US2338692A - Radiotelegraph recording device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1944. v A. c. WINTER 2,338,692

RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 4, 1944. A. c. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1941 70 TEE.

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Jan. 4, 1944. A, 0. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1941 1'2 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 26, 1941 INVENTOR T ORNEYS Jan 4, 1944. C WINTER 2,338,692

RADIO'IELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR mte r Jan. 4, 1944. A. c. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTJOR 12 Sheelts Sheet 7 \\\\\g 1 g k l Q li INVENTOR I u 0 m K J 5 6 .LunH 1 m AH ur- C.

Jan. 4, 1944. A. c. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Shets-Sheet 9 Filed June 26, 1941 EMF-FHA muFFuJ INVENTOR Jan. 4, 1944. A1 0. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 ZOO-Zb ZBI 28H INVENTOR ur C. Wmrer HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1944.

A. C. WINTER RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING II DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 12 Sheets- Sheet l2 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 4, 1944 RADIOTELEGRAPH RECORDING DEVICE Arthur 0. Winter, Teaneck, N. 1., assignor of onetenth to Henry J. Lucke, East Orange, N. J., and one-twentieth to Philip A. Maliinckrodt, Salt Lake City, Utah Application June 26, 1941, Serial No. 399,766

24 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for making possible the exercising of accurate control over other apparatus in response to directive signals received from outside sources which are usually located remote from the control apparatus.

The invention is especially concerned with the converting of standard telegraph code messages, as well as other types of messages, into recorded words composed of alphabetical symbols (or into other symbols of a meaningful nature, such as numerals) in proper groupings or other desired spaced relationships, relative to one another. However, the invention is broad in its conception, and embodiments thereof may be constructed for a variety of control purposes, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Remote control of aircraft or of other mechanical or electrical agencies in response to complex signals may be accomplished by employing suitable embodiments of the invention. Other suitable embodiments may be constructed for receiving secret massages made up of a particular type of secret code which has certain characteristics in common with telegraph code, especially the so-called continental code, now standard for all radio-telegraphy.

A principal object of the invention is the elimination of human operators for accurately receiving informative messages, directive impressions, or the like, composed of a series of so-called dot and dash signals with interposed rests, groups of which are arranged in a distinctive and meaningful manner relative to one another.

Another object is to provide for accurately receiving the matter transmitted, whether the speed of transmission be at a slow rate or at a fast rate, or be variable in character, as in so-called heavy sending during greatly disturbed atmospheric conditions.

An object is to provide for accurately receiving the matter intended to be transmitted, within a range of faulty transmission which is considerably broader than that capable of comprehension by a human operator.

An object is to provide for either manual or automatic adjustments of the control apparatus in quickly adapting it to different speeds of signal transmission.

An object is to provide for attaining the above objects relatively simply and economically and with a minimum bulk of mechanism.

In accomplishing the foregoing objects, an outstanding feature of the invention resides in the recognition (and in the taking advantage) of the fact that while, in telegraph code, the individual dividual groups.

actuation, in response to the effects of certain signals, (dots and dashes) and the individual rest periods (spaces) do not have any prescribed lengths in terms of seconds, or other definite unit of time, they do each have a definite relative time value as respects the others. Thus, for example, the length of a dash in the continental code. which is now standard for radio-telegraphy and which may be used in telegraphy generally, is three times the length of a dot. The dot may be said to be one unit of time in length or duration and the dash three units of time, whether the particular unit of time be actually one-half, one. two, three, or more seconds in length. Also, in the continental code, the spaces or periods of rest between dots and dashes of any group of signals representing a symbol, are equal in time length, one with another. Therefore, each such space or rest period becomes a convenient reference value with which the preceding signal may be compared in determining whether that signal is a dot or a dash, this being of great importance because speed of signal transmission often varies from time to time.

It is this variation in speed of signal transmission in radio-telegraphy that ha made the development of apparatus of the instant type especially diificult. And it is this difficult which has been surmounted by the provision of means for comparing the duration of any signal with the duration of the space or rest period immediately following, and for causing a resultant action in accordance therewith. I

Embodiments of the invention are, structurally speaking, equipped with means for causing physical phenomena to exist for lengths of time corresponding or related to the time lengths of the respective signals, and of the respective rests, or lack of signals, occurring in a group of such signals and rests which make up a given letter. numeral, or other symbol, and which occur between the individual groups and groupings of in- Other means are provided for combinations of certain of the physical phenom ena, in accomplishing the end result, which may be the selecting and pressing of proper keys of an ordinary typewriter, if letters or numerals are to be printed, or the pressing of the space bar thereof, if there is to be spacing of printed symbols or words. The end result, however, may

be' the selective actuation of certain controls of a motivated mechanism, such as an airplane, or of certain valves, dampers, etc. in other types of apparatus, all in proper order and timin relative to one another.

For, translating the series of meaningfully aralphabetical, numerical, or other symbols to accord with a message transmitted in code, there are preferably provided, pursuant to the invention, several serially correlated devices for converting the respective signals, and the normal periods of rest therebetween, into therewith correspondingly or relatively determined effects, which effects are further utilized in determining the nature of the end result, or the series of end results, accomplished by the apparatus of the invention.

Further objects and features of the invention, and further generic characteristics thereof, will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred specific embodiments.

In the drawings, which illustrate the invention embodied in mechanism particularly adapted for translating radio-telegraph messages, as received in continental code, into their equivalents expressed in words, numerals, and other usual symhols, typewritten:

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a manually regulated mechanism completely assembled and ready for use, minor portions of supporting .iramework being broken out to reveal otherwise hidden parts;

Fig. 2, a vertical section taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, and considerably enlarged;

Fig. 3, a similarly enlarged vertical section taken on the line 3-4, Fig. 1, the lower portion being broken away;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary top plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary vertical section taken Fig. 6, a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 3;

Fig. 7; a fragmentary vertical section taken onthe line 1-1, Fig. 3;

Fig. 8, an enlarged vertical section taken through that end fragment of the apparatus which appears to the extreme left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9, a vertical section, considerably enlarged, taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 1;

Fig. 10, a horizontal section, considerably enlarged, taken on the line Ill-I0, Fig. 1;

Fig. 11, a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical elements and wiring connections employed in the apparatus of the prior figures;

Fig. 12, a vertical section somewhat enlarged, taken on the line i2--l2, Fig. 8;

Fig. 13, a vertical section, somewhat enlarged, taken on the line 13-43, Fig. 1;

Fig. 14, a vertical section taken on the line Id-M, Fig. 13;

Fig. 15, a diagrammatic view in side elevation of one of the translating mechanisms embodied in the apparatus of Fig. 1 and succeeding figures, the same being in its initial rest position;

} Fig. 16, a view similar to that of Fig. 15, but illustrating the mechanism in a position assumed after a certain telegraphic signal has been mechanically recorded thereby;

Fig. 17, a view similar to those of Figs. 15 and 16, but illustrating the mechanism in a position assumed after a certain other telegraphic signal has been mechanically recorded thereby;

Fig. 18, a diagrammatic scale representation of the sequence of operation of the apparatus when receiving a certain telegraphic message;

Fig. 19, a series of similar diagrammatic views in side elevation of the several translating mechanisms and the timing mechanism .embodied in signals and rests, as received, into such and for the timing mechanism, is illustrated, the

the apparatus of Fig. 1, the views of each translating mechanism being similar to those illustrated in Figs. 15, 16, and 17, but reduced somewhat in size, and the series of views illustrating the relative positions of the, several mechanisms after the several telegraphic signals of the message of Fig. 18. have been mechanically recorded by the apparatus in successive letter groups;

Fig. 20, a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but illustrating another embodiment of the invention designed for automatic regulation in accordance with variations in speed of message transmission, portions of the mechanism being broken away for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 2l,'a view somewhat similar to the upper left-hand portion of Fig. 1, wherein the speed regulator for the several translating mechanisms present view, however, being of the automatically controlled embodiment illustrated in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22, a view taken on the line 22-22, Fig. 21, considerably enlarged;

Fig. 23, an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation, taken from the left toward the right, in Fig. 22, and showing, in addition, an electrical actuating device;

Fig. 24, a detail view in vertical section, considerably enlarged and taken centrally through one of the box-like portions of the apparatus appearing in Fig. 20;

Fig. 25, a fragmentary, condensed, top plan view of that portion of Fig. 21 which appears to the extreme left; and

Fig. 26, a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical elements and wiring connections additionally employed in the wiring diagram of Fig. 11, for the automatically regulated apparatus of Figs. 26 through 25.

The illustrated apparatus merely exemplifies the practical implications inherent in the generic concepts of the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other wellknown devices may be adopted and properly correlated in carrying out the purposes of the specifically illustrated and described embodiment, and will realize that somewhat similar embodiments can be constructed for accomplishing a variety of other end results, such as those set forth hereinbefore.

Since the continental code is more widely used than any-other and has characteristics well adapting it for mechanical or automatic reception, that which here follows has particular reference to its use, although simple changes will make other codes also possible of use.

The illustrated apparatus translates continental code messages, as and when received,

into ordinary typewritten messages capable of being read by the average man.

Considering, for a moment, the characteristic nature of the continental code, the dot and dash signals thereof are separated, one from the other, by spaces or rests of standard lengths or durations. A group of dots and/or dashes (and, in two instances, for the letters e and t," a

dot and a dash alone, respectively) is used to indicate a letter, numeral, or other symbol. The individual signals in any symbol group are spaced by rests which are equal in duration to the length of a dot, and the individual symbol groups, corresponding to letters, numerals, etc., are spaced by rests equal in duration to three of the first type of rests. The individual groupings of symbol groups, corresponding to words, numbers, etc., are spaced by rests equal in duration to live of the first type of rests.

In radto-telegraphy, when weather conditions are such as to produce much static, or interference with the signals transmitted, it is necessary that the dots, dashes, and rests be considerably longer than otherwise (this is so-called "heavy sending"), so that, if portions of the signals are blotted out, there will be enough remainingto at least convey the sense of the message.

Preliminary descriptive. outline In order to accommodate changes of speed made during the sending of messages, the receiving apparatus is provided with means for establishing a comparative relationship, expressed in physical form, between a signal and the rest space) which immediately follows. This comparative relationship indicates whether the received signal is a clot or a dash, for it must be remembered that the standard rest between individual signals is a constant, relative to the dot and dash signals, it being, in the continental code, equal in time length to the time length of a dot, and, similarly, one-third the time length of a dash.

The means for establishing such comparative relationships as are mentioned above, may takea variety of physical forms in the various embodiments which are possible of construction pursuant to the generic concepts of the invention. ,In the illustrated instance, pairs of axially aligned and individually and rotatably mounted cams, indicated I and II, respectively, Fig. 2, serve this purpose. One, that indicated I0, is designated a character cam because it is actuated in response to a received signal, and the other, indicated H, is designated a space cam, because it is actuated in responseto the period of rest which immediately follows the said received signal. The character cam in rotates through a number of angular degrees determined by the time length of the received signal, and the space cam I I rotates through a number of angular degrees determined, for the most part, by the time length of the rest which immediately follows said signal.

For the purpose of establishing easily ascertained comparative relationships between the two cams, and for other reasons hereinafter made clear, the space cam II is arbitrarily made to rotate at twice the speed of the character cam Hi. The relative positions of the two cams at the ends of their respective periods of rotation determine, as will hereinafter be made clear, whether the impression made on the remainder of the apparatus is one corresponding to a (1013 or one corresponding to a dash.

it should be understood that two cams mounted I for independent rotation relative to each other, represent only one convenient way of establishing the comparative relationship between an incoming signal and a rest which immediately follows the signal. Other means differing widely in physical characteristics, may be employed. For instance, two lights, which are capable of variation in their respective intensities, and are adapted to impress their resulting comparative relationship on photoelectric cells, may be employed, or even a single source of light with a This,.

the machine shall receive.

single photoelectric cell which causes one electrical circuit to close and to remain closed while the light is on, and which causes a second electrical circuit to close and to remain closed while the light is 01!. Variation in respective sound intensities, in respective gas or fluid'pressures, in respective linear or angular motions, or variations in other respective measurable physical phenomena may be utilized in practical embodiments of the invention for the purpose described. The

important thing is that other portions of.the

resented in code by a group of equally spaced dot and dash signals, the machine is equipped with a plurality of mutually identical character-andspace-cam translating units (or with other units comprising corresponding translating means, as aforementioned) mutually correlated, and determined in number by the maximum number of signals making up any group which it is desired In the present instance the machine is equipped-with four character and space cam translating units designated ICS, 203, 3G8, and 40S in Figs. 1 and 11.

These CS translating units are placed in sequential series correlation, and operate in sequence, from the first on down the line; the first translating the first signal of the group into the desired impression on another part of the machine, which in this instance is a form structure or permutation device whose pattern depends on the type of impressions it receives, the second translating the, second signal, etc.

For the purpose ofthis preliminary outline, it may be saidthat the scheme of the present 'embodiment is completed by the provision of means for determining when a set of notched plates, each bearing a typewriter-key-depressing pin, shall be given, as a group, an impetus which carries them toward and against the form structure or permutation device, as patterned by the received and translated signals of the group, so that that one plate which is notched in accordance with the particular pattern of the form structure or permutation device, may travel farther than the remainder, and its pin strike and depress the particular typewriter key with which that one plate is correlated, and, further for determining when the space bar of the typewriter shall be depressed to space word groupings of letters, or other similar groupings of other individual symbols, from similar groupings, such determining means including the unit designated WL, Fig. 1; the scheme being further completed by the provision of a speed regulator, designated R in Fig. 1, which keeps the entire machine in 'synchronism with the changing speeds of code transmission.

The translating mechanism shaft [2. A solenoid I8 is supported on a frame member I! adjacent the character cam l0, and is connected for electrical energization when a signal is transmitted and received. as by the telegraph sending key and wiring, designated generally I 8, and usually located remote from the control apparatus. Likewise, a solenoid i9 is supported on a frame member 28 adjacent the space cam ii, and is connected for electrical actuation received signals and the rest periods therebetween-by mechanism which is mutually identical in every respect. Accordingly, corresponding numbers will be given corresponding parts.

These mechanisms for temporarily connecting the solenoids i6 and i9 to the character cam in and the space cam M, respectively, comprise respective drive elements associated with respective clutch means.

There are provided, between the solenoid i6 and the character cam ill, and between the solenoid i9 and the space cam ii, rocker arm elements 29, 26, respectively, rotatably mounted on the respective fixed shafts 2i, 2!, which extend longitudinally along the CS units and the WL mechanism, see Fig. 1. The lower arms 28a, a thereof have projecting pins 28b, 201: which slidably engage the slots 22, 22. of the solenoid plungers Ilia and 59a, respectively. The upper arms 28b, 26b of the rocker elements 28, 28 are formed as shoes which function to push the respective drive elements toward the character cam i0 and space cam ii, respectively. The shoes are each provided with a recess 24 for accommodating the respective stub shafts i2 and 85 during the pushing, 1. e., pressing. operation.

The drive elements 23, 23, are mounted for free rotation on the ends of stub shafts i2 and 85, respectively, and are formed with sprocket disk portions 23a, 23a, respectively, and with clutch disk portions 23b, 231'), respectively. They are normally urged outwardly toward the shoes 20b, 20b, by means of coil springs 25, 25 mounted on the respective stub shafts i2 and I5.

Light drive chains 28 and 21 run over the sprockets 23a, 23a, respectively, of each CS unit, and serve to continually rotate the respective drive elements 23, 23, of all CS units, during operation of the machine, see especially Fig; 1. In doing this, they pass over sets of respective idler sprockets 29, 29, respectively, mounted for free rotation in the bifurcated yokes 30, 30, such yokes having threaded shanks 38a, 3011, which are threaded into b'racket supports 3|, 3|, they, in turn, being bolted to the base framework i4. The yokes 30, are adjustably positioned by means of the respective lock nuts 32, 32, threaded on the shanks 30a, 3011.

There is a set of idler sprockets 29, 29 between each two adiacent CS units, as is illustrated in Fig. 1. There are also corresponding sets of idler sprockets placed on opposite sides of the WL unit, see Fig. 1, as well as a set of return idler sprockets, indicated 33, placed forwardly of the first CS unit, and a similar set, designated 34, disposed rearwardly of the WL unit.

Since no single letter in the continental code exceeds four signals equally spaced in a group, there need be only four CS translating units provided in the apparatus when only letters are to be received. If numerals, which are each composed of five signals equally spaced in a single group, are to be received, the apparatus must then be provided with a fifth CS translating unit which would be added to the series illustrated in Fig. 1, as SCS. In like manner, if symbols are to be received which are represented by a single group of more than five signals equally spaced, then the apparatus will be provided with a number of CS translating units which corresponds to the number of signals in such single group.

The CS translating units are mounted,.along with the WL unit, in a framework made up of upper frame elements 28, 28 supported by end standards 35 and 3B, the entire apparatus being mounted on the base frame l4.

In back of the framework containing the CS translating units are mounted a constant speed motor 38 and a speed reducing device 39. Spaced apart on the output shaft 40 of the speed reducing device 39, see particularly Figs. 9 and 10, are mounted sprocket wheels 4! and 42, see Figs. 13 and 14, the first being in alignment with that series of sprockets 23a which are associated with the space cams of the CS units, and the second being in alignment with that series of sprockets 23a. which are associated with the character cams of the CS units, The sprocket wheel 42 has only one-half the diameter of sprocket wheel 4i.

The drive chain 26 passes over and engages the smaller sprocket wheel 42, as well as all of those sprockets 23a which are associated with the character cams ill. The drive chain 21 passes over and engages the larger sprocket wheel M, as well as all of those sprockets 23a which are associated with the space cams H.

Thus, the space cams II, when properly engaged.

by their associated clutch mechanisms, will rotate at twice the speed at which the character cams l0 rotate when engaged by their associated clutch mechanisms.

The clutch- shoe carrying arms 20b, 20b of the respective clutch mechanisms are adapted to abut, when the clutch mechanisms are disengaged, against limit stops provided by machine screws 45, 45, which are threaded through longitudinal frame elements 48, 46. These frame elements are, in turn, secured to the frame end standards 35 and 36.

Each clutch disk 23b is perforated at closely spaced intervals adjacent the rim thereof, see 41, Fig. 2. Each cam I0 is provided with a projecting post 48, having an engaging pin 48a projecting from the end thereof for engagement with any one of the perforations 41 when the associated drive element 23 is pressed thereagainst. Likewise, each space cam ii is provided with a projecting post 49, which, in turn, has an engaging pin 49a projecting from the end thereof for engagement with any one of the perforations 41 when its associated drive element 23 is pressed thereagainst.

When electrical current surges through either solenoid H5 or solenoid l9, and forces the plunger I60. or the plunger i9a outwardly, either one or the other of drive elements 20, 28 are actuated to push either one or the other of drive elements 23, 23 into engagement with either the projecting pin 48a of the character cam or the projecting pin 49a of the space cam. The continually rotating drive elements 23, 23, therefore,

transmit rotative motion to the character cam and the space cam, respectively, for such periods of time as their respective solenoids are actuated.

For preventing the rotative momentum from carrying the character and space cams farther along their rotative paths than is done under the directive influence of solenoids l6 and I9, respectively, there are provided friction brakes, which are operative at all times except when the character cams and space cams are being returned to their initial positions. Mounted on longitudinal rocker shafts 5|, 5| are rocker arm elements 52, 52 having upper arms. 52a, 52a provided with friction pads 53, 53, which normally ride against the outer faces of the character cams l6 and the space cams II, respectively, under pressure caused by pressure exerted on the respective lower arms 52b, 52b by respective coil springs 54, 54, which operate against the supporting standards l3. For releasing the pressure of the friction brakes on the character cams and space cams, there are provided rocker arms 55, 55 mounted on respective longitudinal rocker shafts 56, 56. These rocker shafts are adapted to carry the respective rocker arms 55, 55, and to press them against the lower rocker arms 52?), 52b of the rocker arm elements 52, 52, thus overcoming the tension stresses of the coil springs 54, 54, and relieving pressure of friction pads 53, 53 against the character and space cams. The rocker shafts 56, 56 are actuated only at such times as it is desired to return'the character cams and space cams to their initia1 positions. Operation thereof will be explained in detail hereinafter.

For motivating the character cams and space cams to initial positions at such times as pressure of the friction brakes are relieved, flexible cords 51, 51 are wrapped about hubs Ma and Ho, respectively, of the respective character cams l6 and space cams II, and are attached, at their lower ends, to respective coil springs 58, 58, which are anchored to the supporting standards l3. When the character cams and space cams rotate, they stretch the coil springs 58, 58, and, when the friction brakes are released, are returned to initial position by the resilient action of such springs.

For physically recording the comparative relationship established between a character cam l0 and its associated space cam II when a signal and the space that there follows are received, a switch box 60, carrying the two switch pins 6| and 62, is mounted on each space cam so that the switch pins extend toward and into contact with the inner face of the character cam. The switch pins rigidly carry movable contact elements 6|a and 62a, respectively, which normally make electrical contact with stationary contact elements 63 and 64, respectively, under pressure of the respective coil springs 65 and 66.

The inner face of each character cam I9 is recessed, as is illustrated in Fig. 14, there being an upper recess 61 and a lower recess 68 which overlap. The switch pins 6| and 62 are positioned to extend into the respective rotative paths of these two recesses. It should be noted that both the switch pin 6| and the switch pin 62 ride, under the pressure of the respective springs 65 and 66, against the inner face of the character cam as it rotates. Accordingly, they drop into their respective recesses 61 and 68 at appropriate times during rotation of the character cam.

As is clearly illustrated in Figs. 15, 16, and 17, there are three different positions the switch pins 6| and 62 may occupy relative to each other within the limits of the rotative path of the character cam. The switch pins 6| and 62 may bothextend into their respective recesses 61 and 68, as in Fig. 15, .thus closing their respective switches. This position is assumed after every re-setting of the machine in preparation for the next series of signals, and also when both the character cam and the space cam rotate through an equal number of angular degrees. As in Fig. 16, the switch pin 6| may extend into the recess 61, thus closing its switch, while the switch pin 62 remains pressed against the face of the character cam and leaves its switch open. This relationship corresponds to a dot signal, and is achieved when the character cam has rotated for one unit of time, thatis, through X degrees, and when the space cam has, thereafter, also rotated for one unit of time, that is, through 2X degrees considering that the space cam rotates at twice the speed of the character cam. Again, as in Fig. 17, the switch pin 6| may remain pressed against the face of the character cam leaving its switch open, while the switch pin 62 extends into the recess 68 and closes its switch. This relationship corresponds to a dash signal, and is achieved when the character cam has rotated for three units of time, that is, through 3X degrees, and when the space cam has, thereafter,- rotated for its one unit of time, that is,

through 2X degrees, corresponding to the standard restor space between individual signals of a group.

The switches of switch pins 6| and 62 control electrical circuits arranged to set the various component parts of the form structure or permutation device in a pattern representing the received signal, either the dot or thedash, whichever the case may be. The form structure or permutation device is adapted to be patterned in accordance with the received signals as translated by the respective CS units. It will be. de-

scribed in detail hereinafter, as will, likewise,

the cooperating mechanism for printing the letters or other symbols.

As is apparent from Figs. 15, 16, and 17, the recesses 61 and 68 are so dimensioned and placed relative to each other that, when the character cam I6 and the space cam rotate an equal number of degrees, they stand in a no-signal position; further, that when the character cam falls short of X degrees by any number of arr-- gular degrees down to zero, or over-rides X degrees up to just short of 2X degrees, the two cams will still register the same dot signal they would if the signal had been sent accurately, i. e., exactly X degrees; and, likewise, that when the character cam falls short of 3X degrees by any number of angular degrees which still carry it beyond 2X degrees, or when it over-rides 3X degrees, the two cams will still register the same dash signal they would if the signal had been sent accurately, i. e., exactly 3X degrees. In this way, the apparatus allows for faulty transmission to an extent which would not be possible wee eJ the signals to be received by a human opera r.

When the machine is initially set for receiving tion, their respective cam fingers I06 and Nb resting on the respective stop pieces 69, 68, and the switch pins 8|, 82 being in mutually similar positions-in the present embodiment, both being pressed into their respective recesses so that the movable contact elements 6|a. and 62:: contact the stationary contact elements 68 and 88, respectively. In another embodiment, both switch pins might rest on the face of the cam, rather than in the recesses, at this no signal position.

Each character cam is arbitrarily limited in its -possible extent of rotative travel, such extent being determined by the placement of a limit switch |8| flixed to the supporting framework of the machine, see Fig. 8.

The extent of rotation of each space cam is limited only by the possible settings of the speed regulator R.

The speed regulating mechanism The speed regulator R is constructed and arranged for correlating the respective CS translating units with one another and with the WL unit. It extends into operative association with each of the space cams of the CS units. It comprises several bridge elements 18, corresponding in number to the number of CS units, there being one also for the WL unit. These bridge elements I8 are mounted for swinging movement over their respective units, and, for this purpose, are pivoted at their lower ends to the longitudinal frame side elements 28, 28, being secured by means of adjustable nuts, as indicated at H, Fig. 2, in direct axial alignment'with the characte; and space cams of the respective units. Longitudinal connecting links 12, 12 are pivotally secured to, and along, the several bridge elements at respective sides thereof. Thus, all the bridge elements 18 move in unison, and correspondingly, when any one of them is moved.

Secured to the cross members of those respective bridge elements 18 which are associated with the CS units, are switch boxes 13, each provided with two switches 14 and 15, having side-byside actuating fingers 14a and 15a, respectively, extending downwardly therefrom into the path of travel of lug Nb of the associated space cam,

the actuating finger "a being positioned slightly in advance of its companion. Switch 14 is normally open and controls a circuit which is arranged to set a cam element of the WL unit in operation, as explained hereinafter, and is, therefore, termed the letter cam switch." Switch 15 is normally closed, and controls the circuit which supplies current to its associated space cam solenoid l9, and is, thus, adapted to stop rotation of its associated space cam. It is termed the space cam limit switch."

During operation of the machine, and on loosening the nuts I I, I I, the regulator B may be manually swung forwardly or backwardly to compensate for variations in speed of transbered that, in the continental code, the rests or spaces between individual signals of a group are each only one unit of time, and that a particular space cam, rotating twice as fast as its associated character cam, travels through 2X degrees in that one unit of time. Since the movements of the space cams are functions of substantially a constant, so far as the transmitted and received code is concerned, they furnish reference devices with which the rest of the apparatus is continually kept synchronized by means of the res lator B. when the speed of signal transmission -mission of the code signals. It will be 'remem-- the'speed of signal transmission decreases, the

regulator R should be swung forwardly, that is, to the right in Fig. l.

The space timing mechanism Since the letters or other symbols which are each represented in code'by a group of several signals, equally spaced, must themselves be spaced in forming a word, number, or the like, and since the groups of letters or other symbols making up words, or the like, must themselves be spaced to form an intelligible written message, mechanism for carrying out such spacing is provided. This mechanism has hereinbefore been designated the WL unit.

Referring, now, particularly to Fig. 3, the WL unit comprises two cams mounted in axial alignment for rotation independently of each other. These cams are preferably, and are here illustrated as being, identical with the various character and space cams of the hereinbefore described CS translating units. The two cams ofthe WL unit are mounted in series alignment with the character and space cams of the re- .spective CS translating units of the series of such units. One of the cams, designated 88 and termed the word cam, is aligned with the series of character cams l8, and the other, designated BI and termed the letter cam, is aligned with the series of space cams Both the word cam 88 and the letter cam 8| are arranged to be rotated at desired times by the same chain drives 26 and 21, respectively, which serve to rotate the several character cams I0 and space cams ll. Respective drive elements 82, 82, corresponding to the drive elements 23, 28, of Fig. 2, are provided, as well as solenoids and clutch mechanisms, which, likewise, correspond to those of Fig.2. The respective solenoids 83 and 84, corresponding to the solenoids l8 and IQ of Fig. 2, serve, through the medium of respective rocker arm elements 85, 85-which correspond to the rocker elements 28, 28 of Fig. 2-to push the respective drive elements 82, 82 into engagement with the engaging pins 86a and 81a of projecting posts 88 and 81, respectively, the latter corresponding to the respective engaging fingers 48a and 49a of the projecting posts 48 and 48 in Fig. 2. As in Fig. 2, limit stops are provided for the respective rocker arm elements 85, 85, by means of machine screws, here designated 88, 88, threaded through the longitudinal frame elements 46, 46, and the drive elements 82, 82 are returned to their non-engaged position by respective coil springs 89, 88, disposed between the drive elements 82, 82 and their associated cams.

The word cam 88 and the letter cam 8| function merely to mark time, so to speak, and to trip certain switches. Accordingly, they are returned to their initial positions immediately upon disengagement of their respective clutch mechanisms. No friction brake mechanisms are necessary, and none are provided. Mechanism for returning the word cam and the letter cam to their initial positions are, however, provided. These are identical with those associated with the respective character and space cams. Cords 98, 88 have their upper portions wrapped around hubs 88a. and Bio, respectively, and have their lower ends secured to respective coil springs 8|, 8|, which are. in turn, anchored to the base framework.

Secured to the cross bar of that bridge element I0, of speed regulator R, which is associated with the WL unit, are switch boards 92 and 93. The switch board 92 comprises a single switch 94 havingan actuating finger 94a. extending down into the path of travel of projecting lug 80b of the word cam, and the switch board 93 comprises three separate switches 95, 96, and 91 having side-by-side actuating fingers 95a, 96a, and 91a, respectively, extending downwardly therefrom into the path of travel of projecting lug 8Ib of letter cam 8|.

The actuating fingers 95a, 96a, and 91a, while disposed in side-by-side relationship, are, nevertheless, staggered in positions, the finger 95a being more advanced than the finger 96a, and the finger 96a being more advanced than the finger 97a, so that the lug 8Ib of the letter cam first actuates switch 95, then switch 96, and finally switch 91.

The switch 95 is normally open, and controls the electrical circuit which sets the word cam 80 into operation; the switch 96 is also normally open, and controls the electrical circuit which is arranged to cause appropriately notched plates to drop onto the patterned form structure, whereby an appropriate letter, numeral, or other symbol is printed; but the switch 91 is normally closed, and controls an electrical circuit which is arranged to return the letter cam 8| to its initial position. Switch 95 may, therefore, be designated the word cam. switch, switch 96, the printing switch, and switch 91, the letter cam limit switch.

The switch 94, normally open, controls an electrical circuit which is arranged to actuate the space bar of the typewriter and to also return the word cam 80 to its initial position. It may be termed the word spacing switch..

Since the rests or spaces between individual letters, or other symbols made up of groups of signals, are three. units of time, or 3X degrees in length, and since the rests or spaces between individual groupings of words, or similar groups of single symbols, are five units of time, or X degrees, in length, ample time is allowed for the resetting of the CS translating units, and for the printing of the letters, or other symbols, while the word cam 80 marks time, so to speak. It can be seen, therefore, that the WL unit functions as a timer, as well as an initiator of certain ultimate actions by the apparatus after each operation of a CS unit, if allowed to so act by the inactivity of a succeeding CS unit of the series. This will be explained further hereinafter. The selective printing mechanism The form structure or permutation device mentioned hereinbefore comprises a series of upstanding, movable iorm or permutation device plates, designated IX, IY, 2X, 2Y, 3X, 3Y, 4X, and lY, respectively, Figs. 1,9,and 10,spaced apart face-to-face, and respectively pivoted, mutually similarly and adjacent their lower ends, for limited rocking or swinging movement along respective lengthwise axes, see especially Fig. 9. They are mounted between two mutually spaced standards 98, 98, which are secured upon supporting table 31'. Each form plate has pintles 99, 99 journaled in corresponding openings in the standards 98, S8, and has, also, a depending ear 99I, which acts as a short lever arm, while the form plate proper acts as a long lever arm. There is a coil spring I00 for each form plate, each being anchored, at one end, to the short lever arm 99-I, and, at the other end, to the base framework. at an offset location thereof, see Fig. 1 in such manner that the spring is tensioned at an angle, the angles for all the springs being substantially equal and similar. The form plates are, therefore, all held, normally, at definite and mutually identical angles to the vertical.

Solenoids are provided for actuating the respective form plates against the tensions of respective springs I00, the solenoids being arranged in pairs, each pair of which is .correlated with a certain CS translating unit. Each solenoidis connected to a corresponding on of the form plates. The solenoids are designated, see Figs. 10 and 11, IXS, IYS, 2X5, ZYS, 3XS, 3YS, IIXS, and 4Y8, respectively, to correspond with the designations of th respective form plates, and are connected to their respective form plates by means of cords, designated I XC, IYC, ZXC, IYC, 3XC, 3YC, 4XC,

and 4Y0, which pass over respective sheaves, in-- dicated at I 0|, Fig. 1, the sheaves being themselves mounted for independent rotation in a housing I02, through which the 'cords extend.

The solenoids are secured in respective brackets I03, and the bracket are mounted in pairs, back-to-back, on a supporting hanger I04, see especially Fig. 9. The supporting hanger is secured t the under face of an overhanging portion of the top wall I05 of a slide box, which is formed by the stated top cover and by side walls I06 and I01. The housing I02 is secured to the outside face of, and is supported by, the sid wall I06.

The form or permutation plates IX, IY, 2X, ZY,

etc considered collectively, are adapted to be The solenoid IXS is connected in the electric I circuit controlled by switch pin SI of the ICS translating unit, and is actuated when the ICS translating unit translates a dot signal in the manner explained hereinbefore. Accordingly, the IX form plate is swung to its swung limit position when the ICS translating unit translates a dot signal. The IYS solenoid i connected in the electric circuit controlled by switch pin 62 of the ICS translating unit, and, accordingly, i actuated when the ICS translatingunit translates a dash signal. Actuation of solenoid IYS swings the IY form plate to its swung limit position. Likewise, for the other CS translating units.

If the received and translated signal is a dot, the corresponding X form plate will be swung, but, if th received and translated signal is a dash, the corresponding Y form plate will be swung.

In this manner, a signal, either a dot or a dash,

received by a particular one of the sequential CS translating units operating in turn, is recorded in terms of a distinctive setting of a particular portion of the form structure or permutation device. Since the character cams and space cams of the several CS translating units are retained in their displaced conditions following the reception of signals, and until a letter or other symbol is printed, the distinctively set particular portions of the form structure or permutation device collectively make up a pattern which accurately represents a group of equally spaced signals constituting a single letter, or other symbol.

For cooperation with the form structure or permutation device in printing letters, 01' other symbols, there are provided a plurality of variously notched template plates which are each equipped with means for depressing a key of a typewriter T, or other similar recording device, associated with the apparatus. These template plates are disposed above the form plates, each extending transversely thereacross, and are correlated with particular keys of the typewriter T.

The respective template plates are indicated I00, and the notches therein I, see Fig. 1, and

the inner faces of side walls I06 and I01 cf the slide box are grooved to form slideways for receiving them in relatively closely spaced face-toface formation. The template plates I08 are yieldably suspended in their respective slideways by means of respective springs H0, which are secured to the tops thereof and pass through an aperture III, in the cover element I05, to loop around respective sets of sheaves II2, II2. The sheaves are rotatably mounted in the housing II3, supported on top of the cover element I05.

The template plates I08 are given downward momentum, as a group or unit, when a letter or other symbol is to be printed,by an impact bar I I4, which extends across the top edges thereof and is substantially contiguous with such top edges without exerting pressure thereon. An upstanding stem H5 is secured substantially centrally of the impact bar I M, and passes upwardly through the aperture III, through the housing H3, and

through an aperture formed in the top or housing I I3, to pivotal connection with the link 6. A solenoid N1, of sufllcient capacity to accomplish its appointed function, is mounted on the top cover element I05. A lever arm H8 is pivotally secured, at one of its ends, to the plunger II9 of the solenoid. Its other end is pivotally secured to the rigid standard 120, which is part of the framework of the apparatus. The link H6 is pivoted to the lever arm H8 at an intermediate location thereof, so that, when solenoid H1 is energized and rapidly pulls its plunger N9, the impact bar H4 is forced rapidly downward, with the result that the respective template plates I08 are struck thereby, and are caused to move downwardly against the tension of their suspension springs IIO with considerable momentum. The template plates, all except a particular one whose notches I09 conform to the particular pattern of the form structure, are brought to a stop by the upstanding ends of form plates IX, IY, 2X, 2Y, etc.,

of the form structure as patterned by the received signals. That one template plate, not stopped by the patterned form structure or permutation device, continues to descend until is key-depressing pin actuates its correlated key of the typewriter T, see especially Figs. 1 and 8. It should be noted that the notches I09 in each template plate are arranged arbitrarily, in accordance with that particular distinctive pattern of the form structure which corresponds to the code representation of the particular letter, or other symbol, which the particular template plate is called upon to cause to be typed out.

The typewriter T may be any standard make, but is preferably one equipped with a continuous paper-strip feeding attachment (not illustrated), such attachments being well known, and not forming any part, per se, of the present invention. With such an attachment, a strip of paper, or other suitable material, is arranged to move aaaaooa across the platen of the typewriter continuously, so that there need be no spacing of horizontal lines of print, vertically, along a sheet of paper.

The typewriter T is supported on a pedestal I2I, which may rest upon the table support 31, the typewriter keyboard extending toward the plurality of template plates I08. The side wall I01 of the slide box is.apertured, as at I22, to accommodate projecting arms I08a of the respective template plates, such arms being of various lengths depending upon the placement of the particular typewriter keys with Which'they are correlated. Key-striking pins I23, of proper respective lengths, are rigidly secured to the ends of respective arms IllBa. Thus, it can be seen that, upon energization of the, solenoid II1, a particular template plate I08 will be caused to move downwardly farther than any of the others, depending upon the particular pattern of the form mechanism, and its pin I23 will strike and depress a particular key I24 of the typewriter, resulting in the printing of a letter, or other symbol, corresponding to a received signal, or to a single group of equally spaced received signals.

A relatively small solenoid, I25, is provided for pulling down the space bar I26 of the typewriter T at appropriate intervals, as will be explained hereinafter, and the space bar I26 is provided with a depending pin I21. For shutting ofi the supply of current to solenoid I25, a limit switch, indicated generally I28, extends outwardly from its support on pedestal I2I into the path of travel of depending pin I21, thus being adapted for actuation by pin I21 at the bottom of the stroke of space bar I26.

Other known types of printing mechanisms, 5 lectively controlled by electrical circuits which are themselves controlled by the switch pins 6| and 62, may be used in other embodiments of the invention to replace the form structure and typewriter of the illustrated embodiment.

Theelectrical system Referring now to Figs. 1 and 11, and especially the latter, which diagrammatically illustrates the electric wiring of the apparatus, as well as certain of the component mechanism: A relay I35 comprising a solenoid I35a and a switch throw arm I351) may be connected to the output, indicated I34, of a radio receiving device, or to telegraph wires, for keying the input, or main keyed, circuit of the apparatus. It should be realized, however, that such input circuit may be keyed in some other manner, or from some other source, so long as it is keyed in accordance with the requirements of the particular embodiment of the invention-here, in accordance with continental code signals or the like. A double keying relay I36, a single step switch I31, and a double step switch I38 are all connected in the input, i. e., main keyed, circuit of the apparatus in such manner that the solenoids thereof operate in parallel, and so that all of them, as a group, may be keyed by relay [35, or by other suitable means.

The double keying relay I36 comprises a throw arm I36a, which has a double contact end l38b adapted to make and break with the upper and lower stationary contact points .I36c and I30d, respectively, normally making with the upper stationary contact point I360 under the action of coil spring I 36c, but, when the solenoid I30! of the relay is energized, making with the lower stationary contact point I36d.

The single step switch I 31 comprises a throw arm I3'Ia having a paw1-end I311: operative on

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