US2196354A - Printing - Google Patents

Description

' April 9, 1940.

'H. D.- COLMAN 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Haward .D., Calman mm,

WVM.

ATTORNEYS April 9, 1940. HJD. COLMAN PRINTING F1106. Fib. 7. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Howard D. 'Colman ATTORNEYS //3 BY M ,M.

April 9, 1940- H.- D. CQLMAN 2,196,354

- PRINTING V Filed Feb. 7, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR Howard .D. Colman H. D. COLMAN PRINTING Filed Feb. 7, 1-936 prils, 1940.

12 Sheets-Sheet 4 A; iORNEYS April 9, 1940. -H. D. COLMAN murmur:

Filed Fab. 7. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT OR Howard D. Colman ATTORNEYS April 9, 1940.

H. D. COLMAN mumme Find Feb. '7, 1956 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 3 INVENTOR Howard B.

Colman M4 TI'ORNEYS 'H. D. COLMAN mumme Filed F eb. 7, 1936.

April 9, 1940.

12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Howard C0/man 6-2.. M/%,M

A'ITORNEYS April 9, 1940. H; D. COLMAN PRINTING Filed Feb. 7, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 1 a g l INVENTORV Howard D. C o/man BY v - ATTORNEYS P 1940- H. 0. coLMAfl 2,196,354

\ PRINTING Filed-Feb. 'T. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR Howard .D. Colman ATI'ORN EYS April 9 H. D. COLMAN 2,196,354

- PRINTING v Filed Feb. 7. 19:56 12 Sheets-sheaf 12 INVENTQR Y Howard .D. Colman ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics PRINTING Howard D. Colman, Rockford, Ill. Application February 'z, 1936, Serial No. 62,742

188 Claims.

The invention pertains to printers of the general class in which the characters are impressed upon the writing medium in succession, and concerns more especially printers of the page type suitable for use in printing telegraphy, accounting machines, and for proof printing in conjunction with machines for perforating tapes to be used in the control of type casting, printing and allied typographicmachines.

One object of the invention is to provide a high speed page printer in which the printing operation progresses from one line to the next at the same rate as between successive characters in the same line, thereby eliminating the delay usually consumed by the return movement of the paper carriage.

Another object is to provide a new and improved method of printing in which each character to be printed is simultaneously formed in all of the possible character positions in a line, and wherein the position in the line at which the character thus formed is to be printed is determined by the operation of one of a series of impression elements respectively operative'in the various character positions.

In carrying out the foregoing objects of the invention I employ a printing head composed of a plurality of very thin flat strips arranged side by side in the form of a pack, and slidable longitudinally relative to each other. In the embodiment illustrated the strips are elongated in form, and on one edge or face of the pack formed by the strips are a plurality of spaced sets of character-forming elements in the nature of projections terminating in relatively blunt points or facets. -Each set or group of elements thus constitutes a convertible type composed of delineating points or facets which may be shifted into different permutational combinations to form letters, figures and other characters as may be desired. The respective sets are spaced apart lengthwise of theprinting head a distance equal to the space between adjacent characters to be printed, and upon the shifting of the strips into any predetermined combination, the same character is formed simultaneously in each of the character positions in a line. Therefore, the position in the line at which .a desired character is to be printed may be determined by the operation of the proper one of a series of printing or impression elements, herein termed anvils, of which there is one for each character position. In normal operation such anvils are actuated progressively from one type to the next. By shifting the strips of the pack into diiferent characterforming combinations during the interval between the movements of adjacent anvils, it is possible for the successive anvils to eflect the printing of different characters in their proper order; and in order to change from one line to '6 the next it is only necessary to control the proper anvils and during such control to eflect a line feed by shifting the paper or other writing medium.

Letters or other characters printed by means of type formed as above set forth, while not particuiii larly adapted for use where sharply defined characters are required, are well suited for use where exactness in character outline can be sacrificed for the sake of speed, as in recording business transactions in connection with automatic 110- 15 counting and like machines; in printing telegraphic communications; and in the preparation of a record or proof simultaneously withthe perforation of control forms for use in typesetting, type-writing and allied composing machines. 2o Hence while in its broader aspects the invention aims to provide a new and improved mode of printing, it has for its special object the provision oi a high speed type-writing machine or printer of a practical character.

While the improved printer is adapted for control in various ways, as for instance through the use of signal responsive selecting mechanism well understood in the telegraph and allied arts, for certain purposes it is desirable that the control 30 be manual in character. Accordingly, it is another obiect of my invention to provide a printer having character-forming elements of the kind above referred to and arranged for selective operationby means of a keyboard.

A further object is to provide for power actuation of the machine under the control of a keyboard with selectively operable mechanisms of a relatively simple character for performing the various functions.

Another object is to provide for the control of the direction of progression in printing a line character-by-character, through the provision of means for reversing at will the normal direction of progression from-left to right.

Still another object is to provide a type-forming printer wherein provision is made for selecting anyone of various positions in a line for the impression point, whereby to permit printing in tabuiar form. 50

Another object is to provide for the printing simultaneously of a plurality of original records on separate sheets under the control of a single character selecting mechanism.

For certain uses of the machine, as for exis ample, printing telegraphy, the characters may be printed in one font and case, as for example, upper case roman. However, as above indicated, it is contemplated that the printer may be used for the purpose of producing printed proof of matter set up simultaneously in the form of signal perforations in a control tape such as is used in the control of typographic machines, and in such machines the subject matter printed may require the use not only of upper and lower case type but also a plurality of different fonts. In such event, it is desirable that the printed proof show in addition to the character which is perforated in the control tape, the case and font of such character. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide for the printing of appropriate symbols adjacent each of the characters as printed and indicating the case and font of the corresponding signal which may be perforated in an associated control tape.

The objects of the invention thus set forth. together with other and ancillary advantages are attained by the construction and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter more particularly described, it being understood that various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from. the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a printing or typewriting machine embodying my inventron.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of such machine.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 8-5] of Figs 2.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction and arrangement of the actuating plates and associated shifting de vices, shown in their normal or inactive positions.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the type forming means-and more particularly the actuating means therefor.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the typeforming strips.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the relation of the type forming facets when positioned with respect to a printing anvil to form a space blank.

Figs. '1, 8 and 9 are fragmentary vertical sectional views illustrating the manner in which the facet carrying strips are shifted relative to each other to form different characters and symbols,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the central portion of the machine and illustrating particularly the mechanism for controlling the operation of the anvils.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately in the plane of line it of Fig. 10, and illustrating the mechanism for changing the direction of progression of the printing operation.

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary perspective views further illustrating the anvil actuating and control mechanism, the latter figure showing the relation of the parts when one of the anvils is advanced to the impression point.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of several anvils and their control arms and illustrating in broken lines the position of the control arms when shifted into position to-reverse the direction of progression of printing.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the key control mechanism for initiating mo em an operating cycle of the cam shaft and also showing the means for actuating the wvil reverse mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail view illustrating the opera-= tion of the clutch trip-off latch device when a key is held depressed.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the key controlled code and combination bar mechanism governing the selective operation of the printing head for purposes of character and symbol formation, and also illustrating the anvil blanking mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view showing in connection with the keyboard of the machine the lrey operated codal elements or flags and the various control bars associated therewith.

Fig. 18 is a detail view illustrating the construction employed for preventing the operation at one time of more than one of three control keys employed in connection with the operation of the symbol printing type elements.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the control of the anvil advance mechanism for tabulatlng purposes and amo the means for conditioning the first oi the printing anvils preparatory to a printing operation beginning at the left hand end of the printing head.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view show ing the hey controlled line or paper feed mechanlsm.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the arrangement to be employed in printing simultanecusly at separate points as in the case oi the making of a plurality of original records at the same time.

In German.

as herein shown (Figs. 1 and 2), my improved printer comprises an elongated printing head i extending horizontally in the upper rear portion of the structure and of a length corresponding to the maximum length of line to be printed. On the front face of the head, spaced apart lengthwise thereof a distance determined by the letter spacing to be employed, are groups or sets of character-delineating elements arranged in two longitudinal rows one above the other and constituting convertible type 2 and 2 (Fig. 12); and mounted for endwise front to rear movement forwardly of the head i is a series of impression elements or anvils 3, one for each possible character position in the line and therefore one for each of the type 2.

The delineating elements forming the type 2 and 2' are formed on thin metallic strips (Figs. 4 and 5) capable of being shift/ed relative to each other to form difierent characters by power driven mechanism operating under the control of a series of vertical combination bars 3 se lectively set in different pcrmutational combinations as determined by a group of horizontal code bars E3 below and parallel to the printing head.

To actuate the anvils 3 to effect the printing of selected characters, I employ a power driven reciprocatory actuator l hereinafter termed the printing bar. This bar extends 1ongitudinally of the machine in forwardly spaced relation to the printing head and carries a series of anvil-engaging elements in the form of pivoted dogs 3.

The power driven mechanism comprises a cam shaft il formed in two sections 9 and 8 The former extends in a front to rear direction at the right hand end of the machine and drives spring steel of a thickness of approximately .003

the printing head in the type-forming operation; and the latter extends longitudinally of the machine in the upper rear portion thereof and is operatively connected with the printing bar to reciprocate it in a front to rear direction. The

two sections 9 and 9 are connected by bevel gearing 6, and the shaft is arranged for operation in successive cycles under the control of a friction clutch l at the extended rear end of the shaft section 9.

The anvils 3 are controlled for successive operation by means in the nature of a carry-over mechanism acting as an incident to the operation of one anvil in one cycle of the printing bar to condition the next anvil to be operated for engagement by its actuating dog 8 in the succeeding cycle. This mechanism includes in the preferred embodiment a series of control elements each in the form of an elongated arm ll pivoted to each of the anvils and operatively associated with a next adjacent anvil for movement thereby in said conditioning operation; To permit a change in the direction of progression of the printing operation, the arms I l are adapted to be shifted from association with the anvil next adjacent in one direction into a similar relation to the anvil next adjacent in the opposite direction.

While the mechanism for controlling the selective operation of the machine may vary widely in construction according to the different uses to which the machine is applied, in the present embodiment, I have provided for this purpose a keyboard l2 including a group of character keys together with a space key, arranged substantially in accordance with standard typewriter practice; a number of symbol keys controlling the printing of different symbols representing various fonts; and in addition a plurality of control or function keys. Each of the character keys and most of the function keys is operable through appropriate mechanism to initiate an operating cycle of the machine through the actuation of the cam shaft 9 under the control of the clutch ill.

Type forming The printing head I comprises'a main type pack I a for letters and other characters and an auxiliary symbol printing pack I". As shown in Figs. and 7, the main pack comprises a plurality of thin ribbon-like strips it formed with similarly shaped character-forming or delineating elements IS in the nature of projections.

r 'equidistantly spaced apart along the forward edges of the strips and providing relatively blunt points or facets 13. Each strip it thus provides a carrier for one delineating element of each of a plurality of sets respectively constituting the convertible type 2, which are spaced apart longitudinally of the pack a distance corresponding to the spacing of the letters of a line to be printed. The strips ii are .freely shiftable longitudinally relative to each other to vary the positions of their respective elements II in converting from one type character to another, and the facets of an inch, and the spacing of the guides M such as to provide a space of approximately .001 of an inch between the strips to receive a film of oil or other lubricant.

The strips it of the type pack I are shifted into different character forming combinations by means including a plurality of shifting devices l5 each comprising two drive bars I! and adapted for coaction with a plurality of sets of actuating surfaces formed on the individual The actuating surfaces are formed in the present instance by providing in the strips l3 slots 16 (Figs. 5 and '7) whose opposite ends are utilized to form two sets of opposed actuating surfaces or shoulders I! and I1. The slots it are arranged in three longitudinal rows as, shown, and each strip has its slots occupying generally the same but yet slightly varying endwise positions as the slots in other strips so as to form a series of holes through the pack I, one for each character to be formed. Thus the pack may be said to have an A hole, a B hole, a C hole, etc., with each hole providing a set of actuating surfaces in the form of the shoulders I1 and H.

One pair of drive bars I5 is entered in each character hole and projects downwardly therefrom for connection with a combination bar 4 of the selecting mechanism. As best shown in Fig. 4, the lower ends of the bars of each pair are transversely slidable on pins 20 carried by yokes 2| rigid with the upper ends of the combination bars 4, thereby permitting a movement of separation between the bars of each pair. To permit alinement in a longitudinal row of the lower or notched portions of all the combination bars.

whose upper ends are connected with drive bars 15* arranged in three rows (Fig. 10), such upper ends of the combination bars are -offset laterally, as shownin Fig. 10 in the case of all but the intermediate rows.

The shifting devices are allowed to move downwardly selectively under the control of the code and combination bars I, 5; and upon a fixed downward movement of any one pair of drive bars, the power driven actuating means, to be presently described, engages the selected pair of bars causing them to move a predetermined distance in opposite directions for the purpose of carrying into alinement all of the shoulders I! and similarly all of the shoulders ll of the corresponding character hole.

when the drive bars l5- fora givencharacter hole are thus actuated to aline vertically the corresponding sets of shoulders I! and I! respec-- tively', the strips ll of the pack I are relatively shifted so as to cause each set of type facets I! along the front face of the pack to be shifted in contiguous parallel planes, and thus convert the various type faces from the previously formed character to the character corresponding to the selected hole. It will be apparent, thereforejthat it is necessary, for a proper shifting of the strips it into various character-forming combinations,

that the shoulders l1 and I'I of each character hole be properly positioned on their respective strips relative to the positions to be occupied by the elements l3 on the strips forming the corresponding characters.

In cutting the slots it so as to provide the proper relation between the shoulders of each character hole, advantage is taken of the letter I as a basic character, since in forming this letter the facets it of each group are arranged in vertical alinement centrally of each character po= sition, while the shoulders E l, l l of the I hole are also alined vertically. This arrangement is il= lustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 wherein the Q, I and W holes of the pack are shown and the manner in which the strips it are shifted to form these several characters. In Fig. 7, the I hole and a portion of the Q hole is shown in section, and the front face of the pack is shown in elevation at the right of the figure with the facets outlining the letter I. If from this relation of the facets, it is desired to shift them into a combination representing the letter W, for example, the shifting device for the W hole is actuated as shown in Fig. 8. It will be apparent that some of the strips are shifted in one direction and some in the other. In forming the letter W, for example, such shifting provides, in the case of each type 2, four relatively inclined rows of facets with the facets in each row spaced the minimum distance apart. Similarly, the shifting of the strips from. the W relation shown in Fig. 8 to the Q relation is effected by the actuation of the shifting device iii of the Q hole (Fig. 9)

It will be observed that coincident with the positioning of the facets W from the I-forming combination (Fig. 7) to the W combination (Fig. 8), a corresponding shifting of the shoulders ll, W of the I-hole must occur, with the result that the ends of the slots 86 forming the I-hole respectively outline the letter W. The same relation of the facets to the arrangement of slots of the I-hole occurs in the case of the other characters, es in the case of the letter Q, Fig. 9. Thus it follows that if the slots for each character hole are so cut that their opposite end edges outline the character corresponding thereto when the ends of the slots of the I-hole are in alinement, the proper relationship is efiected.

It will be observed from the foregoing that in converting the type faces from one character formation to another the strips it of the type pack are shifted to a. greater or less degree ranging from zero to a predetermined maximum depending on the comparative contours of the two successively formed characters. Also it will be seen that some of the facets are shifted in one direction and some in the other. This is advantageous especially in the case of a printer operating at high speed in that it reduces to a minimum the kinetic energy of rapidly moving parts which must be started and stopped in each character-forming operation. Moreover, since the actuation of the strips is effected by two bars operated at high speed in opposite directions simultaneously, the time required for each character operation is reduced very substantially.

Preferably the two uppermost and the two lowermost facets it of each set of character-forming elements are made substantially longer than the intermediate facets. This improves the appearance of the characters in which the facets are arranged in one or more straight rows, and in the case of the characters in which the outlines are of circular formation at their upper and lower ends the elongated facets are alsoadvanta eous.

Space or blank character formation-T provide spaces between the words in a line. the strips it of the main type pack I are shifted to carry aisaass the type elements it! into inactive position relative to the impression elements or anvils 3. For this purpose the type-forming or delineating elements iii are shifted into a special formation (Fig. 6) in which they are arranged in two vertical rows disposed on opposite sides of the normal character position, with the distance between the two rows slightly greater than the width of each of the impression elements or anvils 3, so that the latter are adapted to be received between the two rows when advanced to the printing or impression point. Accordingly, the type pack I is provided with an additional hole formed by slots i6 providing shoulders ll and H with which a pair of drive bars iii are adapted to be encaged selectively just as in the case of the other holes. To permit of the increased range of movement of the elements it necessary for this purpose, it is of course essential that the groups of elements forming the type 2 be appropriately spaced along the face of the type peck so that the normal spaces between the type may accommandate the two rows of elements.

It will be observed that this method of shifting the type facets out of the path of operation of the impression elements or anvils 3, provides a very simple expedient for introducing a space between words as may be desired. In addition such space combination is available for use should it be desirable to render the anvils ineffective to print, without modifying in any way, the operation of the anvils themselves, as will appear hereinafter in connection with the description of the miscellaneous control mechanisms. In either case, the type facets may be said to be shifted to form a blanlr character.

Formation of small characters-As in ordinary typewriter practice, certain characters, such as punctuation marks, occupy only a very small portion of the normal area required for letters, figures, etc. Thus, the period, for example, requires for its formation only four facets. Accordingly, the holes in the case of such small characters are so designed as to shift, into inactive positions at opposite sides of the character position, all of the facets not necessary to be used in forming this particular character, the operation being like that described for the space blank except for the one or more facets necessary to he used.

Power drive for type formin When a given character, including the space or blank, is to be formed along the front face of the tympact; the drive bars l5", which are entered in the corresponding hole of the type pack, are first moved downwardly a predetermined distance for connection with the power driven actuating means. The latter consists generslly of two pairs of reciprocable actuators 23 and 26 (Figs. 4 and 3) which are operatively connected with the cam shaft section 9 for movement in opposite directions.

In the present instance the actuators 23 and M are in the form of elongated plates extending parallel to the type pack i with the plates of each pair disposed on opposite sides of the pack and spaced 9. short distance from the plates of the other pair (Fig. 4). The drive bars l5 entered through the character holes project from opposite sides of the pool: so that when the bars of a given pair are selected for actuation, they may be engaged both above and below the pack for a movement of separation by the two pairs of oppositely moving actuators. Thus, each bar of the udected pair is adapted to be engaged by two actuators moving in the same direction, but on opposite sides of the pack.

For the purpose of providing for an operative connection between any selected pair of drive bars I! and their actuators; the two pairs of plates 23 and 24 are formed with three rows of slots 21 (Fig. 3) corresponding with the three rows of character holes in the type pack; and in the opposite side edges of each of said slots is a pair of notches 28 cut to form two sets of opposed shoulders 29 and 39 (Fig. 3') for each character hole, the shoulders 29 being formed on the plates 23 moving in one direction, and the shoulders 30 on the plates 24 moving in opposite di-.

rection. For coaction with said shoulders 29 and 39 each drive bar is formed in each side edge with two longitudinally spaced notches 3| and 32 positioned'reversely in the case of the two bars of each pair. When the bars are in raised or inactive position, the actuator plates 23 and 24 are free to slide through the notches 3| and 32, but when lowered into active position they present to the oppositely moving shoulders 29 and 30, actuating surfaces 33 and 34. Each of the surfaces 33 is formed by the upper edge portions of the notches 3|, and each surface 34 is formed by an intermediate portion in the form of a lug projecting into each of the notches 32. I

It will thus be seen that when any given pair of bars is lowered selectively in the corresponding character hole, each of the bars will be acted upon through the interengagement of the shoulders 29 on the plates 23 with the actuating surfaces 33, 34 of one of the drive bars l". and of the shoulders 30 on the plates 24 with the actuating surfaces 33, 34 on the other drive bar of the selected pair. As a result, the drive bars will be spread apart so that the opposed shoulders l1 and i! at opposite ends of the corresponding character hole will be engaged by the bars and moved into vertical alinement. As an incident to such alining movement of the shoulders the strips of the type pack are shifted into proper character-forming combination. as above described.

The arrangement employed in the printing head for spacing the actuator plates 23'and 24 from each other and from the type pack is best illustrated in Fig. 4. Spacing of the inner plates 24 from the pack is accomplished by the guide plates l4, which are slotted longitudinally to receive the drive bars and held in vertically spaced relation by a narrow spacer 35 at the rear edge of the type pack: and spacing of the outer plates 23 from the plates 24 is accomplished by longitudinally slotted separator plates 36. The outermost actuator plates 23 are guided at their upper and lower faces by longitudinally slotted top and bottom plates 31. The entire unit constituting the printing head i is supported at opposite ends by side frame members 38' (Fig. 3).

The cam means for reciprocating the two pairs of actuator plates 23 and 24 in the characterforming operation, each comprises a pair of cams 4| and 42 mounted on the section 9 of the cam shaft 9 and respectively coacting with roller followers 44 and 45 disposed on opposite sides of the shaft. The two followers are journaled between two pairs of vertically disposed plates 46 and 41 (Fig. 2) guided for longitudinal movement in grooves 41 cut in the top and bottom walls of a suitable housing 48, the top plate being omitted from Fig. 2 to expose the cam means. The pair of plates 48 are connected to the actuator plates 23.by means of a block 49 (Figs. 2 and 4), and the plates" by a block 50. The plates 46 are fastened to opposite sides of the block 49 at one end thereof, and the plates 23 are reduced in width and connected to the top and bottom of the block at the other end thereof. In a similar way the plates 41 are connected to the actuator plates 24 through the medium of the connector block 50.

Symbol forming The sub-pack l of the printing head is, as

above indicated, provided for the purpose of the convertible symbol type 2 one for eachcharacter position along the printing headand preferably disposed below the convertible type 2. Said strips [3' are supported for endwise shifting movement in a manner generally similar to the strips l3. They are provided with a plurality of holes formed by slots l6 cut in the strips and corresponding in number to the number of symbols to beformed, there being six in the present instance, and to provide clearance for the drive bars l5 of the main pack the strips are suitably slotted.

Projecting through each of the symbol holes is a pair of drive bars l5 for' coaction with shoulders l1 and ii formed by the ends of the slots 16' just as in the case of the character holes. Because the symbols are formed simultaneously with the formation of letters, figures, et cetera, formed by the convertible type 2, the same actuator plates 23 and 24 may be employed as in the case of the drive bars for the character holes of the main pack. To accommodate the additional drive bars the plates 23 and '24 are of course formed with additional slots 21. In other respects, the driving connections between the drive bars and the actuating plates are the same as for the drive bars of the main pack.

By the proper arrangement of the shoulders I1 and I1 formed by the ends of the slots IS, the three strips l3 may be shifted by the different pairs of drive bars into different relative relations so that their facets i3 will form different symbol combinations. In the example shown in Figs. 7 to 9, one such symbol is formed by the facets relatively disposed in a steppedrelation. For other symbols, they may be ar-' ranged in oppositely stepped-relation, disposed in vertical alinement, and otherwise positioned relative to each other for purposes of differentiation. In all, eight different combinations are made available by the use of three strips when shifted into different relative positions, three being necessary to provide for six symbols as herein contemplated.

By the arrangement set forth, the strips of the sub-pack l may be shifted into different combinations to form different symbols coincidental with the operation of forming characters on the main pack. For this purpose their drive bars l5 are connected with six of the combination bars 4 for selective positioning under the control of the code bars 6, as hereinafter set forth.

The section 9" of the cam shaft 9, carrying the cams 4| and 42 for actuating the printing head in the type forming operation, is suitably mounted in bearings provided by the housing 48. Its rear end extends beyond the gearing connection 6 with the other section 9 into operative rela-- tion with the clutch I0. To support the latter shaft section, the two side frame members 38 are equipped with suitable bearings 38. A top plate 39 overlying the side frame membersis extended to the left of the machine and has a bearing member 3E! secured to its underside for supporting the end of the shaft section 9.

Anvil operation 1n the present embodiment the impression anvils 3 are arranged for individual reciprocation toward and from the printing head. The paper or other medium upon which the characters are printed is herein shown in the form of a sheet A of the size commonly used for page printing, which sheet is positioned directly in front of the type pack; and in front of the sheet A in turn is an inked ribbon 52. The imprint on the sheet A is effected by the operation of the anvils actuated by the printing bar 1 by power derived from the cam shaft 9, the latter being equipped with suitable cams for this purpose. Thus the anvils constitute impression elements operating to compress the paper A between the ribbon and the type 2 and 2 and this by a cam-controlled motion and with a predetermined pressure as distinguished from the usually employed sharp blow or impact.

The anvils 3 are in the form of plungers (Figs. 10 and 12) stamped from thin flat strips of metal and having elongated shanks 53 with impression heads 54 at their rear ends. To support the anvils for reciprocation, the machine framework has two parallel bars 55 and 56 (Fig. 10) extending longitudinally of the printing head and spaced apart vertically so as to receive between them the anvils 3 and their associated control elements or arms H. The bar 56 is formed as a part of a central standard 56.

To guide the anvils for reciprocation and to maintain them in laterally spaced relation lengthwise of the printing head I, slotted plates 51 and 58 are provided, the former secured at the rear edges of the frame bars 55 and 56, and the latter secured at the forward edge of the upper frame bar 55. The anvils are constantly urged forwardly, away from the printing head by individual upright leaf springs 55 having their upper ends engaging with depending portions 68 offset forwardly from the heads 5d. The lower ends of the springs are suitably anchored as at 6| to the framework.

The printing bar 1 constituting the actuator for the anvils 3, is constructed so as to receive and support the series of actuating dogs 8, one for each of the anvils. Said dogs are also in the form of sheet metal stampings, each being generally T-shaped in form so as to provide a forward pivotal portion 63, a shank portion 64 and a rear head portion having 2. depending nose 65 adapted for engagement with a notch 66 cut in the upper edge of its corresponding anvil shank 53 at the forward end of the latter.

The dogs 8 of the printing bar 1 (Figs. 10, 12 and 13) are supported and guided for pivotal movement in the printing bar, being arranged in laterally spaced relation corresponding to the lateral spacing of the anvil shanks 53. For this purpose the bar 1 comprises two fiat elongated -top plate 68 is formed with slots 14 and 16 respectively receiving upper extensions 16 and 11 at the forward and rear ends respectively of the dogs. Individual leaf springs 18. mounted on the bar, bear upon the extensions '16 of the dogs and constantly urge their rearward ends downwardly for purposes of engagement with the anvil shanks 53.

The printing bar I is suitably supported and guided at opposite ends of the machine for front to rear movement (Figs. 2.and 3). For this purpose, said bar has secured to each end an elongated bar 19 guided in grooves 19 out in the inner side faces of two vertical side bars near the upper end thereof. At their rear ends, said bars are similarly guided in ways formed in the side frame members 38 and top plate 39, and between the rear end of each bar and a short plate 8| are mounted two rollers 82 and 82 respectively, coacting with two cams 83 and 83 on the cam shaft section 9' In each operating cycle of the cam shaft, the printing bar executes a com plete reciprocation in timed relation to the shifting of the strips l3 and i3 of the printing head in the type-forming operation.

In each type-forming operation the same character or symbol is formed simultaneously in each of the character positions lengthwise of the printing head. Therefore, it will be seen that the position in the line at which the formed character and symbol are to be printed is determined by the establishment of an operative association between the printing bar I and the particular anvil 3 which corresponds to the aforesaid position.

In normal operation the anvils 3 are actuated in progressive order from left to right until the last character in a given line has been printed. Thereupon, the paper or other writing medium is advanced to a new line and a corresponding progressive actuation of the anvils commenced for that line. However, it may be desirable under some circumstances, to change the normal direction of progression of the anvils in order that the printing operation may progress reversely, i. e., from right to left. Also it may sometimes be desirable that the operator be able to select at will any desired position in the line for the impression point and this without regard to the previous impression point. With this in view the anvil control means comprises (Figs. 12 to 14) a series of shiftable elements in the form of the elongated arms ii and a series of pawls 85, one for each anvil.

The construction and mode of operation of the anvil arms ii, the pawls 85 coacting with said arms and the anvil shanks 53, may well be described first in connection with the normal progression of the printing operation from left to right. In this connection, each anvil may be said to have three positions. Thus, when any anvil is in its normal position, it may be said to be in its number one position; when partially shifted so that its notch 66 is in position to receive the nose 65 of its actuating dog 8, it is in its numher two position; and when moved by its dog 8 to its number two position, as an incident to the.

operation of the next adjacent or preceding anvil into its number three position. It may here be .noted, however, that in the case of the first anvil at the left-hand end of the series, it is necessary to provide special means to effect the aforesaid conditioning movement thereof. This means will be hereinafter described more particularly in connection with the selective control mechanisms responsive to the operation of the keyboard. For present purposes, it will suflice to say that it comprises a conditioning member 3 for the No. 1 anvil adapted-for actuation by a dog 8' of the printing head in a manner similar to the anvils 3. This member, however, has no arm II and is moved into its number two position through the operation of a lever N (Fig. 19) pivotally associated therewith and actuated upon the commencement of a new line by power derived from the cam shaft 8. It'will be observed that the conditioning member I is in the nature of a dummy anvil, having per so no printing function. li'orv convenience, it will hereinafter be referred to as the No. 0 anvil.

Referring now toFigs. 12 and 13, each of the anvil arms I I has its rear end pivotally connected to its corresponding anvil! near the rear end of the latter, which for this purpose has its depending portion 60 formed with a forwardly opening slot 81 shaped intermediate its end to receive a rounded enlargement 8| formed on the end of the arm ll. At their forward ends, the arms -II are guided for reciprocation in a slotted plate I! so as to be maintained in laterally spaced relation corresponding to the spacing of the anvil shanks 53. However, the arm II which is connected with any given anvil is normally inclined laterally relative thereto so that its forward end is associated with the next adjacent anvil. Thus, in the case of the normal progression from left to right, the arm ll of the No. 1 anvil is inclined for association with the No. 0 anvil; the arm of the No. 2 anvil is associated with the No. 1 anvil; and the arm of the third anvil is associated with the second anvil, and

ample the No. 1 anvil, is moved to its No. 3 position (Fig. 13) in the latter portion of such movement the shoulder ll engaging with the lug ll of the arm I I attached to the No. 2 anvil, imparts a short movement to the latter anvil. In such movement, anvil No. 2 is conditioned for engagement by its actuating dog I in the next succeeding cycle of operation as above described Similarly the subsequent actuation of the No. 2 anvil into its printing position serves to condition No. 3 anvil for the-succeeding cycle.

printing bar I, it is the flmction of each of the pawls I! (Fig. 13) to retain its anvil in its number two position pending engagement by its actuating dog I in the succeeding cycle of operation.

Said pawls are in the form of sheet metal stampings pivotally supported intermediate their ends on a fixed shaft 92 disposed in forwardly spaced relation to the supporting plate 89 for the arms II. The pawls have rearwardly extending arms 93 arranged for cooperation with the forward ends of the anvil shanks 53, and for this purpose said arms 93 are formed with notches 94 adapted to receive the forward end portions 53 of the anvil shanks. The pawls are constantly urged by individual leaf springs 95 to position the upper ends of the notches 94 out of alinement with said forward end portions 53' of the anvil shanks. Thus, when the anvils are fully, retracted, the forward ends of their shanks are received in the notches 94 of the pawls 85 and the latter are, therefore, in elevated position; and when an anvil is moved into its number two position, its pawl is I forced downwardly by the spring 95 thereby latching the anvil in such number two position.

In normal operation the latch devices or pawls I! are lifted individually for the purpose of permitting return movement of the anvils into their number one positions. That is to say, as an incident to the movement of one anvil into its number two position, the pawl of the preceding anvil is raised to permit return movement of that anvil in a retracting stroke of the printing bar I. To accomplish this result, each of the pawls has its lower edge formed with a cam surface 96 (Figs. 12 and 13) which is adapted for engagement by a complementary cam surface 81 and dwell 91' formed in the upper edge of the arm I I associated with an adjacent anvil. Accordingly, when a selected an'vil is moved into its number two position by the operation of thepreceding anvil into its number three position, the arm ll of such selected anvil operates with a cam action on the pawl of the preceding anvil to lift it into position to receive the shank of said preceding anvil upon the return of the printing bar to its fully retracted position. In this connection it will be observed that during the return stroke, the pawl of the selected anvil operates through the medium of its ,arm I I to hold the pawl of the preceding anvil in its elevated position.

While the forward end of a returning anvil thus enters its notch 94, the corresponding actuating dog 8 is disengaged from the anvil. For this purpose the nose 65 of each dog is provided with a cam surface ll adapted to cooperate with a cam surface I" on the corresponding pawl 85.

Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to effect the return to their number one positions of any of the impression anvils 3 which may have been moved to their number two positions. For this purpose each of the pawls 85, with the exception of that for the No. 0 anvil 3 is provided with a depending'tail portion IN disposed in the path of movement of a bail in the form of a bar I62 mounted on a rock shaft Hi3 and operable when rocked in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 12) to engage said tail pieces, thereby rocking the pawls to position their notches M in alinement with the forward ends of the shanks I! of the anvils l. Said shaft is adapted to be rocked by power derived from the cam shaft 0 under the control of a suitable key of the keyboard I! (termed the blanking key) in a manner hereinafter described.

In view of the reciprocatory character of the When it is desired to change the direction of 7a allel shafts I suitably supported in a frame member I01 between which and a frame member I08 the plate is guided.

The shafts I06 have fixed thereon pinions I09 meshing on opposite sides with two rack bars I I0 and III suitably guided for endwise movement on the frame member I01. These rack bars and pinions are so arranged that when longitudinal movements are imparted to the bars selectively the plate 89 and, therefore, the forward ends of the arms II are moved in one direction or the other. In Fig. 11 the parts are shown in the position occupied for normal progression from' left to right, the plate 89 having been shifted to the left by the movement of the lower rack bar I II to the left, the upper bar moving at the same time to the right. To effect a reversal in the direction of progression it is only necessary to move the upper rack bar III) to the left with a corresponding movement to the right of the lower bar. In such shifting movements of the plate 89, the eccentrics in their rotation cause the guide plate to move first downward, then laterally, and finally upward. -As an incident to the downward movement of the plate 89, any arm II which has been shifted in the movement of its anvil to its No. 2 position will clear the lower rear ends of any of the pawls 85 which may be in their lower positions. The means for actuating the rack bars forms a part of the key controlled mechanism to be presently described.

, I2 comprises a group of character keys IIB including a space key M3 for effecting the formation of a space or blank character, a case key -II3 a plurality of symbol selecting keys III-i (hereinafter called font keys"), and certain function keys later to be described.

The depression of any of said character and function keys serves to initiate an operating cycle by tripping the friction clutch I0. Each has a stem II4 (Fig. engageable with one arm of a bell crank IIB having its other arm operative through the medium of a short abutment bar H6 to shift a codal element in the form of a notched bar or flag II1, individual leaf springs II8 acting upon the abutment bars II6 to hold the keys in their elevated positions. The flags are in the form of bars notched longitudinally of their upper edges and serving to control in a well known manner the operation of transversely disposed combination bars hereinafter called "control bars." These are operative selectively to govern the type-forming operation and other functions of the machine.

The flags II1 of said character and function keys are extended to the rear of the machine into operative association with means for tripping the clutch I0 to initiate the machine cycles. This means is of such character so as to insure completion of one cycle and only one upon the depression of any one key. It comprises (Fig. 15) a series of segments II9 one for each flag, operative upon the depression of the keys to actuate a bail I which in turn is operatively associated with the clutch I0. The segments I I9 are mounted on a fixed laterally extending shaft HI and each has a depending finger II9" engaging in a notch in one of the flags so as to swing forwardly upon the rearward movement of the flag and against the action of a spring H9".

The bail I20 is in the form of an elongated bar supported at its opposite ends by arms I20 upon a rock shaft I22 so as to underlie the segments I I9 in forwardly offset relation to the rock shaft. Extending rearwardly from the rock shaft I22 is an arm I23 entered between two spring pawls I24 and I25 suitably secured together in spaced relation and forming a latch device adapted to cooperate with a lever I26 pivoted at I26. The upper pawl is somewhat shorter than the lower one and normally is disposed in the path of movement of the lever I26, which latter is thereby held against swinging motion under the influence of a spring I21. At its opposite or forward end the lever I26 is in the form of a bell crank having one arm operatively connected with a bar I28 hereinafter referred to as the "release bar," and another arm [29 operatively connected with a transversely disposed bar I30 hereinafter called the locking bar." The bar I30 has a plurality of notches I3I in its rear edge and to cooperate with such notches, the segments II9 are formed with forwardly protruding lugs I32 normally overlying the notches I3I.

With this arrangement, upon the depression of one of the keys the corresponding segment is swung downwardly, its lug I32 being free to pass through the corresponding notch I3I in the looking bar. In such movement the segment engages the bail bar I20, rocking the shaft I22 and lifting the rear end of the latch operating arm I23 thereby freeing the lever I 26 for movement by its spring I21. In thus tripping the upper pawl I24 of the latch device, the lug I32 of the segment moves entirely through its notch I3I of the locking bar. The segment is cut away above the lug I32 to provide a notch I33 permitting movement of the locking bar by the spring actuated lever I26 which imparts a corresponding movement to the release bar I28 for the purpose of tripping the clutch I0 and releasing the control bars.

As hereinbefore indicated, the clutch I 0 is of the friction type and may be of the construction shown in my prior Patent No. 1,962,136 issued June 12, 1934. Briefly, it comprises driving and driven elements I 35 and I36, the former being connected by suitable gearing I31 with a source of power, and the latter connected with the cam shaft section 8 (see Fig. 2).. The control element for this clutch is in the form of a flnger I38 (Fig. 15) which when blocked against rotation holds the clutch disengaged against the action of a torsion spring I38. In the present instance it is blocked by means of. detent formed by the upper end of a bar I39 hearing at its upper end against a roller I40 and connected at its lower end with one arm I of a bell crank whose other arm I42 is connected with the release bar I29.

Upon disengagement of the pawl I24 from the actuating lever I28, the release bar is shifted rearwardly and through its connection with the detent bar I39 withdraws the latter from engagement with the clutch finger I38 thus initiating an operating cycle. In the latter portion of such cycle, a cam I43 on the shaft 9 operates a double roller follower I 44 having rigid therewith an arm I43 connected by means of a link I43 7

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