US2284679A - Code tape printer - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1942. L. M. POTTS 009E TAPE PRINTER Original-Filed July 15, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOiz LOUIS M.POTT S BY u/% ATTO EY m w. m Q II v5 I 2 IN a IHI a; 5 m 58 w m I m m 5 1 w a Gu m 7 m mi. 0 mm I W w =Jun 2, 1942.

FIG.4

L. M. POTTS CODE TAPE PRINTER Original Fild July 15, 1936 a Sheets-Sheet z FIG.8

INVENTO'R LOUIS M. POTTS- BY f wvn'oniY I June 2, 1942. 1.. M. POTTS com: TAPE PRINTER Original Filed July 15, 1936 3 sheets sheet 3 FIG. |.4

INVENTOR LOUIS M. POT TS 331% ATTORN Patented June 2, 1942 cons TAPE PRINTER Louis M. Potts, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Application July 15, 1936, Serial No. 90,747 Renewed May 29, 1939 63 Claims.

The present invention relates to printing telegraph machines and particularly to telegraph signal controlled apparatus for preparing coded control forms.

In the control of automatic telegraph apparatus, such as signal transmitters, conventionally there is employed a continuous strip of material which is'fed through a record sensing mechanism and which bears regularly spaced transversed.

areas provided with permutably grouped markings. Perforations generally constitute the marking symbols and, based upon a given unit code, definite numbers of predetermined transverse areas are allocated to the occurrence or omission of perforations. To avoid weakening the tape, consecutive codes are spaced apart a distance comparable to that occupied by a row of perforations so that thecveri-all length of a strip of tape exceeds by an appreciable amount the sum of the longitudinal area actuallyoccupieol by code legends. In devices controlled by the strip, feeler levers are'presented in alignment, and in accordanoe With a strip feeding mechanism are simultaneously applied and withdrawn to the transverse areas of the strip, sensing, as they do so, the condition of eachv area simultaneously andcommunicating a corresponding reading to one of a plurality of signal transfer devices whence the selections are manifest.

In accordance'with a system of tape control, the perforated tape has been replaced with a tape wherein the code markings abut each other, thereby utilizing all of the tape length for the purpose of supporting code markings and the tape is not weakened. Apparatusresponsive to such markings may be equipped with photoelectric sensing means and signal translating apparatus for converting the sensed conditions into mechanical selections as is done in the case of perforated control form systems; United States application, Serial No. 48,098, filed November 4, 1935, features a photo-electric transmitter which is, designed to respond to a control form having markings generally similar to the markings contemplated in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Accordingly an object; of the present invention isthe development of a strip marking mechanism responsive to telegraphic line signals for installing corresponding permutative distributions all) an electric motor which is continuously driven throughout the period of operation and which imparts a continuous rotation through a, frictionally yieldable driving connection to an operating shaft which is synchronized by a cyclic intervening stop mechanism serving to arrest the shaft momentarily at the end of each cycle and to release it at the start of a succeeding cycle. The start and stop supervision of said operating shaft is performed in a manner conventional to startstop principle of operation well known in the art of printing telegraph apparatus. One

driven branch of the mechanism is carried by the shaft and supports a driving worm which through a train of reduction gears, imparts a continuous and regular motion contemporaneously with each cycle to a tape feed sprocket whose teeth are adapted to align with and be received within a central row of perforations provided in the control form. The operating shaft also carries a pair of cam members one of which retracts an armature lever for the purpose of mechanically augmenting the magnetic attrac-' tion of its operating winding which responds to incoming telegraph signals; The assistance thus extended to the signal magnet armature minimizes the current requirement by making it necessary to provide only a small holding current instead of one sufilcient to set up a magnetic flux to attract the armature from its unattracted position.

Another cam driven by the operating shaft acts to relieve spring tension normally imparted by a stop arm during a cyclic interval following the operating shaft stop or zero position. Still an-' other cam. also driven by said operating shaft is provided with a series of cam projections for intermittently loading the printing hammer actuating spring and for releasing the hammer dur-, ing measured intervals to the selective influence of an operated blocking arm integrally associated with the armature of the selector magnet. An orientation mechanism is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the operating shaft and is provided with means for radially'varying the zero position thereof in order to permit of a phase adjustment;

iii)

of marks in regularly spaced areas of a web. of

material;

Briefly, theappanatus for the accomplishment of the above and other objects-of invention comprises a compact and unitary structure having A tape supply compartment mounted at one side ofthe unit has an opening in a peripheral wall thereof through which the blank form provided with a central row of feed perforations is threaded and whence it continues around a slack take-up roller and then over a printing bed beneath which the printing hammer is pivotally supported and above which there is presented a print wheel comprised of a cylindrical head studded with a helical arrangement of print projections or lugs. The print wheel is mounted on one extremity of the operating shaft and its printing projections or markers are continuously in contact with an ink supply roller.

For a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and to the description following hereinafter in which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tape printing apparatus featuring the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view similar to Fig. 1 but having the cover of the enclosure removed in order to reveal the interior of the device;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the portion of the mechanism and is taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken approximately on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan section taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view with parts broken away taken approximately on line 'I? of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view taken approximately on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view featuring the print wheel and inking mechanism also illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism and is taken approximately on line I0'l0 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of an orientation apparatus such as featured in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 12 is an illustration featuring a fragment of tape and a development of its associated type wheel;

Fig. 13 is an illustration of a modified type of printed control tape and a development of its associated type wheel;

Fig. 14 is an illustration of another modified type of control tape and a development of its associated type wheel; and

Fig. 15 is a detail view in side elevation of a print wheel and its associated trip hammer control cam.

Referring more specifically to the accompanying drawings, the reference character I I indicates an enclosure concealing an operating motor I2,

Fig. 4, whose rotor shaft is vertically supported and carries at its upper extremity a driving worm I3, Figs. 3 and 5, which meshes with a driven worm wheel I4 idly supported upon a transversely extending shaft I5 referred to hereinafter as the main operating shaft. The motion imparted to worm wheel I4 is communicated through the medium of adjacent friction discs I6 to a flange I'I anchored by means of a set screw I8 to shaft I5 and also to a floating disc I9 which is urged longitudinally by a helical spring 2I, clamping driven wheel I4, and friction discs I6 between itself and the anchored flange I I. The periphery of disc I6 is shaped to afford two distinct cam portions indicated 22 and 23, the contours of which are best revealed in Fig. 10. Cam 22 func tions to relieve the pressure of the start-stop bell crank lever I5, to be described hereinafter, from the armature 49, while cam 23 serves to augment the line signal magnet by returning the selector armature to its attracted position before the arrival of each signal interval, and will be referred to hereinafter as the armature assisting cam. One end of coil spring 2! is embedded within a box recess in disc I9, while its other end thrusts against an end flange formed with a collar 24 keyed or otherwise secured to shaft I5.

As indicated in Fig. 4, set screw I8 serves to anchor flange I I and also to secure to shaft I5 a sleeve 25 upon whose periphery there is formed the helix which constitutes a driving worm 26 for propelling a tape feed sprocket I 61. Another sleeve is formed integral with a print hammer loading cam 28 and supports a print wheel 21 or roller having a helical distribution of print lugs 29. Print wheel 21 is secured to shaft I5 by means of an end nut 3i drawing it firmly against the end surface of sleeve 25 and rendering the assembly integral with operating shaft I5. The surfaces of the print lugs 26 are supplied with ink by means of a continuously engaging ink supply roller IiI which is spring tensioned against the peripheries of portions 3334 of print wheel 21. The ink supply roller III is prevented from contacting certain areas of the cylinders 33 or 34 which intervene the marker lugs 29 by an adjustable stop screw III! which is threaded into an ear struck from the frame end wall.

An embodiment of the print wheel is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 9 in which the lugs 29 are arranged in a single helical alignment. In this form ,each of the lugs 29 is in angular alignment with one of the trip hammer cam notches 32 (Fig. 7) to accommodate a conventional six-unit code, while the type wheel unit is longitudinally divided into two portions indicated 33 and 34 with a recessed space intervening.

Since the print wheel 2! is provided with six lugs 29, the print hammer cam 28 associated therewith is correspondingly provided with six notches 32. From this it will be understood that Where there is contemplated a basic unit code varying from the illustrated example, the lugs 29 and notches 32 will vary accordingly.

The print hammer featured in Figs. 4, 6, and '7 comprises a horizontally supported yoke pivoted at 36 upon a pintle block 31. One arm indicated 38 carries at its extremity the hammer head 39 which extends transversely the full distance traversed by the several projections 29. Another arm 4I parallels substantially the first mentioned arm 38 and terminates with an upwardly extending tooth 42 arranged to follow the periphery of print hammer cam 28. The yoke is influenced by the retractile spring 43 articulated to arm 4I, Figs. 6 and 8, and suspended from a support 45. Intermediate the extremity of arm 4| and its pivot point 36 there is formed a sidewardly extending lug 46 which, as the arm 4| is reciprocated, moves into the path normally occupied by the heel 41, Fig. 7, of an arm 48 which is integrally formed with an armature bail 49 pivoted upon an opposite pair of trunnion screws 5|. The armature bail 49 comprises a portion 52 extending above the magnetic field of a signal controlled electromagnet 53 and an arm 54 to which there is hooked one end of a retractile spring 55, the other end of which is anchored to a guide plate 56 secured to a rigid structure of the print apparatus, Fig. 8.

In response to signal impulses received over an incoming line, the winding of magnet 53 is energized to attract armature 49. The movement imparted to armature 49 which pivots about the trunnion screws is manifest by a corresponding movement of. bail arm 48, Fig. 7, so that heel 41 is withdrawn from the path of lug 4t during the intervals when magnet 53 is energized and presented into the path thereof during the remaining intervals or when magnet 53 is deenergized. Thus it will be seen that when a notch 32 is presented opposite tooth 42, the retractile spring 55 tends to rock print hammer bail Eli-4i j clockwise about the pivot 36, but that this movement may be permitted only when the magnet is energized, withdrawing the heel 4! from the path of lug 46. Otherwise, the clearance afforded by notch 32 to the tooth 42 is to no avail, since the stroke of hammer 39 is yet impaired by the intervention of heel 41. The time intervals in which signal impulses for energizing magnet 53 are anticipated coincide with the instants when notches32 move opposite projection 42 of the print hammer yoke. Accordingly, when a mark ing (or current) signal is received, the print hammer is released because of the withdrawal of heel 41, but when a spacing (no-current) signal is received, the print hammer is restrained.

The timing of main operating shaft l5, in order to assure its radial alignment in synchronism with a correspondingtransmitter shaft, is effected by a start-stop control mechanism cated at the end opposite the type wheel 21. Here, it will be noted, thereis secured a bushing 5'! which carries integrally an arm 58, Figs. 4 and 11, having a sidewardly extending lug 59 which may revolve freely except at one interval in its cycle during which lug 59 may encounter 1.:

smallshoulder 5!, formed with a bell crank 62, pivoted on a screw 63 and urged by a spring 64 clockwise as viewed in Fig, 11. Another arm 65,

formed with-bell crank 62, presents a shoulder 65 into the path of a cooperating shoulder 61 of a first-class lever 58 pivoted on pin H in a yoke block 58. An opposite arm 12 of lever 58 is influenced counterclockwise by an expansion spring l3 in axial alignment with the principal operating shaft I 5. Opposing spring 13 and also in axial alignment with shaft I 5 there engages a disc formation M of an arm 15 pivoted at 1B and constituting part of a bell crank lever best illustrated in Figv l, which has a horizontal arm 11, the extremity of which terminates with a lobe 18 located beneath an overhanging portion 79 integrally formed with an extension arm 3! of armature bail t9, see especially Figs. 4, '7, and

i 10. Below the overlying portion 19 there is a follower tooth 82 terminating arm M, which rides the periphery of the multiple apexcam 23 described above. Apices 83 of cam 23 are 'designed to engage the tooth 82 successively and lit at time intervals shortly in advance of the peture portion 53 and rendering a holding current,

which may be relatively small, suiiicient to effectively operate the various functions of the magnet 53. There is attained in this manner an emciency in current requirement rendering the device more responsive to weaker signals than would be possible were the armature portion 52 continuously maintained with a normal space in- T tion, as viewed in Fig. 11.

angular plate 85 is the yoke block 59 so that the pivotal movement of said plate 85 about center 86 resultsin angular displacement of the several elements which ultimately control the angular position of shoulder 5| with respect to arm 58, and hence the orientation of the stop member 62 of shaft 15. Tosecure plate 85 after having determined its properangular'position,

there is provided an auxiliary plate 88 which,

through the in'strumentality of the thumb screw 89, may be made to bind between it and plate 85, the intervening wall section 87.

.During the major portion of the cycle of shaft 15, the control supervision of bell crank 15-11 has no purpose because arm 58 is in transit, but as the arm 58 approaches its Zero position when its lug 59 is about to encounter shoulder 6!, the depressing of hell crank 'l5-'l1 by the signal controlled armature 49 acting through lever 58 unlatches bail 62, rendering it yieldable in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 11, to be overcome by the lug 59 as it collides with the shoulder 5!. Upon the occurrence of marking condition in the line during the interval of the.

stop cycle, magnet 53 is energized and overlying portion 19 is withheld from engaging bell crank 15-". This permits lever 68 under influence of spring 13 to lie in itsnormal position whereat shoulder 61 squarely engages its cooperating shoulder 65 of ball 62 and prevents the latter from being rotated in a counterclockwise direc- Since the normal or idle line condition conventionally employed in telegraph signal transmission is that of current or closed line condition, it will be understood that the starting of the cycle is contingent upon the receipt of a start impulse consisting of an open line condition.

It'is desirable to minimize the counter-influence of spring 73 acting through hell crank 1511 and lever 9 upon armature 49 during the signal portion of each cycle while code impulses are received. For this purpose there is provided the aforementioned companion cam 22 whose contour is best seen in Fig. 10. Against the pe riphery of this cam there is presented a follower projection '52 which terminates one arm 92 of a three armed lever 94--95 pivoted at 93. Arm 95 merely provides an anchorage for the return spring 95 which is fastened to a stationary portion of the supporting structure, but arm 94 overlies arm ll as best viewed in Fig. 4. The apex of the cam 22 is continuous and extends through the signal portion of the cycle of shaft l5. Through lever 9455, bell crank l5Tl is depressed and withheld from the influence of the overlying portion l9 except during a short interval in anticipation of the stop or zero position whereat the apex of cam 22 recedes, permitting spring 96 to rock lever G lso as to withhold arm 94 from depressing bell crank l5ll.

Worm 28 transmits power for moving the tape E35 through and across the printing area which corresponds to a transverse line, whereat hammer 38 engages the several projections 29. Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be noted that worm 2B drives a worm wheel 5! with which there is integrally formed a driving worm 98, the two elements constituting an integral sleeve freely rotatable upon a vertical shaft 99. A driven worm I engages driving worm 98 and it, in turn, is secured to a sprocket feed shaft I62 pivoted at its ends within the upstanding ears I03 and I04 of a bracket I95 that is fixed upon the floor plate I06. Opposite the end of shaft I02 which carries driven worm IOI, there is secured a sprocket feed wheel I01 whose periphery is studded'with a radial alignment of pins I08 rounded and spaced to'coincide with the feed perforations E9 of the control form I35 (Fig. 12) The movement imparted to the tape I35 is constant and regular during printing operation whereas the conventional perforated tape feed apparatus employs intermittent or step-by-step tape feed mechanism.

By observing Figs. 3 to and '7, it will be noted that worm 26 drives continuously worm wheel 9?,

the latters integrally associated driving worm 98, and through it the driven worm IOI which, through shaft I02, is integrally associated with the sprocket feed wheel I07. This reduction in driving ratio, which is afforded by the use of the two sets of worm gears, is designed so that for each rotation of sleeve which, as has been said, is integrally associated with. the print wheel 21, there may be imparted a definite angular rotation to the sprocket wheel IB'I which may conform in some proportion to the angular distance between two or more of the radial alignments of tape feed pins I08. This relationship is obtainable for the purpose of subsequently establishing a similar relationship between the occurrence of the feed holes I09 and the code markings as illustrated in Figs. 12 to 14. However, the maintenance of this driving ratio between shaft I02 and shaft I5 as a whole number is essential only towards the purpose of relating the perforations I09 to the code markings. Conceivably, this relationship may be made in terms of a mixed number ratio. Tape prepared in accordance with the illustrated arrangement is particularly adapted to the control of photo-electric devices such as the transmitter disclosed in 00- pending application Serial No. 48,098.

Due to the continuous movement of the tape I while the markers 29 are successively engaged at printing, there is obtained a slight inclination in the transverse tape markings, as best indicated in Fig. 12. This condition may be recognized as a normal and desirable one, and the tape sensing mechanism may be reconciled thereto; that is, where, for example, photo-electric scanning means is employed, the inclined transverse areas may be sensed in accordance with the angle of inclination. Where, however, it is preferable to employ straight line or perpendicular rows of perforations, it will be herewith shown how the inclined markings may be readily modified.

Referring now to Fig. 15, attention is directed to the construction lines indicated II2 to III, which pass radially through the centers of the print lugs II8 to I23. In this case, as contrasted with the practice disclosed in the preferred embodiment, the occurrence of the cam spaces 32 are at variance; that is, the foremost or leading space 32 is in advance of the construction line I I! by several degrees, causing the print hammer 39 to be released before the exact interval at which the projection I 23 comes squarely into alignment. The next space 32 is also in advance of the center line IIS of lug I22, but to a lesser degree. In this manner, each succeeding space 32 is located a few degrees back of its center line. As a result of the arrangement shown in Fig. 15, there may be produced a record such as that shown in Fig. 14. The adjustment is brought about by releasing the print hammer earlier during the initial signal intervals and later during the final ones, thereby avoiding the characteristic effect upon the transverse markings due to the movement of the tape during the print operations.

Because there is permitted a much closer or more compact arrangement of markings in accordance with the present invention than was feasible heretofore, it has been observed that the feed perforations I69 need not be provided for each row of markings. The number of perforations should, nevertheless, bear an integral relationship to the number of rows of code markings.

In Fig. 13, it will be noted that the code markings have been concentrated so as to occupy but one-half of the transverse tape area. Primarily, it will be noted that as a result of this practice, a considerable saving is effected in the amount of surface requisite to the reproduction of code symbols. For the production of tape having this class of marking there may be employed a type wheel such as that illustrated in Fig. 13, in which the primary and conventionally positioned lugs 29 occur in their normal positions but the secondary lugs I32 are grouped in the same radial alignment, as distinguished from the continuous helical alignment featured in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 13 and 14. The marks are grouped within a more concentrated area by the use of this type of print wheel and may be read by a scanning apparatus having a more centralized scanning medium.

Either a separate or an embodied tape perforating mechanism may be provided for installing the perforations I89 in tape I35, but in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the tape is preferably perforated with feed holes and is supported within a cylindrical housing I36 having an end cover plate I3! removable so as to permit replenishment of the tape. Since the housing I36 is located at right angles to the printing mechanism, there is provided a slack roller I38 which is pivoted at I39 and which adapts itself universally, due to the resilience of the pivot support post I4I.

The tape I35, after threading around roller I30, continues over a bed plate I42 where it is tensioned by a pair of spring arms 43 carried by a bracket HM which is rotatable for adjustment about a pivot I45 and secured thereat by screw I45. This affords means for varying the tension of spring arms I43. After traversing the printing area, the tape I 35 emerges, passing under the guide It! which straddles the teeth I08 of feed wheel I07. To clear the teeth I00 when initially introducing the tape beneath the guide I47, the latter may be rotated about pivot I48 by means of a crank arm I49 integrally formed with the guide I41, but a spring I5I normally tends to urge the assembly counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 9.

While the present invention has been explained and described having particular reference to a specific embodiment and exemplary modification, it will be understood that numerous changes may be instituted within the contemplation of the present invention. Accordingly the foregoing specification and the accompanying drawings are not to constitute limitations of the present invention, except as indicated by the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a retatable member having on its eriphery an arrangement of code printing elements, a device for feeding a webof material across a printing area in the proximity of said member, and means comprising a device rotatedin timed relation with said member and an actuator responsive to signal impulses for effecting printing engagement between said code printing elements and said web of material at said printing area selectively a plurality of times during each rotation of said member.

2. The combination set forth in'claim 1, in

which said device comprises an arrangement of rotatable control means, each related to and substantially in line with one of said code printing elements and arranged with intervening space intervals differing from the space intervals of corresponding ones of said control elements.

3. In a telegraph apparatus, a start-stop controlled shaft, a cylindrical type member having a helical arrangement of printing lugs on its L 4. In a mechanism for preparinga control form having transverse rows of permutation code markings comprising a start-stop control shaft, a helical arrangement of printing elements carried by said shaft, and a striker for bringing a web of printing material into contactual engagement with said elements including spring means tending normally to urge said striker into engagement withsaid type elements, and a cam carried by said shaft having peripheral recesses for determining'the actuatinginstants of oper ation of said striker.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in.

which said cam has a plurality of equally spaced recesses corresponding in number to the number of said elements but arranged peripherally with the foremost recess preceding its associated printing element by a predetermined angular distance and the rearmost recess trailing its associated type element by a predetermined angular distance.

6. In a start-stop telegraph apparatus, a main operating shaft, a magnet having an armature disposed to arrest said shaft in a zero position, means carried by said shaft for making control markings on a web of material, a striker cooperating with said means, and striker tripping means carried by aid shaft under the control of said magnet for selectively releasing said striker a plurality of times during a cycle of rotation of said shaft.

'7. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a startstop control shaft, a cylindrical carrier of markers associated with said shaft, a print hammer cooperating with said carrier, spring means for urging said print hammer into association with said carrier, and signal controlled means responsive to a plurality of impulses during each cycle of rotation of said shaft for permitting saidprint hammer to engage said type carrier a plurality of times.

8. A telegraph apparatus for marking permu tatively upon a control form comprising a shaft having cyclic rotation, a carrier having a plurality of markers, means carried by said shaft for printing with each of said markers successively during a cycle, and a telegraph signal controlled means for disabling said printing means during the printing of predetermined markers.

9. A telegraph apparatus for marking permutatively upon a control form, comprising a shaft having cyclic rotation, a carrier associated with said shaft having a plurality of markers, a print hammer having printing engagement with'said markers, and means including an. electromagnet responsive to an electrical impulse received over a line for selectively barring the engagement of said hammer with certain of said markers.

10. In a printing telegraph mechanism, a rotatable member having a peripheral arrange,- ment of printing elements, a device for feeding a web of material through the proximity of the printing locus of said rotatable member at'a constant rate of motion, means for effecting printing engagement between said elements and said web of material at said printing locus selectively during cyclic rotation of said rotatable member ineluding a trip cam rotatable with said member, a striker, and electromagnetic means for selectively releasing said striker to the exclusive control of said trip cam.

11. In a printing telegraph apparatus for preparing a control form with transverse rows of code group markings, a type wheel having a spiral arrangement of printing elements, a hammer in longitudinal alignment with said type, spring urged into engagement therewith, a cam follower associated with said hammer, a cam having aplurality of peripheral depressions into which said follower is received thereby releasing saidhamme'r, a blocking arm for preventing movement of said hammer, and an electromagnet under the control of line signals for selectively presenting and withdrawing said blocking member.'

12. In a start-stop telegraph system, a type wheel having a plurality of parallel helical arrangements of type elements, a hammer pivoted and spring urged into engagement longitudinally with said type wheel, means for moving said hammer in opposition to its spring a plurality of times during each start-stop cycle, and signal control means for selectively releasing said hammer to the influence of its said spring in cooperation with said moving means;

13. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a

. printing member, a rotatable control device having member when both said rotatable device and a ing attributes for permitting the operation of said printing member at predetermined intervals during its rotation, signal control means for supervising the operation of said printing memberin collaboration with said rotatable device in accordance with telegraph signals received over a line, and means for operating said printsaid signal controlled means are presented in permissive condition.

14. In a telegraph printing apparatus, means for moving a strip of material having equally spaced attributes longitudinally thereof for aligning and feeding said material through a printing none, means to make permutative code marks on the surface of said material during the.

time that it is in motion, and gearing for asso- 1 member into engagement with said material a plurality of times during each movement interval, and print initiating adjusted means to compensate for the displacement of said material during the several printing engagements of an interval resulting from the movement of said material.

16. In a printing telegraph system, a printing mechanism comprising a shaft, a carrier associated with said shaft, having a plurality of peripherally arranged markers, a sprocket wheel for advancing a printing tape, gear means carried by said shaft for rotating said sprocket wheel, and start-stop means associated with said shaft for bringing to rest said shaft and said sprocket wheel cyclically and for releasing them at a definite starting interval so as to maintain a constant phase relation between the start impulse of a signal, the movement of said tape, and the operation period of said printing mechanism.

17. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a member having a plurality of printing markers, means for imparting cyclic rotation to said member, a printing hammer, means for bringing said hammer in engagement with said member a variable plurality of times during each cyclic rotation of said member, and a device responsive to telegraph signals for intercepting the movement of said hammer selectively.

18. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a cylindrical carrier of printing markers, a member for feeding record receiving material, start-stop means for controlling said carrier cyclically, and means to maintain constant the relation between the angular position of said carrier and the position of said record feeding member.

19. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a startstop controlled shaft, including a signal controlled start magnet operative to release said shaft cyclically, an armature associated with said magnet fiuctuated in accordance with line signals communicated to said magnet, a rotatable printing member driven by said shaft, and a print hammer under the control of said armature for cooperating with said member.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19, including rotatable means for loading and releasing said print hammer a plurality of times during each cycle and in timed relation to the elements of a permutative code signal.

21. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a cylindrical carrier of print markers, a tape feed mechanism, a print hammer for engaging with said carrier markers the surface of a strip of printing material, a magnet and armature responsiveto line signal, and an operating shaft for rotating said carrier, for actuating said tape feed apparatus and for moving said print hammer under the cyclic control of said armature.

22. The combination set forth in claim 21, including a mechanical armature restoring device carried by said shaft for returning said armature to its magnet held position a plurality of times during each cycle. I

23. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatable shaft having a spiral arrangement of printing elements, a movable platen for cooperating with any of said elements during each rotation of said shaft, and means for determining the instants during the rotation of said printing elements when said platen is to be permitted to engage each element comprising a member carried by said shaft having a series of permissive clearances in axial correspondence with said printing elements, and a member associated with said platen having a portion receivable in said permissive clearances.

24. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatable shaft having peripherally thereof an arrangement of printing elements, a movable platen for cooperating with said elements selectively during each rotation of said shaft, means for moving a material for receiving printing impressions at a constant rate, means for determining the instants during the rotation of said printing element when said platen is to be permitted to come into engagement with divers ones of said elements comprising a member carried by said shaft having a series of permissive clearances in axial correspondence with said printing elements, and a member associated with said platen receivable in said permissive clearances.

25. In a telegraphically controlled code printer, a cyclically rotatable shaft having a series of peripherally arrangned printing elements and a member having peripherally thereof a series of permissive clearances distributed angularly about said shaft in a relationship with respect to said printing elements so that earlier ones in said series of permissive clearances precede in axial alignment their associated printing elements and later ones in said series succeed in axial alignment their associated printing elements, means for moving at a constant rate a material for receiving printing impressions from said printing elements, said permissive clearances distributed in a retrogressive sequence so that the difference between the said series of clearances and said series of printing elements in terms of said material corresponds to' the linear travel of said material in accordance with its constant rate of movement.

26. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatable carrier of printing members, a printing hammer, and means for actuating said hammer a plurality of times during each revolution of said carrier including power means for urging said hammer into engagement with said carrier, an element rotatable with said carrier having permissive clearances substantially in axial alignment with said printing members, and signal controlled means for permitting or preventing the reception of said hammer into said clearances.

27. The method of operating a printing hammer selectively and under automatic supervision which comprises tensioning said hammer continuously in the direction of printing engagement, camming said hammer away from printing engagement a plurality of times during a given printing cycle which times intervene successive printing intervals of a cycle, presenting permissive clearances to said hammer during said times, and under the supervision of control signals permitting the reception of said hammer into said permissive clearances under the control of a selectively withdrawable blocking me dium.

28. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a series of printing elements spirally arranged upon a cylindrical supporteach representing an element of a, permutation code, and means to actuate said printing elements to print a permutation code pattern for representing a character by the composite operation of said printing elements. I

29. Means to print under automatic supervision apermutation code pattern comprising a plurality of printing elements corresponding in number and each allocated to one of the permutation lements of a signal code, means for rotating said elements continuously, and a printing platen for cooperating with divers ones of said printing elements during rotation.

30. In a start-stop printing mechanism in which a printing cycle is comprised of a sequence of intervals each related to 'a preassigned ordi nal of a code system, the combination of a plurality of printing elements, an operating shaft having start-stop cyclic rotation, and signal controlled means for releasing said shaft for rotation cyclically and for selecting during each cycle said printing elements for printing operation permutably.

31. In a telegraph printing apparatus, a startstop shaft frictionally driven for cyclic rotation, o a releasable arresting device for controlling the rotation of said shaft, a. printing mechanism including means for effecting aplurality: of'printing operations during each'cycle of rotation of saidv shaft, and a single control magnet responsive to permutation code signals for supervising said arresting device and for determining the periods of operation of said printing mechanism. i

32. In a telegraphically controlled printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having a plurality of printing impressions thereon, a platen for cooperating with said impressions to produce print markings on a tape, a device having a plurality of permissive clearances circumferentially arranged for determining the precise interval during which said platen may cooperate with said printing impressions, and signal controlled means for supervising the operation of said platen.

33. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a rotatableprinting member, a platen for cooperating with said member to produce printing marks upon a tape, an interfering member acting in timed relation with said rotatable, printing memher, and a signal controlled apparatus opera-,

tive jointly with said interfering member for selectively determining the operation of said printing platen.

34, In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type carrier, a printing mechanism for cooperating with said type carrier toproduce printing impressions upon a record {receiving material, a start-stop shafthaving cyclic operation, means for permitting saidprinting mechanism and type carrier to cooperate a predetermined maximum number of times during each cycle, and supervised means for making printing impressions with said printing mechanism in accordance with a permutation code.

35. The combination set forth in claim 34 in mechanism into operative relation with said typ carrier.

36. Ina telegraph printing apparatus, means for moving a strip of material having equally to permutation code signals each composed of the same numberof elementary signal intervals, a plurality of printing faces each corresponding to one of said signal intervals, and

means to make visual code patterns upon the surface of a tape with said printing faces corresponding perniutably to the 'character of said signal intervals.

.38. In a telegraph printing mechanism for preparing a control-form withtransverse rows of code markings, a plurality of printingfaces each allocated to a printing position in said transverse rows, and a single magnet selector for supervising the operation of any of said printing faces.

39. In a printingtelegraph apparatus, a ro-.

tatable printing memb-er'ha'ving' a plurality of preassigned angles of rotation allocated toeach element of apermutation code, a print hammer for cooperating with said member, and a signal controlled means for determining the effectiveness of said hammer after the rotation of said member through each of said angles of rotation.

40. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a rotatable printing member having a definite number of preassigned angles of rotation allocated to each element of a permutation code, a print hammer for cooperating With said member, and a signal controlled means for determining the effectiveness of said hammer during each of said preassigned angles of rotation of said member.

41. A printing telegraph apparatus comprising a print hammer, rotary means for oscillatwhich said means for permitting said mechaing said print hammer in accordance with a constant rhythmic frequency, and signal controlled means for selectively interfering with the vibrations of said hammer for, thereby producing a printed pattern portraying the control signals of a line.

42. A printing telegraph apparatus ccmpris-- ing a print hammer, locally powered mechanical means for oscillating said print hammer in accordance with a predetermined constant frequenc'y, and electrically controlled means for modulating said oscillations.

43. In a printing telegraph system, a receiving station apparatus responsive to permutation code signals comprising a receiving relay, a type carrier, a hammer for said type carrier, a locally powered oscillator for setting up measured rhythmic vibrations in said hammer, and means under the control of said relay for modulating said hammer vibrations and for thereby producing a corresponding printed pattern by the cooperation of said hammer with said type car.- rier.

44. In a telegraphprinting apparatus, a prin v line for varying the amplitude of said oscillations and for thereby preventing printing engement of said hammer to form thereby a visual pattern in accordance with the control signals.

45. In a percussion printing apparatus, a tape feed mechanism, a plurality of type elements, a platen to be brought into engagement with said elements for printing on a tape, a source of rotary power for operating said feed mechanism and for bringing said platen and type elements into printing engagement, and a positive driving train for communicating power from said source to said platen and said feed mechanism at a fixed speed ratio.

46. In a device for recording grouped code markings comprised of varying combinations of elements relating to a fundamentally uniform code, a plurality of recording elements corresponding in number to the total number of elements of said uniform code, each element having a preassigned position in a code area of a record receiving material, and means to move said material into printing engagement with varying ones of said elements to produce a printed pattern for supervisory control.

4'7. In a printer for producing permutative code patterns suitable for automatic control supervision, a plurality of type faces each assigned to a component position of an equal unit area, and means to make printingimpressions with said type faces in accordance with a preassigned code.

48. In a printing system for producing permutation code signals each composed of a uniform number of elementary signal components, a plurality of printing faces each face corresponding to one of said signal components, and means to make visual code patterns upon the surface of control forms with said printing faces corresponding permutably to preassigned characters.

49. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with a type wheel and printing means, of operating means which attempts to actuate said printingmeans to print all the characters on said Wheel in succession upon a single rotation thereof, a line circuit, and means controlled over said line circuit for rendering said operating means ineffective in respect of any desired number of said characters.

50. In a printing telegraph system, a rotatable type Wheel having a plurality of characters, a cam having actuating surfaces equal in number to said characters, said cam being rotatable with said wheel, printing means adapted to be controlled by said cam, a line circuit and magnet controlled thereover as each cam actuating surface comes to operative position, and means controlled by said magnet for determining in the case of each said actuating surfaces whether the said printing means responds or not.

51. In a printing telegraph system, the combination, with a type wheel and printing means, of a reciprocating member, means for operating said member as many times during each rotation of said Wheel as there are characters on the wheel, means whereby said member may actuate said printing means, a line circuit, and mechanism controlled over said line circuit for rendering said last means effective or ineffective upon each operation of said member.

52. A code character typing machine comprising a set of printing face elements, a percussion device for contacting said printing face elements to produce printing impressions on a tape, automatic means for preparing said percussive device for operation at predetermined intervals solely, and signal controlled means for releasing said percussive device at predetermined ones of said intervals.

53. A method of printing which comprises moving a series of components sequentially through a printing locus, conditioning a striking element for printing operation coincident with the attainment of said printing locus by each of said components, and selectively releasing the striker element to produce permutatively a printed code pattern.

54. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with a multi-print-element wheel and printing means, of operating means which attempts to actuate said printing means to print all the print element on said wheel in succession upon a single rotation thereof, a line circuit, and means controlled over said line circuit for rendering said operating means ineffective in respect of any of said print elements.

55. In a printing telegraph system, a rotary type element carrier, a cam having actuating surfaces equal in number to that of the type elements of said carrier, said cam being rotatable with said carrier, printing means adapted to be controlled by said cam, a magnet responsive to line signals as each of said cam surfaces comes to operative position, and means controlled by said magnet for determining in the case of each of said actuating surfaces whether said printing means responds or not.

56. In a signal controlled device for making groups of supervisory indicia on record receiving material in accordance with a signal code, a rotatable power shaft, coupling means responsive to initiating signals for cyclically connecting said shaft to a prime mover, a plurality of indicia making members each associated with a component of a signaling code, means carried by said shaft for conditioning for operation each of said indicia making members, a signal responsive de-. vice for permitting or preventing the operation of each of said indicia making members, and power means for operatin permitted ones of said members.

57. A machine for making control indicia on a paper strip comprising a set of indicia making elements each relating to a signal component of a code, a rotary means carrying a set of cams each for conditioning an associated one of said indicia making elements, an electromagnetically supervised interponent responsive by blocking or avoiding disposition to accordingly prevent or permit the operation of each of said indicia making elements, and power operating means for actuating each of said elements individually and sequentially in a cycle.

58. In an apparatus for making code indicia transversely of a paper strip, an alignment of elements each capable of making a code-component indication, spring means for operating each element, a cam projection for restoring each element in opposition to its spring means, and an electromagnet responsive to line signals for accordingly permitting or preventing the operation of each element depending upon the characteristic of its related signal component.

59. In a signal controlled device for making controlling indications on a record receiving material, means to make each component indication on the record material in immediate response to its associated signal element on a line including an indicia making means for each component of a code, an electromagneticallysupervised deter: mining member for said means, and apparatus to regulate the control instant of each signal component to a limited central portion of each signal element with respect to its allotted time interval. l

60. In a signal controlled recording apparatus, a rotatable member, a distributing means comprising conditioning elements rotatable in synchronism with incoming line signal components,

and multiple recording means regulated by said distributing means and responsive instantly and respectively to associated signal components.

61. In an apparatus for recording on tape under the supervision of permutation code-signals, a set of recording elements each identified with a code signal component, a set of rotary means for determining the instants in a cycle for actuating each of said elements, and a signal responsive media for enabling the operation of each of said elements at their respective instants.

62. In an apparatus for recording on control forms supervisory indications in transverse alignments,,a, set of indication makers each identified with a component interval of a code signal, a corresponding set of actuators for said indication makers, apparatus for imparting motion mechanically to said actuatorsindividually and se 7 lectively under the control of code signal condi tions to record the signal conditions on the form,

. and means for advancing the form following each alignment recording. 7

63. In a machine for reproducing permutation codes, a plurality of individual reproducing elements each related to a. code component, means responsive to each signal code component for actuating its associated reproducing element in accordance with the code component sequence, and a device for centering the instant of response of each of said elements with respect to its associated code component whereby the signal con- 20 ditions are recorded sequentially on a form.

LOUIS M. POTTS.

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