US2348214A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1944.

E. A. GUBISCH I PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS 4 Sheejcs-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1941 a8 a h & v 9 RE 8 t. um M 3 S #0 On. v A be e 3 av SN 3 w 8 B nu O O 0 mm Q K 3* E. a. 2 N2 3 v! Q. Q m n 5 RNEY.

Ma a, 1944.

E. A. GUBISCH PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, .1941

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9m. u- N NE w 0N- QQ D0 00 v: n h 4 n. o a m2 m2 m9 MW v 8 5 em mm u: 8 B on N 3 2. E m m 03 EN Rm 4n 8n m 2m ms m t 3 y A BN 3 2 5n V R 3 .3 3 V M Q 8 Q 0w n B 5 .3. 9 3% w. mm a mm F N .2 1 2 MN 2 mm o m3 5 y 1944- E. A. GUBISCH,

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29. 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 G 5 INVENFOR. ERWIN A. GUBISCH 7' 3 May 9, 1944. E. A. GUBISCH 2,

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVI INT'OR. ERWIN A. GUBISCH ATTORNEY.

Patente'rlMay 9, 1944 v 2,348, ,2 l4

' UNITED STATES, PATENT case I 2,348,214 ramrme TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Erwin A. Gubisch, Chicago, 111., assignor to Teletype Oorporation Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application September 29, 1941, Serial No. 412,829

. H 20 Claims. (Cl.\1' l817) This invention relates to printing telegraph reperforator selector mechanism there is accomapparatus and more particularly to signal replished a printing, code punching, and feed hole cording and repeating apparatus and switching punching operation. The selector mechanism is mechanism controlled thereby. adapted to be manually released for continuous An object of this invention is to provide teles rotation to feed a desired length of tape or congraph apparatus of a simplified mechanical structrol strip through the printing reperforator by ture which will receive and store telegraph signal the repeated operations of the feeding mechacombinations, record the characters represented nisms located in the perforating units. In order thereby, and repeat the signal combinations. tocohserve space and to provide a compact mech- Another object of this invention is to provide a 10 anism the reperforator is equipped with a novel u'nitary machine including. a printing repercode punch block in which a sprocket wheel forator,a tape transmitter, switching mechanism, utilized to feed the strip is located within the and a simplified mechanical interconnectionbeo p ch b10ck. From the Pr i p tween the tape transmitter and the switching forator the control strip passes into the sensing mechanism. or transmitting device to control thatdevice in This invention features a telegraph apparatus accordance with received signal combinations which may be utilized in a communication sysstored in the tape. Y tem to facilitate and expedite message trans- The sensing or transmitting device, being ofmission between substations which apparatus inthe pivoted type, is movable with pe toi eludes within one compact unit a printing reprinti r p a a d t r f r pro e perforator, a tape transmitter, and a signal reeach signal combination, including the last, sponsive switching unit. Telegraph signaLcomstored in the tape by the code punching unit. binations received by this apparatus are recorded a The probing elements of the sensing device are in a control strip and a sensing device senses the adjustable transversely of the tape path. -In strip to condition a retransmitting distributor addition to the code component probing elements,

in accordance with the received signal combinaa tape out probing element which operates cycli- 5 tions to retransmit the message. Theswitching callywltli the code component probing elements mechanism of this apparatus also operates in reis provided and is operable in response to tape spouse to received signal combinations under the exhaustion, a break in the tape, or in response to control of the strip and the sensing device and so a special perforation in the tape toarrest the may be effective to interconnect telegraph lines operation of the sensing device. Eachsetting of for the purpose "of completing a communication the probing elements is transferred to a cam type channel oyer which the signal combinations are retransmitting distributor for the purpose of reretransmitted or for performing any desired peatlng the sensed signa1 combination. The switching function by conditioning associated, transfer, in one modification, is accomplished by work circuits. a plurality of transfer levers that are brought This invention also features a retransmitting into contact with the sensing elements to be perdistribu or which may Tr; controlled either memutably set thereby and this setting is estabchanically or electrically by the tape sensing delished on a corresponding plurality of contacts vice to retransmit the received signal combina-' 40 through Sliders articulated h Hamster e e tions. which actuate contact operators. The contacts The apparatus for accomplishing the objects e electrically on ected to h c a ts of a of this invention includes a printing reperforator, 08m yp distributor d y, control a sensing or transmitting device, a retransmitting the sign transmitted by *9 r p n t distributor, and a switching mechanism. ,Code the settingtransferr f the sensinse ements. signal combinations received by the apparatus In another modification, the sliders are simicondition' the printing reperforator to store the larly articulated to the transfer levers but each received signal combinations and print the charslider is provided with an'extension adapted to actors represented thereby on a control strip. mechanically block or free the contact operating The printing reperforator includes a pre-punch so levers included within the cam type distributor unit as well as a code punch unit to prepare feed in accordance with setting of the transfer levers holes in the strip and a perforating cam located I to determine the signal to be retransmitted. In

on the selector cam shaft operates these units each modification the sensing device is freed to concomitantly with each rotation of the selector 'sense the next succeeding signal combination in cam shaft so that in eve y cycle of the printing as the tape immediately following the transfer oper- .fact that the pivoted ation, affording signal overlap, so that while the retransmitting distributor is retransmitting the transferred signal combination, the sensing device may sense the next signal combination.

The switching mechanism includes a plurality of contact groups, one indvidual to each slider to be operated thereby. group there are severa1 contact pairs or assemblies and the switching circuits or function controlling circuits are in electrical association with corresponding contact assemblies in the several contact groups so'that the switching may be selectively accomplished through a series of contact assemblies which are operated in permutations by the plurality of sliders under the control of the perforated tape. Preferably, the switching circuits or function controlling circuits include elements which respond to a predetermined sequence of operations of the contact assemblies whereby switching is efl'ected only in response to a predetermined sequence of signal combinations in the control strip representing switching signals. Communication channels, therefore, established through the switching operations are conditioned and disabled only during switching intervals and not in response to the operation of the sliders in relaying message signals through the retransmitting distributor.

The idle condition of the apparatus, that is, when neither the printing reperforator nor the transmitter is operating, is characterized by the transmitter is in abutting relation with the code punch block of the reperforator. With each operation of the perforating mechanism, the sensing device traveling with the tape, is moved a short distance away from punch block, but as the sensing device completes its corresponding cycle, its rectilinear feed device returns it into contact with the punch block. If the perforator operates continuously and at Within each contact I going object and features of this invention refersection, of the apparatus a greater rate than the transmitting device. the

transmitter will be moved by the tape away from the punch block until it reaches a limiting position when a loop forming device will operate to form the tape into a depending loop inter mediate the transmitting and perforating devices. The loop former also serves to lock the transmitter and render it immovable with respect to the perforating unit. Eventually, however, as the apparatus continues operation, the

transmitter will operate for a longer period or at a greater rate than the printing reperforator and take up the depending tape loop. As the loop is foreshortened, it engages the loop former and cams it out of blocking relation with respect to the transmitter. freeing the transmitter to appreach the perforating unit as it continues sensing and feeding the tape until it ultimately senses the last perforation in the tape. approaches the punch block, desirable to transmit the same signal combination a plurality of times and for this purpose a feed suppression device is provided in the trans mitting mechanism. The suppressor, when operated, disables the rectilinear feed mechanism of the transmitter so thatalthough the transmitter operates continuously, the movement of the tape is interrupted whereby the same signal combination is sensed and transmitted a, plurality of consecutive times by the transmitter.

Many features included in the disclosure of the present application are also disclosed in the following copending applications, flied Septemand is arrested. It occasionally isence may be had to the following detailed description which is to be interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view partly broken away of a telegraph apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly in of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modification of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view illustrating the release magnet assembly including the transmitter release magnet and the distributor release magnet;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the code punch block;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the tape gate of the pivoted transmitter; I

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the selector cam sleeve stop gate;

Fig. 9 is an electrical circuit diagram for the modification of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 10 is an electrical circuit diagram of the circuit for the transmitter release magnet. v The apparatus disclosed in the drawings embodies the several features of this invention and may be considered 'as including the following principal units and associated driving mechanisms; a, printing reperforator unit I 6, a tape sensing unit I1, a transmitting distributor l8, and an automatic switching device H. The several units are supported by a base casting 2|.

Printing reperforator application, the description of that mechanism to be set out hereinafter will be of a general natureand will bedetailed only in the description of those features of the present unit which are platen to effect ber 20. 1941; 1.181% Serial No. 411,560, filed by l" shown).

different from features in the copending application.

A printing platen 22 is located in the front and central portion of the reperforator and is asciated with an improved platen shift mechanism 20 which is the subject of a copending application, Serial No. 411,660, filed by R. A. Lake above-identified on September 20, 1941. An inking ribbon 23 is directed thereover in well-known manner from ribbon supply reels 25 (only one of'which is A plurality of type bars 24, Fig. 2 (only which is illustrated) is positioned in an to the rear of the printing platen 22 and are articulated to their supports in a manner to permit their striking forwardly and downwardly into cooperation with the printing. A plurality of pull of which is shown) is assembled type bars 24 and is adapted to one of bars 26 (only one to the rear of the operate the type bars through a gear and rack connection (not shown). The pull bars are normally urged against a series of notched code bars 21 which are semi-circular inshape and which may be conditioned in various permutable settings by means of a, selector mechanism 28 (Fig. 1, of the sword and T-lever type, shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,745,633) to bring into alignment the notches on the code surfaces so that the tatably supported upon continuously rotating shaft 34 and is adapted to be driven therefrom through a suitable friction or slip clutch.

A receiving magnet (not shown) is adapted to be conditioned in response to'received line signals to release the friction clutch and cause the rotation of the selecting 'ca'm sleeve'from driving shaft 34 in a manner set out in detail in the afore-mentioned patent. .The cam sleeve is thereupon rotated at a speed substantially syncode bars 21 under the control of ball 31 to retain the permutable setting of the code bars during the printing operation. For a more comprehensive and detailed description of the printing operation performed by the printing reperforator, reference may be had to the aforesaid Patent No. 1,745,633 which is specifically directed to a printing mechanism of the type incorporated in the printing reperforator unit. v

For the purpose of controlling code punches in the reperforating operation to record the code combination in a tape as well as print the corresponding character on the ta there is provided a plurality of bell cranks 46, Figs. I and 2, one associated with each code bar and pivotally supported upon a stud 41 which is mounted in engagement with code bars 21 preparatory to chronous with the speed. of the'code impulsing so that the energization of the receiving magnet in response to marking and spacing code signals may be effective through the selector 28 to condition the individual code'bars 21 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in accordance with a received code signal combination. The permutable setting of the code bars 21 results in the selection of one particular pull bar 26, depending upon the alignment of the code notches in code bars 21, and with the selection thus determined the code bars are locked during the printing operation by means of a locking bar 36, Fig. 1, through its, engagement with looking notches 35 provided in each of the code bars.

The locking bar 36, which has the same general contour as pull bars 26, is moved into and out of locking engagement with code bars 21 by means'of the printing bail 31 Figs. 1 and 2, as it is raised and lowered. The printing bail 31 is suitably articulated to a bail operating plunger 38, Fig. 1, slidably mounted within a guidesleeve 33, and a plunger 38 is controlled by means of a cam (not shown) on the main shaft 34.

When the bail 31 is in its lowermost position under the control of plunger 38, it-cooperates with beveled surfaces 4|, Fig. 2, on'the plurality of pull bars 26 to hold the pull bars out 'of en- 'g'agement with code bars 21 so that the code bars may be readily shifted in'accordance with the operation of the selector mechanism 28 under the control of received code signal impulses. When the printing bail 31 is operated upwardly to perform the printing operation, the bars 26 and 36 due to their cam surfaces 4| are permitted to be actuated gradually toward the code bars 21 by their individual springs. Pull bars 26 are provided with a hook projection 42 which cooperates with the printing bail 31 when a pull bar is permitted by the alignment of notches in ..the code bars 21 to be. operated by its biasing spring into the path of bail 31 which in its upward movement engages hook projection 42 to lift the pull bar, and through th rack and pinion engagement with the type bar causes the type bar-to rotate about its pivot and bring the type face downwardly to impinge upon platen 22. The

locking bar 36 is not provided with a hook portion since its function is rrierelyto rock on its pivot into and out of locking engagement with conditioning the code bars in accordance with a received code signal combination. The bell cranks are biased in a clockwise direction and each is provided with a shoulder portion 5| which performs a. sensing operation on the associated code bars 21 when looking bar 36 under the control of bail .31 is moved into the locking notch 35 releasing the .bell cranks to respond to their clockwise bias. If a code bar is in its counterclockwise position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the shoulder portion 5| of the associated bell crank 46 will be clear of the code bar andwhen locking bar 36 responds to the ball 31 and enters locking notch 35 as shown, the bell crank 46 will be permitted to assume its clockwise position. However, in the event that a code bar is in its extreme clockwise position, locking bar- 36 would engage the alternate locking notch on the particular code bar and that bar would be positioned in the path of its associated bell crank 46 so that when locking bar 36 has moved into engagement with the alternate locking notch 35 releasing the particular bell crank 46 for rotation, that rotation will be restrained. Accordingly, through the cooperation of'the individual code bars 21 and to the plurality of bell cranks 46 when those bell cranks are permitted .to sense the positionment of the code bars as looking bar 36 is moved into a locking notch 35.

The frontward portion of supporting plate 46 as viewed in Fig. 1, is slotted to provide a comblike structure which guides a plurality of vertically disposed pivoted levers 52 which are pivotally. supported upon a stud 53, Fig. 2, carried in support member 48. The levers '52 which are horizontal portion of a second set of bell cranks 56 pivoted on shaft 51 supported in the perfo rator casting 63. The bell cranks 564are normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of individual springs 66 which springs also serve through the engagement of bell cranks 56, bell cranks 54.

flanged portion 6| of a cradle member 62 pivotally supported by the casting 63 of the printing reperforator and serving as a punch operator as will appear hereinafter. The pivot for cradle member 62 is in substantial alignment with the pivotal connection between the interponent members 58 and the vertical arms of bell cranks 56. This pivot pin is indicated 64. Through the mechanical linkage above described, each permutable setting of the code bars 21 is transferred when locking bar 36 assumes its locking relation with respect to the code bars, tothe interponents 58 to permutably condition the interponents with respect to code punches 66, Fig. 2.

Locking bar 36, in being retracted from a look-- ing notch 35 preparatory to setting up a signal combination in code bars 21, rocks bell cranks 46 inafter described. and the top surface 1| is at an acute angle with respect to the axes of the punches to provide an inclined path for a tape through the punch block. The front surface 69 of the punch block is chamfered back to the apertures which accommodate the code punches to in a counterclockwise direction 'and through the mechanical linkage described, similarly rocks bell cranks 56 and advances all interponents 58 leftwardly. After the code bars have been set, looking bar 36 releases bell cranks 46 permitting the interponents 58 to be selectively moved from their normal, leftward position. crank levers 46 is held in its counterclockwise position by the engagement of its locking shoulder 5| with its associated code bar 21, the corresponding interponent 58 through the mechanical linkage above described is retained in its leftward position in alignment with its code punch 66. However, if a bell crank 46 is permitted to assume 21, its spring 60 is effective to shift its associated interponent 58' to its rightward position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, out of alignment with punches 66. The connection between the selector mechanism 28 and code bars 21 is such that when a marking impulse is received a code bar is moved to its clockwise position, the associated interponent 58 is retained in alignment with its code punch 66 and conversely, when a code bar is positioned in its counterclockwise position in response to the reception of a spacing impulse, its associated interponent is shifted from its normal position and moved out of alignment with its aspost (not shown) located on the perforator casting and serves to urge the bail in a counterclockwise direction' to withdraw the code punches from their operated positions. The code punches have a limited downward travel, being limited by a yoke member 15, Fig. 6, that depends from the code punch 61 and which is overlapped by the leftward extremity of comb 66. The punches 66 are flattened or hammered out at their lower extremities to provide suitable shoulders beneath comb 68 so that as cradle 62 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, comb 68 under the influence of spring 16 may withdraw punches 66 to their lowermost positions, The front surface 69, Fig. 6, of the punch block is at an angle inclined to the vertical for a purpose which will be here- If any of the ball its clockwise position by its associated code bar prevent the accumulation of tape chips over the code punches. The punch elements 66 may be. associated with the punch block 61 in muchthe same manner as disclosed in detail in the first mentioned copending application and that detail will not be repeated here.

- Disposed above the punch block 61 is a dieplate 12 and there is provided in the die plate a die sectorfor each code punch located in punch block 61. The die sectors are similar to the die openings described in detail in the first mentioned copending application and illustrated in particular in Fig. 6 thereof at I61, the construction being such that the cooperation of a die punch with such a die opening will produce a lidded aperture in the tape. The bottom surface of die plate 12 is cut at such an angle that, when the die plate is assembled into a punching unit with punch block 61, the lower surface thereof will define with the upper surface 1| of the punch block, a

tape guideway 13 for directing a tape to be per-' forated at an angle toithe top surface of the code punches 66. With this construction, the lidded aperture is provided in the tape through a shearing rather than a blanking operation; that is, with the tape lying at an angle across the top surface of a code punch, as the punch is elevated in the perforating stroke into cooperating engagement with the die plate 12, the punch, due to the incline of the die plate, initially blanks a small sector in the tape and, as the punch is further advanced into the die plate, the punch and die 'plate engage along an inclined shearing plate to produce a perforation.

A lidded aperture is produced in the tape with each perforating operation and because of the angular relationship of the tape and code punche's, the lagging edge of the lid is forced well above the tape web and into the die plate while the neck of the lid is not raised appreciably. A plurality of stripper pins 14 is provided to remove the lids from the die plate at the end of each perforating cycle. Secured to the die plate 12 is a pivot pin 16 upon which is pivotally supported a plurality of spring operated levers 11 operated by compression springs 18 to depress the stripper or ejector pins 14 at the end of each perforating cycle and eject the lids from the die plate. The compression springs 16 are held between a frame member 19 secured to die plate 12 and a projecting lug ex tending from each of the levers 11. In each perforating cycle, the operated code punches 66 project into the 'sector openings provided in die plate 12 and force the stripper pins 14 upwardly and at the completion of the perforating cycle, the code punches 66 are retracted from the die plate by comb 66 rendering the levers 11 operative under the influence of springs 18 to depress th ejector pins 14 and eject the lids from the die plate.

A feed wheel 8|, Fig. 2, provided with sprocket teeth to engage feed perforations in the tape and feed the tape through the code perforating mechanism, is rotatably supported within the punch block on a shaft 82, Fig. 6, and is stepped intermittently by means of a feed pawl 83, Fig. 1, pivotally supported on a lever 64 which is secured by screw to cradle member 62 land I 2,848,214 a feed ratchet 86 with each operation of the era die 62 in a well-known manner. A spring pressed detent 81 is provided to bear against the ratchet and hold the feed wheel immovable between feeding strokes ofthe pawl 63.

, ing operation and comprises a feed punch 9|, Figs. 1 and 2, which'is adapted to be recipro-- cated vertically in a feed hole punch block 92 by means of a bell crank 93 pivoted on stud shaft 94 and provided with a fork shaped ex-,

tension member 96, the tines of which engage beneath the flared upper end of the punch 9| and confine the head of the punch between the fork member and the bellcrank so'that the punch is reciprocated as the bell crank i oscillated about pivot 94. Feed pins 98, Fig. 1, are secured to a shaft 91 rotatably supported in the pre-punch unit and provided at one end with milled ratchet teeth 99 to be engaged by a feed pawl IOI to intermittently advance the pins 98 and cause the feed of the tape by the engagement of pins 98 with the feed perforations invariably provided in the tape by the pre-punch 9|. A star wheel 'I02 and detent I03 are'provided for holding the feed shaft intermediate the feeding'strokes of pawl I0I. A spring pressed guide I04, Fig. 1, of the general contour of shaft 91 presses the tape against the feed pins to assure positive tape feed from the pre-punch in the direction of the printing platen and code perforating point.

By providing a pre-pun'ch for perforating feed holes in the tape and independent feeding mechanisms at both the pre-punch and code punching units, it is possible to vary the position of the code holes with respect to the feed holes in the tape. That is, with the feed holes already prepared in the tape, the detent 01 associated with feed wheel 8| may be adjusted-so that each operation of feed pawl 83 positions a feed hole in or out of alignment with code punches "66. Thus thecodeperforationsand feed hole perforations may or may not be aligned transversely of the tape.

The code perforating punches and the prepunch are operated cyclically from a common operating .means which is controlled by a per,-

forating cam located on main shaft 34. Main operating shaft 34, as described in the first mentioned copending application, supports a selector cam drum (not shown) which is released for rotation in response to the reception of a code signal combination and a second cam drum I06, Fig. 4, that is released for rotation with each operation of'the selector cam drum. Cam drum I06 is driven through a grab clutch comprising driving member I01 and driven member I06 which has a clutch throwout cam I I I formed on its periphery to control the'engagement of the clutch. A pivotally supported clutch throwout lever I09 is spring urged about its pivot into engagement with cam III to hold the .clutch elements normally disengaged. When, however, the selector cam drum rotates, a cam therein actuates clutch throwout lever I09 and pivots it away from cam III permitting spring H2 to slide driven element I08 into engagement with driving element I01. to drive cam drum I06 through one cycle.

At the completion of that cycle, lever I09 again I08 from driving member I01 and arrest the rotation of the cam drum. When the selector receives a continuous succession of code signals, it

will be eflective to release cam drum I06 for a corresponding succession of cycles of operation.

A perforating cam I I3 is included in the'cam drum I06 and actuates .a pivoted, punch operating lever II4 through a cam following roller II6 rotatably supported upon a stud which extends transversely of a bifurcation provided in the rightward extremityof lever II4. Lever II4 extendsv obliquely from main operating shaft 34 at the rear of apparatus casting 2I downwardly and forwardly and is pivotally articulated at its lower extremity to a horizontally disposed link I", Fig. 2, located near the front of the casting. Lever II4 has a vertical projection H8 bored'so as to be assembled in the perforator by means of a pivot shaft II9 secured in bearing block's I2I and I22 formed integrally with an upstanding supporting structure I23 to be described more fully hereinafter.

At its leftward extremity, Fig. 2, link III is provided with'an aperture I24 which receives a projection I26 adjustably carried by cradle 62.

ment of the cradle. Cradle 62 is guided in its movement by the engagement of stud I26 with the guiding aperture I24 of link I I1. f

' Link Ill is slidably articulated through a slot B1 to pivoted three-arm lever I32 which carries an eccentric I34 on arm I33, and the eccentric provides .an adjustable engagement be: tween lever I32 and the bell crank 93 of the prepunch. Feed pawl |0I for the pre-punch is adjustably, secured to arm I36 ofthe lever I32 by means of an eccentric so that theifeedstroke may be adjusted. Through the engagement of abutment I29 with link Ill and theyarticulation of link III to lever I32, the code punches and the pre-punch are operated with each oscillation of pivoted lever II4 under the control of cam II3.

As has already been pointed out, the selector mechanism 28 which controls the code bars 21 conditions in this one operation boththe printing mechanism through the alignment of the code'notches in the code bars 21 and thecode punches through the conditionment of punch interponents 58. Cam assembly I06, however,

responds to the operation of selector mechanism 28 .so that upon the receipt of a code signal combination by the selector mechanism, there is ac-- complished a printing operation which records on the tape a character corresponding to the received code signal combination and, simultaneprevent the tape from becoming engaged with the perforating unit mechanism. This guide for the sake of a better understanding of the perforating mechanism has been disclosed only partiallY in Fi 1. sections, one section I31 extending ,leftwardly and downwardly from the feeding pins 98 of the prepunch, and another section I38 extending rightwardly and downwardly from platen 22 and being The tape guide consists of two overlapped by the leftward extremity of section I31. The guide sections are supported by the the platen accurately, section I38 is provided with bent-over flange portions I39 leading to platen 22. .A similar guide I4I directs the tape from a supply into the pre-punch unit. By providing individual tape feeding mechanisms at both the pre-punch unit and the code punch unit, a tape castings of the prepunch unit and code punch unit, respectively. In order to guide the tape to loop may be maintained between the units and supported by the tape guide. This tape loop removes the drag of the tape supply reel from the feeding mechanism at the code perforating unit and consequently greatly reduces the tape load at this point. Further, since the feed pawl at the code punch unit-may be secured to the cradle member 62 in an adjustable manner simi-,

lar to the articulation of the feed pawl at the pre-punch unit to its operator, there is given a flexibility to the printing reperforator not otherwise attainable through the use of a single tape feeding device. 1

Tape feed out mechanism Although it is contemplated that the perforating unit operate as an incident to printing in response to received code signal combinations, it may sometimes be desirable to initiate the operation of the perforating mechanism independently of received code signal combinations; that is, independently of the selector receiving magnet which usually initiates the operation of the perforating mechanism. For this purpose, a manual release of the selector cam assembly has been provided enabling an operator to cause the perforating unit to operate a number of times so that through the resultant actuation of the feeding devices, any required length of tape may be fed through the printing reperforator.

As has been set forth above, the printing reperforator includes a selector mechanism which is the subject of U. .8. Patent 1,745,633. This selector mechanism, however, has been modified by including therein an improved stop gate for the selector cam assembly which stop gate is the subject of U. S. Patent 1,884,743, Figs. 5 and 9 of which illustrate the improved stop gate. The improved stop gate, Fig. 8, includes a mechani cal linkage comprising a slidably mounted pin I42 which may be shifted leftwardly by the armature I43 of the selector magnet ,(not shown), a

rotation of bell crankI45 to release the selector cam assembly for rotation.

In the idle condition of the printing reperforator, that is, when no code signal combinations are being received by the selector magneitthe stop gate controlling mechanism is in the condition illustrated in Fig. 8 in which bell crank I46 engages the stop gate and holds the selector cam assembly arrested. When the start impulse of a code signa1 combination is received, the armature I43 is released by its magnet (not shown) and shifts pin I42 leftwardly and causes bell crank I46 to be released through the described linkage system which, in turn, releases the stop gate permitting the selector cam assembly to rotate. The normal operation of the stop gate is fully described in U. S. Patent 1,884,743 and resort may be had to that patent, which is incorporated herein by'reference, for the details of structure and operation not here disclosed.

Manual release of the stop gate may be ef-. fected by operating a release rod I4], Fig. 1, which is slidably supported upon a bracket I46. Bracket I48 may be carried by any suitable portion of the printer frame structure, preferably finding its support at the support for ribbon reel 25. Release rod I4I-extends from the front to the rear of the apparatus and its foremost extremity is bent upwardly forming a thumb piece I49 while its rearmost extremity carries a pin I50 which projects through a crank I5I pivoted to the supporting plate of the selector mechanism at I52. The arm I53 of'crank I5I is disposed rightwardly of bell crank I44 of the stop gate release device so that when release rod I41 is shifted toward the rear of' the apparatus rotating crank I5I in a counterclockwise direction,

arm I53 releases the stop gate in a manner similar to the shifting of pin I42 by the selector release magnet. Release rod I41 is biased forwardly and it is necessary to hold the rod in its rearward position to cause a plurality of cycles of operations of the perforating units and their feeding mechanisms whereby a desired length o'f'tape may be fed through the apparatus.

Sensing unit Associated with the hereinbefore described printing reperforator, is a sensing unit I! provided to sense the perforated tape as it leaves the printing reperforator to control functions to be hereinafter indicated and described. In order to take full advantage of line time, the sensing or transmitting unit employed with the printing reperforator is of the pivoted or traveling type which is adapted to sense every code perforation recorded in a tape by the printing reperfo rator, without the necessity of stepping the perforated tape. a plurality of feeding distances from the perforating unit into the transmitting or sensing unit. This pivoted transmitter, is described in detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,262,012, granted November 11, 1941, to'Ross A. Lake, and reference may be had to that copending application for the details both in structure and mode of operation of the pivoted transmitter. The transmitter comprises essentially a plurality of sensing elements to sense the perforations in a tape, a member for feeding the tape through the transmitter having imparted to'it rectilinear motion, and a cam drum for controlling the operation of the sensing elements and the tape feeding member.

Unit I! has a base casting I6I, Fig. 1, which is removably mounted upon the base casting 2| of the apparatus. The casting I6I consists of a pair of parallel vertical wall sections I62 interconnected by a relatively fiat web portion I63, Fig. 2. The leftward extremity of portion I63 is formed into a vertical portion I64 which is channeled to serve as a journal for a shaft I66 and slotted to -.pr o.vide a comb I61 which serves to guide the .vertical oscillations of the members which support and operate the sensing elements. The rightward portion of wall sections I62, as viewed in Fig. 1, support pivot studs I68 upon which the movableor pivoted portion of the sensing unit" is secured. Specifically, the frame members I69 and III! are secured to the pivots I68. A plate "I is secured to the pivoted frame members and carries a hinge post I12 upon which is -hingedly supported a tape gate I13 which in conjunction with the plate "I defines the passage way for the perforated tape through the transmitter. A spring latch holds the tape gate in cooperating relation with the plate "I. This structure of the transmitter is substantially identical with that disclosed in the aboveldentified copending application, and reference may be had to that application, particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical details of the transmitter frame. Both plate "I and the tape gate I13 are'provided with a plurality of apertures which are in alignment when the tape gate is in cooperative relation with plate I'll. A comb I14, Fig. 7, has been added to tape gate I13 with its fingers depending into the tape path and between the rows of perforations when the gate is latched to the plate "I. The fingers by engaging the web serve to hold the tape down preventing buckling under the probing action of the tape sensing elements to be described presently. t

Apertures in plate I" receive the reduced portions of sensing pins I15, "Fig. 2. There is provided a sensing pin or finger for each' of the pos-- sible perforations appearing in a transverse row of perforations in the tape, plus an additional pin to be employed as a tape-out indicator in -a manner to be hereinafter described. In the particular apparatus under consideration there are provided six sensing fingers, inasmuch as it is contemplated to utilize a five-unit code.

A slidably movable feed. inember l16, Fig. 3, which is formed with a cam groove I11 is provided to feed the tape through the transmitter in accordance with a rectilinear feeding movement precisely as has been described in great detail in the above-identified Patent No. 2,262,012, and illustrated inFigs. 9 to 12 thereof. In view of the detailed description of this tape feeding mechanism, in the latter copending application, the apparatus description and the mode of operation will be set out herein only briefiy, and reference should be had to the aforementioned application for a more complete understanding of both the structural details and the precise mode of operation of this rectilinearly operable feed mechanism. Member I 16 carries on its upper extremity pins I18 which enter and normally engage the feed perforations in a tape to advance the tape or advance the transmitter, depending on which o the two is held immovable and cooperating with cam groove I11 in lever I16 is a pin I18 secured to the free end of a cam operatedlever I8I.

As will be described hereinafter, members I16 and I8I are operated intimed relation, and as lever I8I is drawn downwardly in slot I11, the pin I18 due to the particular shape of cam groove I11 will oscillate member I16 in a counterclockwise direction to effect relative movenient between the pivoted frame of sensing unit I1 and the tape. Following this operation, lever I16 is moved downwardly to withdraw pins I18 from engagement with the feed perforations in the tape after which arm I8I is-moved upwardly and under the influence of the cam groove, member I16 is 'moved in a clockwis direction as viewed in Fig'. 3, and the member I16 is thereafter elevated to cause the pins I16 toenga e 'other feed pe'rforatlons inthe tape to achieve on a subsequent cycle, a relative movement between the sensing unit I1 and the perforated tape.

On the shaft I66 which is supported by the channel I88, Fig. 2, formed in the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported a plurality of Y-levers I82 as well as other levers including those required to control the operation of the members I16 and I8I of the tape feeding mechanism. The Y-levers are individual-to the sensing fingers I15 and those fingers are pivotally secured to one arm of the Y-levers on a centerline substantially coincident with the pivots I68. The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a member I83 secured by screws I86, Fig. 1, to the vertical wall sections of the base casting of the sensing. unit, and member I83 is suitably slotted to provide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical oscillations of the Y- levers about the shaft I66. Depending from the rightward extremities of the Y-levers, as viewed in Fig.2, are guide fingers I85 which when the- Y-levers are rotated in a clockwise direction about shaft I66 are received in horizontal slots I86 of thecasting of the sensing unit, which in this manner guide the oscillating movements of the Y-levers. Each Y-lever is provided leftwardly of the shaft I66 as viewed in Fig. 2, with an upstanding projection I88 to which is secured a spring I88 the other end of which is 3 anchored to a spring post I81 carried by member I83, and springs I88 tend normally to rotate be hereinafter described.

the Y-levers I82 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I66, and elevate the sensing fingers I16 to sense the perforations in a tape I presented to the transmitter.

It is, preferred that the sensing fingers I15 be secured to the Y-levers in the same manner in which the sensing elements I26 of the aboveidentified Patent No. 2,262,012 are securedto their operating bell cranks I48, I52; that is, each sensing finger is provided near its lower extremlty with an aperture arranged to be engaged by a pin secured near the end of the horizontally V A reed spring extending arm of the Y-levers. riveted to the horizontal arm of the. Y-lever serves to retain the lower end of the sensing finger and prevents accidental displacements. This described preferred association of the sensing fingers and Y-levers'is not illustrated in the drawings but is adequately illustrated in Fig. 2 of the latter copending application.

Also pivotally supported by shaft I66 is a lever I8I, Fig. 1, which is cam controlled to effect the vertical reciprocation of feed member I16, 8- lever'I82 which controls the operation of lever -I8I, andthe resulting oscillation of member I16 about its pivot, and a lever I93 which operates a pair of contacts I84, Fig. 5, for a purpose to A cam drum I86, Fig. 4, carries a plurality of cams which operate, as followers, the several 1evers pivotally supported by shaft I66,.and located on this cam drum, are a plurality of cams I81, six in number to control the operation of ,the Y-levers, and the operation of the sixth sensing pin which may be carried by a Y-lever or a bell crank lever, a cam I88 to control the operation of contacts I84, 9. transfer cam I98 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, a cam 280 for controlling the operationof feed lever I16 through lever I8I, and cam 28I for controlling ,the operation-of feed lever I8I through lever I82. In Fig. 4, the cam drum has been illustrated and the elements of the structure which would obscure the view of the cam drum have been omitted for the purpose of givinga clear showing of the drun'L.

The power for driving cam drum I86 is derived from motor 29 through continuously rotating shaft 34. Main shaft 34, Fig. 4, is rotatably supported by the vertical supporting structure I23 which also provides the support for punch operator II4. Formed integrally with structure I23 are horizontally extending members 202 and 203 in which are securely fixed the bearings 200, preferably ball bearings, for shaft 34. An extension 206 is secured to main shaft 34 through a suitable coupling 201 and carries a gear 208 in mesh with agear 209, Fig. 2, affixed to a power transmission shaft 2 extending across the rear of the printing reperforator. Shaft 2 is rotatably supported by bearings 2I2 and 2I3 depending from the principal apparatus casting 2I and at its leftward extremity carries a second power transmitting gear 2I8. Gear 2M, Fig. 2, which is continuously rotated by shaft 2II meshes with a gear 2I6 secured to shaft 2" which is-journaled in suitable bearings, preferably ball bearings, 2I8 and 2I9 depending from the horizontal portionof base casting 2|. Grab clutch driving element 22I is driven continuously from shaft 2I'I. The driven element 222 of the clutch is loosely supported on shaft 2 I 1, and nor mally held out of engagement with driving element 22I, by means of a clutch throwout lever 223 which normally is spring urged into engage ment with a clutch throwout cam 224 formed'on the periphery of driven element 222. A compression spring 226 normally urges the clutch elements into engagement with one another and by means of a splined connection driven element 222 of the clutch imparts rotation. to the cam drum I96 when the clutch elements have been engaged. An electromagnet 221, when energized, retracts the clutch throwout lever 223 cumferentially of the cam sleeve I96 to retain the fingers I15 in tape probing position until the operation of a transfer mechanism, to be hereinafter described, has been completed and thereafter the sams rotate the fingers simultaneously in a clockwise direction, retracting them from probing relation with the tape preparatory to advancing the tape through the transmitter.

Cams 200 and 20I are orientated to operate, respectively, followers I9I and I92 in precisely the same manner in which cams 201 and 205 in the above-identified Patent No. 2,262,012 cooperate, respectively, with their followers I61 and I10, to impart a rectilinear feeding movement to mem-' bers I16 and I8I of thehtransmitting device. Furthermore, cams 200 and 20I are orientated on cam drum I96 with respect to the cams I91, which operate the sensing fingers, in the same relation as the feed cams are orientated on the cam drum of the latter above-identified copending applicationwith respect to the cams therein which operate the tape sensing fingers. This from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element'of the clutch and permits engagement of the driving and driven elements, to rotate the cam drum I96. So long as. electromagnet 221 remains energized the cam drum will rotate continuously and upon de-energization of the electromagnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum I95 completes its instant cycle of rev-' olution. I

The energization of electromagnet 221 is under the joint control of a manually operated switch 228, Fig. 10, and a transmitter operated switch 229 so that the operation of'the transmitter may be initiated when desired and termi-' nated automatically upon the operation of the transmitter as the transmitter senses the last I code signal combination perforated in the tape by the printing reperforator. The manually operated switch 228 may be located within the apparatus or may be external to the apparatus as may be best suited for the installation, but the transmitter controlled switch 229 is located within and is part of the apparatus. Frame -member I10 of the transmitter structure carries a rightwardly extending projection 23I, Figs. 1 and 2, and when the transmitter in pivoting about pivots I68 has reached its limiting clockwise position, projection 23I will have been brought down into engagement with a plunger 232 which is reciprocally mounted within an aperture in the base casting 2| and normally rests upon a contact of switch 229 so that .as

' the projection 23I bears against and depresses plunger 232, the plunger in turn depresses and operates theswitch 229 to break the circuit to the electromagnet 221, and shut down the operation of'cam sleeve I96.

Cams I91 are arranged oncam drum I 96 with transmitter will .continue so long as remains taut between the transmitter ation of the pin I19 carried on lever I8I which is in engagement with cam groove I11, imparts a feeding stroke to the tape to feed the tape through the transmitter, and so long as there is a tape loop or a tape surplus between the printing reperforator and the tape transmitter, the tape will be advanced in this manner, but when the tape is taut between the reperforator and the transmitter, the operating movement of the transmitter will be restrained in a counterclockwise direction because of pins I18 in the taut tape and will result in the clockwise movement of the transmitter frame about its pivots I68. This movement of the the tape and the reperforator, providing that no stop abutment has been reached and that sleeve I96 is maintamed in operation. As may be clearly seen in Fig. 2, the sensing unit I1 is pivoted to oscillate about a vertical center; that is, to either side of a vertical center. This overcenter travel of the transmitter requires the inclined feed of the of the tape from the reperforator into the transmitter when the transmitter has assumed its that is, in abutment The forward or leading most clockwise positio with the punch block.

surface 69 of the punch-block, Fig. 6, is cut back at an inclined'angle, inclined to the vertical, to

present a plane which is substantially parallel the engagement of the the pins 418 are normally in engagement to the position of the transmitter frame when it has engaged the punch block so that there is in effect aplane of contact between the two units. Withthe transmitter in this extreme clockwise position,athe tape guideway defined by plate "I and the tape gate I13 above mentioned, will be in a plane inclined tothe vertical necessitating the feed of the tape from the reperforator at a similar angle so that the tape may feed in one continuous line from ,the reperforator into the transmitter in this extreme position.

It is clear from the detailed description of the rectilinear movement of the feeding mechanism directed thereover out ofthe apparatus. The guide 233 supported by base casting 2|, extends across the transfer mechanism and switching mechanism, to be described hereinafter, and has been omitted from certain of the remaining figures of the drawings for the sake of disclosing eleof the sensing unit, which has been pointed out above and which is defined in greater detail in the above-identified Patent No. 2,262,012, t at th the tape, and it follows that if the printing reperforator operates at a greater rate than the operation of the sensing unit accumulating tape therebetween, the tape will advance the transmitter in a counterclockwise direction about its pivotsv I68 until finally the transmitter .has reached its extreme counterclockwise position; that is, in abutment with an adjustable limit stop 236, Fig. 2. This adjustable stop is suitably secured to a substantially U-shaped frame member 231 which spans the sensing unit and is secured I mitter tape gate.

merits of the apparatus which would be obscured by the guide.

There has been provided an adjustment in the transmitter whereby the tape sensing elements I16 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the transmitter plate I" and tape gate I13. The adjustment comprises a plate 2, Fig. 5, rotatably secured to each extremity of shaft I66. The plate has an arcuate slot 242 through which projects stud 243 which threads into the vertical wall section J62 of the transmitter casting. By adjusting plates 2 the' position of shaft I66 within channel I64 may be varied resulting in an adjustment of fingers I15 with re A tape deflector 246 of substantially U-shape, Figs. 1 and 2, is provided intermediate the sensing unit and reperforator and is pivotally secured to thereto by means of screwsengagingthe vertical wall sections I62 tliereof, Fig. 1.

.Framemember 231 has a depending portion centrally thereof, which secures or supports the stop abutment 236, Fig. 2. A pair of tape supporting fingers 236, Figs. 1 and 2, are carried by the web portion of theframe 231 and extend forwardly of the transmitter unit toward the perfothe punch block of the perforator, Fig. 1, with the rightwardly extending arms of the deflector 246 pivotally supported upon shaft 16 of the reperforator which also supports the stripper elements 11. A downwardly directed projection 241 depends from the web section of the deflector into the path of the tape as it emerges from the code rator' unit, extending, when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position againstthe stop 236, between the spaces which intervene the first and second, and fifth and sixth tape sensing 40 fingers. Fingers 236may project between any desired sensing elements of unit l1. The tape supporting fingers by projecting through the tape sensing unit serve to support the tape and sustain the weight of the tape loop'between the tape sensing unitjand'the tape vreperforator preventing bending ofgthe tape over plate "I of the transmitterr Should the tape be supported by the sensing fingers and the edge of plate I" and there be a substantially large tape loop intermediate the tape sensing unitand reperforator, itis possible for the weight of the tape to bend or substantially break the tape over the plate "I and prevent the feed of the tape through the transmitter. The tape supporting fingers which are provided obviate this danger.

It is to be understood that the tape fingers which are shown in Fig. 2 as being mounted upon the frame 231 may, if desired, be.support-' However, with such a con-- otherwiseso as not to impede the movement of f the transmitter to its extreme clockwise position against the code punch block which is necessary for the unit ,to sense the last code combination perforated in the tape.

The tape I30 as it leaves the sensing unit I1 a is supported upon a tape guide 230, Fig. 2, and

punch block. The defiectonnormally tends to "rotate in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of gravity and, if desired, a biasing spring. Due to projection 241, tape as it emerges from the reperforating punch block and abuts against the deflector is directed downwardly into a depending loop between the reperforator punch block and the sensing unit. A storage container may receive the tape as it accumulates between the units. The tape deflector is relatively narrow, Fig; 1, and exposes that portion of the tape on which is printed the code characters and, ac-

cordingly, the message printed on the tape intermediate the' transmitter and reperforator may nevertheless be read even though the tape deflector is in its operative tape loop forming position. The deflector 246 may, if desired,-be rotated over center in ,a clockwise direction to an inoperative position; that is, out of the path of the tape as it emerges from the perforating code punch block. The deflector maybe rendered inoperative in'this manner to thread the tape initially through the transmitter.

Extending forwardly of the deflector is a latching finger 243 which serves to enga e the plate IH 01 the transmitter when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and renders the transmitterimmovable with respect to the perforating punch block. so long as there is a sufliciently large tape loop intermediate the transmitter and. reperforator. If, because the reperforator unit operated at a greater speed than the transmitter, there is a sufflciently large tape loop formed between the two units, the deflector 246 will pivot about .its shaft 16 and come into locking engagement with the transmitter I1 which would have been advanced to its extreme coun tion by reasonof the movement pect to the transmitter caused bythe operati or the reperforator at a greater the operation of thetransmitter. then be carried out with the sensing unit held spect to the transterclockwise posi- I,

of the tape with rate than Sensing will.

I 2,s4a, 214

' Y-leve'r I82 to a very limited extent about shaft by the latching finger 246, so long as there remains a sufilciently large tape loop intermediate the two units. However, assuming that the sensing unit should operate at a fate greater than the rate of operation ofthe reperforator, the tape loop will be shortened as it is fed through the transmitter at a greater rate than incoming tape is fed from the reperforator. If the transmitter continues to operate at the greater rate, the tape loop will become entirely taken up, and in so doing, the tape will engage a pin 249 extending horizontally from finger 268, and as the tape becomes taut it will cam the deflector upwardly, and'latching finger 248 will be lifted out of the path of the transmitter'so that under the subsequent operations of the rectilinear feed mechani'sm of the transmitter, the pivoted transmitter will be permitted to advance toward the reperforating unit without having its movement in this direction impeded in any way by the latching projection 218 of the tape deflector. In Fig. 2

there is indicated in dotted construction, the position of the tape deflector when it has been cammed by the tape in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 16 due to a shortening of the tape loop. I

Briefly the operation of the transmitting or sensing unit is as follows:

Assume switch 228 tobe manually closed and that the transmitter I1 is in its extreme clockwise position against the perforator code punch, block. In this condition projection 23I secured r the tape and advanced from the reperforator to the transmitter, and this advancing movement of the tape, because of the fact that the pins I18 of feed member I16 are in 'engagement with feed perforations in the tapefiwill rock the pivoted transmitter in a'counterclockwise direction'for a' distance corresponding to the'tape feed, and this movement is suflicient to withdraw projection 23I from engagement with plunger 232 and perof feed wheel 8| in the printing reperforator, the

movement of the transmitter frame at the com- I66 resulting in a positionment of the Y-lever in an upper position in the guide comb I83. The

relative position of the Y-levers,- that is, whether the Y-levers remain in a relatively high portion of the guide comb I83, or arepositioned-in the lower portion of the guide comb, controlled in accordance with the code perforated in the tape,

is utilized in a manner to be hereinafter deear feed of member I16 and advance the transmitter again to its extreme clockwise position to cause projection 23I to open switch 229 and interrupt the operation of the transmitting cam shaft at the completion of the cycle of operation of the sensing unit.

If during the operation of the sensing unit, a I

second advancement is given to the tape and consequently to the sensing unit by the operation pletion of the instant cycle of operation of cam drum I96 will not cause the switch 229 to open and the sensing unit will continue to operate. If the printing reperforator continues to operate at a greater rate than the sensing unit, a tape loop will form intermediate the units and the tape deflector 246 will be effective to latch the sensing unit against its counterclockwise stop 236 until the deflector is cammed out of engagement with the sensing unit by the tape resulting from a mit the'spring element of the switch 229 to'elevate the plunger and close the switch 229 completing thecircuit to electromagnet 221 which attracts its armature resulting in the removal of clutch throwout lever 223 from the path of the throwout cam" on the clutch driven element 222 permitting the engagement nder the influence of spring 226 of the elements 22I and'222 of the clutch and connecting the power drivefrom motor 29 through to the cam drum I96. As cam drum I96 rotates, cams I91 simultaneously present cam depressions to the plurality of Y-levers I82 to eleposition under the influence of biasing springs I89 individual to each Y;'-lever. If a given Y-lever finds a perforation in the--tape,its' associated vate the sensing fingers I15 into tape probing spring I89 will be permitted to rotate the Y-lever to its extreme counterclockwise position about shaft I66, positioning the leftward extremity of the Y lever in the lowermost position in its guide comb I 83 but if a sensing finger I16 does not find a code perforation in the tap'e. the counterclock.

wise rotation of its associated Y-lever is re'- strained so that its springI" can-rotat 'the subsequent operation of the transmitter at a greater rate than that of the printingreperforator. With the deflector 246 cammed out of the path of the transmitter, the continued operation of the transmitter, and its rectilinearly operated feed member I16 will advance the transmitter toward th printing reperforator and ultimately interrupt the operation of the transmitter by opening switch 229 as the transmitter is moved 'into a position to sense the last code perforation in the tape. I Tape-out indicator 7 In Fig. 1, it may be clearly seen that there are provided six sensing fingers I15 only five of or broken or in response tothe probing of a special perforation in the tape. The sixth-sensing finger may be carried by a Y-letter similar to the Y-levers which carry the code sensing fingers but provided with a depending projection 256, Fig. 2, which is effective to momentarily operate normally open contacts 251' and close the circuit,

v Fig, 10, to the electromagnet 25I when the spring I89 associated with the lever carrying the sixth sensing pin, is permitted to rotate that lever in its extreme counterclockwise position about shaft I66, moving projection 256 to engagementmith the contact 251. In view of thefact that contact 251 is closed cyclically-upon each rotation of cam drum I96 andis'immediately reopened, and since the electromagnet 221 should remain tie-energized during the depletion of tape supply,

, aasacia the contacts 257 are connected to a control circuit shown in Fig. 10. This control circuit forms no part of the present invention but is illustrated only for the purpose of showing the relation be tween contacts 25% and clutch magnet 221. The control circuit shown in Fig. is described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 448,878, filed by D. E. Branson et al. Briefly, however, the momentary closing of contact 251 effects the energization of magnet 25I overan obvious circuit, which is locked up over an obvious locking circuit. The circuit for a warning lamp is closed, and the circuit of the clutch magnet 221 is opened due to the operation of armatures of magnet 25!. By the closing of manually I operated cdntacts 22s, the locking circuit of magnet 25I is broken, and the reenergization of clutch magnet 221 is effected. However, instead of em-. ploying a Y-lever to support the sixth finger, a

pivoted lever pivoted about shaft I68 and supporting at its rightward extremity, Fig. .2, a. H sensing pin I associated therewith in a man ner similar to the association of the fingers I15 with the Y-levers and terminating at its leftward extremity in a simple cam follower 258 may be provided. It is, of course, understood that the contact operating projection 258 would be carried y such lever hen that lever is employed rather than the Y-lever for supporting the sixth pin. l The sixth sensing pin or tape-out pin will be permitted to be rocked into its extreme counterclockwise position to operate contacts 251 when the tape is'exhausted' or broken .If it is desirable blocking relation with respect to Projections 253 and 288 on feed levers IQI and I92, respectively, holding the members I9I and I92 of the feed mechanism from responding to the influence of their respective biasing springs when a depression in their cams 288 and 2!, respectively, is presented to the cam followers secured to levers I9I and I92. Accordingly, as cam drum I96 continues this cycle of revolution, the cams zoo and 2M are ineffective upon the feed levers I16 and I8I since their operating levers I9I and I92, respectively, are held nonresponsive to the control of said cams. Therefore, as cam drum I96 is rotated through a plurality of revolutions it causes the sensing elements I15 under the control of cams I91 to sense the same code combination of the tions of the guide slots in comb I83 in accord-*' to arrest the operation of transmitter I1 at a predetermined point, a special perforation may be made in the tape in alignment with the sixth sensing pin so that as this specialperforation is presented in the transmitter over the sixth pin,

that pin in moving totape probing position-will sense the special perforation and interrupt the operation of the transmitter .at this predetermined point.

Tape feed suppression Under certain conditionsof operation of communication systems in which the apparatus according to this invention may be employed, it may be desirable to sense and transmit the same perforated code combination a plurality of times and for that purpose, a tape feed suppression means Is provided which, when operated, disables. the

operation ofthe tape feeding mechanism in the transmitter so that as-the cam drum I96 effects a plurality of operations of the sensingunit, the unit will sense one code combination in the tape a plurality of times. In Figs. 2 and 3, the details of the tape suppression device are illustrated. The device comprises a tape suppression magnet 289 which maybe energized by any local. manually closed circuit or relay operated circuit, not shown, a pivoted armature 28I provided with a laterally extending blocking projection 252 and projections 299 and 264 provided on follower levers I9I and I92, respectively, of the tape feed- Ing mechanism. A spring 288 extending between the base casting 2I of the apparatus and armature 28 I normally holds thev armature in its counterclockwiseposition about its pivot 281 out of engagementwith projections 263 and 284.

When it is desired to operate the tape suppression device, the circuit to magnet 239 is manually conditioned, energizing the magnet which attracts its armature, rocking the armature in a clockwise direction about pivot 281 introducing the blocking projection 282 of armature 2" into tape a plurality of times. Transfer mechanism and transmitting distributor The sensing unit, in the manner described above senses the successive code perforations in. the tape as the tape passes from the printing reperferator to the sensing unit, and "in each sensing operation positions the Y-levers I82 in guide comb I83 in accordance with the code combination sensed; that is, the Y-levers are permutably, positioned in the upper or lower porance with the extent of the counterclockwise rotation of the Y-levers under the influence of their biasing springs I89 as controlled by the perforations in the tape- The permutable setting of the Y-levers I82 is transferred through, a transfer mechanism to control the contacts of a cam type transmitterdistributor I8, Figs. 2

and 4, which redistributes or retransmits the and support the frame of the transfer mechanism in a pivotal manner. The frame comprises a pair of vertical arms 219 and 288 interconnected by a horizontally disposed member 28I, Figs. 1 and 2. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 282,

Fig. 2'. extends between the upper portions of vertical frame members 219 and .289 of the transfer frame and there is mounted on the shaft a plurality of transfer levers 293 which are substantially T shaped and suitably spaced horizontally along shaft 282 by means of spacing discs 284. The upper and lower extremities of the vertical sections of T-levers 283 face the fork elements of the Y-levers I82, Fig. 2, and

when the Y-levers are positioned in the upper portion of comb I83, the upper tines of the Y- levers are in substantial alignment with the upper extremities of the T-levers and, conversely, when the Y-levers are positioned inthe lower portion of the comb, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the lower tines are in substantial alignment with the lower extremities of the T-levers. Shaft 282 is preferably eccentric in cross section so that by rotating the shaft an accurate alignment of the T-levers and Y-levers maybe obtained.

In order to transfer the permutable setting of the Y-levers to the transfer levers, the frame of the transfer mechanism is pivotally supported clockwise position in which the terminals of the T-levers come into abutting relation with the tines 'of the Y-levers inaccordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers, and this engagement of the T-levers with the Y-levers l rocks the T-levers in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about shaft 282 and transfers, in

this manner, the setting of the Y-levers to the T-levers. I I

More particularly, if a Y-lever is assumed to be 'in,it s lower position in comb I83, in response to the projection of its associated sensing finger I through-a code perforation in the tape under the influence of its biasing spring I89, when the cam I99 operates the transfer mechanism in timed relation to the probing of the tape under the control of cams I91, it will bring the T-lever associated with the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower time of which will engage the lower extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever 283, and through this engagement will I rock the T-lever 283 in a clockwise direction about shaft 282. Conversely, when the Y-lever is in its upper position in the comb I83 due to the failure of its finger I15 to enter a perforation'in the tape, when the associated T-lever is brBught into engagement with the Y-lever, the upper tine of the Yelever will engage the'upper'extremity of the-vertical section of the T-lever and in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 282. The transfer of the setting of the individual Y levers to the associated individual T-levers takes place simultaneously and after it has taken place. .the return spring'on the transfer mechanism is effective under the control of cam I?!) to rotate the transfer .mechanism, and the T-levers in their permutable relation with respect to one another, to their normal or counterclockwise position and, in this manner, free the plurality of Y-levers which may then be returned to their normal position by cams I91 retracting the fingers I15 from engagement with the perforated tape, preparatory to the sensing of a subsequent code combination. When the transfer mecha-' over a transmitting distributor to transmit the signal combination transferred from the' Y-levers Included in eachcontact group is a pair, desigits upper extremity each slider has a cam projection 298 to engage an associated contact operator 30I pivotally supported on shaft 302 which is carried by brackets 21I and 212. A plurality of groups of contacts 303, 304, 305, 308, 301,

Fig. 9, is assembled in the apparatus in a manner to be hereinafter described to control a transmitting distributor I8 and to effect switching or other functions. The contact groups require more space than the transfer mechanism and sliders, Fig. 1, and in order to be able to operate the contact groups by the sliders 29I most of the contact operators 30! take the form of a bail and spacers 303 carried by shaft 302 keep the bails in proper alignment with .the sliders and the contact groups.

Each'contact operator. 30I includes a rightwardly extending projection 309 in alignment with cam projection 298 of its associated slider to be operated thereby and a leftwardly extending projection 3I0 in alignment with an insulated pin 3 which extends through its associated contactbank being secured to the movable elements of the contact group and being .freely slidable through the stationary elements of the contactgroup so that as the operator is actuated by cam projection 298 it operates the contacts in its associated group correspondingly.

nated a in Fig. 9, that determines signal transmission from transmitting distributor I8 in accordance with the actuation of the contact operators by the sliders 29I. a

When a given slideris in-its'uppem1ostposition,-due to the clockwise rotation of the T-lever 283* to which it is articulated, it holds its contact operator in a counterclockwise position about shaft 302 and closes that pair. of its group 40 that is associated'with distributor I8 condition- 56- tion 3| 0 as the movable elements assume their and during this transmission, cam drum I96 initiates another cycle of the sensing unit, setting the Y -levers in accordance with the, follown'ism is returned to normal, it maintains control ing the signal'generating circuit up to that point preparatory to the transmission of a marking impulse. When the slider. is in its lowermost position, due to the counterclockwise rotation 5 of the T-lever 283 to which it is articulated, it releases its associated dontact operator which is rotated in a clockwise direction about shaft 302 by the resiliency of the movable elements of its contact 'group through pin 3 and projecnor'mal' positions opening the contact pair of "the group that is in circuit with the distributor I8 preparatory to the transmission of-a spacing signal,

The transmitting distributor I8, Figs. 2 and 4, is of. thecam type comprising a cam drum 3I6 upon which are mounted'the fivecode impulsecontrolling cams and the start-stop controlling cam, as is well known in the art, and described 60 with particularity in Patent No. 1,595,472 to ing code signal combination recorded in the" tape, thereby providing signal overlap between the sensing unit and transfer mechanism.

There is associated with each 'r-lever a vertically disposed slider 29I having vertically ar- I ranged slots 292 and 293 through which shafts T-leverprojects when the sliders are-properly positioned along 'lhafts 294 and 295, thesliders I being spaced 'ltherealong by spacers 291. Near into which the stem. portion of its associated Krum. Cam drum 3I6 is loosely mounted on shaft 3" which receives its driving power from shaft 2I I, Fig. 2, which carries gear 2I4 meshing with a gear 3I8 secured to shaft 3I1. A grab orpositive clutchcomprlsing a driving element 3I9, Fig. 4, secured to shaft 3" and a driven portion 320'rotatably mounted upon shaft II1 and controlled by clutch throwout lever 32I, Fig. 5,-is provided to connect the. power from shaft 3I1 through the grab clutch, to cam drum 3I8 when magnet 322 is energized, retracting the clutch throwout lever 32I from engagement with the throwout cam on the peripheral portion of 1s clutch element 320 permitting engagement of arsenic ferred to hereinbefore in connection with another similar grab clutch construction. Shaft 3i? is journaled in ball bearings 323 depending from the base casting 2i.

The distributor release magnet 322 as well as the transmitter release magnet 22'! is supported by a bracket 326, Fig. 5, that depends from main casting 2!, the magnets being secured thereto in superposed relation. Bracket 326 has horizontally extending arms 32'! and 323 that project to each side of the magnets, Fig. 1, and a pivot shaft 329 upon which is pivotally mounted clutch throwout levers 223 and MI is supported by the rightward extremities of arms 321 and 323.

Associated with cam drum SIS is a plurality of bell crank levers 333, Fig. 2, pivoted on a shaft 331 suitably supported by main casting 2!. A spring 339 individual to each bell crank tends to rotate the bell crank in a clockwise direction causing the bell crank to operate as a cam follower for a cam included in cam assembly M6. .The opposite extremity of the bell crank abuts againstan associated contact pair 338 and operates the pair cyclically under the control of cam drum 3I6, The several contact pairs 338,

there being one pair for each bell crank,- are supported by a bracket 3 secured to the main casting. Bracket 34I also supports a lever 342 which is tapped to receive adjusting screws 343. Screws 343 extend through member 342 and abut against the stationary element of each contact pair of the distributor and afiord micrometric adjustability thereof to determine the length of signaling impulses.

The transmitting distributor includes six pairs of contacts which is customary fortransmitting five unit code signalcombinations, a start-stop contact pair S, Fig. 9, and a pair for each of the five elements of the code. The code element contact pairs are individually contacted in series with the distributor contact pair included in one of the above-mentioned contact groups 303 through 30'] whereby the signal transmitted is determined by the above-described actuation of the contacts comprising the contact groups.

When cam drum 3I3 is permitted to rotate due to the energization of magnet 322, the code impulse controlling cams, successively present cam depressions to the bell cranks 336 and in response thereto, the biasing springs rotate the levers in a clockwise direction to close the associated contacts 338 and transmit over line L signaling impulses in accordance with the operation of the contact groups by the sliders 29L If a slider associated with a given contact group is in its uppermost position, illustrated in Fig.2, due to the clockwise p0sitio nment of its respective transfer T-lever, the contacts of that group will be closed and when a cam recess is presented to the bell crank associated with that slider and contact group, a circuit will be completed from battery through the contact group and distributor contact to the line to transmit a marking impulse thereover. If the slider had been in its lowermost position, its contact group would be in its normal position, Fig. 9, interrupting -thecircuit to the distributor contact and causing the transmission of a spacing impulse over the line.

The energization of electromagnet 322 is under the control of cam I98 on cam sleeve I96 oi the sensing unitwhich, through the orientation of cam I98 on the sleeve, releases the distributor shaft 3ll to drive the cam sleeve 3I6 in timed 75 the five-unit code contemplated to be retransrelation to the sensing and transier of the code combinations in the tape. Cam E98 operates a bell crank W3, Figs. 1 and 5, pivoted on shaft its to close contacts B33, which complete a simple energizing circuit (not shown) to the electromagnet 322 in each cycle of revolution of the sensing unit cam drum I96 to cause the grab clutch 359-423 in the transmitting distributor unit to be engaged for a single cycle of revolution.

The operation of the transfer mechanism and the transmitting distributor briefly is as follows:

In timed relation to the setting of the Y-levers 32, earn I99 operates to move the transfer mech-' anism including the transfer T-levers 283 to their clockwise position and permutably set the T- levers in their clockwise or counterclockwise position about shaft 333 in accordance with the en'- gagement of the T and Y-levers; that is, by engagement of the Y-levers with the lower extremities of he Ir-levers, the latter are rotated in a contact groups accordingly, preparing individual signaling circuits from one contact pair of each group to the number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 code element contacts pairs of the transmitting distributor which is released for rotation by the transmitting cam drum I98 in timed relation to the conditioning of the signaling circuits whereby the code combination that has been sensed by the sensing unit, transferred and stored in the sliders is established in the transmitting distributor and retransmitted.

Mechanically controlled transmitting distributor Transmitting distributor I8 has been described as being controlled electrically from contact pairs.

located in the contact groups 303 through 301. With this construction, the bell cranks 3330! the distributor operate invariably in response to the control of cam assembly 3I6 to close the contact pairs 338 included in the distributor in succession for the transmission of the synchronizing impulses and the code element impulses of mitted in accordance with the signals stored in the tape I30. In F18. 3, there is disclosed a modification oh the transmitting distributor mechanism in, which there is a mechanical association of the distributorwith the vertical sliders "I and in which the distributor is electrically independent of the several contact groups. Fig. 3

'- place of the beII cranks, the

includes elements disclosed in Fig. 2 and those elements common to the two views bear the same reference numerals. Thevertically disposed sliders 29], however, are provided with'depending projections 343 which control distributor I8. In

' distributor is provided with a plurality of three-armed levers 341 pivoted upon shaft 331 one such lever being associated with each of the code element contact pairs of the distributor. A depending arm 3 of each three-armed lever is in engagement with and serves to operate the movable element of its associated contact pair 336; horizontal arm 349 serves as a cam follower for the cams included within the distributor, and the vertically extending arm 350 projects into an operative position with respect to the depending projection carried by the associated slider 28!. A biasing spring 339 tends to rotate each lever 341 in a clockwise direction and maintains the cam following arm 340 in contact with its associated am. The alignment and relative size of arm 350 and depending projection 346 is such that when a given slider 20l is in its lowermost position, the projection 346'will overlap the extremity of arm 350 and block through this association the clockwise rotation of that lever under the force of its biasing spring 330 when the cam associated therewith presents a depression thereto and will prevent arm 348 from closing the contact pair 330 associated therewith. -When vertical slider 3M is in its uppermost position, illustrated in Fig. 3, blocking projection 346 is removed from the path of arm 350 permitting the lever to rock in a clockof each contact arrangement included in each group are operated simultaneously and, as has been pointed out above, the movable elements of the contacts of the several groups are in turn operated simultaneously through the contact operators 30l in response to the transfer of a permutable setting from the Y-levers through the T-levers to the vertical sliders. Through this construction, three series of contact arrangements are provided which operate simultaneously in permutations; that is, in Fig. 9, one series of permutably operated contacts is indicated 30317 through 3011); a second series of permutably operable contacts is indicated 3030 through 301a; and a third series of permutably operated .contact elements is indicated 303d through 301d. In order to provide selective opwise direction in response to the control of this J the control 'of the blocking projections 346 in accordance with which amarking impulse is generated when a slider is in its uppermost position permitting its associated lever 341 to respond to cam drum 3| 6 and. close its contact 3l8 to complete a signaling circuit (not shown) associated with the cam type distributor. A spacing impulse is generated due to the engagement of blocking projection 346 with arm 350 which preeration of the work circuits, those circuits should be associated with one or more of the above-defined series of permutably operable contact arrangements whereby selective operation will revents the clockwise rotation of lever 341 under the control of its associated cam and inter-.

.stood that the method of signaling employed is immaterial and that instead of a current-no current signaling system, a variable polarity signaling system might be employed.

Automatic switching mechanism In order to effect automatic switching or any 'of the-various functions which it may be .de-

sired to control from the perforated tape, each contact group 303 through 301 includes, in 'addition to the contact pair associated with the transmitting distributor l8, a, plurality of contact arrangements 1), c and d, Fig. 9, each of which is associated with a switching or other 'contactarrangements are immaterial, the work circuits have not been disclosed, the .present invention being concerned only with apparatus for conditioning those circuits whichterminate .in the contact arrangements of each group.

Through the mechanics of each contact group,

- as will appear presently, the movable elements sult through the permutable operation of the contact series by the sliders.

The several contact groups 303 through 301 are carried by the U-shaped bracket 356, Fig. 1, which is provided with horizontally extended flange sections 351, 358 each of which is apertured to receive shoulder screws, or the like, for assembling the bracket to-the apparatus casting 2|. Each flange also supports a vertical stud 353 and 360 the upper extremity of which is tapped to receive shoulder screws 36! which assemble the tape guide plate 239 into the apparatus along with the 'afore-mentioned shoulder screws 216. The assemblage of each contact group secured to bracket 356 includes in addition to the contact elements 362, Fig. 2, a resillent member 363 provided with an L-shaped piece 364 at its upper extremity to which is secured a comb 365 of Bakelite or any suitable insulating material. The stationary contact element 366 of each contact group are provided with projections which extend between the teeth of comb 365. .Adjusting screws 361 arethreadedly received by bracket 350 and extend therethrough into engagement with each resilient element 363 affording a micrometric adjustment of the contact arrangements of each contact group. The contact operating pin 3 .of each contact group is in alignment with theJeftwardly extending projection 3H0 of each contact operator. Pin 3!! is-freely slidable through the stationary contact elements 366 and is secured to each movable element 368 of each contact group so that upon operation of the pin 3 by its operator 30] each contact arrangement within a given contact group is operated simultaneously.

function control circuit. Inasmuch as the functions controlled by the circuits included in these Through the transfer mechanism the contact groups are operated in every cycle of operation of the transmitter. In order that the switching functions may be performed only at the proper time, that is, only when it is desired to effect a switching function, the circuits controlled by the permutable operation of the series of con-- tacts should be designed, preferably, to respond and eifect a switching or other function only upon the'receipt of a predetermined sequence of code signal combinations. by the transmitter; that is, the work circuits should be rendered operable only in response to a predetermined sequential operation of the permutably operable series of contact arrangements associated therewith. With the function circuits-designed to respond to a predetermined sequence of operation of the contact groups, a switching function may groups so ated with a'pair of pull bar operated contacts be accomplished to set up a communication channel or the like which would remain conditioned until the reception of another predetermined sequence of operations of the contact that having set up the communication channel, it is maintained until such time as it may be desired to disable the channel. A switching system in which this method of circuit operation is fully disclosed is to be found in copending application, Serial No. 448,878, filed in the name of D. E. Branson et al., and reference may be had thereto for the details of such circuit construction and operation.

In order to utilize the automatic switching mechanism, the substation at which a message is to be originated transmits initially a sequence of code signal combinations required to effect a predetermined switching function through the several contact groups. This series of code signal combinations is received in printing reperforator I6 and stored in the tape I90. The tape is then sensed by the transmitting unit l1 and the series of code signalcombinations is sensed and transferred therefrom through the sliders 291 to operate the switching mechanism is in accordance therewith; that is, to operate a switching mechanism in a predetermined sequential manner which will determine the required communication channel. Thereafter, the

signal combinations comprising the message to be transmitted over the selected channel which have been received subsequent to the sequence of switching code signal combinations are transmitted from the transmitting distributor l8 through the operation of the sensing mechanism Ti and the contact pairsof the contact groups associated with the transmitting distributor.

Finally, a second series-of code signal combinations'which has been sent by the originating station to disable the predeterm'ined communication channel, is sensed by the sensing mechanism 11 to operate the switching mechanism iii in a second predetermined sequence which is effective to disable the communication channel.

Additional functions may be effected through the control of function circuits associated with pull bar operated contacts provided at the printing reperforator iii. The pull bar operated contacts 369 are actuated when predetermined pull bars 26 provided with contact operating projections 31! are selected llpOn a predetermined operation of the notched code bars 21; A preferred 369, the associated pull bar 26 is selected through a predetermined operation of the code bars 21 in response to the received code signal combination characteristic of the. particular function. Upon the selecetion of the pull bar, the contact pair 369 is closed immediately as in a manner fully described in they above-identified application to Zenner. Subsequently, as the printing reperforator continues the instant cycle of operation, the main operating plunger 38 is elevated and bell crank 314 which is normally held in a clockwise position riding upon the high portion of cam surface 313 follows the cam surface and association of the pull bar and the pull bar operated contacts is the subject or copending application Serial No. $05,391, filed under the name of Walter J. Zenner.

The function circuits controlled by the pull bar operated contacts 369 are preferably completed through contact pile up 312, Fig. 4, controlled by the main operating plunger 38 of theprl'nting reperforator which is provided with a. cam surface 313 to operate a contact operating bell crank 314 pivoted ona stud 316 .which is secured to a bracket 311 depending from the apparatus casting 2!. A spring 318 extended between one is rotated by its biasing spring in a counterclockwise direction to a position, illustrated in Fig. 4, in which the contact pile up 312 is operated completing the circuit through the selected pull bar operated contact 369. Near the completion of this cycle of operation of the printing reper- -forator, plunger 38 is returned to its lowermost position rotating the-bell crank314 to its normal clockwise position which opens the contact pile up 312 and disables thefunction circuit closed through the pull bar operated contacts 369 and the contact pile up 312 and finally as the cycle is completed, the selected pull bar 26 is returned to its normal position which opens the contact pair 369 through which the function had been completed.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiment but may be modified and rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A strip controlled circuit operating mechanism comprising a strip reader having a plurality of sensing elements, a plurality of banks of circuit conditioning contacts, means forvoperating said banks of contacts permutably in accordance with circuit controlling signals, storage means controlled by said sensing elements for storing said circuit controlling signals, and a transfer device to subsequently transfer said stored circuit controlling signals from said storage means to said contact operating means.

2 A signal controlled apparatus comprising a transmitting distributor, a, work circuit, a plurality of groups of contacts, certain of the contacts of said groups being associated with said transmitting distributor and other contacts of said groups being associated with said work circuit, and strip controlled contact operating means to operate said groups of contacts perarm of hell crank 314 and bracket 311 urges the I ,-bell crank in a counterclockwise direction to follow the cam surface 313 of the main operating plunger 38. Bell crank 31! at its opposite extremity carries an adjustable screw 319 which engages the movable element of the contact pile up 312'.

With this mechanical construction and electrical circuit arrangement when it is desired to accomplish a function through a circuit associmutably in response .to a received signalto condition said work circuit and to transmit the received signal. 7

3. Switching apparatus including a switching circuit, a transmitting distributor, switching contacts associated with said switching circuit, contacts associated with said transmitting distribu tor, and strip controlled means for operating said contacts simultaneously to effect switching and to transmit a signal corresponding to the operation of said contacts.

4. A signal controlled switching apparatus including a plurality of groups of contacts, a transmitting distributor, a switching circuit, certain'of said contacts being connected to said distributor and others of said contacts being connected to said switching circuit, a plurality of contactoperating lcvers, and means to actuate said operating levers in various combinations to condition the switching circuit and to condition the transmitting contacts to transmit a signal combination representative of the actuation of said levers.

5. A signal controlled apparatus including a transmitting distributor, a plurality of work circuits, a plurality of groups of contacts, certain of said contacts being associatedwith said distributor and the remaining contacts being associated with said work circuits, contact operating means, and means for actuating said contact operating means permutably to condition said work circuits correspondingly and simultaneously to condition said transmitting distributor to transmit a signal combination representative of the actuation of said contact operating means.

6. A telegraph apparatus including a transmitting distributor, a work circuit, contacts connected to said work circuit, contact operating means to condition said work circuit, means to actuate said contact operating means, and a mechanical association of said contact operating means and said distributor whereby said distributor is conditioned in accordance-with the actuation of said contact operating means to transmit a signal combination representative of the actuation of said contact operating means.

7. A signal controlled apparatus including a transmitting distributor, a plurality of work circuits, a plurality of contacts, and contact operating means, meansfor actuating said contact operating means in variable permutations to condition said work circuits selectively, and a mechanical interconnection between said contact operating means and said transmitting distributor operable to condition said transmitting distributor to transmit a signal combination repre-' ating means.

8. A signal controlled apparatus including a transmitting distributor, a plurality of work circuits, a pluralityof contacts controlling said work circuits, contact operating means, strip consentative of the actuation of said contact opertrolled means to actuate said contact operating means to condition said work circuits selectively, and a mechanical association of said operating means and said transmitting distributorwhereby said distributor is conditioned to transmit a signal combination identical to the signal of the control strip in accordance with which said contact operating means has been actuated. I

9. A telegraph transmitter comprising a sensing mechanism including a plurality of sensing elements to sense control indicia on a control strip, a cam type transmitting distributor including transmitting contacts and cam controlled contact'operating members, and control means to condition said contact operating member's for operation, said control means comprisingblocking elements and a transfer mechanism effective to store and subsequently transfer the.con-- dition set up in said sensing mechanism to said blocking elements to condition said elements with respect to said contact operating levers to operate .said transmitting contacts in accordance with the operation of said sensingelements under the control of the strip.

10. A tape transmitter comprising a sensing device including sensing elements to probe control indicia on a control tape, a cam type transmitting distributor including transmitting con tacts and a plurality of contact operating levers, a plurality of permutably settable blocking levers associated with said contact operating levers, and a transfer mechanism eiiective to storeand subsequently transfer the condition set up in said sensing device to aid blocking levers comprising a corresponding plurality of transfer elements connected directly to said'blocking elements, and means to condition said transfer levers to permit the operation or said transmitting contacts by said contact operating levers in accordance with the setting of said sensing elements under the control of the tape.

11. A strip reader including a base, a plurality of sensing elements, a cam assembly for cyclically operating said sensing elements, and a shaft 1 upon which said sensing elements are pivotally mounted, said shaft'being supported by said base through a pair of shaft supporting instrumentalities, one at each end of said shaft, comprising eccentric agencies cooperable with said instrumentalities wherebysaid sensing elementsmay be adjustablypositioned transversely of the control strip to be read.

12. A telegraph apparatus including means to apply control indicia to a strip, means having sensing elements to sense the control indicia, a plurality of contacts, a work circuit, a transmitting distributor, certain of said contacts being connected to said distributor, the remaining contacts being connected to said work circuit, permutably operable contact actuating means, and a transfer mechanism to/transfer the setting of said sensing elements to said contact actuating means to operate said contacts to condition said work circuit and to condition said distributor to transmit a signal corresponding to the control indicia.

13. A telegraphapparatus including means to apply control indicia to a strip, means having sensing elements to read the indicia on the strip, a plurality of contact groups, a plurality of work circuits, a transmitting distributor, one contact of each group being connected to said transmitting distributor and the remaining contacts of each group being connectedto said work circuits, operating means foreach contact group, a transfer mechanism associated with said operating means, and. means to condition said transfer mechanism in accordance with conditioning of said sensing elements in response to a reading of the strip .whereby said transfer mechanism,

actuates said contact operating means to condition said work circuits selectively and to condi- -tion said transmitting distributor to transmit a signal combination corresponding to the reading of the strip.

a transmitting distributor, contacts associated with saidwork circuit, mechanical means ,for

, conditioning said contacts and said transmitting distributor, a transfer mechanism to operate said mechanical means,- and means to condition said 1 transfer mechanism infaccordance with the conditioning of said sensing elements by the strip whereby said work circuit is conditioned and transmitting distributor is conditioned in accord ance with the control indicia of the strip.

15. A telegraph apparatus [comprising means for applying indicia'to a control strip, means including sensing elements to sense the strip, a plurality of work circuits, a transmitting distributor, a plurality of contacts connected to said work circuits, contact operating devices, mechanical means for actuating said contact operating devices and for conditioning said transmitting distributor, a transfer mechanism to operate said,

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