US2287475A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1942. W.'FHE| MOND 2,287,475

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Deo. 22, 1959 Patented June 23, 1942 UNITED STATES cargar orrlcs TYPEWRITING MACHINE William F. Helmond, west Hartford, conn., as;

signor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, NewYork, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application December 22, 1939, Serial No. 310,547

(C1. isn- 17) l 7 Claims.

rihis invention relates to power-driven typewriting machines, with reference'more particularly to machines of this character in which a type action actuating element is released into engagement with a driving roller, incident to driving the type action, at the instant the operating key is depressed.

In machines of this Character, a troublesome condition arises from the unintentional operation of any of the type action keys when the power of the machine is shut off and the actuating friction roller is idle, particularly if a number of the keys are so operated. When one or more of the control keys are operated with the power off, themachine does not function, but each type action so operated is initially set for actuation as soon as the power is on and the friction roller is energized; Consequently, when lof the machine is put into actual use and the power v is turned on, if several type actions have been unintentionally set they are immediately actuated, with the result that the machine is caused to jam, thus necessitating time-consuming repair or adjustment. Even if the operator realizes that the machine has been initially operated without power, the correction of this condition is an awkward operation usually requiring the services of a repair' man to remove the power roller and individually restore each preset type action before the machine may be properly operated.

The present invention has for one of its objects to provide a simple, rugged and reliably operative mechanism by which the foregoing difiicultes are obviated, to the end that unintentional operation of any of the type action keys is prevented unless the actuating roller for the type actions is being rotated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved, highly sensitive mechanism responsive to rotation of the actuating roller of the machine to automatically release a normally locked type-action locking device and thereby prevent actual operation of any type action unless the actuating roller is being rotated.

More particularly, the invention has for its further object to provide an improved, positively acting release mechanism including a sensitive centrifugal device instantly responsive to rotation of the type-action driving roller and a simple, rugged connection therefrom to a lock bar to quickly release the normally locked bar from engagement with the type-action key levers and, when rotation of the roller is retarded or susV stopped, to cause the return of the lock bar into key lever engagement; the organization and arrangement being such that the mechanism may be economically manufactured `and adapted for use in present machines with only a minimum of changes, or may be readily embodied in new machines,

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in conjunction With related mechanism of the typewriting machine, `and 'f Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the lock release mechanism in condition while the machine is in operation.

The invention is illustrated in conjunction with a typewriting machine having a type action system of well-known character, a brief description of which will be given. A single type action of the system is shown, all of which are selectively adapted for power actuation by a roller 5 arranged laterally of the machine and driven through a right angle drive 6 by a motor 1,

both suitably mounted on a member 8 of the l,cludes a cam 2| rotatably carried o-n a bellvcrank lever 22 pivoted on a fixed rod 23, a link 24 connecting lever 22 with the sub-lever I1. In

the inactive condition of the actuating mechanism, the cam 2| is urged to rotate clockwise by a spring-pressed lever 25 coacting with one of a pair of pins 26 on the cam, so that when free to rotate, the eccentric periphery of cam 2I is brought into engagement with the power roller 5. The cam 2I is releasably held against rotation by a latch lever 21 pivoted on the bell crank 22, the lower end of which lever cooperates with one of a pair of projections 28 on the cam to hold same non-rotative, the upper end of the lever 21 being engaged in a fo-rked member 29 of the key lever 20.

As the key lever 20 is depressed, the lever 21 is swung so that its lower end disengages the projection 28 and the cam 2| is thus released to be rotated by inuence of the spring-pressed lever 25. The periphery of the cam is thus brought into engagement with the power roller 5 which, being rotated, imparts further rotation to the cam 2l through the medium of which the bell crank 22 is swung about its pivot 23 and the type bar I is actuated toward the platen, all in the well-known manner. In completing its cycle of operation, the cam 2l, having made a half turn, is restored to initial position at which it is again under the rotative influence of the lever 25 and is latched by lever 21.

In machines of this character the initial release of the type action, which brings the cam 2i into co-action with the roller 5, is completed in any type action of the system of which a key is depressed, whether the power roller is rotated or stationary. Consequently with the roller stationary, the actuating mechanism of each type action of which a key has been depressed is initially set only and does not complete its cycle 0I operation, with the result that when the power of the machine is turned on to rotate the roller, all of the set type actions are simultaneously power-actuated.

The present invention is directed to provide improved mechanism including locking means to prevent unintentional operation of the type action key levers 23 when the roller 5 is stationary, and by which the locking means is automatically released incident to rotation of the roller 5. In the embodiment illustrated, a swingable lock bar 33 is arranged transversely of the machine, preferably adjacent and beneath the forward ends of all the key levers 20 so that the free longitudinal edge of the lock bar normally abuts each key lever and locks same in its normal raised position. The lock bar 33 is pivotally mounted at each end on the framework of the machine; at its right end, in a plate 3l secured to the frame member 8. The lock bar 30 has a platelike arm 32 secured thereto, to which a restoring spring 33 is connected, the other end of said spring being anchored on a xed bracket 34.

The drive unit generally indicated at 6 constitutes the right angle drive for the roller 5, and may include a spiral or worm gear fixed on a shaft 35 driven from the motor 1 and in mesh with a gear fixed on the shaft of the roller 5, the worm and gear being contained in the housing shown. The shaft V36 extends through the forward end of the housing, as indicated at 31, and has mounted thereon a centrifugal device 38 which is responsive to rotation of the shaft 31,

and therefore the roller 5, to cause the lock bar f 33 to be swung from its effective position shown in full lines in Figure 1, to that shown in phantom free of the key levers 2i). The centrifugal device 38 preferably includes a disk 33 fixed to the projecting shaft 31 and carrying a post 48 projecting from the disk 39 in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft 31 but eccentric therefrom. The post 48 is forked at its free end and pivotally carries thereon a ily-weight or actuator 4l comprising an arm 42 on the end of which a weight 43 is carried. The weight 43 is so arranged on the arm with respect to the post 48 that, when the centrifugal device 38 is rotated at the normal speed of the motor 1, the Weight is eccentric from the axis of shaft 31. The arm 42 includes a rounded portion 44 which constitutes the actuator of the centrifugal device and is adapted to move substantially axially of shaft 31 to engage a rounded head 45 of a plunger 46 slidably mounted in the bracket 34 and having its opposite end engaging the arm 32 of the lock bar 30.

It may be here noted that the spring 33, acting on the arm 32, tends to swing the lock bar 38 to locking position and correspondingly tends to slide the plunger 46 axially toward the centrifugal device 38 and the weight 43 of the fly-Weight 4i is thereby yieldably held in a position in which its center of gravity is near the axis of shaft 31, substantially as shown in full lines in Figure 1,.

When the motor 1 is energized and the shaft 31 is therefore rotated, the centrifugal action of the ily-weight 4I causes its weight member 43 to swing to a position eccentric of the shaft 31. In so doing, the arm 42 of the fly-weight, pressing against the plunger head 45, presses the plunger from its normal position rightward to that shown in Figure 2, against the tension of the spring 33, until a stop collar 41 on the plunger engages an arm of bracket 34. This sliding action of the plunger 46, acting on the arm 32 swings the lock bar 33 to the position shown in Figure 2 at which the key levers 28 are released. However, as soon as the motor 1 is shut off, the fly-weight 4l loses its momentum and is brought to the inactive position shown in Figure l by the force of spring 33 acting on the plunger 46. The key levers 20 are thus locked by engagement of the lock bar 38 therewith, incident to retarding or stopping the roller 5, and unintentional operation of any of the key levers is therefore prevented as long as the roller 5 is idle. It will be observed that with the motor 1 energized and the ily-weight 4l therefore in actuated position, the rounded portion 44 of the arm assumes a pivoting or swivel action on the plunger head 45, in that in this condition of the mechanism, the ann portion 44 is axially aligned with the plunger 46 which, if desired, may rotate slightly in accord with the rotation of the fly-weight 4|. The arrangement of the roller 5, the right angle drive 6 and the motor 1 is typical of power actuated typewriting machines having type actions of the character indicated, The universal lock bar 30 is preferably disposed parallel to the roller 5 in order that it be movable universally into and out of locking relation with the key levers 29. The organization of the centrifugal device with its axis at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the lock bar 30 and with its actuator movable substantially axially of said device, affords a simple and reliably operative connection between the centrifugal device and the universal lock bar, which renders the entire locking mechanism easily adaptable for use in present machines.

The relative arrangement of the post 4U and iiy-weight 4l affords a dynamic balance for the centrifugal device 38, in that the post 40 may be weighted sufliciently to counterbalance the weight 4| in rotation, thereby obviating any vibratory effect in operation. The structure of the centrifugal device 38 as shown has the further advantage of compactness in that the parts are confined substantially within the peripheral limits of the disk 39 and may therefore be contained in the small space available at the region of the machine just forward of the gear drive unit 6. The centrifugal device 38 may therefore be disposed in close proximity to the lock bar 30 and is ideally suited to actuate the lock bar by the simple means embodied in the slidable plunger 46. The simplicity of this arrangement has the desired advantage of economy in'manufacture and further, renders the entire lockingmecha- 1. In a typewriting machine having a systeml of type actions, power driven means for actuating the type actions and a universal lock bar movable into and out of locking relation with said type actions; in combination, a centrifugal device rotatable with said power driven means and having its axis substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said lock bar, said centrifugal device including an actuator movable substantially on the axis of said device in response to rotation thereof, and means operatively connecting said actuator and lock bar, said actuator having swiveling engagement with said connecting means.

2. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, power driven means for actuating the type actions and a universal lock bar movable into and out of locking relation with said type actions; in combination, a centrifugal device rotatable with said power driven means and having its axis substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said lock bar, said centrifugal device including an actuator movable substantially axially of said device in response to rotation thereof, means normally urging said lock bar to locking position, and a slidable plunger interposed directly between said actuator and lock bar, said actuator having swiveling engagement with said connector.

3. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, power driven means for actuating the type actions and a universal lock bar movable into and out of locking relation with said type actions; in combination, a centrifugal device rotatable with said power driven means and having its axis substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said lock bar, said centrifugal device including an actuator movable substantially axially of said device in response to rotation thereof, means normally urging said lock bar to locking position, and a slidable plunger in axial alignment with said centrifugal device and interposed between said actuator and lock bar.

4. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, power driven means for actuating the type actions and a universal look bar movable into and out of locking relation with said type actions; in combination, a centrifugal device rotatable with said power driven means and having its axis substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said lock bar, said centrifugal device including a single fly-weight pivoted eccentrically thereof and having a part movable substantially axially of said device in response to rotation thereof, means normally urging said lock bar to locking position, and a slidable plunger in axial alignment with said device and interposed between said fly-weight part and said lock bar.

5. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, a power roller arranged transversely of the machine to actuate the type actions, said type actions including key levers projecting forwardly of the power roller, a motor drive to the power roller including a drive shaft axially at a right angle to the power roller and having an end portion just forwardly of the roller, and a lock bar extending across the key levers forwardly of the power roller and swingable into and out of locking engagement with the key levers; in combination, a centrifugal device on the drive shaft end portion forwardly of the roller, including an actuator movable substantially on the axis of the drive shaft in response to rotation thereof, and a connector between said actuator and said lock bar, said actuator having swiveling engagement with said connector.

6. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, a power roller arranged transversely of the machine to actuate the type actions, said type actions including key levers projecting forwardly of the power roller, a motor, a drive between said motor and power roller including a drive shaft axially at a right angle to the power roller, and a lock bar extending across the key levers forwardly of the power roller and swingable into and out of locking engagement with the key levers; in combination, a centrifugal device on the drive shaft forwardly of the roller, including an actuator movable substantially axially of the drive shaft in response'to rotation thereof, means normally urging said lock bar to locking position, and a slidable plunger in axial alignment with the drive shaft and interposed between said actuator and said lock bar.

'7. In a typewriting machine having a system of type actions, a power roller arranged transversely of the machine to actuate the type actions, said type actions including key levers projecting forwardly of the power roller, a motor drive to the power roller including a drive shaft axially at a right angle to the power roller, and a lock bar extending across the key levers forwardly of the power roller and swingable into and out of locking engagement with the key levers; in combination, a centrifugal device on the drive shaft forwardly of the roller, including a single ily-weight pivoted eccentrically thereof and having a part movable substantially axially of said drive shaft in response to rotation thereof, means normally urging said lock bar to locking position, and a slidable plunger in axial alignment with the drive shaft and interposed between said iiy-weight part and said lock bar.

WILLIAM F. HELMOND.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,287,1I7g. f June 25, 191;.2.

WILLIAM F. HEIMQND.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring `correcti onas follows: Page 5r, first column, lines 5l and 52, claim?, strike out the comma and words y", said actuator having swiveling engagement with said connector" and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the Case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this lith day of August, A. D. 19102.

. Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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