US2273378A - Telegraphic transmitter system - Google Patents

Description

1942- w. G. RICE TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTER SYSTEM Feb.

Filed Jan. 15, 1940 IN VE N TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTER SYSTEM Waldo G. Rice, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 15, 1940, Serial No. 313,807

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to an improved telegraphic transmitter circuit, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application serially numbered 312,626 and filed January 6, 1940, relating to the telegraphic tape transmitter utilizing the teachings of the circuit embodying features of the present invention.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved telegraphic tape transmitter and circuit that directs the sixth stop pulse through a feed tape magnet or relay control coil independent of the other pulses, thereby feeding tape from the main line direct through the feed magnet or through a relay operating the feed magnet.

The transmitter is shown and described in the aforesaid copending application and is schematically illustrated herein to an extent necessary to show the improvements constituting the present invention concerning itself with a simple and advantageous transmitter and circuit preferably provided in association with the customary keyboard telegraph distributor. The transmitter that is automatically responsive to a code perforated tape constituting a message previously transferred thereto. The perforated tape message may be sent over the line and printed at both local and distant stations, distributors and printers in the same line at both local and dis- 1 tant stations are used for the transmission and printing of messages to the end of effecting a great savings in installation costs, attendants time and space requirements coupled with substantially increased capacity in message transmission.

Telegraph printers employing the start-stop principle of operation are now widely used with limited exceptions; however, manual keyboard transmission is still the common practice. It is well known that stored up work in the form of perforated tape displaced through a transmitter advances greatly wire and labor economy and speed of operation. Some of the large telegraph offices are now equipped with an independent tape transmitting unit necessitating floor space for a table upon which a motor, distributor and speed regulator in addition to the transmitter is mounted with extensive plugging in arrangements. The cost of this equipment is relatively high so that one tape transmitter is designed to operate-on many wires. This method of plugging in by turns and waiting for assignments in the use of one unit entails delays, attendants time in making switches, and other disadvantages not conducive to volume. or efiicient operation.

With the teachings of the present invention, every keyboard distributor in any office having a tape perforator and/or receiving tape by reperforators from distant ofiicesfor'relay, is provided with a tapetransmitter fixed thereto by fastening to the side of the keyboard and having plug cable connection to the keyboard for instantaneous operative connection therewith. Simplicity and inexpensive construction together with dependability of operation, is effected with improved contacts that frictionally glide over the perforated tape without any loss of pulse (see aforesaid copending application).

This coupled with a simplified feed pawl serving as a direct link between a very light armature and feed roll, insures instantaneous movement of the tape with the expenditure of negligible power. This is accomplished by the use of a solenoid and relay of very low wattage requirements and yet procures the desired power of response with a current value that is a mere fraction of that required by transmitters of known construction for transmission of signals without distortion for multiple redistribution. These features overcome the complicated lever actions, high wattage requirements, and the time element involved with the comparatively heavy solenoids used in transmitters of known construction.

One object of the present invention is to provide a transmitter circuit that will feed tape instantaneously by connecting the stop pulse at the customary current value which at present is approximately 50 milliamperes from the main line direct through the feed magnet or through a relay operating the feed magnet.

Another object is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a direct line transmitter tape feed of inexpensive construction and dependable operation from the stop pulse independent of the other pulses.

A further object is to provide an improved transmitter circuit and pulse connections for automatic message transmission responsive to the traverse of perforated paper tape to effect message transmission and/or redistribution re- (siponsive to a feeding solenoid of low energy rain.

A still further object is to provide improved and simplified transmitter connections that effect more dependable signal transmission responsive to a code perforated tape or other medium of message transmission.

Still a further object is to provide an improved direct main line electromagnetic tape feeding mechanism possessed of an unusually high power factor resulting in a low energy drain.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a schematic wiring diagram showing the transmitter connections in conjunction with a distributor having an improved contact arrangement.

Figure 2 is a perspective view in elevation of pulse contact assembly embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view in elevation of a pulse contact assembly taken substantially along line IV IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side view in elevation of another type of pulse contact actuator assembly, part of the frame being broken away to clarify the showing.

Figure 6 is a front view in elevation of pulse contact assembly as shown in Figure 5.

The schematic wiring diagram illustrates a novel arrangement of electrical connections by which the tape transmitter of the type comprising the subject matter of the aforesaid copending patent application may be advantageously used and operated to automatically transmit coded tape perforated messages to any number of local and distant stations. Any practical number of distributors and tape transmitters may be connected in the printer circuit without interruption or impairment to its operation owing to the lower energy drain of the transmitter described in detail in the aforesaid copending patent application.

The transmitter ID essentially includes a plurality of code bar contacts ll, I2, |3, I4 and I5, in this instance five, which confront resilient feelers I5, l1, l8, l9, and 20, respectively, in

frictional engagement therewith for normal separation by a transmitter tape 2| that is displaced therebetween by a feeding mechanism including, in this instance, the electro-magnet 22 which is controlled by a relay 23. In order to accomplish the feeding of the tape 2|' without any appreciable energy drain, the comparatively powerful magnet 22 having an approximate resistance of 300 ohms is controlled by the relay coil 23 of approximately ohms which is a comparatively low drain energy factor in the sixth or stop pulse lead 24-24.

The relay coil 23 is connected to the main line 2526 through confronting distributor contacts 2l28 and the lead 2'|2'|' detachably connected to complemental plug elements 28"29 which include complemental sets of pin jacks 3|l3| for the lead 2424. The contacts |||2|3 |4--i5 are connected by leads 32-32', 33-33, 34-34', 35-35, and 3636, respectively, to confronting distributor contacts 3l38, 3940, 4|--42, 4344, and 45-46 which together with the contacts 2'|28 comprise the six pulse sets of contacts.

' So that there will be no signal transmission nor operation of the feed wheel (not shown) in the event any break occurs in the tape 2| or the latter has been entirely displaced over the code terminals H to l5 inclusive, automatically operable stop instrumentalities 41 and 48 are mounted in the path of the tape 2| in the manner fully illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the United States Number 2,074,189 and issued March 16, 1937. The tape stop pin 4'! cooperates with a resilient terminal plate 49 having a lead 50 controlled by a manual switch 5| for connection thereof to the sixth (stop) pulse lead 2424' to the line 25 through the distributor contacts 2'| 28.

A shunt lead '52 cooperates with the switch 5| so that the relay 23 may be shunted from the circuit in order to render the tape feed mechanism inoperative. The other tape stop instrumentality 48 which cooperates with the resilient plate 49, is connected through leads 53-53 to the line 25 so that the feed magnet controlling relay 23 will be automatically shunted from the line in the event the tape 2| should become interrupted by a tear or the latter has been entirely displaced over the code terminals |'|-|5 inclusive. The leads 5353 are interconnected between J'acks 3ll3| for which there are eight complemental sets comprising, in this instance, the plug members 28-29 to render it possible to instantaneously cut the transmitter Hi from the distributor 54 of the jack contacts 2'|28, 3'| 38, 3940, 4|42, 43-44, and 4546 constituting a part of its actuator 55 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The distributor 54 comprises in part, in this instance, a rotary shaft 56 which is rotated substantially at 400 R. P. M. by a fractional horse power motor (not shown). A plurality of transmitter cams 51, in this instance six, having corresponding depressions 58 circumferentially spaced relative to each other on the shaft 56, rotate in the path of bell crank motion transmitting members '59 disposed in the path thereof for oscillatory movement about a pivot 6|] anchored on the frame 5| of the distributor 54 (Figure 3). As shown, each of the cams 51 have a motion transmitting bell crank 59 provided in the path thereof so that a node 62 provided thereon will establish physical contact with cam depressions 58 and through bell crank hook 62' effect engagement with springs 63 serving as carriers for the contacts 28, 38, 4|], 42, 44 and 46.

The springs 53 are spaced and insulated from correspondingly shaped and confronting plate members 64 which are mounted between longitudinally disposed bars 65, 66 and 61 (Figure 3) composed of insulation material so that they may be secured to a plate anchored to the face 69 of the distributor frame 6| through the medium of fasteners 12. It will be observed that the rigid plate member 64 corresponds in size with and confronts the jack springs 63 and current contacts 21, 31, 39, 4|, 43 and 45 in confronting relation with the contacts 28, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 45, respectively.

It should be observed that the contact 28 is separated and insulated from the contacts 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 and the latter are interconnected by a plate I 3 through which the threaded bolts or studs 12 project to maintain the spring contacts 63 and their insulation spacing members 55, 56 and 51 in assembled relation for support by a bracket 58. In this instance, the first five pulse contacts 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 are electrically connected through the medium of an in- The bracket 68' ternally assembled metallic plate 13 (Figures 2 and 3), while the sixth pulse contact 28 is insulated therefrom through the medium of insulation. strip 13' so that the common lead 13" can be utilized for the first 'five pulse contacts and a separate lead 25 extends to the main line for the sixth pulse contact 28. In consequence thereof, the spring contacts 38, 4|], 42, 44 and 46 have a common lead 13" terminating in a manual switch 14 cooperating with spaced poles "l and 16 that terminate in the leads 18 of the common line lead 25, respectively. As shown, a printer magnet 19 is in the line While a resistance may be incorporated in the leads 18 to balance the system.

While the relay 23 is operated direct from themain line through the sixth pulse 24-24, the feed magnet 22 is operated from another source of power which is connected through leads 8l--82 that preferably though not essentially have resistances 83 and 84 provided in the line to terminate in pins and 86 constituting a complemental part of jacks 87 and 88 that comprise a part of a plug 89. The jacks 8? and 88 are connected to leads and SI which are interconnected across the feed magnet 22 through an armature 92 of the relay 23, thereby serving as a switch to automatically open and close the feed magnet circuit responsive to the sixth pulse Ml-25 connected to the main line 25.

Another type of actuator feed pulse contact is shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, an actuator cam shaft 58 is provided with cams 57' that have arcuate nodes 58' provided therein in contrast to the depressions 53 in the preceding embodiment. The earns 51' cooperate with transmitter bell cranks 5d pivoted as at 5% so that the bell crank actuator edge 62 will be in the path of the cam 51* and its node 58'. As shown, the bell crank 55' extends outwardly to form a node 62 which establishes physical contact with springs 93 to flex them with its contact 28 from the fixed contact Z'i' mounted on the plate member 64 which depends downwardly for at tachm nt with the contact spring $3 for mounting in the frame of a distributor 54'. While only a single actuator cam and lever has been described, the remaining contacts have correspond-- ing elements spaced in the path thereof.

As shown, the insulation strips 65, 66, and 6-1 separate the contact springs 53' from the plate 64 and they are maintained in assembled relation through the medium of threaded fasteners M. The springs 63' are spaced and insulated from correspondingly shaped and confronting plate members 64 which are mounted between longitudinally disposed bars 65, 66' and 61 (Figure 6) composed of insulation material so that they may be secured to a plate 68' anchored to the base 69' of the distributor frame 6 i through the medium of fasteners 12. It will be observed that the rigid plate member 64 corresponds in size with and confronts the jack springs 83 and current contacts 21, 31', 38, 4!, 43 and 45' in confronting relation with the contacts 28', 38', 40, 42', :34 and it, respectively. is anchored to the base 65' by means of a threaded fastener 12'.

In order to render the actuator assembly 55' immediately available for use in conjunction with the circuit wired as illustrated in Figure 1, an adaptor 93 (Figures 5 and 6) is stamped or otherwise shaped from resilient material such as bronze mounted on a bar 94 of insulation material to present independent spring contact fingers 95. Thespring contact fingers are secured to the insulation bar 94 by means of threaded studs 86 for attachment thereto in spaced relation corresponding with the spacing of the plate 64 that confronts the contact springs 63'. The spring contact fingers 95 are so shaped as to frictionally engage the contact carrying plate 64 in order to establish electrical contact therewith.

In order to maintain the adaptor 93 in operative position for frictional association with the plate 64', substantially U-shaped adaptor attaching clamps 9'! are fastened to the ends of the insulation bar 94 by means of fastening screws 98. In consequence thereof, the free arms of the adaptor clamps 91 will embrace the undersides of the end plate 64 (Figures 5 and 6) to frictionally hold the adaptor 93 with its spring contact finger 95 in operative position. The wires 32', 33', 34', 35', and 36 can be soldered or otherwise connected to the spring contact fingers 95 and the extreme right adaptor attaching clamp 53'! while the sixth pulse lead 24 can be soldered or otherwise anchored to the extreme left adaptor attaching clamp 91 to instantly connect the plate 64' of the actuator assembly to the circuit by merely detachably engaging the adaptor 93 therewith.

It will be observed, therefore, that any one of the common type of distributor contact assemblies can be utilized without any special wiring other than the provision of an adaptor 93. The operation is similar to that shownand described in connection with the preceding embodiment, and it will be apparent that a novel arrangement has been provided for operating the feed magnet direct from the main line through the sixth pulse.

In operation, the distributor 5| is started manually by a shaft clutch operating latch (not shown) causing contacts 3l38, 39 il, 4l42, 4344, 4546 and 2'l29 to close and open successively in sequence ii--i*i3i4iJ-- lEH--l2--i3--l4-I5-l6 or sequentially any combination thereof, only one contact being closed at any one time to transmit the selected message. Pulses lll2-l3i=ii5 established through contacts t'l-Sil, 39-4d, (li-42, 4tl-fi4, 45-46 are code pulses, and the sixth pulse established through contacts 2l--23 is the stop pulse. Assuming tape 2| is in the transmitter between contacts H-l5, i2 ll, iii-Ea, l i -le, I5-20, and opens contacts 3849 by the tape 2| pressing on pin 41, the following pulse circuits will be established:

It should be noted that the terminals SET-28' are intended for connection to the printer and distributor magnets which comprise a part of the printer (not shown). Consequently, the leads 2526 which extend to the terminals HEP-2t, convey the signal impulses to the printer.

It will be noted only the sixth or stop pulse operates the tape feed magnet 22 through the relay 23. When the tape 2| has moved out of the transmitter l9, all five pulse contacts |Il2l3ldl5 will close. These pulses would continue through the line as long as manual clutch controlling latch operates the distributor shaft 56, except for contact being established between terminals 4849 by th passing of end of tape 21 from above the pin 4'5. This results in a complete shunt of all six distributor contacts 2l-28, 31-38, 394ll, ll-42, 4344, 4546 and the feed magnet coil controlling relay 23. The shunt circuit follows 26'-2l"2'l' 5l-5ll4il-485353'25l9-25'. The line is closed even though the distributor 54 continues to operate, and the distant office is afforded the immediate use of wire. The attendant at the home ofiice may at his convenience unlatch the distributor 54 later to declutch the shaft 56 from the driving motor.

For keyboard transmission, the switch 5! is displaced to connect with lead 52 to eliminate the shunt previously established between the tape stop elements 484S. This will allow the distributor contacts to function mechanically to open or close in accordance with controlled keyboard operation. When the tape transmitter switch M is on the keyboard position the sixth or start pulse is as follows-2fi'2l"21-23 2424'2'l28-25l.925'. The code pulses are the same as shown for tape transmission. The

separation of the sixth pulse contacts 21-48 (Figure l) or the cutting of the contact strip H by incorporating the insulation insert 93 (Figure 5) enables the home office to stop the operation of home printer by throwing the five pulses around printer magnet 19 by moving switch 14 to 75. Thus the outgoing code pulses take circuit by way of l3, M, 75, 16, 80 and 18 to render the home printer 19 inoperative.

Should the distant office desire to stop the transmission, any key on the keyboard may be used to send a signal through the stop pulse at home office (which of course continues to affect printer magnet). Obviously, the stop pulse constitutes a start pulse as soon as its contacts sepa rate to indicate an open line which is the beginning of the start pulse. The result is the printing of random printing on the home printer until the home office stops sending and awaits further word from the distant ofiice. the transmitter is such as will function at hightest speed on a minimum of power thus enabling use of the stop pulse from the main line to directly operate the feed magnet and eliminate the local circuit for this purpose.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the features of the invention, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a telegraph system, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits arranged to send impulses over a main line, a stop pulse circuit in said main line independent of said first named pulse circuits, and magnetic tape feeding means in said predetermined tape guiding path, said stop pulse circuit being connected to said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advance said tape.

The structure of 2. In a telegraph system, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits, confronting contacts in said predetermined path arranged to send impulses over a main line, a stop pulse circuit in said main line independent of said first named pulse circuits, and magnetic tape feeding means in said predetermined tape guiding path, said stop pulse circuit being connected to said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advance said tape.

3. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, electrical magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts, and a stop pulse circuit connected between the main line of signal transmission and said magnetic tape feeding means to control the operation thereof.

4. In a telegraph transmitter, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including confronting contacts disposed in said path for normal separation by said transmission tape unless signal code perforations or interruptions appear therein, electrical relay pulse controlled magnetic tape feeding means for directing said transmission tape past said confronting contacts, and a stop pulse circuit connected between the main line of signal transmission and said magnetic tape feeding means to control the operation thereof.

5. In a telegraph system having a distributor provided with contacts arranged to send impulses over the line, means for controlling said contacts, means for controlling the operation of said distributor, electrically operated perforated tape transmitter having contacts adapted to be controlled by the perforations of a tape, electrical connections between said tape contacts and said distributor contacts whereby the line impulses are controlled by the tape, electromagnetic tape feeding means, and a stop pulse circuit controlled by said distributor and connected between said line and said electromagnetic tape feeding means for controlling the operation thereof.

6. In a telegraph system having a distributor provided with contacts arranged to send impulses over the line, means for controlling said contacts, means for controlling the operation of said distributor, electrically operated perforated tape transmitter having contacts adapted to be controlled by the perforations of a tape, electrical connections between said tape contacts and said distributor contacts whereby th line impulses are controlled by the tape, electromagnetic tape feeding means having an independent electrical power source, a relay control for said electromagnetic tape feeding means, and a stop pulse circuit controlled by said distributor and connected between said lin and said electromagnetic tape feeding means for controlling the operation thereof, said relay control being in said stop pulse circuit to control the energization of said tape feeding means by said independent electrical power source.

'7. A telegraph system having a distributor provided with contacts arranged to send impulses over the line, a perforated tape transmitter having contacts connected with said distributor contacts whereby the line impulses are controlled by the perforations of a tape, electromagnetic tape feeding means associated with said tape transmitter, electrical means for operating said tape transmitter and controlling the operation of said distributor, said contacts including a plurality of pulse circuits, said contacts operated by said distributor for opening and closing said pulse circuits, other contacts operated by the tape for controlling said circuits, and a stop pulse circuit connected to said main line and controlled by said distributor to operate said electromagnetic tape feeding means.

8. A telegraph system having a distributor provided with contacts arranged to send impulses over the line, a perforated tape transmitter having contacts connected with said distributor contacts whereby the line impulses are controlled by the perforations of a tape, electromagnetic tape feeding means associated with said tape transmitter, a relay for controlling the energization of said electromagnetic taping feeding means, electrical means for operating said tape transmitter and controlling the operation of said distributor, said contacts including a plurality of pulse circuits, said contacts operated by said distributor for opening and closing said pulse circuits, other contacts operated by the tape 'for controlling said circuits, and a stop pulse circuit connected to said main line and controlled by said distributor to operate said electromagnetic tape feeding means.

9. In a telegraphic system, the combination with means for guiding the traverse of code perforated transmission tape along a predetermined path, of a plurality of pulse circuits including a stop pulse circuit arranged to send impulses over a main line, and magnetic tape feeding means in said predetermined tape guiding path. said stop pulse circuit being connected to said magnetic feeding means to intermittently advance said tape.

WALDO G. RICE.

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