US2115991A - Tape printer - Google Patents

Description

May 3, 1938. E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT TAPE PRINTER Filed Dec. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY INVENTOR EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT May 3,.1938. E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT TAPE PRINTER Filed Dec. 28, 1935 7 Shets-Sheet 3 ATTOR EY INVENTOR EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT L/fi May 3, 1 38- E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT TAPE PRINTER Filed Dec. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 '4' VIII 'IIIIIII ATTORNEY INVENTOR 5 EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT 3a m I: 1 m

y 1938. E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT 2,115,991

TAPE PRINTER Filed Dec. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.

INVENTOR EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT y 3, 1938. E. E. KLEmscHMm-r 2,115,991

TAPE PRINTER Filed Dec. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 'T INVENTOR EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT ATTOR EY latented May 3, 1938 v TAPE PRINTER Edward E. Kleinschmidt, Highland Park, 111., as-

signor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application December '28, 1935, SerialNo. 56,496

- 23 Claims.

The present invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus employing pneumatically actuated mechanisms operated under the control of electrical signals.

An object of the present invention is to pro vide a fluid pressure actuated apparatus for recording electrically transmitted telegraph signals in which the phase relationship between the signal receiving mechanism and the fluid control mechanism may be varied, in which pressure resistance to the operation of control valves is minimized, and in which intermittent actuation of a distributor valve affords improved fluid channeling.

In the attainment of these and other objects there is contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure, novel mechanical embodiments featuring an arcuate disposition of typing elements having presented in close proximity 2o thereto pneumatic actuating pistons. Fluid pressure obtained from a central distributing point is selectively conducted to piston chambers associated with each of the aforesaid pistons in accordance with the permuted disposition of a set of selecting plates; the latter elements are provided with transverse connecting apertures so arranged that in accordance with the disposition of the several of said plates, each plate having two rest positions, there is obtained an 30 individual transverse alignment of apertures through which there may be admitted a. source of operating fluid to motivate the particular selected one of several actuating pistons.

The aforesaid selector plates correspond in number to the number of signal impulses constituting the basic permutation code employed. In the example described hereinafter, a five im pulse signal has been arbitrarily selected for the sake of illustration. The signal impulses may originate as electrical variations of minute duration grouped to comprise so-called permutation signals. The electrical potentials are designed to control the admission of fluid pressure through slide valve means whence they are admitted successively'to piston chambers associated with selector plate actuating pistons whose function consists' of the shifting of the aforedescribed selector plates to prepare the ultimate path through which the operating fluid is subsequently admitted.

In the performance of said distributor, certain principles of synchronism control, sometimes referred to as start-stop distribution, are employed for channeling fluid supply from a common source to each of a set of subordinate. ar-

teries in much the same manner, figuratively speaking, that this principle has been heretofore known more exclusively in connection with electrical signal distribution. In this connection, improved methods and apparatus will be herein disclosed having particularly in mind the means and method of electrical distribution shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,998,993.

A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention may be had by referring to the accompanying drawings and by reading the following detailed specification wherein like reference characters are employed to designate similar parts throughout, and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention featuring a pneumatically actuated printer designed for use in continuous printing on a narrow strip of'tape;

Fig. 2 is a detailed side elevation taken approximately on line 2-2 of Fig.1.having portions broken away to reveal structural detail of the,

distributor;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1; F

Fig. 4 is an end elevation taken approximately on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a iragmentaldetail elevation of the distributor mechanism and selector housing taken" approximately on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view with parts.

broken away taken approximately on line 6-'-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan view of a printing mechanism base structure in which portions have been broken away to illustrate by way of example an arrangement of channels between the selector mechanism and the actuator pisons;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken approxi mately on line 9-9 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the mechanism viewed in Fig. 1 in which the distributor is partially in section and in which a major portion of the printing machine has been broken away to reveal the underlying selector housing;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section taken approximately on line ll-ll of Fig.4;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of representative elements at the present invention and circuit indications arranged in a succession of operation; 1

Fig. 13 isfan isometric exploded view of the utor mechanism;

Fig. 14 is an isometric exploded view of the duct channeling system leading from the distributor featured in Fig. 13 to the selector pisv tons; and

Fig. 15 is a detailed perspective view of a cover plate used in the selector mechanism illustrating the distribution of its jets 51.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reference character ll denotes a base structure, the lowermost portion of which is rectangular, as may be noted from Figs. 1 and 7,

but theupper portion of which is of arcuate configuration in the region indicated i2. .Supported in a nearly semi-circular formation are a set of type bars l3 of conventional form and collectively pivoted on an arcuate pivot rod l4 grally formed projection l8 whose lowermost edge surface has a cam curvature against which there normally rests the foremost portion or nose of its associated actuating piston l9. Each type bar I3 is provided with an actuating piston I9 which is supported in a vertical position within a cylindrical piston chamber 2i, the lower extremity of which extends through the rectangular portion of base II but the upper portion of which is longitudinally divided by its associated type bar slot l6. Each piston. chamber terminates with a pressure supply artery 22, concerning which more will be explained later. The amount of actuating fluid requisite to the propulsion of a piston 19 is comparatively small as is also the distance of movement thereof. Hence it will be understood that the transverse type ha:- slots l6 reaching downwardly and across each of the chambers 2| are sufllcientiy distant from the extremity of movement of each piston to constitute no leakage factor as between its artery 22 and the surrounding atmosphere. The several type bars l3 are maintained in their upright position as viewed in Figs. 8 and 9 because of the tension of their return springs 23, one end of which is articulated to a small pin 24 carried by the individual type bar and the other end of which is linked through an appropriate open-' ing of which there are several radially disposed,

' within an anchor band 25 circumposed about To permit of the compact arrangement of the cylindrical piston chambers 2|, they are alternately staggered and comprise two arcuate alignments, as may be noted best from Figs. 1 and '7. Contrasting with this alignment, the arrangement of apertures from whence originate each of the aforedescribed arteries 22 is substantially rectangular, Figs. 10 and 1 Each tions into one of two alternative paths.

2,115,901 essential elements which comprise the distribof the apertures which have been indicated 'II' at their selector sources leads to one of the apertures 22 associated with an actuating piston chamber 2| or to one of several other pistons to be described later which performs an incidental function auxiliary to the primary purpose of printing. A system of channels connecting said apertures II with those indicated 22 is formed by the composite partitioning of a set of shims indicated 32, 33, 34, and I5 separated by intervening duct plates 36, 31, and 28. These elements are best illustrated in Fig. 7. From this illustration taken together with the representative cross-sections of Figs. 8, 9," and 11, it will be understood that each plate or shim is provided with openings in accordance with a plan of distribution affording a continuous path Selector The selector device is comprised of a set of contiguous plates, five in number, and of generally similar contour. The top selector plate 39 which aligns with each of two portions of the apertures 3| is provided with a predetermined arrangement of perforations and is capable of two positions during each of which the perforations of plate 39 are brought into registration with corresponding ones of the apertures 3!. The next adjoining plate 4| is provided with apertures multipled with respect to the apertures of plate 3! so that during each of its positions, a half portion only of the perforations of plate 29 are rendered communicative with the perforations of plate 4|. correspondingly, plate 42 is provided with a distribution of perforations arranged to align with half of the perforations of plate 4| during one of its positions and others of said perforations during its alternative position. In turn, each of the remaining plates 43 and 44 subserves to continue the perforation alignment of a portion of the perforations of its preceding plate so that in all, each plate of the group 39 to 44 functions to channel the path of a particular alignment of perfora- Thus by reason of there being five selector plates 39 44, there is obtained a total number of selectable channels equivalent to the number 25 or 32.

Fluid pressure supply'received through the intake jet 45, Fig.1l, passes through the aperture of elbow 46 until it is confronted by the barrel 41 of valve 48. In response to a control condition to be described later, a supervisory supply of fluid under pressure is received through conduit 49 and permitted to enter the chamber at the left of valve 48, urging the latter rightwardly against the tendencies of its spring 51. When this occurs, the passageway originating with the pressure supply source 45 is continued through the intervening space 52 of slide valve 48 to the duct 53, thence rightwardly to the central aperture 54. From this point the fluid pressure is admitted through the vertical vent 55 to a distributing chamber 56 with which there communicate a plurality of jets 51.

The chamber 56 is formed within an internal floating housing comprised of a bottom plate 58 and a cupped cover plate 59. This housing norfluid pressure is first admitted to the central aperture 54, its instant response is to dilate the space beneath the diaphragm 6|, urging the floating housing 58-59 upwardly in opposition to the return springs 69, Fig. 8, and against the selector plates 39-44. This compression seals the several plates as between each other and also as between plate 44 and its subja'cent jets 51. Thereafter and following almost instantaneously the fluid pressure surges through the vent 55 into the distributing chamber 56 and continues on through one of the jets 51 and in accordance with the disposition of the several plates 3944 seeks out a course which terminates in a piston chamber 2| beneath one of the pistons I9 relating to a printing function or one of the other pistons relating to a collateral'function;

The aforedescribed pressure introduction and its control is a cyclic occurrence following which the sllde valve 48 is returned to its normal position as viewed in Fig. 11. The pressure which had been built up in the distributing chamber 56 is then permitted to be dissipated back through vent 55, central aperture 54, duct 53, to the intervening opening 52, thence out through the bleeder hole 62. I I

Distributor The foregoing description relates to the mechanics of the selector apparatus but the timing of operation and the intercontrol of the various selecting and executing functions are supervised by a pneumatic valve mechanism generally referred to herein as the distributor. This device comprises a driving shaft 63 which is continuously rotated by an electromotor (not shown) through a driving gear, train 64. The rotary movement is communicated through a friction assembly 65 to a driving disc 66 notched in its periphery to receive a horizontally bent section 61 of a driven arm 68 which is secured to the driven portion of the distributor shaft 69.

-Shaft.69 is withheld in a normal or zero positlon which is determined by the angular arrangement at which an arm 'II carried by shaft 69, see Figs. 4 and. 13, encounters the foremost end of a stop arm I2 pivoted at I3 and urged by a spring I4 in a direction away from the observer as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4 and rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 1. Opposing the action of spring I4 is a piston I which, during the start interval of the operative cycle, receives in its piston chamber sufficient fluid under pressure tooverco-me the tendency of spring I4 and to move stop arm I2 from its effective position; that is, from the position whereat the foremost portion of arm I2 lies in the path of revolving arm II of shaft 99. During the major portion of a cycle, the chamber of piston "I5 is without pressure, permitting arm I2 to continue in its effective position.

Upon the reception of a start impulse, a surge of fiuidis communicated to the chamber of piston I5, thrusting the latter outwardly, as viewed in Fig. 11, and dislodging arm 12. revolving arm 1| and permits shaft 69 to enter upon a cycle of rotation carrying with it its several appurtenances which will be described later. While this arrangement serves to time the cyclic rotation of shaft 69, bringing the latter to rest at the conclusion of each rotation, it is feasible that under certain conditions of operation where the electric control signals are permitted to succeed each other rapidly, that synchronism of shaft 69 may be maintained while permitting This frees the restarting.

Shaft 69 extends rightwardly as viewed in Figs. 11 and 13 and is journaled at I9 in a rear plate II of the distributor and at I8 in a foreplate I9 thereof. Intermediate plates "I1 and I9 there is secured to shaft 69 a collar 8| with which there is integrally formed a pair of cams 82 and 83, see especially Figs. 5, 6, and 13. Each cam 82 and 83 controls the actuation of a slide valve 84 and 85 and through these, shaft 69 during its rotation and in the course of a single cycle thereof, effects a distribution of operating and control fluid from a source of supply indicated 86 to several subordinated channels as will be described.

The forward wall or foreplate I9 has within it a vertical aperture 81 from which there branch two outlets, a lower one of which is indicated 88 and an upper one 89. The opening 89 comprises a narrow horizontal slit. Between the foreplate I9 and an adjacent block 9| there is interposed a. spacer plate 92, see Fig. 13. The latter is slotted as at 93 so as to afford a groove between the foreplate -I9 and the block 9| within which there is received a blade or selector lever 94 pivoted at 95 on a pin carried by an extending ear 96 integrally formed with block 9|. One end 191 of selector lever 94 is rounded and thereat by con-- tactual engagement with an armature 98 of electromagnet 99 receives a shift movement counterclockwise, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 13, during the energization of magnet 99 and a return movement under impetus of spring I9| during other times manifesting by its position the nature of the impressed current impulses which are received over an incoming line and to which the magnet 99 is electrically connected.

The opposite end of lever .94 is apertured as at I92 and in its two extremities of motion the aperture- I92 of lever 94 comes into registration with one or another of a pair of slot openings I93 and I94 which extend transversely through block 9| and which incidentally are enlarged slightly as they approach the opposite face of block 9|, as may be noted from Figs. 11 and 13. The horizontal slot 89 is located midway between the apertures I93 and I94 of block 9| and the width .of aperture I92 of lever 94 is just sufiicient to 3 i an almost continuous rotation and without anappreciable stop during the zero position. This native condition would find the relationship of slots I93 and I94 transposed.

Beyond the block 9| there are presented a pair of parallel spacer plates I95 and I96 between which there is afforded a sufiicient clearance to receive snugly the slide valve 84. Through the central portion of valve 84 are found four openings, the upper one is circular and is indicated I9I; the next three are rectangular and are indicated I98, I99, and III. presented in approximate alignment with the transverse openings I93 and I94 of block 9|. With the slide valve 84 in its upper position, opening I98 is exclusively in registration with the enlarged portion of opening I93, but with ing] I2 in spacer plate 92, an opening I I3 in block- 9|, while in slide valve 84 the pair of openings I09 and III are arranged alternatively to be brought into registration with the continuation of said duct openings.

Beyond valve 94 is a distributor block indicated 4 which is provided with a series of centrally disposed slots parallelly arranged in a vertical alignment. .The lowermost slots indicated H5 and H6 extend inwardly part way' and thence continue for another distance rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 13 and at their remote interior section they are joined by a transverse opening indicated H1. A conduit 49 aforedescribed in W connection with the slide valve 48 extends upwardly and inwardly into block H4 and connects with the interior portions of ducts H5 and H6, preferably in the approximate region of artery II'I.

Another pair of ducts indicated -,H8 and II 9 also extend inwardly and rightwardly within block I I4 and their innermost chambers are mutually connected by a pair of traversing arteries indicated I2I. A duct I20 extending perpendicularly from one of the ducts 'I2I continues out of block H4 through an opening I30 in one of a pair of spacer plates I40 and thence through a transverse channel I50 in plate 11. Beyond this the channel continues through other portions of the distributor mechanism which will be discussed subsequently. Another slot indicated I22 and located above slot I I8 extends transversely through block H4 where on the opposite face it is enlarged as indicated at I23 to embrace a greater surface area in its engagement with slide valve 85. Above slot I22 there is found an elongated cavity I24, and leading therefrom are the interior ducts I25, I26, and the emergent duct I21. The aforedescribed valve opening I01 may be made to align with duct I21 and to continue thereby the channel back through orifice I28 of block 9I, hole I29 of spacer plate 92, thence through the traversing artery I 3| whence the channel is projected downwardly and sidewardly by the accommodations afforded by a furrow I32 in' the forward surface of foreplate 19. Furrow I32 extends radially over a substantial area of the face of plate 19 so as to communicate with the chamber of piston 15 in whatever position may be assumed by the latter, since the plate I33 in which the piston chamber of piston 15 is located is movable radially about shaft 69 to afford orientation in obtaining an adjustment for the stop or zero position of shaft 59.

Referring again to distributor block H4, it will be noted that the enlarged cavity I23 of transverse slot I22 aligns opposite a cooperating flared opening I34 which tapers inwardly until it becomes a comp "ratively narrow slit at the opposite face of sli e valve 85 as indicated I35. It may be observed that the flared opening I34 communicates with the cavity I23 at all times but that the slit I35 comes into registration successively with a series of five parallelly aligned slits I36 to I4I. Thus there may be traced a line of communication for conducting fluid surges from the inlet 86 through outlet 89, thence over two courses selectively determined by the pneumatic selector lever 94. For purposes of disvalve 84, slot I22, and cavity I23, whence communication is afforded through the flared opening I34, narrow slit I35, and any one of. the five distributive slits I38 .to I. A secondary channeling in this course is controlled by slide valve 84 which during its up position, instead of aligning opening I08 with slot I22, brings it into registration with cavity I24 and opening I03, preparing the course which conducts the start impulse fluid surge to the piston 15. This course may be traced through opening I08 (when the slide valve 84 is in its upper position), cavity I24, ducts I25, I26, and I21, t'hence back through opening I01, orifice I28, hole I29 to the traversing artery I3I, thence out through furrow I32 'to the piston chamber of, piston 15. The last described course is prepared for the duration of a short interval once during each cycle when it is desired to withdraw blocking arm '12 and to thereby effect synchronization. Thus it' will be understood that only duringthis interval will slide valve 84 be found in its upper extremity and that during the major portion of the cycle, valve 84 may be found in its downward position as will be evident from the contour of cam 82, see Fig. 6. While shuttle valve 84 serves to control the introduction of operating fluid to piston 15, incidentally it also functions at a later interval in its cycle to introduce operating fluid for the reproductionv of line surges in accordance with the signal elements of each signal. Cam 82 during the effective interval of its long apex depresses shuttle valve 84 until a continuous alignment is effected between-opening I04, I08, and slot I22. This introduces fluid under pressure into the cavity I23 whence it remains communicative with the flared opening I34 during the entire transit of shuttle valve 85 which includes the time at which it communicates with each of the slits I35, I31, I38, I39, and MI. As may be understood from observing the contour of valve cam-83, see Figs. 5 and 13, shuttle valve 85 undergoes a series of short successive downward movements coming to rest momentarily as the vent I35 is brought into registration with each of the afore-enumerated slits I36-I4I. .By studying earns 82 and 83 together, it will be observed that the progressively involute surfaces of cam 83 coincide radially with the apex of cam 82. Thus during the distributive portion of the cycle when shuttle valve 85 is active and is descending by successive steps, cam 82 maintains shuttle valve 84 depressed, keeping opening I08 of shuttle valve 84 in alignment with the openings I 04 and I22. During this interval as the electrical potentials are impressed upon magnet 99, its armature 98 correspondingly shifts the selector lever 94, causing the opening I02 thereof to be alternately presented and withdrawn from registration with opening I04. During the interval in which opening I02 is moved upwardly out of registration with opening I 04 it is, of course, brought into registration with opening I03 which, as has been noted before, communicates with a series of openings that eventually lead back to the piston chamber of start piston 15. When this occurs during the distributive portion of a cycle, however, opening I08 is not in alignment with cavity I24 by reason of which the path is interrupted at shuttle valve 84. However, this is not an essential precaution for the-reason that any energization of piston 15 during movements of the cycle other and do in no wise interfere withthe' rotation of shaft 68. v

Duct II3 terminates at the hinder face, Fig. 13. of block 9| witha cupped recess II8, the diameteroi' which is great enough to overlap both rectangular openings I89 and III of slidable shuttle valve 84. Through opening I89 pressure is communicated to slot II8, ducts I2I and I28, hole I38 and canal I68 to a series of branch conduits leading to thechambers of the selector operating pistonsto be described later. Through rectangular opening III fluid flowing through cupped recess II8 continues along slot r II5, duct II1, out'over conduit 49 to the piston chamber of cylindrical slide valve 48. This causes the latter to be shifted rightwardly, as viewed in Fig. 11, and to establish accordingly the aforedescribed path for admitting the selector actuating fluid originating at intake 45.

As may be readily noted, slots H8 and II9 communicate with'a common duct or channel i of communication I28 and also slots H and H6 with a common channel of communication 49. The purpose of providing pairs of slots is to establish alternative paths, one of whichis effective during each of the shift positions of shuttle valve 84 so that pressure previously built up and accumulated in their respective operating chambers may, during the alternative position of shuttle valve 84, be relieved through bleeder grooves such as those indicated I42 and I56 in block 9|.

Apair of balls I43 and I44, Fig. 4, pivoted upon shoulder screws I45 and I46 are urged by springs I41, the former in a counterclockwise direction and the latter in a clockwise direction. In this way their sidewardly extending lugs I48 and I49 serve to maintain the shuttle valves 84 and 85 firmly against their respective cams 82 and 83.

There have been described the various pneumatic courses originating with current supply source 86 through blocks 19, 9I, H4, and 11 as controlled by the moving elements 94, 84, and

85. The primary object obtained is the introduc tion of permutative current surges into the slits I36, I31, .I38, I39, and HI whence they emerge through individual enlarged canals I5I, I52, I53, I54, and I55.

Calling particular attention to the illustration in Figs. 5, 11, and 14, it will be noted that immediately behind the distributor mechanism just. described there is located a set of five pistons I51. Each piston I51 is capable of assuming two positions, one such as that illustrated in Figs. 11 and 14 before actuating current has been introduced into the piston chamber and another such as that indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14. The current surges communicated through the aforedescribed slits I36-I4I find their way each to a corresponding one of the piston chambers of pistons I51.

: cates with opening I59, I68 communicates with opening I6I,I1I communicates with opening I62, restored to their normal position, the displaced I12 communicates with. opening I63, I13 communicates with opening I64, and canal I14 communicates with opening I65. The destination of each of the canals having an origin in alignment with the afore-enumerated openings I59- I65 corresponds to the openings indicated I to I8I of shim I66. A set of parallel ducts I82 continue the path in registration with the openings I15 to I19 but opening I8I aligns with an inlet duct I83 which communicates with an interior artery I84. A set of five jets I85 branching out of the interior artery I84 continue sidewardly and terminate with abbreviated projections I86. In alignment with the jets I85 and their projections I86 are a corresponding set of five openings I81 formed in a spacer plate I88. The openings I81 resemble key holes in the manner that they are associated with laterally extending notches I89, the extremities of which are adapted to register opposite the sets of parallel ducts I82 aforementioned.

Beyond the plate I88 there is found a piston block I9I which serves as a housing for the several selector pistons I51. The rearmost ends of the pistons I51 are provided with reduced portions or projections as indicated at I92, which during the retracted condition of their associated pistons I51 are disposed opposite the alignment of openings I81 and jets I85, serving in this manner to seal the jets I85. The actuating impulseswhich, as stated before, are distributed through the slits I36-I4I, travel through the openings I59--I64 in shim I58, the canals of plate I61, the openings I15-I19 of shim I66, the ducts I82 of block I88, the laterally extending notches I89 of plate I88, thence to the space affordedwithin the openings I81 surrounding the projections of the rearmost ends I92 of pistons I51. Pressure, introduced through any or the individual paths aforedescribed collectively, will act against the cross-sectional area of a piston I51 exclusive of the reduced portions indicated I92. This will serve to move the pistons I51 a slight distance, following which their associated jets I85will be opened, admitting additional pressure therethrough.

The latter force will be referred to for the sake of convenience as piston operating pressure, and is traceable from outlet 88, opening I I2, duct II3, opening I89, duct II9, arteries I2I, duct I28, thence through openings I38, I58, I65, I14, opening I8I duct I83 to the interior artery I88. The effect of supplying an initiating impulse and thereafter supplementing it with a general supply pressure permits of a practice wherein the pistons I51 may be dislodged by comparatively momentary pulses of fluid pressure, the operating pressure being supplied through the jets I85. As a result of this improved method of operation, it is found that the distributing. element, in the instant case shuttle valve 85, is capable of operating at appreciably greater speeds. Otherwise, or where the distributed pulsations might'be expected to execute the entire movement of the selector setting pistons I51, the time interval of distribution would require considerably more time than is necessary in the instant case.

At the conclusion of each selective cycle there occurs a short interval during which shuttle valve 84 is withdrawn from registration with recess II8 of duct H3 and moved upwardly so as to come into registration with the bleeder groove When this happens, pistons I51 are permitted by independent spring pressure, to be fluid percolating back .through its respective channel, including one of the Jets I35, artery I84, duct I03, opening 'IOI, canal' I'I4, openings I65, I50, and I30, duct I20, artery I2I, duct II8, opening I09, and bleeder groove I55.

The several elements illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 are preferably assembled and braced together by transversely extending securing means such as bolts, etc., the illustration of which has been omitted from these figures in order to avoid the unnecessary confounding of the views.

The five selector pistons I51 correspond to the five elements of a conventional five unit permutation code, each piston taking its operated or unoperated position in accordance with the marking or spacing attribute relating to a given signal. The positions of the pistons I5'I are immediately communicated to five transfer levers indicated I93-I9'I, see especially Figs. 4, 5, and 10. The opposite ends of levers I93-I9I engage the set of selector plates 39-44, and each lever is urged counterclockwise by an individually associated spring I93, while the several plates 39-44 are normally urged in their rightward direction as viewed in Fig. 10 by individually associated springs I99 connected to integrally formed extending lugs associated with the selector plates.

' The tension of springs I99 is preferably reguin this way to bind them momentarily in their set positions. Concurrently, the fluid pressure which is found within the enclosure 56 seeks out one of the apertures 51 which happens to be opposite a selected alignment of openings through the several plates 39-44, depending of course upon the particular disposition of said plates. The particular passageway thus selected continues through one of the apertures 3| and is conducted through grooves in one of the plates 36-38 or arteries 22 until it is ultimately led into the piston chamber 2I of a function actuating piston I9. The pressure accumulating in this chamber sends the piston I9 upwardly against the type bar lug I8, causing the bar I3 to be pivoted about shaft I4 and to swing its type slug I1 sharply against the printing ribbon 202 in the-position in which it traverses the printing area behind the guide plate 203.

Case shift The present embodiment contemplates a printing mechanism employing plural case print operations. The type slugs I! each carry a pair of printing characters, one relating to each of the cases. The shifting between one and the other of the cases is determined by the longitudinal shifting of a printing platen 204. As best revealed in Fig. 8, the platen 204 is mounted upon a hub 205 which in turn is secured to and rotatable with a sleeve assembly 206. The latter is freely rotatable upon the stub shaft 201 and is capable of longitudinal movement thereupon throughout a distance determined on the one hand by its abutment with washer 208 and on the other hand by the engagement of ratchet wheel 200 with the foremost portion of the frame structure II.

The shifting of sleeve assembly 200 is executed under the primary control of a pair of pistons 222 and 223, the location of which will be easily understood by observing Figs. 1 and 3. Intermediate the piston chambers oi. pistons 222 and 223 and pivoted at 224 thereat is a shift lever 225. At one end of this lever a short portion has been bent down and bifurcated as at" 221, see also Fig. 8. The tines of the bifurcated portion'straddle an annular rib 223 integrally formed with sleeve 206. Each of the alternative positions of ,lever 225 is detented by the engagement of a tooth 229 integrally formed with detent spring 23I, with notches 232 and 233 formed in the left end of lever 225, Fig. 1.

,A pair of arteries indicated 234 and 235 in this figure supply the actuating fluid for propelling pistons 222 and 223, the operation of one of which mechanically restores its companion piston to unactuated or normal position. Each artery 234 "and 235 continues through a selective passageway traceable through the selector plates 33-44 aforementioned, and in response to delegated signals a shift operation may be thus executed. In order to permit the exhausting of certain piston chambers, as in the instant case the chambers of pistons 222 and 223, minute bleeder apertures may be provided whose capacity is small enough to cause no interference with the actuating fluid surges but is of suflicient proportions to thereafter permit the depletion of the fluid pressure following the actuation'of its associated piston.

In addition to serving as a medium for case shifting, platen roller 204 also provides the means for advancing the printing tape cyclically. This is obtained by rotating the platen intermittently. Figs. 3 and 9 illustrate the construction and location of a mechanism for actuating ratchet wheel 209 and through it the platen assembly. This comprises a piston 2| I operating in chamber H2 and supplied with actuating fluid through an artery indicated 2I3. In the region marked 2I4 in Fig. 9, the continuation of this artery through the selector plates 39-44 diflers in one respect from the remaining passageways relating to other of the arteries indicated 3|, in that the openings of the selector plates in the special case are designed so as to remain in alignment during all conditions of the selector plate; thus fluid pressure is admitted over the course indicated 2| 4-2I3 concurrently with the establishment of each and every passageway. Thus it follows that piston 2 is actuated contemporaneously with any of the other pistons I9.

In moving upwardly, the rim of piston 2 engages a jutting pin 2I5 carried by the pivot screw 2| 6 whereat tape advancing pawl 2I'I is articuated to the supporting arms 2I0. The actuating movement of piston 2 in this way stimulates the return stroke of pawl 2| 1. The feed stroke, however, is urged by a spring 2I9,which connects with a downwardly extending arm 22I that forms partof an assembly with supporting arms 2| 8. As the pawl 2II is actuated by piston 2II pursuant to'its return stroke, a detent pawl 236 pivoted at 231 and urged by a spring 238 engages the teeth of ratchet wheel 209, latching it against any tendency to return in a direction opposite its tape advancing direction of rotation. The printing ribbon is preferably carried upon a pair of spools 239 pivotally supported upon posts 240. One of the spools is a supply spool and the other a winding spool so as to permit the ribbon to advancenew areas during regular printing op-' erations. Conventional types of spool actuating mechanism may be employed for this purpose, a specific embodiment of which is not deemed essential in understanding the principles of the.

' to its approach to the first tension roller 242, and

it is secured to the lever arm 243 so as to operate together therewith. The assembly including channel member 249, arm 243, and roller 2 is maintained in its counterclockwise extremity as viewed in Fig. 3, by the influence of a tension spring 241 articulated to the lever 226, Fig. 1, and to. a binding post 248 carried by arm 243, Fig. 1.

Operation In the illustration of Fig. 12, a rudimentary and simplified diagram has been featured employing several constructional representations and conventions in order to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the present invention within a single diagrammatic concept. A sufiicient resemblance has been invoked with regard to some exemplary details in order to, suggest in each case the corresponding structure which is more accurately illustrated in the remaining views.

The reference character 99 indicates an electromagnetic selector element which is located in a signalling line and which responds to the current pulsations by the attraction and release of its armature 98. This movement on the part of the armature 98 is communicated to selector lever 94, which by spring IN is made to follow faithfully the movements of armature 98. During its alternative positions, the aperture I02 comes into alignment with one or the other of the openings I03 or I04 and accordingly continues a path leading from outlet 89. Fluid conductor 249 symbolically represents the path originating in the opening I03 and thereafter a secondary selection is eifccted by shuttle valve 84. At the proper time interval in each cycle, this path is continued through ducts I25, I26, and I21, thence out through opening I01, following which the path is represented by fluid conductor 25I which leads to the piston chamber of start-stop piston 15. Thus it will be seen that when shuttle valve 84 is in its upward position as determined by cam 02 and when shaft 69 is at rest, the admission of a fluid impulse through opening I03 acting through piston 15 supplies aninitiating stimulus by withdrawing stop arm 12 from the and continued over symbolic courses 254 or 255. The former course, indicated 254, ultimately leads to the artery I34 from which a set of five jets I85 leads to the chambers of pistons I51. Because the jets I85 are normally sealed, however, the eflectlveness of this supply is contingent upon the actuation of one or moreof the pistons I51 in response to an initiating fluid surge receivable through the selector openings ISO-Ill and HI. After having become actuated,- however, the pistons I51 are moved. their entire (118- tance of travel by the augmenting supply of power fluid receivableover course 254 and thereafter by mechanical linkage diagrammatically indicated 256 the movements of pistons I51 are imparted to their associated selector platesv Thereafter, .fiuid is admitted over course 255, which functions first to force bottom plate 55 and cover plate 59' upwardly to clamp together the selector plates 39-44 and thereafter to seek out "a prepared channel including one of the apertures 3|, arteries 22, and ultimately the selected piston chamber of one of the pistons ll,

2I I, or 222. i

While the presept invention has been explained and described witlicontemplation of a particular embodiment, it is noteworthy that numerous modifications and variations may be instituted without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

. Accordingly, it is not intended to be limited by the specific language of the foregoing specification nor by the particular illustrations in the accompanying drawings but to be permitted instead a latitude of interpretation as indicated by the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

1. In a device for channeling pneumatic current, a main body having a. groove and affording thereat opposite parallel surfaces, a reciprocable valve supported insaid groove having wiping engagement with each of said surfaces and comprising ,a fiat body having a-central opening with adjoining solid portions, said main body having conduit channels traversing said groove in registration with'said flat body, and electromagnetic means for moving said flat body laterally accordingly to present or withdraw its said opening with respect to said conduit channels.

2. In a telegraph communication system, a device for converting telegraphic signals into corresponding fiuid surges including a main body having a groove and conduit channels traversing said groove, 2. blade element laterally movable within said groove and in wiping engagement with the sides thereof and having a central opening presentable into registration with said channels, and

electro-responsive means for moving said blade element.

3. In a telegraph printing apparatus, a plurality of type carriers having multiple type characters; a platen shiftable into alternative alignment corresponding with each of said characters, and electro-pneumatic means for shifting said platen comprising a lever articulated to said platen, a

pair of pistons supported in piston chambers and disposed in opposition to each other for shifting said lever, conduit means connecting a source of fluid supply with each of said pistonchambers, and routing means for alternatively associating said conduits with said source of fluid supply.

4. The combination'set forth in claim 3 in v which said routing means includes a set of contiguously disposed selector plates having permutably arranged openings transversely thereof and electro-pneumatic actuators for variously positioning said plates to afford an individual alignment of said transverse openings.

5. A device for routing fluids comprising a main body having a groove which affords opposite parallel surfaces, said body having a plurality of branch channels terminating at one of said surfaces with individual spaced terminal openings, said bodyahaving an artery terminating at the other of said surfaces in a proximity equidistant from said spaced openings, a valve plate movable within said groove and having an opening co-' extensive with said artery terminal and each of said spaced openings individually, and electromagnetic means for moving said plate to associate with said artery each of said spaced openings selectively.

6. The combination set forth in claim iii which said electromagnetic means comprises a magnet winding electrically connected with a signal communication line, and an armature influenced by said winding for moving said plate accordingly.

7. In a pneumatic distributing mechanism, a body having two parallel channels terminating at a common surface and adjacent each other and having a supply source channel opening in a surface opposite said parallel channels, and a lever forcontrolling the connection between said sup- 1 ply source channel and said pair of parallel channels including a valve portion having an opening therethrough'of size to embrace said supply channel and either of said pair of parallel channels to the exclusion of the other of said pair of parallel channels, said lever having wiping engagement with said common surface and said opposite surface.

8. The combination set forth in claim '7 including an electromagnet having an armature for controlling the actuation of said lever, and spring means for urging the continuous association of said lever and said armature.

9. In a device for selectively controlling the passage of fluid from a sup-ply source to each of a plurality of channels, a body affording a surface at which-terminate the ingress openings of a plurality of branch channels in spaced relation each to each, said body affording an arterial channel for said supply source opposite said branch channels, a controlling lever presented intermediate the terminals of said arterial and said branch channels in wiping engagement with,

eachof theadjoining surfaces thereof having a plurality of selective conditions, said lever comprising a fiat portion having an opening transversely thereof and movable to associate said arterial channel with each of said branch channels individually during each of its said selectable positions.

10. In a signal distributing mechanism, a rotatable shaft,a supporting plate, stop means for arresting said shaft carried by said supporting plate, a pneumatic actuator for releasing said stop means, and means for changing the angular position in which said stop means effects the arresting of said shaft comprising a member cooperating with said plate having a channel through which fluid is conducted to said pneumatic actuator, and an arcuate groove terminating said channel and communicating with the chamber of said actuator angularly through its distance of movement.

11.A device for controlling and distributing fluid surges comprising a control shaft, a pair of members having transverse arteries, a shuttle valve intermediate said members and longitudinally slidable therebetween having transverse openings movable into and withdrawable from said transverse openings of said members, a control cam carried by said shaft, and spring means for urging said valve against the periphery of said cam.

12. A mechanism for distributing fluid surges comprising a rotatable shaft, a valve of flat material movable longitudinally, a closely defining housing surrounding said valve having an opening transversely of said valve flared at one side and tapering to a reduced slit at the other side thereof, a portion on one side of said valve having a supply duct communicable with said flared opening, a portion on theopposite side of said valve having a plurality of slits parallelly arranged in an alignment corresponding to the path of said reduced slit in said valve, and an actuator for bringing said reduced slit of said valve into registration with said plurality of slits of said portion comprising a cam carried by said shaft having short dwells distributed in equally spaced radial distances on the periphery of said cam.

13. A mechanism for controlling the passage of fluid through a plurality of parallel channels comprising a pair of terminal blocks having transversely thereof a plurality of channel ways,-

ing to each registration of said certain openingsand its associated channel way, and means under the control of said valve for cyclically releasing said shaft.

14. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a plurality of type actuating pneumatics, a'tape feed actuating pneumatic, a set of selector plates having transverse openings permutably arranged, certain of said openings for individual conditions of selective alignment and certain of said openings selectable under multiple conditions of alignment of said plates, means responsive to telegraph signals for transversely positioning said plates, and conduit means for connecting said individually selectable alignments with said tape actuating pneumatics and said multiple selectable alignment with said tape feed actuating pneumatic.

15. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a plurality of type actuating pneumatics, a tape feed actuating pneumatic, and a pneumatic selector apparatus comprising a set of plates having perwhich the assembly is retractable by manipulation of said guide.

18. A mechanism for converting telegraphic permutation signals into corresponding fluid surges including a housing affording a main channel for conducting a source of fluid supply, said channel terminating opposite a pair of branch channels for affording alternative courses thereat, a control lever pivoted to reciprocate transversely of said branch channels at its juncture with said main channel having an opening transversely thereof of size to align either of said branch channels with said main channel and having adjacent solid portions for concurrently closing the other of said branch channels, a shuttle valve having openings therein each associated with one of said branch channels and capable of being aligned with its corresponding branch channel alternatively, a rotatable control shaft paralleling the course of said main and said branch channels having a stop element, a stop arm normally presented in the path of said stop element, a pneumatically actuated piston for releasing said stop arm having a chamber communicating with one of said branch channels, a distributor valve slidable longitudinally and having an opening transversely thereof of extensive bore at one side to communicate with the other of said branch channels and of reduced bore at its other side to communicate with each of a plurality of distributive channels, cams carried by said shaft for actuating said valves in timed relation with the angular rotation of said shaft, and an electromagnetic device responsive to telegraphic signals for fluttering said control lever accordingly.

19. In a printing mechanism, a printing platen, a plurality of type elements having alternatively effective printing impressions, a mounting for said printing platen shiftable so as to present said platen to align with said printing impressions alternatively, and pneumatic means for shifting said platen mounting comprising a shift lever having a pivot intermediateits length, a pair of pneumatic pistons disposed at opposite sides of said lever pivot, and fluid channeling means for connecting to the chambers of said pair of pistons alternatively a source of fluid supply and for concurrently establishing communication between the chamber of the other and disconnected one of said pair of pistons with an avenue of escape.

20. In an automatic printing mechanism, a plurality of type carrying members, pneumatic actuating means for said members, a rotatable platen for supporting a continuous web of material and for backing it to receive printed impressions from said type carrying members, tensioning means for urging the frictional engagement of said web of material with said platen, and a pneumatic device for rotating said platen step by step during each printing operation and for thereby advancing said web of material comprising a ratchet wheel associated integrally with said platen, a pawl, and a pneumatic piston for engaging and. actuating said pawl having a piston chamber communicating with a source of fluid supply common to all of said pneumatic actuating means. i

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 in which said pawl is spring urged in the ratchet actuating direction and said pneumatic piston is directed to return said pawl in the opposite direction.

22. A fluid distributing organ for cyclic permutative operation comprising a main member affording longitudinal passageway. a shuttle having openings transversely thereof, said shuttle being slidable through said main member in a direction transverse to said passageways, and rotatable means for moving said shuttle to align its openings with divers ones of said passageways selectively.

23. In a pneumatically powered control unit, a plurality of pneumatic actuators allocated to the performance of individually actuable operations, a special pneumatic actuator assigned to the performance of an auxiliary operation accompanying the operation of a number of said plurality of pneumatic actuators, a set of selector plates having transverse openings permutably arrangeable to afford transversely individual selectable paths for said plurality of actuators, and additional openings for affording a selectable path under multiple conditions of alignment of said plates to said special pneumatic actuator.

EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT;

Images