US2023949A - Telegraph printer - Google Patents

Description

@m, 1Q, 1935, (:AMMEN 2,@23,94

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Original Filed June 26, 1934 '2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 0 22-1 zzo J04 J05 I llI nun-1 was INVENTOR.

Dan M, 1935 L. CAMMEN 2,023,949

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Original Fi led June 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE lyn C. Cammen, New York, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1934, Serial No. 732,460 Renewed October 31, 1935 9 Claims.

This invention refers to telegraph printers, and deals more specifically with means for positioning the type wheel in telegraph printers wherein the type is located on a rotary member. In all such telegraph printers the receiving apparatus consists of the following main parts: (1) means to receive the signals, and if the signals are of several types, route them in the proper way; (2) means to have certain members, which may be either selectors or abutments, moved by or through the intermediary of the signals sent out by the transmitting station; (3) means to move the type wheel until stopped by the means specified in group 2, and means to resume the motion of the type wheel in the proper part of the cycle; (4) means to print the character for which the wheel has been positioned by the previous operations, together with means to move the paper on which the character has been printed. The present invention deals specifically with the part of the apparatus listed in groups 2 and 3 above. All the other apparatus is known in the art, and has been, e. g. set forth in my patent applications, now pending before the office, such as Telegraph printers, filed October 20, 1933, Ser. No. 694,469, and Printing telegraphs, filed Nov. 10, 1933, Ser. No. 697,428 (allowed).

In the illustrations,

Fig. 1 is a section, through the axis of the type wheel, of the type-wheel carrying and stoppingmechanism;

Fig. 2 is a section, in the same plane as Fig. 1, of the mechanism of the first stage in the selective process;

Fig. 3 shows the shifting apparatus for the second stage;

Fig. 4 shows, in section, a selector member of Fig. 2 in the non-operated position, and Fig. 5 shows the same member in its operated position, first stage of selection.

Fig. 6 shows the same member as Fig. 5 but in the second stage of selection, and Fig. 7 shows it in the third stage of selection.

Fig. 8 shows the selector pin as arranged for service operation, together with its cooperating member.

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 show a modification of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to '7, whereof Fig. 9 shows, in section, the assembly of selector pins, abutments and brake;

Fig. 10 shows the selecting frames as seen from the end, and

Fig. 11 shows the same selector frames as seen from the side.

.It is assumed here that the standard five-impulse code is used (Teletype, Creed) and the same translating mechanism as specified in my patent application listed above, 1. e. in three steps, and a total of either 27 or 32 type Wheel positions. With the former, the first step may select a group of 9 characters containing the desired character; the next step selects a group of 3 out of the 9, and the third selects the individual character.

For purposes of intercommunicating with such machines as the Creed and Teletype, a somewhat different arrangement of selection has been evolved. This consists of four groups of 8 pins or characters in each. Each group is divided into 4 subgroups with 2 pins in each, and each subgroup into 2. individual characters.

Fig. 2 shows the selective mechanism for the first stage, i. e. group selection. Of three frames, I00, H0, and I20, each cooperates with 9 selector pins, such as H02, and each is capable of being moved by a magnet, such as H], H, and 12, when the latter is energized. The translating mechanism by which one or more signal impulses sent out in a predetermined combination by the transmitting station energize a given magnet is set forth in the application cited. If, e. g., magnet H has been energized, this causes frame III] to move against the pull of spring I I l into the posi tion shown where it comes over the second stage selector elements 200, 220, and 230. There are three such elements, and one of them is shown in Fig. 3. These three elements are staggered so that, e. g. projection 222 on the element of Fig. 3, and the corresponding projections on the two other selector elements are nine pins wide, i. e. as Wide as the nine-pin-space of frame i it.

In their original positions, the selector pins N32 occupied some such position as shown in Fig. 4 (they may be located vertically, horizontally, or at an angle to either of these positions). When magnet H is operated, they come to occupy a position such as shown in Fig. 5 for pin H02. If now we operate, e. g., bar 22%, by a magnet similar to H but. not shown, the projection 222 will push up three contiguous pins, such as l I02, l I03, and H04, jointly constituting a subgroup, as shown in Fig. 6. Projections 22! and 223 also move upwards, but do not push anything up, as the frames 10 and I20 are not over the second stage selector bars.

Next there are nine groups of selector pins, three in each group, such as 306, 3H3, and 323 in Figs. 6 and 7, each group of nine operated by one magnet, not shown. If a magnet corresponding to a group comprising third stage selector member 300 is operated, H02 moves from position shown in Fig. 6 to that in Fig. 7; It will be noted that all the members of the third selection group are located above the original level of selector pins H02, which is IT. Therefore only the pins lifted in the second stage of selection can be affected thereby.

The typewheel TW is carried on a shaft equipped with helically located abutments, MI, 402, etc., so arranged with respect to the pins Hl, H02, etc., located in a row, that when the pins are in their inoperated position, they do not interfere with the shaft abutments, but do so when they are in their operated position, as shown in Fig. '7 and again in Fig. l, in which latter position each pin can interfere with only one predetermined shaft abutment, thus positioning the wheel TW.

The matter of return springs in this apparatus is important. All the magnets, such as I I, are locked, mechanically or electrically, in their operative position until released in due time, and the frames and pins held in position against the pull of the springs provided therefor. Frame H0, Fig. 2, is held against spring III when pin H02 and the other members of its subgroup are raised by the subgroup selector bar 220, this is done, Fig. 6, against spring I I023, Fig. 4. It is against the same spring that the third-stage selector element 300 works. If now the magnets are de-energized, the springs snap the pins back into their original position shown in Fig. 4, the return of the pins being partly assisted by spring 301, which has, however, another function to perform as well.

When pin I I02 is in its operative position, such as shown in Fig. 1, and the typewheel shaft is turned, abutment 402 strikes against the pin and thus positions the wheel. The character is then printed in the usual manner, and the wheel must be made ready for taking the next character to be transmitted. As this is done by moving the various frames and selector elements, they must all be returned into their original positions before the positioning of the new character on the typewheel can be started, which means that if no other means had been provided, there would have been a period during which the wheel would be running wild. To avoid this, braking means for the wheel have been provided. These braking means consist of a toothed wheel, preferably with as many teeth as there are abutments on the typewheel shaft, 304, and a locking member 305, connected as by pin 306, with all the selector pins, such as 300. Usually member 305 is held in its back or inoperative position by spring 301, but when pin 300 is pushed to the left, it carries locking member 305 with it and releases toothed wheel 304, leaving the typewheel shaft free to rotate until stopped by pin I I02. This latter condition is shown in Fig. 7.

A modification of the above design is shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. In this again a certain number of code pins, such as I60 I, are provided. This number will be hereafter referred to here as 27, which is done for illustration only, however. These pins are retained in their inoperative positions by code bars, 6I0,,6H, 62I, 033, 024, 625, etc. The 27 pins are divided into three groups of nine, each group being held in position by one of the bars, 6I0, 6| I, and 6 I2 which can be moved out of the way of the pins, e. g. down, against a spring not shown, by appropriate magnets, such as shown in Fig. 10. Let us say that 6| 0 is so moved. This opens a path for the nine pins concerned to move, but no actual motion takes place,

shown in Fig. 7 at H02.

as other code bars hold the pins in position, e. g. 6 I3, 6 I4, and 6| 5, each controlling three pins.

As has been stated above, instead of the division into three groups, three subgroups and three units per subgroup, a division into four groups, four subgroups and two units per subgroup may be employed. Otherwise this arrangement does not differ from the one previously described.

If now we move one of the second-selection bars, 62I, 622 or 623, one of the set of projections, 10 6I3, 6I4 or GIS, is moved out of the way of the pins (BM in Fig. 11), opening a path for the three pins concerned. It should be noted that when bar 622 moves, projections 6I4I and M42 are also moved out of the way of their pins, but this is 15 immaterial because those pins cannot move anyway, being held in their inoperative positions by bars BI I and BIZ. The pins still do not move.

In the final operation of selection, one of the bars 624, 025 or 626 is moved by its appropriate magnet. The projections on these bars each control one pin, and when the bar is moved, the pin is free to follow. This is shown at 625 in Fig. 9, with the pin 645 in its projected position. As shown in Fig. 1, the typewheel shaft carries a number of abutments, and when an abutment, such as I02, strikes the pin, such as 045, the shaft is stopped.

The selector pins are each provided with a resilient member such as a spring which tries to push the pin forward into a position where it would engage with an abutment on the typewheel shaft. On the other hand each of the selecting elements is equipped with a member such as a spring which tries to pull this member out of its operating position. The spring on the selector frames works, therefore, against the springs on the selector pins, and must be stronger than the latter in order to keep the pins in inoperative position. The selector pins and abutments have between them two functions to perform. One is to locate the typewheel, and the other to perform the service operations. Among the latter are the operations of shift and unshift of the typewheel, space, carriage return, "5 and line change. In the present invention a pin and an abutment are provided for each such service operation, as shown in Fig. 8. The pin is, however, of a shape somewhat different than Instead of extending only to the tooth of the cam 402 in Fig. 7, the pin has a lip 802 extending as shown around the cam, and when the pin engages with the abutment the lip projects beyond the type shaft cam and operates the desired service function, such as shift, either mechanically, or, as shown in Fig. 8, by closing an electrical contact, such as 8! I. This contact supplies a current through a circuit not shown, to a magnet which either directly operates, or merely controls, the desired function.

The cycle of operation is substantially as follows. The selection of the pin takes place while the shaft is standing still, and held in its still position by some means such as a brake. When the pin has been selected and projected into the path of the proper abutment on the typewheel shaft, the brake is released and shaft permitted to run until stopped by the impingement of the abutment onto the pin. This positions the typewheel and permits it to print the desired character. Before or after this is done, the typewheel shaft is again immobilized by the application of the brake, to permit a new pin selection to take place.

til

The brake is shown in Fig. 9, and consists of a gear wheel 128 and pawl 729. When magnet Z26 is energized, the pawl is pulled back and the brake released. When 12'! is energized, the pawl engages with the wheel and keeps the shaft from turning. Wheel 728 must have a number of teeth which is a multiple of the number of stop-pins Mill.

The number of coding bars depends on the code. Thus, for a six-impulse code, the distribution shown in Fig. 11 is satisfactory. For a fiveletter code, with the last impulse always a marking, there should be four bars of the 6!!) type, four of the 62'! type, and two of the 624 type.

The sequence of events is substantially as follows. The selector pin is projected by its spring into the operating position some time during the first half of the sixth coding period whereupon the brake is released and the typewheel shaft is free to start rotating. This release of the brake may be accomplished by electrical means, as at lit, or by a cam operated from the same shaft as drives the commutator shaft. The time available for the typewheel shaft to complete its rotation is from about half the sixth coding period to the end of the first half of the first coding impulse, it being understood that these figures are merely approximations, however. The brake sets in then, and the selector pin and selecting frames are returned to their original positions by their springs upon the cancellation of their holding means, or by a mechanism synchronized in its action with that of the brake.

The apparatus for performing the service operations, such as shift and unshift is shown in Fig. 8. The pin H30 is shown in contactual relation with abutment 602. The selector pin is provided with lip H3! free to pass under, above or by the side of abutment 402, and when in the position shown, closing the contact between H32 and H33 and thus establishing a circuit which operates the service function. When pin MSW- MI is in its non-operating position, the contacts H32 and H33 are held apart by means of a spring, such as I I34, shown here as a wire.

I claim:

1. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutments thereon.

one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into a predetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined number of subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units, together with means to select the desired group by one group of impulses sent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the selected group by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group of impulses, and means to project the selected unit into the path of one of the abutments.

2. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutments thereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into a predetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined number of subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units, together with means toselect the desired group by one group of impulses set out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the selected group by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group of impulses, and means to project the selected unit into the path of one of the abutments wherein the abutments are located in a one-turn helix on the shaft.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and means 5 to apply power to the typewheel shaft to set it into rotation and braking means to prevent its rotation while the power is applied thereto.

4. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means to position it, comprising a H) shfit to: move the typewheel, abutments thereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into a predetermined number of groups, each group into a predeter- 15 mined number of subgroups, and each sub-group into a predetermined number of units, together with means to select the desired group by one group of impulses sent out by the sending station,

the desired subgroup in the selected group by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group of impulses, and means to project the selected unit into the path of one of the abutments, and wherein the selecting means when not operated maintain the 5 selector pins in their non-operating position.

5. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutments thereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into a predetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined number of subgroups and each subgroup intoa predetermined number of units, together 35 with means to select the desired group by one group of impulses sent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the selected group by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group of impulses, means to project the selected unit into the path of one of the abutments, locking means for the typewheel shaft, with means to disengage said locking means after the proper selector pin has been placed in its operating position, and engage them after the proper abutment on the typewheel shaft has come into abutting relation with the proper selector pin.

6. In a receiver of a telegraph printer, a typewheel and means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutments thereon, one for every character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into a predetermined number of groups, each group into a predetermined number of subgroups, and each subgroup into a predetermined number of units, together with means to select the desired group by one group of impulses sent out by the sending station, the desired subgroup in the group: previously selected by another group of said impulses, and the unit in said subgroup by still another group of impulses, means to project the selected unit into the path of one of the abutments, locking means for the typewheel shaft, means to disengage said locking means after the proper selector pin has been placed in its operating position, and engage them after the proper abutment on the typewheel shaft has come into abutting relation with the proper selector pin, such disengagement of the brake taking place near the middle of the last coding period in the cycle, for the transmission of a character, and the reengagement not later than the middle of the first coding period in the cycle of transmission of the next character.

'7. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, 2. typewheel, means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the typewheel, abutments thereon, one

for each character position on the typewheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the typewheel shaft, divided into four groups, each group into four subgroups, and each subgroup into two units, together with means to select the desired group, subgroup and unit, each by a pair of impulses.

8. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, means to operate the service functions of the receiver by impulses sent out from the transmitting station comprising a type wheel, a shaft to move it, abutments on the shaft, one for each service function, selector pins, one for each service function, means to maintain these selector pins in their inoperating positions by means of selector elements therefor, means to operate these selector elements in proper succession controlled by impulses coming from the sending station, and means to project the selector pins selected by the selecting elements, one at a time, into its operating position where it encounters the abutment on the type wheel shaft, the selector pins being provided with an extension whereby they come in contactual relationship with the service operating means.

9. In the receiver of a telegraph printer, a type wheel and means to position it, comprising a shaft to move the type wheel, abutments thereon, one for each character position on the type wheel, and selector pins, one for each abutment on the shaft, selecting means for said pins, three of said selecting means being operated for the selection of a selector pin, and magnets to operate them, together with means to hold the operated selecting means in their operated position until the selector pin so selected has come into contact relation with its abutment.

LEON CAMMEN.

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