a punch 19 operatively related to a strip of paper tape 21, which latter is engaged between the idle, tensioned feed roller 23 and the positively driven feed wheel 25, the latter mounted on the feed wheel shaft 27 and adapted, when rotated, to positively advance and feed the paper beneath the punch. The punch is operable by the punch drive shaft 29 acting through driving connections hereinafter more fully described. The paper feed wheel shaft 27 and the punch drive shaft 29 are each connected to a source of power, comprising separate normally wound spring driven trains (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), so that each shaft is constantly impelled, but each is provided with controlling devices responsive to signals for releasing it to perform its required cycle of operations.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the source of driving power herein comprises a single coiled motor spring 31, connected at its inner end to the shaft 33 and at its outer endto the drum 35, the latter mounted on the shaft 33 for rotation independently thereof, and constituting an actuating member for the paper feed roller shaft 27. The revoluble member 37 is also mounted on the shaft 33 for rotation independently thereof, constituting an actuating member for the punch drive shaft 29. The ratchet 39 is fixed upon the shaft 33 and is engaged by the springpressed pawl 41; the relationship of these parts being such that rotation of the shaft 33 in the direction which efiects winding of the spring 31 may be accomplished without turning the member 37, but rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction will positively drive said member. The projecting end 43 of the shaft 33 is squared, to facilitate engagement thereof for the purpose of re-winding the spring 31 from time to time as may be required.

The gear teeth 45 are formed in a circum ferential portion of the member 37, and act through a train comprising the gears l7, 49 and 51 to impel the punch drive shaft 29 (Fig. 1)..

The gear teeth 53 are formed in a circumfer= ential portion of the spring driven drum 35-, and correspondingly act through a gearing train comprising the gears 55, 57, 59, 62, 63 and 64 to apply driving power to the paper feed roller shaft 27.

An escapement is provided for governing the rate of feed of the paper tape when the feeding mechanism is released, which escapement comprises the weighted pallet 65 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) acting on the escapement wheel 67 which is fixed upon the shaft 69 and governs the speed of rotation of the feed roller shaft 27 by connection therewith through a train comprising the gears 71, 72, 73 and 63. The rate of operation of the escapement when the feed mechanism is released, and hence the rate of paper feed, may be variously adjusted by moving the weight 74 on the pallet arm 75.

To release the paper feed mechanism in response to the receipt of a signal impulse, there is provided above the described mechanism an overlying feed detent arm 77, the free or movable end of which has a depending foot 79 provided with a lateral detent pin 81, the latter adapted to engage a radial stop pin 83 carried by the escapement shaft 69 to prevent its rotary movement and stop the feed when the arm 77 is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arm 77 extends to the opposite end of the machine, where it is pivoted about a transverse axis in the support 85, the latter in turn being pivoted about an upright axis in the fixed bracket 87, so that the arm is capable of both a vertical and a horizontal swinging movement. The bottom of the foot 79 is threaded at 89 to mate with the threads on the screw 91 carried by the escapement shaft and to form a part nut through which it rests upon the screw and by which it is moved toward the pin 83 so long as it is in engagement with the screw.

At the time required for the functioning of the feed, the detent arm is raised, as represented in Fig. 3 (this taking place through the control mechanism hereinafter described), and the foot 79 thereby becomes freed from engagement with the screw 91. This releases the detent arm from the screw and the arm is immediately swung about its vertical pivot through the connected tension spring 93, from the full line position shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line therein shown, where the adjustable stop 95 arrests the lateral movement of said arm; the nut 89 then being positioned over the opposite or leading end of the screw 91. In this position the control mechanism (as will appear) acts to lower the arm to again engage with the then rotating screw, which latter, together with the escapement shaft and feed shaft, starts to turn under the action of the spring driven feed train as soon as the weeps"? screw has been released by the withdrawal of the detent 81 from the path of the stop pin 83.

On its re-engagement with the rotating screw 91, the nut is fed gradually from the leading end of the screw across the same, causing the arm 77 to swing from the dotted line position in Fig. 2 toward the full line position therein shown. The rotation of the escapement shaft and the feed actuating shaft will therefore continue, at the rate governed by the escapement, until the arm has again reached the full line position and the escapement shaft is again brought to rest by the interposition of the detent pin 81 in the path of the stop pin 83, vhereupon the feed ceases until the detent arm is again raised.

in the idle or inactive condition of the machine (as represented in Figs. 1 and 2), while the feed train is locked by the detent arm 77, the punch drive shaft 29 is held against rotation by a stop dog or lug 97 which is then positioned in the path of a shouldered part of the cam 99 secured to the punch drive shaft 29. The stop dog 97 is carried by a movable control member comprising the lever arm 101, pivoted at 103 on the frame of the machine and adapted to be moved by the hereinafter described release mechanism to shift the stop dog 97 to a releasing position and withdraw it from the path of the cam when the electromagnet 105 is subjected to the significant portion of a signal impulse, as hereinafter more fully explained. When such movement takes place, the control devices occupy the positions represented in Fig. 3.

To govern the control member, the free end of the lever arm 101 is pivoted at 102 between the ends of two parallel links 107 (Fig. 2), the opposite ends of said links embracing and being pivoted at 108 to the free end of one arm 109 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 111 on the machine frame, the linkage 107 and the lever arm 109 constituting the two members of a toggle joint between the arm 101 and the-arm 115, which toggle joint is broken or deflected (Fig. 3) to move the stop dog 97 to release position, and brought to an approximately closed or straightened position (Fig. 1), preferably such that the pivots 102, 108 and 111 are in substantial alignment, to move the stop dog to its stop position. The spring 117 has one end thereof connected to a lug on the lever arm 109. and the opposite end anchored to a fixed part of the machine in such location as to tend to move said arm 109 to deflect the toggle joint and thereby cause withdrawal of the dog 97 from the path of the cam 99.

In the inactive position of the mechanism, the toggle joint is maintained closed and the punch shaft 29 thereby held stopped by locking mechanism which is operatively related to a latch 113 carried by the lower end of the depending main detent arm 115 which constitutes the companion arm of the bell crank lever arm 109, there being also associated with the latch 113 suitable releasing or tripping mechanism (which, together with the locking mechanism, is hereinafter described more in detail) such that, whenever the electromagnet 105 is subjected to the significant portion of a signaling impulse, the latch is released from the locking mechanism, freeing the detent arm 115, and thereby permitting the toggle joint to so open as to move the stop dog 97 out of the path of the cam 99, to its release position as shown in Fig. 3.

Upon occurrence of the significant portion of punch shaft, the feed train is also started into operation by the raising of the feed detent arm 7'7. To effect this movement, the controlling arm 101 is provided with an offset 118 in which is affixed a lateral lifting rod 119 which underlies the feed detent arm '77 but is adapted to engage and raise the latter, when the controlling member is moved (Fig. 3) to its release position by the opening of the toggle joint, the rod 119 being of sufficient length to underlie the feed detent arm '77 in all positions of its lateral swinging movement and to so raise said arm as to permit spring 93 to swing the arm and the nut 89 towardthe leading end of the screw whenever the control member is moved to its release position, whatever the position of engagement the nut may then have with the screw.

In the course of the rotation of the punch shaft following it release by the stop dog 97, the latter is restored to its stop position and the toggle joint again closed by the restoring mechanism, so that the stop dog is brought into a position where it may stop the punch shaft at the completion of one full revolution. To effect the restoration of the stop dog 97, the controlling member is in bell-crank form, being provided, in addition to the arm 101, with a restoring arm 121 which extends down at the side of the cam 99 opposite to the stop dog 97 and carries a roller 123 lying within the path of the cam and adaptedto be engaged by the shouldered part thereof on the completion of a partial revolution thereof. The movement of the cam 99, acting through the restoring arm 121, causes the control member arm 101. to carry the stop dog 97 back to its stop position (Fig. 1), and, acting through the finger 106, straightens the toggle joint and swings the main detent arm 115 toward the bar 143 and thereby brings the latch 113 to latching position, where it is held until again tripped, upon the occurrence of the significant portion of a further signal impulse; said bar 143 serving to prevent excessive over-travel of the arm 115, and thereby preventing appreciable transverse over-travel of the pivot 108 of the linkage. During such straightening action, the elongation of the opening 104 (Fig. 1) provided in the arm 101 for receiving the pivot 102 permits said arm to move away from said pivot sufficiently to cause the finger 106 to engage and so move the arm 109 as to fully straighten the toggle joint; thus avoiding the disadvantageous operating situation which would develop during the final portion of the straightening movement of the toggle joint, if accomplished through pull of the arm 101 against the pivot 102, without the cooperation of mo-' mentum.

The operation of the control devices for the I feeding and punching mechanisms thus far delatter withdraws the detent pin 81 from the path' of the stop pin 83, allowing the escapement shaft. as to turn under the governing action of the escapement. Being driymgby-a quick acting train, the punch shaft 29 is rotated through a complete revolution to actuate the punch almost instantly, the shaft being again brought to rest on the completion of a full revolution by the restoration of the stop dog 97, which is carried by the control member arm 1011to a stop position; the locking mechanism thereupon functioning to retain the detent arm, the toggle joint and the control member until the occurrence of the significant portion of a succeeding signal impulse.

The movement of the lug 9"! out of and again into the path of the cam 99, just referred to, is accomplished as follows: upon release of the arm 115, it is swung, together with the arm 109, responsive to spring 117 so as to break the toggle, permitting movement of the arm 101 responsive to the thrust imparted thereto by the cam 99 acting through the lug 9'7, until the arm 101 and parts moving therewith are carried to the position shown by Fig. 3, in which said lug will be moved out of the path of and thereby permit the cam 99 to freely rotate; the finger 106 being, meanwhile, swung away from the arm 109 so as to permit further deflection of the toggle. When the rotation of the cam 99 has proceeded to a point where the trailing lobe of said cam is withdrawn from the path of the lug 97, the advancing lobe of said cam moves into engagement with the roller 123 and, acting through said roller, causes the arms 121 and 101 to carry the lug 97 again into the path of the advancing lobe of the cam 99, so as to cause the rotation of saidcam to be arrested when it has reached the position from which it started, as shown by Fig. 1. Incidental to this movement of the arms 121 and 101, the finger 106 is moved around its pivot 103 in a clockwise direction until said finger engages the arm 109 and positively moves same to a position where the arm will have carried the latch 113 slightly beyond the point where it may engage either the catch bar 137 or the tip 155.

As the feed detent arm '77 is raised, it swings laterally and almost instantly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, where it is immediately thereafter dropped to engage with the screw 91, by the dropping of the lifting rod 119 which accompanies the restoration of the control member arm 101 to its stop position. The feed of the tape thus initiated then continues under the action of the feed mechanism until the detent arm 7'7 has been advanced on the screw 91 by the rotation of the escapement shaft 69 to a position where the detent pin 81 is brought into the path of the stop pin 83, and thereby arrests of sumcient duration to overlap the longest interval between any successive functionings of the punch shaft responsive to successive signal impulses within any signal.

If, during the feeding interval established by the feed control mechanism and before the stoppage of the feed by the engagement of the detent pin 81 with the stop pin 83, another signal impulse is received and another perforation is effected on the recording tape by the release of the punch mechanism, the detent arm '77 is again shifted back to the leading end of the screw, or to the position represented by dotted lines in Fig.

2, thereby prolonging the feed of the tape already effected by an amount corresponding to the established interval of persisting feed. The feeding mechanism therefore will be driven without stoppage during the receipt of all of the impulses constituting any complete signal, and the tape will run, after the last impulse of a signal, a distance as determined by the adjustment of the stop 95, without regard to the number of impulses constituting such signal. ith; will also be observed that the spaces between the successive perforations in the recording tape effected by the successive actuations of the punch in recording the impulses of any complete signal will correspond to the intervals of time elapsing between receipt of such impulses or between the successive significant changes in the energization of the magnet 105 (energizations or deenergizations, as the case may be).

The action of the punch is almost instantaneous, while the feed of the tape is relatively slow, so that no appreciable interference with the feed or with the functioning of the punch results from the concurrent action of the punching mechanism and the feeding mechanism.

It'will be observed that the feed detent arm 77 is lifted by the control member arm 101 at the instant of release of the punching train, and is held away from the screw 91 for an appreciable interval and until the toggle joint is again, restored to closed position. The restoration of the toggle joint is initiated when the cam 99 has turned through approximately two-thirds of its revolution, but, due to the acceleration of the cam shaft following its release, the last third of its revolution takes place very rapidly, so that the interval during which the feed detent arm is held lifted corresponds very closely to the time required for the cycle of action of the punching train. This appreciable interval of disengage ment between the detent arm 77 and the screw 91, which is obtained by utilizing, for lifting this arm, a part (the control member arm 101) which is abnormally positioned during most of the time occupied by a revolution of the shaft 29, assures that the nut 89 will be held out of mesh with the screw 91 for a suflicient time to permit the detent arm to reach its starting position, where it is brought into contact with the stop 95, and to permit subsidence of any chattering or rebound which may develop when the movement of the arm '77 is arrested by its collision with the stop 95.

In order to cushion the stoppage of the quick acting punch shaft 29 and to harmlessly absorb its momentum, the stop dog 97 is bifurcated to provide two arms 124 (Fig. 2) which embrace the opposite sides of the arm 101 and through which it is pivotally mounted thereon to apply to the center line of the toggle joint the thrust resultant from the pressure of the cam 99 against the free end of said dog 9'7. The stop dog is drawn toits stop position against the shouldered abutment 125 on the arm 101. by the relatively stiff tension spring 126, the opposite end of which is secured to the arm 121. When the stop dog 97 is restored to its stop position, after having been withdrawn by the arm 101 to permit rotation of the punch shaft 29, and the cam thereafter engages the stop dog, the spring 126 permits sufficient yielding movement of this dog to suitably cushion the stoppage of the punch train and bring it to rest without causing impairment or objectionably rapid deterioration of the train or of the detent mechanism therefor; but the spring 126 is, nevertheless, of sufficient strength to draw the stop'dog 97 back against the abutment 125, when the punch train has come to rest, notwithstanding. the thrust of the cam 99.

It will be seen thatthe toggle joint presents a linkage which is, as hereinbefore mentioned, normally disposed in a substantially straight line extending in the general direction of the thrust received from the punch shaft. In other words, the linkage is of such form and arrangement that the thrust imparted to the arm 101, through engagement of the dog 97 by the cam 99, will be exerted along a substantially straight line intersectihg the center pivot 108 and the terminal pivots 102 and 111 of the toggle joint; this line being maintained sufficiently straight to prevent the exertion of any appreciable tendency to break or deflect the toggle due to the engagement of the dog 97 by the cam 99, even upon the occasion of the impact incident to stopping the mechanism at the conclusion of a cycle of the action thereof.

In other words, the spring 117 supplies all or substantially all of the force which acts to tend to break or deflect the toggle joint from its normal straightened position, so that the friction which must be overcome in order for the magnetically operated latch to release the toggle joint and permit its deflection, is substantially constant irrespective of differences in the force of the turning thrust of the punch shaft 29 (as applied to the toggle joint through the dog 97 and arm 101) irrespective of whether such thrust is the result of the main spring being tightly wound or almost completely unwound, and correspondingly irrespective of whether the static thrust of the spring is supplemented by the impact which delivers the momentum acquired by the parts during a cycle of the operation thereof.

It will be further seen that, with the arrangement thus far described, there will beno tendency to objectionably disturb the toggle joint linkage in the event that the shaft 29 tends to rotate in reverse direction (counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. '1 and 3) when the main shaft 33 is rotated for the purpose of winding the main spring. For this reason, the arm 77 will not be subject to displacement because of any such reverse rotation of the shaft 29, to the end that reverse rotation of the shaft 29 incident to re-winding of main spring will not-be permitted to react through the arm 101 to cause unintended release of the paper feeding train.

Inasmuch as the magnetically operated latch mechanism is unaffected by any movements or thrust variations of the punch shaft cam 99, the latching parts may be made relatively light, and therefore rapidly operable by a comparatively weak magnetic force, without incurring objectionably rapid wear or deterioration due to impacts incident to operation; and the force of the spring or other means provided for preventing unintended disengagement of the latch need not be as great as would be needed if the latch mechanism was subject to displacement or other causes of chattering each time the shaft 29 is brought to rest. Obviously, all decreases in the mass of the parts and in the strength of the latching spring, which can be made without impairment of durability or dependability of operation, serve to decrease the amount of magnetic force required to assure accurate response to signaling impulses.

Inasmuch as the toggle linkage 107 is connected directly to the impact receiving portion of the control lever arm 101, distortion of parts and impairment of dependability of operation due to lost motion or tortional stresses is avoided, and the application of the thrust of the dog 9'7 to respective sides of the arm 101 through arms 124 of said dog, and the corresponding use of the double links 10'? for transmitting the thrust from the respective sides of the arm 101 to those of the arm-109 assure that, when the toggle joint is closed, all thrust delivered by the cam 99 will act in a balanced manner through a direct line on the pivot 111 without any tendency either to twist the linkage or to open the toggle joint. It is believed that mechanism such as just described involves the use of the fewest possible parts consistent with the dependable accomplishment of the required functions, and it has been found that magnetically controlled releasing mechanism embodying this arrangement, although built of parts much smaller and lighter than have heretofore been used for corresponding purposes in like instruments, are well qualified to resist all strains created therein and so reduce wear on these parts as to increase the life and durability of the mechanism as a whole to such an extent that instruments so equipped do not show any impairment of accuracy and dependabilityof operation, and show little, if any, wear of the parts of the magnetically controlled releasing mechanism, after ten or more times a number of actuations such as would have resulted in serious impairment of operable dependability, due to wear of parts, of corresponding instruments as heretofore built.

Following the last perforation of the punch corresponding to the final signal impulse of any completed signal, the feed of the tape continues for the persisting feed interval established by the feed control mechanism, as hereinbefore more fully explained, and is then brought to rest, leaving the parts as represented in Fig. l and leaving a substantial exposed length of tape between the last perforation and the punch casing 17.

Circuit. controlling mechanism is provided for actuation by the feed mechanism, herein through the movement of the detent arm '77. Such circuit controlling mechanism comprises the suitably insulated and normally open spring contacts 127 and 128 (Fig. 2) supported on the frame member 129 of the machine. The contact 128 is provided with an outstanding angled projection 131 disposed within the path of the projecting end 132 of the feed detent arm 77 as the latter is moved laterally by engagement with the screw 91; said projection 131 being located in such portion of the path of the end 132 that, after having been engaged by said end 132, said projection 131 will be disengaged thereby just prior to the point in the movement of the arm 77 responsive to the screw 91, when the pin 81 is carried into the path of the pin 83 and thereby effects stoppage of the feed train. The contacts 127 and 128 are so positioned, with relation to one another and to the end 132 that said contact 128 will be moved into engagement with said contact 127 when the end 132 is being carried past the projection 131 by engagement of the nut 89 (carried by the foot 79) with the screw 91.

Through the utilization of the contacts of this circuit controlling mechanism, provision is made whereby an automatic time stamp may be operated in connection with the recorder herein described. Such time stamp is not herein shown, but may be any one of the usual types employed in connection with recorders of this character, and should preferably be so located that the tape will pass therethrough after leaving the punch casing 17, so that the time and date may be imprinted upon the exposed length of tape presented after the last perforation of each signal.

When these contacts are utilized for time stamp control, as just indicated, it is desirable that the position of the projection 131 with relation to the path of movement of the end 132 while the nut 89 is traveling along the screw 91, shall be such that the disengagement of the end 132 from the projection 131 will occur sufficiently in advance of the stoppage of the feeding train so that the time stamp imprint upon the tape will be rendered visible by being carried beyond the time stamp. before the feed train comes to rest.

For many purposes as, for example, when the circuit controlling mechanism is utilized for controlling the actuation of the printing mechanism of a time stamp as just referred to, it is desirable that the contacts shall not be closed during the movement of the arm 77, while it is supported by the rod 119, incident to a signaling impulse. To this end, the projection 131 is of such form and location that it does not extend into the path traversed by the end 132 when the arm '77 has been lifted by the bar 119; so that, when so lifted, the arm 77 may swing from its normal position to that in which the nut 89 is brought into engagement with the leading end of the screw 91 without thereby moving the contact 128 into engagement with the contact 127.

Electro-mechanical signaling recorders of the general type thus far described may be required for response to either of two classes of signaling circuits. In the case of one of these classes, it is desirable, for reasons well understood by those skilled in this art, that the tape marking mechanism shall act whenever the circuit of the controlling magnet is broken. This condition is usually found where the signaling circuit stands normally closed and is alternately broken and closed in the course of the formation of code signals, signaling systems employing circuits of this type being frequently referred to as closed circuit systems. In the case of circuits of the other. class, it is correspondingly desirable that the tape marking mechanism shall act whenever the condition of the controlling circuit changes from open to closed. Signaling systems in which this is true usually employ normally open circuits and are frequently referred to as open circuit systems. From the foregoing it will be evident that, for the purposes herein considered, the significant portion of a signaling impulse (or of a cycle of changes in the condition of the controlling circuit) occurs when the condition of current flow in the circuit is so modified as to result in terminationof the effective magnetization of the controlling magnets of the instruments responsive to that circuit; and, in the case of an open circuit system, such significant portion occurs when; the condition of current flow in the circuit is so modified as to result in the establshment of effective magnetization of such controlling magnets.

It is obvious that material changes in operative relationship of parts are essential to the conversion of tripping mechanism such as here contemplated from a condition suited for response to such closed circuit systems to one suited for response to such open circuit systems, or vice versa. To convert a signal recording machine constructed for normally closed circuit use into a machine constructed for normally open circuit use, or vice versa, has heretofore required the partial dismantling of the machine and the substantial reconstruction or rearrangement of the latching and trip mechanism; In the disclosed machine, however, provision is made whereby, through a 'simple adjustment, which may be made available at the outside of the machine, the latter may be readily converted from a machine usable on a normally open signaling circuit to a machine usable on a normally closed signaling circuit, or vice versa.

Referring more particularly to the parts comprising the latching and trip mechanism, the latch 113 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) is formed integral with the angularly projecting supporting arm 133 pivotally mounted at 116 on one side of and near the lower forked end of the detent arm 115.

The latch has projecting from its side, parallel with its pivot but in an eccentric relation thereto, a raised stop stud 134 which enters and has a limited movement between the separated walls of the detent arm presented by the forked ends thereof. The latch when free is drawn to its limit of movement in a counter-clockwise direction (represented in Fig. 3) against one of the forked tips of the detent arm by the tension spring 135, the latter connecting one end of the projection 133 with an eye formed in the detent arm lug 136, but is capable of a slight reverse movement until brought to rest by engagement of the stop lug with the opposite forked tip of the detent arm. When the detent arm 115 is swung counter-clockwise (Fig. 3) by the straightening of the toggle joint, the shouldered end-of the latch 113 passes under and. snaps back of a suitable catch device and is there held until released by the action of the magnet.

In Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the parts constituting the locking and trip mechanism are shown as adjusted for use in connection with a normally closed signaling circuit; thus, when the toggle joint is straightened and. the detent arm swung back, the latch (Fig. 55) passes beneath and engages with the shouldered underside of a catch bar 137 which extends inwardly for a short distance from the frame or casing of the machine (Fig. 4) The catch bar 137 is carried by a cylindrical stud-like support 139 fitting an aperture in the machine frame and having the external flanged head 141 by which it is fastened to the wall of the machine casing by the two diametrically opposite screws 142. In this position the catch bar projects into the path of the pivoted latch 113, so that when the latter is moved beneath and beyond the catch it engages there'- With and is locked thereby.

The supporting stud 139 also carries ashort projecting companion bar 143 parallel with the catch bar and providing a narrow, open slot between them, the bar 143 being positioned, however, so that it offers no interference to the releasing movement of the latch when it is dislodged from the catch bar. The magnet 105 has the armature 145 carried by the armature lever 147 secured to the rock shaft 149 and provided with the retractile spring 151. Connected to the rock shaft to move with the armature lever is the trip bar arm 153 carrying the inturned or angled tip 155, the latter having a substantially vertical path of movement situated Within the open space formed between the catch bar 137 and its companion bar 143 and extending transversely the path of the latch.

In the idle or inactive condition of the machine, the parts are as shown in Fig. l; the signaling circuit being closed, the armature is in rezone? attracted position and the latch is in engagement with and being held by the tip 155, thereby retaining the toggle joint closed and the control parts in stop position. Upon the occurrence of the significant portion of a signal impulse; i. e.,

when the signaling circuit is broken, the armature 145 is retracted by the spring 151 (Fig. 3), raising the tip 155 to the position shown in Fig. 5a and thereby releasing the latch 113. This allows the toggle joint to open and the parts to move to the release position shown in Fig'. 3. On the completion of the ensuing rotation of the punch shaft 29, the engagement of the punch cam 99 with the restoring arm 121 causes the detent arm 115 to swing back and the latch 113 to snap back. beneath the depending shouldered wall of the catch bar 137, which it thereupon engages and thereby effects the locking relationship therewith, as shown in Fig. 5b.

When, now, the circuit next closes, the resulting movement of the armature 145 will cause the tip 155 to swing down into the position shown in Fig. 5c, disengaging the latch 113 from the catch bar 137 and allowing it to move from its primary stopped position (Fig. 55) into its secondary stopped position (Fig. l) where it engages with the tip 155 and is thereby held locked until the succeeding occurrence of the significant portion of a signal impulse. If, during a cycle of events, such as just described, the signal circuit should again close before the punch shaft 29 has completed its revolution and before the latch is swung back, the latter will engage directly with the tip 155 and be locked thereby, the tip being swung down coincidently with the closing of the signaling circuit.

To convert the mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 into one usable in connection with a normally open signaling circuit, the construction is such that the relationship of the catch bar 137 to the tip 155 may readily be reversed, thereby utilizing the same locking and trip mechanism for employment in a normally open circuit. This is accomplished by unfastening the studlike support 139 from the machine casing by removing the two screws 142, withdrawing the head 141 far enough from the frame 15 to disengage the catch bar 137 and the short bar 143 from the latch 113 and the tip 155, (Fig. 4) then turning the head 141 through 180 degrees, and thereafter again restoring and fastening it in place, so that the catch bar 137 occupies a position between the tip 155 and the detent arm 115 (as represented in Fig. 6) instead of on the opposite side of the tip (as represented in Figs. 1, 3 and 5). This permits the same machine, without other change than the simple, externally-available adjustment of the catch bar support, to be utilized equally well whether significant response is required at time of the closing or the breaking of the controlling signal circuit.

When the locking mechanism is adjusted as last described and as shown in Fig. 6, for socalled open signaling circuit operation, in the idle condition of the machine the latch 113 is held by the now inverted catch bar 137 (Fig. 6a), the signaling circuit being then open and the tip 155 raised. On closure of the circuit, the tip 155 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 6b, disengaging the latch 113 and allowing the toggle joint to open. On the completion of the resultant revolution of the punch shaft, the latch 113 returns and is caught and held by the tip 155 in its primary stopped position (Fig.

60), the subsequent opening of the signaling circuit causing the tip 155 to riseas shown in Fig. 6d, releasing the latch 113 which then moves slightly forward into its secondary stopped position (Fig. 5a), where it is again in engagement with the catch bar 137 preparatory to the receipt of another signal. If, during a cycle-of events such as just described, the signal circuit should again open before the latch is restored incident to the ensuing revolution of the punch shaft 29, the tip 155 will be raised out of the path of the latch 113, which will therefore be permitted to move directly into latching engagement with the catch bar 137, as shown in Fig. 5a.

The catch bar 137, which provided the primary stop of the escapement when adjusted for closed circuit operation, thus becomes the secondary stop for the escapement when adjusted to open circuit operation, while the tip 155 which provided the secondary stop in the first case becomes the primary stop in the readjusted position.

The tip 155 oscillates between the two rigid bars 137 and 143 and in close proximity thereto in either adjusted position of the studlike support 139, so that it is protected by either one bar or the other from the distorting effect of any thrust delivered by the return movement of the latch 113 and from any distorting or displacing effect of this latch when stopped and locked up by this tip. The companion bar 143 also acts as a stop to limit the backward movement of the detent arm 115 and prevent too great an overthrow of the toggle joint linkage, when adjusted as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and a similar function is performed by the catch bar 137 when the two members are in reversed position as shown in Fig. 6.

It will therefore be seen that the tip 155 and the catch bar 137 provide, for both adjustments, the two stops for an electro-magnetically actuated two-step escapement for the detent arm, that the tip 155 serves at all times as a tripping means or trip, and that the support 139 provides an accessible and simple adjustment whereby the order of the effectiveness of the escapement stops may readily be so reversed as to render the escapement properly responsive to either open or closed circuit operation Referring now to the punching mechanism, and more particularly to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, the punch member 19 comprises a generally cylindrical body portion 157, the upper part of which is guided for vertical reciprocatory movement in a cylindrical bore 159 in the upper part of the punch casing 17 and the reduced diameter lower part of which is correspondingly guided in a cylindrical opening 160 in the bottom of the casing. Reciprocatory movement is imparted. to the punch by an eccentric driving connection or crank 161 carried by the punch shaft 29, which latter extends through the machine frame 15 into a chamber 163 provided in the punch casing 17. The crank 161 is secured to and rotatably mounted in the lower end of a swiveled connecting l nk 165, the opposite end of which fits within a slot formed in the upper end of the punch body to which it is pivotedby the pin 167. The cylindrical body portion 157 of the punch is cut away or slabbed off for a substantial part of its length to allow the connecting link 1635 to be fitted therein and to allow for the slight oscillating movement relatively to the punch imparted to it incident to its actuation by the crank.

In Fig. 7 the punch is shown in the position it occupies in the stopped or inactive condition of the punching train. On the release of the punching train, the punch shaft 29 turns through one complete rotation, acting through the link 165 quickly to move the punch down (as shown in Fig. 8), and thereafter immediately to return it to the position shown in Fig. 7,'when the punch shaft is brought to rest.

The construction of the described support and operating connections for the punch provides a simple and ready means for assembling the parts and one requiring little or no attention after assemblage. To effect assemblage of the punch parts, before the punch casing is fastened to the machine frame or the punch is placed in its casing, the connecting link 165 is slipped into its place in the body portion of the punch and there fastened by the pin 167. The punch. is then inserted through the bore 159 from above and the closure cap 169 is threaded into place to close the top of the casing. The pivot pin requires no special construction to hold it in place as it is confined by the walls of the punch casing after assemblage. With the parts thus assembled, the

casing is then applied to the side of the machine frame, the hole in the connecting link'165 being brought into such a position as to receive the entering end of the crank 161, after which the casing is suitably bolted in position t'ii lthe side of the frame.

To the bottom of the punch casing, and in a suitably formed recess therein, cooperatively related to the active or cutting end of the punch 19, there is provided the supporting plate 171, leaving between the plate and the bottom of the punch casing the paper feeding slot 173 through which the recording tape is caused to be "ed beneath the punch and over and across the supporting plate. The tape slot 173 is provided with a lateral exit opening 175 (Fig. 8) formed in the bottom of the punch casing and extending from the side of the punch to the outside of the casing in the direction of the feed of the tape so as to permit any paper punchings which may find lodgment upon the tape to be carried out by the feeding movement of the tape.

The supporting plate 171 is provided with an opening 177 through which the cutting tip 181 of the punch 19 may freely pass, and the tubular member 179 is secured to the under side of this plate, so as to register with said opening and to serve as a conveyor for punchings which have been cut from te tape and forced through said opening 177.

This opening 177 is larger than the cutting tip 181 of the punch, the walls of the opening being spaced away from the sides of the punch tip when it is within the opening, for a substantial distance. In the practice, it has been found desirable to provide a space greater than the thickness of the tape between all portions of the punch tip and the surrounding walls of the supporting plate 171.

With a relationship of parts such as herein indicated, it has been found unnecessary to provide or maintain square or sharp edges around rangement heretofore employed. Such avoidance of necessity for original sharpening, and for subsequent re-sharpening, contributes materially to the dependability and durability of recorders of the general type here under consideration, as such recorders of the prior art have employed punches arranged to perforate the paper by means of a shearing cut, the cutting edge of the punch plunger being arranged to cooperate with a complementary cutting edge of a closely fitted die plate, requiring maintenance of effectively sharpened cutting edges of both the punch and die in order to prevent shreds or fibers of the paper from being drawn into the slight clearance between the punch and the die Walls and thereby so multiplying the friction that the energy of the punch driving train has often proved insufficient to complete the cycle of driving the punch through the paper and into the opening provided therefor in the die and then Withdrawing the punch therefrom. The situation as to such prior art recorders has been further complicated by the fact that the cutting of paper by a punch and die under the circumstances just described tends to cause very rapid deterioration of the cutting edges of both the punch and the die. It has also been found that the manufacture of such punches and dies has incurred considerable expense because of the very accurate fitting required, and there has been a distinct element of uncertainty as to the continuance of dependable operability of individual specimens as heretofore manufactured, due to the fact that irregularities in dimension or form which were of such minute extent as to render it difficult if not impossible to discern them in advance of use, have resulted in development of failures due to sticking of the punch in the die of some specimens after a number of operations which were but a fraction of the number which another punch and die, seemingly identical, would operate without failure. Preliminary tests did not seem to afford an adequate safeguard for this condition, as a punch and die which would cause signal recording failures within 5,000 or 10,000 actuations would accomplish the first few thousand actuations with a degree of efficiency not discernably different from another punch and die which, upon side by side test, might operate 10,000 times, 50,000 times or even 100,000 times without a signaling failure.

Owing to the extreme importance of service of this class, it has been considered very objectionable to have signaling failures of this kind develop, but no means has heretofore been discovered for preventing the occurrence of such failures because of progressive wear of parts and deterioration of cutting edges.

As an illustration of the difference between the service life of the improved punching mechanism herein described as compared with that of the prior art, it may be mentioned that only in exceptional cases has it been found that the prior art types of mechanism would operate successfully more than about 100,000 times through paper of the kind ordinarily utilized for the tape of such recorders and, when failure did occur, the other parts of the recording mechanism (with the occasional exception of the electromagnetic releasing mechanism would be in reasonably good operating condition and would not show any indications of appreciable wear. Recorders otherwise identical with those heretofore equipped with prior art types of punching mechanism, when equipped with the improved type of punching mechanism herein disclosed, have been operated until the pivots in the frame plates have developed a degree of wear such as to cause noticeable irregularity in the operation of the mechanism and thereby give ample warning that the machine is practically worn out, without once failing to fully accomplish the operating cycle of the punching mechanism in a manner apparently as efficient as when first manufactured, notwithstanding the mechanism having been subjected to between four million and five million actuations.

It is believed that the ability for long continued use without re-sharpening or other attention is substantially contributed to by the provision of a perforating device adapted to remove a definite punch area from the tape, herein of circular shape, by what resembles a drawing cut and without the necessity of employing a shearing out. It is believed, however, that a further factor contributes toward this result, inasmuch as it has been found that,-especially under certain atmospheric conditions,-a charge of static electricity is developed between the punch and the traveling paper tape, because of which the punchings of paper discs removed from the tape tend to cling to the punch and to the walls of the die so that, by re-entering a hole in the tape, the disc just punched therefrom, (perhaps accompanied by an accumulation of several other discs which had found lodgment in the throat of a prior art tightly fitting die) would be disposed in a plane more or less at variance with that of the moving tape and thereby tend to clog the movement of the tape (with resultant distortion of the representation of the time intervals between successive perforations) and to disable the punching mechanism when it was next released by presenting in the path of one edge of the punch one or more additional thicknesses of paper (provided by the reentered disc or discs), thereby clogging the machine so that it would not respond to further signaling impulses until manually cleared of the accumulation of punchings.

With a view of eliminating the opportunity for failure found in prior art punch mechanisms, as just described, the herein disclosed punch mechanism is arranged to operate under such conditions that the punchings or discs are deprived of any substantial tendency to cling to the punch and have imparted thereto a tendency to disengage therefrom as soon as detached from the paper; besides being carried by the punch into an opening in the supporting plate which is so much greater than the size of the punching disc as to preclude such accumulation and packing of discs as takes place in the prior art tightly fitted dies.

correspondingly, the punching mechanism here disclosed is so arranged that, although the lower end of the punch casing is so formed as to serve as a stripper for holding the paper tape against its tendency to move upwardly with the punch when the latter is withdrawn after penetrating the tape, the walls of the opening in the bottom of the casing around the cutting edge of the punch are spaced far enough from the punch so that even if certain fibers or shreds of paper are carried upwardly with the punch, there will be no opportunity for them to become wedged between the punch and the walls of the guiding support provided for the lower end thereof. To this end, the perforating tip 181 of the punch 19 is of slightly less diameter than the lower end of the opening 160 from which it protrudes when penetrating the underlying tape, besides being of substantially lesser-diameter than the registering opening 177 in the supporting plate 171, as hereinbefore explained. The clearance in each instance is preferably greater than the thickness of the tape or other material to be perforated and, in the instance of the clearance between the punch and easing, this clearance may be obtained either by reducing the diameter of the cutting end of the punch as shown, or by providing an enlarged diameter at the lower end of the opening 160, as desired.

For the purpose of imparting a tendency for punching discs to disengage from the punch end, as soon as they have been detached from the paper, the perforating edge of the punch is formed (Fig. 12) by providing a V-shaped recess in the cylindrical end of the punch so that the tip presents the two fiat beveled faces 183 and 185, each receding inwardly from the tip, the pointed apex 187 of the face 183 protruding slightly beyond the apex 189 of the face 285 for a reason which will be presently described, so that the perimeter of the punch tip presents cutting or punching edges which unite at one apex but recede backwardly therefrom to a point on inciding with the bottom of the recess, and then continue forwardly until they again join at the apex of the other face.

When the punch descends upon the tape, the cutting tips or apexes 187 and 189 engage the paper at diametrically opposite points and puncture the paper thereat, respectively initiating similar are shaped cuts. As the punch further penetrates toward the position shown in Fig. 9c, the lines of cut spread or progressively extend on both sides of the punch head, from the points of original puncture at the respective apexes each toward the other, until they meet, leaving a circular disc 191 fully detached from the tape, as shown in Fig. 9d.

Due to the action upon the punching disc because of the formation of the recessed end of the punching tip, as just described, the disc tends, while being detached from the tape, to curl up into the beveled end of the punch against the abutting walls presented thereby; so that, when fully detached, it occupies a flexed or distorted position, as indicated in Fig. 9c. Thereupon, as the punch moves toward its lowermost position where the disc has become wholly detached from the tape, as shown in Fig. 9d, the disc tends to spring from its cramped or flexed position toward a flatwise shape, thereby dislodging and ejecting itself from the punch tip so that it drops into the conveying tube member 179 and falls into a suitable receptacle below. This effects an automatic self-ejection of the punchings from the punch, and the clearance resulting from the difference in size between the punchings and the openings in the supporting plate 171 and the tubular member 1'79 serves to minimize the tendency to develop sufiicient suction during the upward movement of the punch to draw any of the punchings back through the opening just found in the tape; if, however, any punching disc becomes lodged in such an opening in the tape, or if any should be carried above the tape by the punch, due to excessive static electrical charge, it tends to quickly become dislodged from the punch (if adhering thereto) and in any event is carried out by the succeeding feeding movement of the tape, with which it is freely permitted to travel through the lateral exit opening 175. Furthermore-, even should a punching continue to cling to the punch in its flexed or bent position, it can offer no substantial interference with the functioning of the punch in making successive perforations; and should a punching disc lie upon the tape in the path of the descending punch, the punch could not be thereby forced to a position where it would not register with the opening 160 in the supporting plate 171 (although failures of prior art punches have repeatedly occurred when they have been correspondingly deflected with relation to their tightly fitted die plate opening).

It has been found that during the cutting action of a punch such as here disclosed, the energy absorbed is greatest at the time when the punch is freshly penetrating the paper, as distinguished from times when it is effecting a running cut or tearing the paper along a line extending away from a point of previous penetration. For. this reason, the perforating tip of the punch is so proportioned that the apex 187 first encounters the paper (See Fig. 9a) and only after said apex has penetrated entirely through the paper is the apex 189 brought into engagement with the paper at a diametrically opposite point.

With this arrangement it has been found that the amount of power required to assure dependable operation is little more than one-half that required if the perforating tip of the punch is so arranged that apexes otherwise corresponding to 187 and 189 simultaneously engage the paper. It is also then found that best results are obtainable if the two apexes are disposed in a line parallel with the direction of movement of the paper tape, and such that the apex 187 which first penetrates the tape is in advance, along the line of movement, of the apex 189.

The perforating tip 181 in which the V-shaped recess is formed, is preferably of solid cross-section or, if tubular or hollow, is of such formation that annular or other abutting walls of substantial area are presented within the periphery of the tip to engage the punching or disc after its release from the tape. That portion of the tip which enters and penetrates the tape is also preferably formed as shown with parallel external walls, or at least with a periphery undiminishing toward the tip and without any such external taper or bevel toward the tip as would give the perforating perimeter which initially enters the tape a lesser dimension than that of the following portion of the penetrating end. If, however, it is desired to provide a diameter of the following portion of the pentrating tip which is somewhat smaller than that of the tip itself, this may be done without appreciable impairment of efficiency.

Because of the substantial clearance provided between the supporting plate 171 and the cutting edge of the punch, the latter does not contact therewith in its ordinary functioning and no wear of either will result such as develops from the coaction of prior art types of tightly fitting punches and dies for cutting paper; and, because of the running out or tearing action through which the disc is detached from the paper tape, the rounding over of adjacent edges of the perforating tip 181 of the punch and of the walls of the opening 177 of the supporting plate does not appreciably impair the effectiveness of the mechanism. Indeed, it has been found that satisfactory operating results can be obtained if the punch end and supporting plate are made of soft steel, without hardening and without sharpening, as dependable results will be obtained throughout long periods of service; and, even if, under these circumstances, a slight burr or enlargement should be formed on the perforating tip 181 of the punch, inasmuch as the opening 177 in the supporting plate 171 and the opening 160 in the punch casing 17 are of substantially larger diameter than the cutting tip 181, such burr or enlargement will not cause the punch to stick either in the casing or in the supporting plate, irrespective of any such shreds of paper as may be dragged one way or the other by any such burr.

Although the described punch is so formed as to provide a circular perforation in the tape, the shape of the parts may be altered to produce perforations of other forms.

The supporting plate 171 is seated against the two shouldered walls 192 and 193 of the punch casing (Fig. 10) which serve to space the plate from the mouth of the opening 160 so as to provide the tape feeding slot 173. The plate 171 is formed with the arc-shaped edges 195 and 197 (Fig. 11) concentric with the opening 177, which edges fit accurately against and between the arcshaped walls 199 and 201 formed in the bottom of the punch casing 17 and concentric with the punch bore 159-460, so that, when seated in the recess presented by these Walls, an exact alignment is assured between the openng 177 in the supporting plate 171 and the perforating tip 181 of the punch 19 as guided by the opening 160 in the casing 17. The supporting plate 171 is securely retained in the recess provided therefor between the arc-shaped edges 195 and 197 and against the shouldered walls 192 and 193, by means of the attaching screws 203.

While we have herein shown and described, for purposes of illustration, a single embodiment of the invention in the form of a signal recorder of one specific type, it will be understood that the various mechanisms which are herein shown combined may be utilized, either individually or in various combinations, in recorders of widely varying constructions, and that the form, relative arrangement and construction of the parts constituting such individual mechanisms may be varied and altered within wide limits, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism and tape feeding. mechanism, of constantly impelled driving trains actuating the same, a control member for the recording train movable to stop or to release the latter, electro-magnetically actuated escapement devices for the control member, an escapement for the feed train for governing the rate of tape feed, control mechanism for the feed train comprising a screw revoluble with the feed train and a detent arm having both a vertical and horizontal swinging movement and arranged for engaging with said screw to move the arm to a position where it will arrest the feed train, and a lifting member carried by the recording control member underlying the detent arm for its full horizontal swinging movement and adapted, when the control member is moved to its release position, to raise the arm from its feed arresting position to release the feed train and, when moved to its stop position, to permit the arm to descend and re-engage with the screw in spaced relation to its feed arresting position, thereby to provide for the lapse of a feeding interval through nee ed? the operation of said feed train before its subsequent stoppage by the detent.

2. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism and tape feeding mechanism,'of constantly impelled driving trains actuating the same, a control member for the recording train movable to stop or release the latter, a feed train detent mounted for pivotal movement in two planes, an impelling device operated through the feed train with which the detent is engageable to be swung thereby about one axis and moved to a feed train arresting position, and means associated with the control member for swinging the detent about its other axis to disengage it from the impelling means and re-engage it therewith in spaced relation to its feed arresting position, thereby to provide for the lapse of a feeding interval through the operation of said feeding train before its subsequent stoppage by the detent.

3. In a signal the combination with recording mechanism and tape feeding mechanism of constantly impelled driving trains actuating the same, a control member for the recording train movable to stop or release the latter, a toggle linkage connected to the control member and adapted to be moved to approximately closed pbsition when the control member is moved to stop position, means for holding the toggle closed, electro-magnetically actuated releasing mechanism for releasing the toggle, a feed train detent mounted for pivotal movement in two planes, an impelling device operated through the feed train with which the detent is engageable to be moved thereby to a feed train arresting position, and means associated with the control lever for moving the detent to disengage it from the impelling means and re-engage it therewith in spaced relation to its feed arresting position, thereby to provide for the lapse of a feeding interval through the operation of said feed train before its subsequent stoppage by the detent.

i. In a signal mechanism, the combination with recording mechanism and tape feeding mechanism, of a constantly impelled driving train, a governing mechanism comprising a bellcrank-lever having a stop arm, a restraining arm, and a tape feed controlling member mounted on and movable with said stop arm.

5. In a signal mechanism, the combination with recording mechanism and tape feeding mechanism, of a constantly impelled driving train, a governing mechanism comprising a bell-crank lever having a stop arm and a restoring arm, said stop arm having an offset portion, and a tape feed controlling member mounted in the offset portion thereof.

6. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled rotary operating shaft, of a cam on said shaft, a pivoted control member having holding and releasing positions and provided with a resiliently yieldable abutment effective for arresting rotation of the cam and holding the shaft against rotation when in holding position, locking means for retaining said control member in holding position, the same comprising a toggle joint one end of which is hinged to said control member and the other end of which is carried by a fixed pivot, said toggle joint so proportioned and positioned that when straightened to bring the intermediate joint in substantial alignment with the hinge and the pivot at the respective ends thereof said control member will be in holding position, a spring tending to deflect the toggle joint to move the control member to releasing position a restoring device connected with the control member to effect straightening of the toggle to move the controlling member to holding position, the same comprising an arm secured to the control member and moved by the cam, means for holding the toggle joint against deflection comprising a detent arm moving with the second named end of the toggle joint, a latch carried by said arm, and signal responsive trip mechanism therefor comprising a stationary catch, a trip member .and an electromagnet for actuating the trip member.

7. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled rotary member, of a pivoted control member having holding and releasing positions and provided with a resiliently yieldable abutment effective when in holding position for stopping and holding the rotary member against rotation, locking means for retaining said control member in holding position, the same comprising a toggle joint one end of which is hinged to said control member and the other end of which is carried by a fixed pivot, said toggle joint so proportioned and positioned that when straightened to bring the intermediate joint in substantial alignment with the hinge and the pivot at the respective ends thereof said control member will be in holding position, means tending to deflect the toggle joint to move the control member to releasing position, a restoring device connected with the control member to effect straightening of the toggle joint to move the controlling member to holding position, the same comprising an arm secured to the control member and moved by the cam, means for holding the toggle joint against deflection, and signal responsive trip mechanism for releasing I the toggle joint from the holding means.

8. In signal responsive mechanism having a constantly impelled rotary signal operating device, the combination of a control member pivoted for movement to a stop position to restrain the movement of said rotary device, and to a release position to permit same to rotate, linkage connected to said control member for governing movement between the respective positions thereof, means to restore the control member to stop position on rotation of said rotary device, electromagnetically actuated escape mechanism for the linkage, and a spring tensioned lug carried by said control member and located within the path of said rotary device to provide a cushioned stop therefor.

9. In a signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled rotary signal operating device, of a control member movable to a position for holding said device against rotation and presenting a yieldable stop to engage and cushion the stoppage of said device, a toggle joint connected to said control member, means tending to deflect the toggle joint, means for holding the toggle joint against deflection, and electro-magnetically actuated trip mechanism for releasing the toggle joint on receipt of a signal.

10. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism and record feeding devices having constantly impelled driving means therefor and including a rotary member to govern the actuation of said recording mechanism, of a control member adapted for movement from a position where said recording mechanism and feeding devices are released for actuation to a position for effecting restraint of the movement thereof, and a resiliently yieldable stop carried by said control member and effective when in the second named position to stop and hold said rotary member against movement.

11. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled driving train, of governing mechanism therefor comprising a movable control lever, and a spring cushioned bifurcated stop member pivotally attached to the opposite sides of said lever by the bifurcations thereof.

12. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled rotatable driving train controlling member, of governing mechanism therefor comprising a stop lever adapted to receive the impact of said controlling member, and locking mechanism comprising a toggle joint having a link connected to the impact receiving portion of said lever and a second pivotally connected erning mechanism therefor comprising a pivoted stop lever, a locking toggle joint for said stop lever comprising a pivotally mounted toggle member, and a second toggle member comprising a pair oflinks pivotally connected at one end to the opposite sides of said stop lever and at the opposite end to the opposite sides of said first named toggle member.

14. In a signal mechanism, the combination with governing mechanism including a restoring arm and locking toggle members, of a member movable by said restoring arm to engage one of said members to swing same to effect straightening of the toggle joint.

15. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled driving train, with governing mechanism therefor comprising a bellcrank lever having a stop arm and a restoring arm, a locking toggle joint a link of which has a lost motion connection to the stop arm, and a member moving with said bell-crank lever for engaging a member of said toggle joint to swing same to effect straightening of the toggle joint.

16. In signal mechanism, the combination with constantly impelled mechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detent member having a latch, holding and tripping devices for the latch including a stationary catch member adapted to be engaged by and to hold the latch, a stationary protecting member at the side of the catch member, an electro-magnetically actuated trip member movable across the path of the latch between the catch member and. protecting member, said trip member being adapted when moved against the latch to dislodge the latter when held by the catch member and being furthermore adapted to catch and hold the latch when moved in catching relationship to the latch, said trip member and catch constituting the two stops of a twostep escapement, and a support for said catch member and protecting member adjustably and reversibly mounted, whereby the relationship of the catch member and the trip member may be reversed to adapt the releasing mechanism for response to either normally open or normally closed signalling circuits.

17. In a signal mechanism, the combination ing a stationary catch member adapted to be engaged by and to hold the latch, an electromagnetically actuated trip. member movable across the path of the latch at the side of the 5 catch member, said trip member being adapted when moved against the latch to dislodge the latter when held by the catch member and fur- }thermore adapted to catch and hold the latch {when moved in catching relationship to the latch,

{said trip member and catch constituting the two steps of a two-step escapement, and a support for said catch member adjustably and reversibly mounted in the machine, whereby the relationship of the catch member to the trip member may be reversed to adapt the releasing mechanism -for response to either normally open or normally closed signaling circuits.

18. In a signal mechanism, the combination with constantly impelled mechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism therefor com prising a movable detent, an electro-magnetically actuated detent-locking and releasing mechanism including the two detent stopping members of a two-step escapement, and an adjustable device for reversing the position of said stopping members with relation to the detent member, whereby the releasing mechanism may be adapted for use in connection with normally closed signaling circuits or normally open signaling circuits.

19. In a signal mechanism, the combination with mechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detent lever, a latch carried by said lever, a stationary catch, a magnetically actuated trip 5 movable at the side of said catch and into the path of the latch, and a support for said catch adjustably and reversibly mounted whereby the position of said catch and said trip may be reversed at will with relation to the latch.

20. In a signal mechanism, the combination with mechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detent, a stationary catch toward which the detent is moved for engagement therewith, an electro-magnetically actuated trip member having a path of movement at the side of the catch, and a support for the catch adjustable to position the catch at either side of the path of movement of the trip member.

21. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, a magnetically actuated trip bar, a detent arm, a spring latch carried by the detent arm, and a catch. device for the latch comprising a stud having a slotted end presenting two separated members between which the trip bar is adapted to move, and a flanged head which the stud is supported for adjustable rotative movement.

22. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, a magnetically actuated trip bar, a detent arm, a spring latch carried by the arm, and a catch device for the latch comprising a stud having a slotted end presenting two separated projecting bars lying in the path of the latch and between which the trip bar has oscillating movement. 23. In a signaling device, releasingmechanism comprising a magnet, a magnetically actuated trip bar, a swinging detent arm, a latch carried by the arm, and a catch device for the :atcn comprising two separated bars between which the trip bar has oscillating movement.

24. In asignaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, a swinging detent arm, a spring latch carried by the detent arm, a magnetically actuated trip bar movable across the path of the latch, and a catch device comprising a support presenting a catch in the path of the latch and at the side of the path of the trip bar, said support being adjustable to reverse the relation between the trip bar and the catch.

25. In a signaling device, releasing mechathe end of said catch device and having an inturned tip entering the slotte'd end of the catch device and having a path of movement in said slot transverse the latch.

27. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a pivoted detent lever having a forked end, a spring latch having a projection by which it is'pivotally mounted on the side of the lever near the end thereof, a stop stud eccentric with relation to the pivot and extending from the side of the latch between said forked ends, said stud having a limited move ment between said forked ends, a catch to hold the latch, a magnet, and a magnet actuated releasing member to disengage the latch from the catch.

28. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a pivoted detent arm having an end provided with separated stop walls, a spring latch pivoted to the lever near its end, a stop member mounted on the latch and extending from the side thereof parallel to the latch pivot but eccentric with relation thereto, said stop member extending between the separated stop walls of the lever and having a limited movement between the same, a catch to hold the latch, a magnet, and a magnet actuated releasing member to disengage the latch from the catch.

29. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled rotary member, of governing mechanism therefor including a pivoted stop member and a locking toggle joint, the latter comprising toggle elements, one of which is pivotally supported and the other pivotally connected to the stop member, said stop member and toggle members being positioned in the same longitudinal plane, means tending to deflect the toggle joint and releasable means to hold the same in locked position.

30. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelled driving train, of governing mechanism therefor comprising a bell crank lever having a stop arm and a restoring arm, and a locking toggle joint having a link connected directly to the stop arm.

CLARENCE E. BEACH. FOSTER E. WELD.

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