US1992405A - Copywriter attachment for typewriters - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26, 1935. Q THORNBLADE 1,992,405

COPYWRITER ATTACHMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS Original Filed Oct. 21, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l gum r to; Car/Hugo Thornbiade Feb. 26, 1935. c. H. THORNBLADE COPYWRITER ATTACHMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS Original Filed Oct. 21, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm Carlfiugo Tlzambhc W Y W Feb. 26, 1935.

c. H. THORNBLADE 1,992,405

GOPYWRITER ATTACHMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS Original Filed Oct. 21, 1929 3 Sheets -Sheet 3 C a1"! Hugo Thorzzblade 39 Patented Feb. 26, 1935 PATENT OFFICE oorvwnrrnn ATTACHMENT ron 'rrrawnl'raas Carl Hugo Thornblade,

to Original Copywriter Company,

Seattle, Wash., assignor Seattle,

Wash., a corporation of Washington Application October 21, 1929, Serial No. 401,202 Renewed April 24, 1934 19 Claims.

My invention relates to typewriters, billing machines, and in general to all machines of this class in which duplicated records are required. More particularly, my invention relates to an attachment or mechanism designed for application to typewriting machines of ordinary design, whereby additional printing ribbons may be placed between the paper sheets, so that more than one copy may be made at one time, all originals, in the sense that all are written in ink, as is the first copy when carbon sheets are employed in the customary practice. My invention is an improvement upon that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,707,744.

It adds considerably to the complexity of such devices to provide in them a means to feed such ribbons continuously, as the regular typewriter ribbon is fed, hence one of the especial objects of my present invention is the provision of means for storing and feeding lengths of ribbon which are intended to be positioned in front of a typewriter platen, or the printing point thereof, so that a used portion of ribbon may be quickly and easily removed at will, and manually from printing position, and a fresh section brought into position, without the necessity of detaching and inserting a wholly new piece of ribbon, and without soiling the fingers.

It is a further object, in connection with devices of the general character described above, and which have means for removing the ribbon from operative or printing position, to provide take-up means, acting constantly to take up any slack in the ribbon which may be caused by movement from one position to the other, or otherwise, yet which will not interfere with the feeding, and, furthermore, to provide in such take-up means a device which will not permit the spring which forms the basis of the take-up mechanism to become too tightly tensioned.

It is a further object to provide a device of this character wherein two or more ribbons may be used, these involving a storage means for each end of the ribbon, and to provide means whereby the several ribbons are so threaded and guided with respect to one another that neither one interferes with the feeding of the others.

It is a further object to provide, in connection with printing ribbons intended for making carbon copies, of the general-type described, means whereby a shield ribbon may be interposed between the original copy, or any other copy, and the sheet next below the same, to avoid printing with the ribbon on the reverse side of the original sheet, and to provide means whereby such a shield ribbon may be removed from operative position whenever this may be desirable.

Various other objects, more particularly concemed with mechanical details of my invention, will be ascertainable from a study of the accompanying drawings, of the specification, and the claims which terminate the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention in a form which is now preferred by me.

, Figure 1 is a general end elevation of my device, attached to a typewriter carriage, with parts of the casing broken away.

Figure 2 is a general plan view of my device, parts at one end being omitted and others being broken away, to show the interior construction. Y

Figure 3 is a general transverse section through my device.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of one of the simple forms of my ribbon guide mechanism, and Figure 5 is a similar view of a further form, illustrating particularly the shield ribbon and its mounting.

Figure 6 is a general axial view through one of the storage reels and the take-up mechanism associated therewith.

Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 are transverse sectional views, on the respective lines 77, 8-8, 99 and 10-10 of Figure 6.

My invention contemplates no change in the typewriter itself, but for a complete understanding of my invention it is necessary that reference be made to certain typewriter parts. Of these," the platen 9 is supported upon the carriage 90 to move transversely oi the frame 91, and since the ribbon 1 must be always held in front of the writing point, which is usually at the middle of the intermediate position of the platen 9 and carriage 90, and must be adapted for insertion between sheets of paper held to the platen, it is most convenient to support the ribbon, and all associated mechanism, upon the carriage 90. This is conveniently accomplished by mounting the ribbon guides, controls, and storage reels upon a frame 2, which is supported upon a base 20, the latter being secured in any suitable fashion upon the carriage 90. The frame 2 may be pivotally mounted upon the base 20, so that it may swing back upon this base into inoperative position, as is best illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 1, but this is not an essential part of the present invention. The ribbon 1 is not to be confused with the usual typewriter ribbon, for it does not supplant the same, nor does it perform the same function. Rather, it is held in front of the platen, stretching across the whole face thereof, in advance of that portionof the platen which will pass beneath the printing point, and it moves with the carriage. By placing a sheet of paper over the ribbon, with a shield of some sort between it and the ribbon, and by placing a second sheet beneath the ribbon and between it and the platen 9, it is possible to obtain a perfect ribbon copy of the original letter typed on the first sheet.

Such ribbons as shown in my former patent referred to above become worn in a comparatively short space of time, and it is desirable that means he provided for feeding the ribbon from time to time. This involves a storage means for lengths of the ribbon, so that one section at a time may be'exposed, and the used section may wound off and a new section placed in operative position. Since the ribbons will re-ink themselves by contact with other portions of the ribbon, it is desirable that the used section of ribbon be: not simply cut off and thrown away, but stored up and used over again after it has had-an opportunity to re-ink itself. Accordingly, from all of these considerations, the most satisfactory storage means for the ribbon is apair of drums or reels, and these I will now describe. It should be noted here, however, that at times it may be desirable to make more than one carbon copy. and for that reason I have shown a device wherein two ribbons l and 1' are employed, these requiring the use of two-pairs' o'f reels. The number can be increased, within reason.

Since the construction of all of these reels is or may be identical, it will be necessary to describe only one of them. The construction of these reels is shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive. A spindle 30 is secured in and projects inwardly from the frame 2, and upon this spindle is secured a disk 31,- forming one end flange of the reel. .This disk is free to rotate, except as it may be held in position by some frictional means such as the spring washer 32. A threaded collar 33 screwed upon the spindle 30 holds the disk 31 upon the spindle. A drum 3,'with a small flange 34 rotatable therewith throughthe engagement of a tongue 34 within a hole in the-end of the drum, receives the ribbon. Between the cupped disk 31 and flange 34 there is provided a space within which may be coiled aispiral spring 35. One end of this spring is anchored semi-permanently, and this anchoring means-may be a tab,

or ear 36 struck out from the metal in the flange 34, over whichthe inner end of the spring 35 is hooked (see Figure 8). The other end of this spring 35 has a knob 35' formed thereon, and this normally contacts with a shoulder upon the short length of spring 37, received in the space between the disk 31 and the end flange 34 to form the anchor for the outside end of the spring 35. The opposite end flange 38, associated with and rotatable with the drum 3, is held in place by a nut 39 screwed upon the spindle 30 and having a long sleeve 39' forming the journal for the drum.

It will be evident that since the drum 3 and the end flange 34 are connected to rotate to gether, through the medium of the tongue 34', any tension on the ribbon 1 will serve to tension the spring 35, since the disk 31 does not rotate in response to tension communicated through the ribbon 1. Upon release of the tension, the

. spring 35 at once takes up the slack in the ribbon. Should the tension be greater than normal, the knob 35' will slip past the shoulder on the short holding spring 37, and will be again intercepted by an opposite shoulder, but in this movement there is permitted the release of a small amount of the tension on the spring 35 which will prevent its breaking. A further safeguard is found in the fact that the disk 31 may slip if the force is sufficient to overcome the frictional force of the washer 32.

Should it be desired to feed out the ribbon, it is only necessary, at such times as tension 'is put upon the ribbon, to rotate the disk 31 backward, thus relieving the tendency to tension the spring 35. Should it be desired to wind on the ribbon 1, .it becomes necessary, then, to wind in the disk 31also, to compensate for the added slackness in the spring 35 thus obtained. Since the ribbon connects these reels in pairs, it is only necessary, when feeding from one reel to the other, to rotate thedisks 31, one in one direction, and the other in the opposite direction, relieving tension in one reel and taking it up in the other.

At times it is not desirable or necessary to use the ribbons, and at such times it is necessary that they be drawn out of their operative position. I may employ such means as those shown in my former patent for accomplishing this end, these consisting, in the main, of means for holding or guiding the opposite ends of the operative portion of the ribbon, such as the ribbon guides 4, supported upon blocks40, these being vertically slidable upon guide rods 41, carried in the frame 2.

. Movement of the blocks 40 is controlled by some such means as the arms 42 and 43, pivoted at the rear end of the frame 2 and operable by the finger buttons 42' and 43', the latter being connected to its arm 43 by means of a secondarm 44, which is secured to the same sleeve 45 as that which carries the arm 43. To secure uniformity of action at both ends of my device, the arms 43 and 44 may be connected through from one end to the otherby such means as the rod 46 and the concentric sleeve 45, upon which like arms may be secured at the two ends of the device. Preferably, however, the finger buttons 42' and 43'. are not duplicated. These buttons move in slots 24 of the frame 2 (see Figure 1).

It will be noted that the connection of the rib bon guide 4 to its corresponding blocks 40 is through aset screw and slot connection 47 (see Figures 4 and 5). It will be noted, also, that this adjustment, permitting exact positioning of the ribbon with respect to the printing point of the platen, is complemented by a set collar 48, supported upon the rod 41, at least at the. same end where are located the finger buttons 42' and 43'. By these collars the downward movement of the blocks 40, and hence the connecting ribbon guides 4, may be limited.

The shield ribbon 5 may be best seen in Figure 5. It would be employed, ordinarily, only with the forward ribbon 1, and since it may be made strong and not liable to wear out quickly, and of course does not require inking, it may be a permanently or semi-permanently attached ribbon. It is shown as supported upon an arm" 50, pivoted at 51 upon the blocks 40, or the guide piece 4, the ribbon having a hook 52 hooking over the swinging end of the arm 50. By these or any other convenient means the shield ribbon 5 may be swung out of the way when not required, or swung down in front of the ribbon 1 whenever that is necessary, and, being mounted upon the same piece as carries the ribbon guide, the position of the shield ribbon will always coincide.

perfectly with that of the ribbon which it is shielding. In Figure 4 is shown a means whereby the shield ribbon may be. directly mounted upon the ribbon guide 4, this means consisting of teeth 55 cut in its outer edge. Such an arrangement is particularly useful with the ribbons beneath the outermost, with which it is not practicable to use a swinging arm such as 50, and with which it is not usually necessary to use a shield ribbon. By these or like means a shield ribbon may be quickly attached when needed, and as quickly detached.

As has been noted, two reels are provided at each end, these being connected across in pairs, and preferably one of these reels lies in advance of the other. To avoid interference of one reel, or the ribbon leading therefrom, when replacing one ribbon with another, it is desirable that the ribbon from the rear reel be guided under the forward ribbon, and for that purpose I have shown guide means, consisting of the pins 6, 60, and 61, guiding the ribbon 1' from the rear reel under the forward reel, and thence down to its ribbon guides 4. The ribbon 1 from the forward reel leadsdirectly forward to a similar guide pin 62, and thence down as before to the ribbon guides 4.

Movement of the ribbon guides 4 up and down from operative position and again thereinto causes lengthening and shortening of the ribbon, which is compensatedfor by the take-up devices provided within the several reels. This is all automatic, and requires no attention on the part of the operator. To change the piece of ribbon in operative position, and to bring a fresh piece of ribbon into position for operation, requires only the feeding on and feeding off of the reels of a pair, in the manner heretofore described. Too much tensioning of the take-up spring is scarcely possible, because of the means for permitting slippage, which has been already described, and since the remainder of the device is designed and operates more or less after the manner of that shown in my patent, I do not deem it necessary to describe the operation thereof in further detail.

A paper finger 95 is conveniently supported from behind the platen and in the rear of the vertical paths of movement of the ribbons, in lieu of the finger usually supported forwardly of the platen, since the latter would at times interfere with free operation of the ribbons. The finger 95 is shown as pivotally supported at 96 from a hollow spacer 49 extending between the two frames 2 and enclosing the sleeve 45 and rod 46.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a typewriter carriage and platen, two reels supported one at each end of said typewriter carriage, a ribbon having one end wound upon each reel, continuously operable ribbon take-up means associated with each of said reels, and ribbon guide means operable to position the ribbon, between reels, in advance of the typewriter platen.

2. In combination with a typewriter carriage and platen, two reels supported one at each end of said typewriter carriage, a ribbon having one end wound upon each reel, continuously operable ribbon take-up means associated with each of said reels, ribbon guide means operable to position the ribbon, between reels, in advance of the typewriter platen, and means for moving said ribbon at will into inoperative position.

3. In combination with a typewriter carriage and platen, two reels supported one at each end of saidtypewriter carriage, a ribbon having one end reels, and ribbon guide means operable to position the several ribbons, between their supporting reels, in advance of the printing point.

5. In combination, a plurality of reels, two or more supported at each end of a typewriter carriage, ribbons connecting reels at opposite ends in pairs, a yieldable, continuously operable ribbon take-up means associated with each of said reels, ribbon guide means operable to position the several ribbons, between their supporting reels,'in advance of the printing point, and means for moving a selected ribbon, or ribbons, at will,'

from such operative position.

6. In combination, a plurality of reels, two or more supported at each end of a typewriter carriage, ribbons connecting reels at opposite ends in pairs, a yieldable, continuously operable ribbon take-up means associated with each of said reels, ribbon guide means operable to position the several ribbons, between their supporting reels, in advance of the printing point, means for moving a selected ribbon, or ribbons, at will, from such operative position, and manual feed means associated with each of said reels.

7. In combination with a typewriter carriage and platen, two reels supported one at each end of said typewriter carriage, a ribbon having one end wound upon each reel, continuously operable ribbon take-up means associated with each of said reels, ribbon guide means operable to position the ribbon, between reels, in advance of the typewriter platen, means for moving said ribbon at will into inoperative position, and adjustable means for stopping said ribbon in precise operative position.

8. The combination of claim 1, said reel and take-up means including a two-part reel, a takeup spring interposed between said parts to turn one relative to the other, and releasable means normally maintaining the latter part fixed in position, but operable to wind on or wind off the ribbon to advance the same.

9. The combination of claim 1, said reel and take-up means including a two-part reel, a takeup spring interposed between said parts to turn one relative to the other, and releasable means normally maintaining the latter part fixed in positiombut operable to wind on or wind off the ribbon to advance the same, and means operable under tension in the take-up spring in excess of a selected maximum to permit slippage of said take-up spring.

10. The combination of claim 1, said reel and take-up means comprising a spindle, an end flange rotatable thereon, friction means. to hold said end flange in a selected position, a drum and second end flange rotatable upon said spindle, a spiral take-up spring, and anchor means for said spring upon each of said first end flange and said drum.

11. The combination of claim 1, said reel and take-up means comprising a spindle, an end flange rotatable thereon, .friction means to hold said end flange in a selected position, a drum and second end flange rotatable upon said spindle, a spiral take-up spring, and anchor means for said spring upon each of said first end flange and said drum, one of said anchor means being yieldable to permit slippage of the spring when tensioned in excess of a selected maximum.

12. The combination of claim 1, said reel being formed in two parts, and the take-up means comprising a spiral spring anchored by its inner end to one part thereof, the outer end of said spring having a knob formed thereon, and a spring dog movable with the other part of said reel and normally engaging said knob to anchor said spring, but permitting slipping thereof to relieve excess tension.

13. The combination of claim 1, the ribbon guide means comprising guide rods fixed in upright position at each end of the typewriter carriage, a block guided on each of said rods for movement therealong, slotted plates supported from said blocks, the ribbon being threaded through the slots of said plates, and means for simultaneously moving the corresponding blocks at each end of the carriage.

14. The combination of claim 1, the ribbon guide means comprising guide rods fixed in upright position at each end of the typewriter carriage, a block guided on each of said rods for movement therealong, slotted plates supported from said blocks, the ribbon being threaded through the slots of said plates, and means for simultaneously moving the corresponding blocks at each end of the carriage, and set collars on said rods to limit the movement of the blocks and fix the position of the ribbon.

15. The combination of claim 4, the reels at each end being disposed one rearwardly of the other, and the ribbon guide means including pins leading the ribbon carried by the rear pair of rollers beneath the forward reels before passing the printing point. 4

16. In combination with a typewriter platen and a printing ribbon, means for guiding said ribbon for movement across theprinting point, storage means for the two ends of the ribbon, means for raising and lowering the ribbon to maintain it at will in or out of registry with the printing point, and means for taking up slack in said ribbon at all times. i

17. In combination with a typewriter platen and a printing ribbon, means for guiding said ribbon for movement across the printing point, storage means for the two ends of the ribbon, means for raising and lowering the ribbon to maintain it at will in or out of registry with the printing point, means for taking up slack in said ribbon at all times, and means for feeding said ribbon to advance it across the printing point.

18. A device for use in combination with a 20 and a printing ribbon, guide means to position 30 said ribbon in operative position across the printing face of the platen, storage means for an end of said ribbon, means for moving said ribbon and its guide means into and from such operative position, and means for taking up slack in said 3 ribbon at all times and in all positions of the ribbon and guide means.

CARL HUGO THORNBLADE.

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