US2386422A

US2386422A - Alphabetic printing mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2386422A
Application number: US476419A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace S Beattie
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1943-02-19
Filing date: 1943-02-19
Publication date: 1945-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 1962-10-09
Also published as: DE839130C

Description

Oct. 9, 1945. H. s, BEATTIE 2,386,422

ALPHABETIC PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. S. BEATTIE Oct. 9, 1945.

ALPHABETI C PRINTING MECHANI SM Filed Feb. 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 NR. E. .8m Rm wm. o

INVENTOR f M y AgTORNE Y Oct. 9, 1945. H s- BEATTlE 2,386,422

ALPHABETIC PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1943 G SheehS--Shee 4 FIG. S.

X a5. I

TTORNE Y Oct 9, 1945- H. s. BEM-ns ALPHABETIC PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1945 6 Sheefs-Sheet 5 FIG. 6.-

0d 9, 1945. H. s. BEATTIE ALPHABETIC RINTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F IG. 9.

Patented Oct; 9, 1945 ALPHABETIC PRINTING MECBANISM Horace S. Beattie, East Orange, N. J., signor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 19, 1943, Serial No. 478,419

9 Claims.

This invention relates to alphabet printing mechanism and more particularly to the type con trolled by perforated records.

The main object of the invention is to provide means to increase the character printing capacity oi the machine without requiring the use oi additional pilot holes beyond those now available in a record column.

By way of explanation it is well known that alphabetic printing characters are divided into groups, usually three, selected by 0, X and R pilot holes. Ordinarily printing from numerals is also required and these are selected by perforations at the numeral index point positions alone and without the use of a pilot hole.

The 0, X, R positions are at the top of card and occupy such space that additional space for more pilot holes is not available in a standard size card.

The main object of the present invention is attained by providing for the selection of additional alphabetic printing characters, punctuation, special symbols, etc., by perforating successive index points, i. e. at 1 0, 2 1, etc., 9 8. The sensing of such holes will select a character d iilerent from one which would be selected by a single hole alone.

While the above novel principle of the invention is utilized for selection of type as just described it is preferable to provide for the selection of additional groups of type by the pilot holes as well. Hence, while the novel selecting mechanism provides for the selection of a type in a selected group by two holes, the pilot holes are provided to select the desired group of a. plurality oi' groups of type.

The advantage arising from the invention is that alphabetic characters can be duplicated Droviding one series as capital letters and the other series as lower case. This extended capacity enables printing of reports corresponding to typing from a conventional typewriter making reports printed by a record controlled alphabet tabulating machine more attractive.

The code adopted for selection of perforations is one that can be used with a conventional card yperforating machine, thus avoiding any special perforating instrumentalities and enabling perforation of holes in the card in the customary manner.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle oi the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that prinicple.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the particular numerals, capitals oi' the alphabet, lower case alphabet, special symbol type which are selected under control of the periorations 1-9 singly or in combination 9 8, 8 7, 7 6, 6 5, etc., and in combination with the special R., X, and 0 perforations. y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing diagrammatically the card feeding mechanism which may be utilized as a control for the improved printing mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the main operating parts of the printing mechanism for selecting the numerical and alphabetical characters, depending upon the perforations made in the card column analyzed.

Fig. 4 is a timing diagram of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a, view in elevation showing particularly the arrangement of the operating shafts and the driving cams and their associated follower members.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the formation of the main operating cams of the machine and the associated driving trains.

Fig. 'l is a wiring diagram showing the plug connections and",` circuit arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing one of the operating trains.

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation showing another operating train.

Card ,feed and machine drive The machine in which the present improvements have been incorporated is well known and is disclosed in the patents to Lake No. 1,379,268, dated May 24, 1921, Lake No. 1,600,413, dated September 21, 1926, and the patent to Daly et al. No. 1,896,540, dated February 7, 1933.

In machines illustrated in detail in the above described patents and generally herein, tabulating cards Ill (Fig. 2) are adapted to be fed singly by a picker Il from a supply stack to a pair of upper feeding rollers I2 which conveli1 the card so as to havethe perforations of the card analyzed by the usual perforation analyzing brushes I3 while the card is in motion. The card analyzed then passes to a lower set of feeding rollers il which then convey the card to a storage hopper, usual in the type of machine referred to.

Card feeding operations are instituted by the usual manual start key designated as ST in the last mentioned patent so as to cause by an electrical circuit the energization oi' a card feed clutch magnet l5.

The power for driving the card feeding rollers and other parts of the machine is derived from a motor (not shown) which by a belt |8 and pulley I1 constantly rotates a ratchet wheel I! secured thereto. The pulley |l and ratchet wheel I3 are loosely mounted upon a shaft i8.

In Fig. 2 there is shown the card feed clutch for causing card feed and is similar to the card feed clutch disclosed in Fig. 1a of the Lake Patent No. 1,822,594, dated September 8, 1931, to which reference should be had for details of construction and operation.

Upon completion of the electrical circuit to clutch magnet Il, the latter attracts its armature 2li to raise a clutch lever 2| to thereby unlatch the latter from a clutch pawl 22. The latter is then drawn by a related spring 23 to engage the constantly rotating ratchet wheel i9. The clutch pawl 22 is carried by a bar 25, which is secured to a disk 2li secured to shaft IB and to the latter there is secured a pinion 21.

The construction and operation of the card feed clutch. as is well known, are such that upon energizatlon of magnet I5, disk 26 will be rotated and successive rotations of the shaft I8, and therefore pinion 21, will ensue as long as tabulatlng operations are desired.

'Ihe pinion 21 is in mesh with a gear 2B and the latter drives the upper set of feeding rollers i2 and the lower set of feeding rollers |4. The upper set of feeding rollers is intergeared by pinions 23, one of which is rotatable with a gear 30 in mesh with the driving gear 23. The latter also meshes with a pinion 3| which ls rotatable with one of a. pair of intergeared pinions 32 carried by the rollers |4 which drive the lower set of feeding rollers |4. The driving gear 2B is of sumcient width to drive a. gear 34 so that by a train of gears 35, 36 a main drive shaft 31 is driven. (See Fig. 9.) It is understood that as is usual in tabulating machines the card feed clutch is so designed and the gears are so proportioned that shaft 3l will be given a complete revolution in the arrow direction shown in Fig. 2.

It is customary in the type of machine described to cause printing from numeral type of a printing mechanism which are presented to a, printing line and which are selected in accordance with the analyzing of the perforations of the card, and to carry out the numeral printing function in a novel manner the improved construction will now be described.

Digit or numeral printing mechanism The printing mechanism constructed as shown herein may consist of a plurality of orders, the number being dependent upon the number of numerical or alphabetical characters which are to be printed. Fig. 3 shows a plurality of control magnets for four orders but the type selecting mechanism for one order and it is to be understood that the type selecting mechanism is duplicated for as many orders as is required.

The printing elements preferably consist of one or more printing wheels 4|l, each of which is centrally apertured so as to overlie a ange or hub 4|. The hub 4| is integral with an arm 42 pivoted upon a rod 43 and the rocking of such arm will carry the selected printing type of the printing wheel 40 against a conventional platen 44, it being understood that interposed between the printing wheels 40 and the paper strip surrounding the platen 44 there is a conventional inking ribbon. Each of the arms 42 is provided with an extension 46 guided in a slotted bar 4B and in a hole in the slotted bar 46 there is interposed a spring 41 which, when released for action, rocks the arm 42 to impress the printing wheel 40 against the platen 44. The spring 4l is normally restrained against action by means of a latch pawl 48 which normally latches the arm 42. To further suitably guide the arms 42 and space the printing wheels it will be noted that each is provided with a depending projection 43 fitting in a respective slot lli of a guide block Il.

Reference character 52 designates a. print controlling bail which is pivotally mounted by arms |23 on the rod 43 (see also Fig. 6) with the cross bar within the flanges 4| and as will be subsequently described the printing controlling bail 52 is reciprocated four different times during the operation of the machine when printing from the unlatched printing wheels is to be effected. The bail 52 rocks counterclockwise or downwardly to the right from the position shown in Fig. 3 to enable unrestrained movement of the printing wheels 4|) to printing position when desired and after the printing impression has been eil'ected the bail 52 is restored by means to be subsequently described so that by coactlon with the flanges 4| the arms 42 and the printing wheels 40 mounted thereon will be restored and relatched. During such restoration the extension 45 ls relatched by the latch arm 48. It is to be understood, of course, that while the printing wheels 4|! are to be mounted closely together they are to be suitably spaced for enabling free independent rotation of the series of printing wheels 4|l.

Each printing wheel 40 is provided with a group of numeral printing characters for printing the numerals 0 to 9, a. complete set of alphabetic characters for printing capitals thereof and a complete set of lower case alphabetic characters. At this time there will now be explained the manner in which numeral printing is effected under control of the card perforations 0 to 9, inclusive.

In Fig. 3 it will be observed that for the selection of the numeral printing characters 1 to 9 a variable rotation of the printing wheel 40 in a counterclockwise direction is necessary, it being observed that to select the numeral type "1 the least counterclockwise rotation of the printing wheel 40 is necessary whereas for selection oi' the numeral type 9 a greater extent of rotation of the printing wheel 4|) in the same direction is necessary. A clutch controlled type selecting mechanism is provided for eiecting this variable rotation under control of the 1-9 card perforations.

From Fig. 3 it will be observed that the numeral printing characters |-9 are provided on alternate gear teeth of the printing wheel 40 and said gear teeth mesh with the teeth of a clutch gear 53, there being, of course, one clutch gear for each printing wheel 4I. The main drive shaft 3l drives through an intermeshing gear 5B (Fig. 9), a shaft carrying tube il and which tube is provided on its periphery with ratchet shaped clutch teeth il. these teeth being coextensive with the length of the tube 51. The clutch teeth Il are arranged in three groups of eighteen each and through the intermediate gear driving connection 5I with shaft 31 the tube l1 is given one and onethird revolutions for each cycle of operation of the machine. The clutch gears I3 are mounted upon the tube I1 and are suitably spaced the same width as'the printing wheels Il so that each clutch gear I3 will mesh with the related printing wheel ll that it drives.

Each clutch gear Il has pivotally mounted thereon a clutch pawi I! provided with a clutch tooth il. A spring Il secured to the clutch pawl Il normally urges the clutch pawi Il so that the clutch tooth Il will engage one of the ratchet teeth I but such action is normally restrained by a clutch release arm Il. the arm having a projection ll which normally engages an extension ll of the clutch pawl Il.

As is weil known in the operation of the clutch mechanism now being described, at the moment the clutch release arm 02 is rocked the clutch pawl 6| will be free to engage one of the clutch notches l and since the tube 51 is driven in a clockwise direction the clutch gear 53 will be driven in the same direction so as to rotate the printing wheel 40 eountercloclrwise. The clutch engagement of the clutch pawl 59 and the engaged notch Il is maintained until the extension 84 of the clutch pawl 59 again strikes the extension 83 of clutch release arm 82 which, in the meantime, has returned to the normal position shown in Fig, 3. This will disengage the clutch pawl 59 from the clutch tooth 5B it engaged. It will be observed that in the normal position of the clutch pawl U9, this position is also maintained by a detent block 66 which is integral with the clutch gear I3.

The clutch teeth BI are arranged in three similar groups and one of the teeth designated l, 2, 3 ...9 of the group which is effective is engaged by the clutch pawl 59 to effect the desired extent of rotation of the printing wheel to select the printing characters 1 to 9, dependent upon which tooth is engaged. The manner in which the desired clutch engagement with the required clutch tooth 53 is effected under control of the card perforations will now be described with particular reference to Fig. 3.

Reference numeral 10 designates a reciprocating shaft which is rotated counterclockwise 180 and is then reversely rotated. Attached to the shaft 10 is a clutch disk 1i provided with clutch teeth 12 designated 1 9 and 0. During the counterclockwise rotation of the clutch disk 1i, the clutch teeth 12 pass by the clutch engaging portion 13 of a clutch pawl 14 and a clutch tooth will be engaged according to the corresponding perforation analyzed.

The card is perforated with holes to represent the digits 0-9, as is customary, and is passed by the analyzing brushes I3 to analyze the index points in the order 9,8,7 .0. When the analyzing brush i3 senses a hole, a circuit is closed to a printing control magnet 15 (Figs. 2 and 3) by a circuit to be later described and for each card column analyzed there is a printing control magnet 15. When a printing control magnet 15 is energized, its armature 16 is attracted so as to pull a call link 11 upwardly. Each call link 11 is pivotally connected to one arm of an irregularly shaped member which in general comprises aclutch release arm 1B which has a latch extension 1! normally engaging an extension 80 of the clutch pawl 1I. The clutch pawl 14 is pivoted by a stud BI to an operating disk B2. When an analyzing brush I3 encounters a card perforation a related magnet 1I will be energized and as a result clutch pawl 14 will engage one of the teeth 12 dependent upon which perforation is encountered, so that during the counterclockwise to a constant speed to 269.

rotation of the shaft 1l the operating disk l! will be given an extent of movement which is dependent upon the perforation analyzed, the disk being given greatest extent of movement when the I perforation is in the column and the least extent of movement when the i perforation is analysed, as is evident in Fig. 3.

The means ior rocking the shaft 1l is best shown in Fig. 6, wherein it will be noted that secured to the main drive shaft 31 is an eccentric cam II and cooperating with the cam 83 is a follower arm Il which is an integral part of a segment l5 meshing with a gear Il secured to the rock shaft 1l. I'he formation of the cam ll is such that as the card pertoratlons pass the analyzing brush Il the segment Il will rock shaft 10 to cause the correspondingly designated ratchet teeth 1I to pass by the clutch pawl 1l, as is evident from the timing diagram of Fig. 4. The clutch disk 1| is therefore, rotated at a constant speed from the beginning of a machine cycle to 184, then accelerates in speed. and thereafter (See Fig. 4.) After 269 shaft 10 and clutch disk 1| are rotated in a reverse or clockwise direction. In so doing a projecting cam portion l1 of the clutch disk 1I bearing against the extension 1l of the clutch pawl 1I causes operating disk 02 to be restored clockwise. The cam U3 (Fig. 6) is provided with a cam surface which will cause the clutch disk 1I to be rocked counterclockwise slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 in order that the clutch pawl 14 is relatched by the clutch release arm 19. After such relatching clutch disk 1| cornes back to the normal position shown in Fig. 3.

The variable extent cf counterclockwise rotation of the operating disk 82 is provided to determine the time of engagement oi the clutch pawl 59 with the clutch tube 51 in the following manner: The operating disk 82 carries guide pins 8B receiving guide slots 89 of an arcuate plate Sii. A latch pawl 9i latches the plate Sil in the position shown in Fig. 3 against the action of a spring 92 connected to the plate Sil and which spring is also the operating spring for the clutch pawl 14. The plate is provided with a. cam projection 93' in the plane of an extension Si of the clutch release arm 62. The operating disk 82 is rotated counterclockwise after it is picked up by the clutch engagement so that projection 93 coacting with the extension 9i will rock the clutch release arm B2 t0 cause pawl 59 to engage one of the teeth 58 which corresponds in numeral designations to the numeral designation of the perforation analyzed.

Before the time that the variable rotation of the operating disk B2 is determined under control of the card perforations and eilected, the clutch tube 51 has been rotated to some extent and as the clutch teeth 58 of the group that is eilective pass by the clutch pawl 59, the clutch release arm 62 may be rocked by the cam extension 93 of the plate 90 and dependent upon the time of the rocking of the clutch release arm 62 a variabie extent of rotation of the gear 53 will be given until the termination of the machine cycle. However, at this time. the type carrier wheel 40 has not been rotated counterclockwise sufficiently so that the selected numeral type is coordinated with -the platen Il. However, during the next machine cycle the rotation of the clutch tube 51 will effect a further clockwise rotation of the gear 53 effecting a supplemental counterclockwise rotation of the printing wheel I0 until the selected numeral type is at the printing position. When gear 03 is rotated suillciently so that theV extension 03 oi' the clutch release arm 02 engages t clutch pawl 59 the latter will be rocked out o f' engagement with the teeth 50 it previously engaged to cause the clutch mechanism to be in the disengaged position shown in Fig. 3. Printing from the selected numeral type is effected at 11H/2 oi the machine cycle subsequent to the machine cycle the card was analyzed and is eii'ected by mechanism which will now be described.

Reference numeral represents a zone selecting disk which determines by its variable extent oi' counterclockwise rotation from which group of type characters the type selected by the 1-9 holes is to be printed from. The variable extent of rotation ot the zone selector disk |00 is determined aiter the digit representing perforations |-0 are analyzed and is determined by the presence of the perforations 0, X and R in their customary index point positions. In the absence of such special perforations the card column will represent the digits 1-9 and accordingly means is provided to elect the variable displacement of the zone selector disk |00 when printing of the digits 1-9 is to be eifected.

For driving the zone selector disk |00 counterclockwise there is provided a, reciprocating shaft |0| and this shaft is reciprocated by a driving train now to be described. Secured to shaft 31 is a profile cam |02 (Fig. 8) and cooperating with this cam is a bell-crank shaped follower member |03 and to this member there is connected a link |00 (see also Fig. 6) pivoted to an arm secured .to the reciprocating shaft |0|. The formation of the cam |02 is such that between 88 and 165 of the machine cycle the shaft |0I is restored in a clockwise direction-after having been rotated counterclockwise so that at about 165 oi the machine cycle. as shown in the timing diagram, the cam |02 will be in position so that thereafter 0, X, R, N, clutch notches |05 (Fig. 3) formed in a disk |00 secured to rack shaft |0| will be passed in succession by the clutch engaging end |00 of a. normally latched clutch pawl |01 which is pivoted on the zone selector disk |00. Of course, in the absence of the special perforations 0, X, and R there will be no engagement of the pawl |01 with such designated notches but in printing numerals the notch N will be engaged by the clutch pawl |01. To eiect this it will be noted that the disk 02 is provided with a cam portion 02a which, after its counterclockwise rotation has been initiated, will engage an interposer pawl |00 pivoted to an extending arm oi the clutch release ann 1B and with the interposer |00 elevated it will be noted that it is now in operative relationship with an extension I|0 of a clutch release arm cooperating with the clutch pawl |01 in the customary manner. At 225 of the machine cycle the notch N of the clutch disk |00 will be in cooperation with the clutch pawl |01 and at this time by means to be subsequently described magnet is energized and the clutch release arm 10A will be rocked sc that the interposer |00 will be shifted to the right and by its cooperation with the extension ||0 of the clutch release arm Ill will rock the same counterclockwise to unlatch the clutch pawl |01. By such release the engaging portion |06 will engage the notch N and the zone selecting disk |00 will be driven counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation given to the zone selector disk |00 is suillcient for a cam projection H2 thereof to engage at 88 of the next machine cycle a ,ssans projection ||3 which is an extension of the latch member 40, thereby rocking the latch member l0. While the laten member l0 is retained in its unlatched position, and after 88 or the next machine cycle the bail l2 is rocked downwardly releasing arm I2 for movement to permit printing from the selected numeral characters and printing is etl'ected under control ci the bail 52 so as to occur at 111.5 of the machine cycle as shown by the designation "N-Prints in the timing diagram. After the cam projection ||2 has engaged the latch member Il to permit printing under control oi' bail 52 the shaft |0| is restored in a clockwise 4direction as previously stated and during the clockwise rotation of the disk |00 a projection ill thereof will engage the clutch portion |00 of the clutch pawl |01 to drive disk |00 clockwise and slightly beyond normal position to cause the clutch pawl to be relatched by the clutch release arm after which the clutch disk |00 is given a ccunterclockwise rotation so as to come to normal position. The operating train for enabling bail 52 to print from the selected digit will now be described:

Reference has been made to bail 52 and the latter is reciprocated several times during the operation of the machine when printing operations are to be eiected.

From Fig. 6 it will be seen that shaft 31 drives a cam H5 which cooperates with a follower bell crank H5 which is connected by a link ||1'to a double arm H0. Arm I8 is connected by links i2| and |22 to one arm |23 of a pair o! arms which carry bail 52. Link I2| is also carried by an arm ||9 which has a pivot connection |20 to link I2|. The cam formation of cam ||0 is such as to rock bail 52 to the right and then to the left four times. As arm ||8 is initially rocked clockwise under control of cam lili, arm Il! restrains link |2| so that as the left end oi link I2| moves downwardly and tothe right the right end moves upwardly and also to the right and through the interconnecting link |22 bail 52 will be rocked to the right to enable printing. At one rocked position of arm H0, its pivot connection to link |2I, pivot |24, and the pivot connection of link |22 to arm |23 are all in a straight line. Thereafter further clockwise rocking of arm IIB will cause pivot |24 to pass above the mid-center position to break the toggle and thus move bail 52 clockwise to restored position. When arm ||0 is restored counterclockwise the reyerse action takes place. From the timing diagram it will be seen that at about 88 of the machine cycle, at which time member 48 has been rocked to unlatch extension l5, the bail 52 begins to rock counterclockwise and printing wheel 40 will roll slightly over gear 53 and during this rolling action the selected type will be brought to such a position as to strike the platen 44 and print this digit. The restoration of bail 52 will relatch the printing wheels 40 in normal position.

The means for transmitting the impulse to the printing control magnet 15 at the time the notch N is to be engaged by the clutch pawl |01 will now be described: From Fig. 2 it will be seen that for each card column the related brush is wired to a plug socket |25 and a plug connection may be made from this socket to either a plug socket |20 or a plug socket |21 (see Fig. 7),.depending whether numeral printing is to be effected for that card column, or alphabetic and numeral printing. This brings into circuit connection with the printing control magnet 15 (see Fig. '1)

either cam operated contacts |23 or |20. cam con.. tacts |23 being closedby a cam driven by a shaft 31 so as to close during only the index points 1-9. When the plug connection is made to plug socket |21 the analyzing brush I3 will be connected in the circuit with the printing control magnet 'l5 through contacts |20 which are closed by a cam driven by shaft 3l so as to close during all of the index point positions, that is, 1-9, 0, X and R.

Referring to Fig. 3, pivcted at |30 is a bell crank shaped arm |3| urged by a spring |32 so that it `bears against a cam portion |34 of the clutch disk 32 and also so that another arm thereof engages the center blade of a contact assembly which comprises normally closed contacts |35 and normally open contacts |35. When the disk 02 is rotated counterclockwise, which is effected when any of the numeral positions 1-9 are analyzed, the bell crank arm |3| will be rocked because one arm drops from the high cam portion |34 to a lower portion so that the other arm of the bell crank will enable contacts |35 to open and contacts |35 to close. For each column in which numeral printing is to be effected there is provided a plug socket |31 and where printing is to be effected in three orders, as shown in Fig. 7, they are interconnected by plug connections |33. By means of a plug connection |39 one or more orders selected for numerical printing may be connected to cam operated contacts |40 which are adapted to close at 225 in the machine cycle. 'I'his impulse then extends through the particular contacts |33 which are closed, thence through cam contacts |4| which are closed by a cam driven by shaft 31 so as to close such contacts between 22S-234, the circuit then being extended through the printing control magnet 15 to the other side of the line. Therefore, at 225 an impulse is transmitted to the printing control magnet l5 so as to cause the rotation of the related zone selector disk (Fig. 3) in a counterclockwise direction to thereby enable printing from the selected numeral type. While the circuit has been described in connection with a single column, it. will be obvious that the same operation is performed for other card columns. However, up to the present description no consideration has been given to the suppression of printing of zeros at the left of the digit in the highest denominational order, or for printing of zeros at the right of the first significant digit so as to fill in the necessary zeros. The preferred form of arrangement for securing this result will now be described in detail:

When the card columns are plugged up to effect numeral printing it is necessary, of course, that zeros in the lower denominational orders be printed, such as, for example in the number "400." Due to the fact that the cam operated contacts |20 are closed only during the time the 1 9- perforations are analyzed, provision is made for causing the release of the printing wheels 40 of lower orders under control of the printing selecting mechanism of a higher order when that order is utilized to print a significant digit. The necessity of such zero printing is well known in the printing art and the preferred arrangement will now be described in detail. A pitman |50 is reciprocated by a cam (Fig. 8) driven by shaft 31 and said pitman is connected to an arm |32 which is secured to a shalt |5|, shown in both Figures 3 and 8. The shaft |5| at the portion which is coextensive with the series of interposers |03 (Fig. 3) is a half shaft" and the interposers- |03 normally overlie the yflattened portion of the rock shaft |5|. The downward movement of the pitman |50 under control of cam |0| will rock shaft |5| clockwise and from the timing diagram (Fig. 4) it will be observed that this rocking of the shaft is effected between 198 and 216 of the `machine cycle, and after 216 of the machine cycle the shaft |5I is maintained in its rocked position until about 252 of the machine cycle so that at 225 of the machine cycle which is the impulse time for the print control magnets l5 the interposers |00 will be positioned in oooperative relationship with the extensions ||0 of the clutch release arm With particular reference to F18. 'i' it will be noted that for numerical printing plug connections |52 are made between related pairs of plug sockets |54. Considering now printing of digits in the highest order it will be observed that the impulse directed to the printing magnet 15 of such order is also extended by a wire |55 and by means of the plug connection |52 the impulse is directed through the contacts |35 of the next lower denominational order which are normally closed, thence through cam contacts |5| which are closed at the time this impulse is directed, thence through the printing control magnet of the next lower or tens denominational order. This impulse directed to the printing control magnet of the tens order will, in the manner previously described, cause the unlatching of the printing wheel 40 of the tens order but in view of the fact that the printing wheel 40 has not been differentially rotated because it was not utilized to print any of the digits l-9 inclusive, the printing Wheel is in the position shown in Fig. 3. The movement of the print bail 52 will enable such printing wheel to rotate over the now stationary gear 53 and in such rolling operation the "0 printing character will strike the platen 4l, thus printing a 0 in this order.

Obviously, if the next lower, or the units order, is not utilized to print any of the significant digits 1-9. the impulse transmitted to the printl control magnet for the tens order will also be directed by means of a plug connection |52 through the normally closed contacts |35 for the units order, thence through the cam operated contacts |I| to the printing control magnet 15 for the units order, thus effecting printing of zeros in this order. However, if the units order was utilized for printing a significant digit the contacts |35 associated with the units order would be open so that the impulse could not be transmitted from the tens order to the units order to effect zero printing and instead printing of the selected digit i-9 will be effected.

It is to b e understood that printing of zeros for orders above the first signicant digit will be automatically suppressed. For example, if the units order was selected to print only a significant digit 1-9 and even though the tens and hundreds order columns were perforated to represent "0," as is customary to tlll out the higher order columns with zeros to show that all card columns have been punched, these zeros will be ineffective for control purposes by reason of the fact that contacts |20 are not closed during the time the zero perforations are analyzed. Hence, the printing wheels I0 of the orders above the order utilized to print the ilrst signiiicant digit will remain in normally latched position shown in Fig. 3 and no printing will be effected for such higher orders. Hence, zero printing for higher denominational orders is automatically suppressed.

For the purpose of positively withdrawing the armature 1I from the magnets there is provided a knockoiT bail Il (Fig. 3) which is pivoted upon a rock shaft 61. A dentated cam Bl (Fig. 9) secured to the main drive shaft I1 cooperates with a follower pitman 09 which is connected to an arm secured to the rock shaft l1. The dentations of the cam 68 are of such formation that after each time a printing magnet 1l has been energized and its amature 16 attracted, the bail tl will be depressed and by its cooperation with the clutch release arm 1l the call link 11 will be moved downwardly and the amature 1I positively moved away from the cores or .the magnets, thereby overcoming the eiIect of residual magnetism which might cause the armature 1| to be continuously attracted by the magnet 15.

Alphabetic printing mechanism-Printing of capital letters In addition to printing of the numerals the present machine is provided with an alphabetic printing mechanism which is capable of printing not only alphabetic capital letters but also alphabetie characters in lower case. At this time there will be described the performance oi' the machine in printing the alphabetic capital letters.

As previously described, when the machine is to perform in this manner plug connections are made between the analyzing brush sockets |25 and the plug sockets |21 so that impulses will be directed to the print control magnets of the different orders under control of the perforation 1-9 and also the type group selecting periorations R, X and in the same column. The operation of the machine will be described in connection with a specic example, namely the printing of the alphabet capital letter W which, from Fig. 1, it will be noted, is selected for printing by a perforation at the 6 index point position and also a supplementary perforation at Vthe "0 index point position. The card passes by the analyzing brushes I3 in the order 9, 8, 7, etc., and when the 6 perforation is encountered at substantially 63 of the timing diagram (Fig. 4) an impulse is transmitted to the related printing control magnet and by the time that the eil'ect of this impulse causes the release of clutch pawl 14 the 6 notch 12 of the disk 1l is correlated with the clutch pawl 14 and by the release of the pawl 14 this notch is engaged at '16 in the machine cycle. Further rotation of the drive shaft 10 will then drive the operating disk 82 counterclockwise for the purpose of operating the clutch release arm B2 as previously described. The initial rotation of the operating disk B2 causes, by its cam formation 82a., the rocking of the interposer |03 so as to be moved in operative relationship with the extension Ilil of the clutch release arm III preparatory to the second energization ot magnet 15.

From the timing diagram it will be observed that at about 171 of the machine cycle the 0 perforation is analyzed and at this time the 0 notch lili of the clutch disk |08 is in operative relationship with the clutch pawl |01. The supplemental impulse directed to the printing control magnet 1l will, in a manner previously described. release this clutch pawl so as to engage the 0 notch IIB and the zone selector disk IM) now begins to rotate countercloekwise from this point in the machine operation. During the rotation o1 the zone selector disk lill the disk 82 is also being rotated counterclockwise and at about 227% of the machine cycle the cam projection Il engages the projection I4 of the clutch release arm 62 and at this time the clutch release arm I2 will be rocked to unlatch the clutch pawl B9 which at this time is in operative relationship with the 6 notch Il of the eiective series. It is to be understood that from the beginning o! the machine cycle the clutch tube 51 has been rotating counterclockwise in synchronlsm with the rotation o1' the disks l2 and lllil to eiiect this operative relationship. 'I'he timing of the engagement of the 6 notch 50 of the clutch tube l1 is shown in Fig. 4 to occur at 227% and after this point in the machine cycle the gear lil continues to rotate counterclockwise so that the rotation of the gear 53 in this direction will rotate the printing wheel Ill in a counter-clockwise direction.

In the rotation of disk Illll cam portion III ultimately strikes the projection lil to rock the latch arm 48 and from the timing diagram it will be observed that this occurs at 2491/2 of the machine cycle. At this time the bail 52 is beginning to rock counterclockwise downwardly to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 and since the arm 42 oi the order now being considered has been unlatched. printing wheel will roll over the gear 53 at the same time that the gear 53 is driving the printing wheel 40 counterclockwise. The print bail $2 has been moved at 269 of the machine cycle suiliciently i'ar so that the print wheel il will strike the platen M and from the timing diagram it will be observed that at 269 of the machine cycle the printing wheel has been rotated counterclockwise eleven steps from the time of engagement at 2273/4", thereby bringing the printing character W to the printing position so that this printing character will strike the printing platen M and eect the impression of this letter. Eleven teeth of printing wheel Ill from 0 selects the type 40 W. 0f course, after this operation the bail in relatches the printing wheel 42 in the normal position.

It will be understood that for the selection of any of the capital letters in the group selected by the "0 perforation, which capital letters according to Fig. l are S-Z, inclusive. the clutch causing the driving o1' the printing wheel Il will be picked up at different times. For printing the capital letter Z the printing wheel 40 will be rotated a greater extent than for the selection of the printing character W, whereas for selection of the letter S a lesser rotation of the printing wheel 40 will be eiected, this being determined by the perforations 2 9, inclusive.

As for the time of printing the capital letters determined by the presence of the "0 perforation, it will be observed from the timing diagram that this occurs in the same machine cycle that the card is analyzed in contradistinction to the machine operation for printing the numerals. it being recalled that this is eiected during the next machine cycle. In all cases printing from the selected characters of the group S-Z also occurs at 269 of the machine cycle irrespective of the S-Z type selected. For the selection of a desired type it is only necessary to eiect the desired rotation of the print wheel lil to bring it to printing position and this is determined by the presence of the digit perforations 2-9 in the card column selected for control.

There will now be described the performance of the machine in the selection of the capital letters when the controlling card column has a perforation at the X" index point position. This will be described in connection with an exassenza ample, namely theselection o! the capital letter "O" and this is selected by pericrations at the 6 index point position and also at the X" index point position.

The manner of effecting the clutch connection for initiating the rotation of the printing wheel 4l is the same as has been described in connection with the selection oi' the W printing character and the clutch engagement is eflected at 227% of the printing cycle. However, since there is no perforation at the index point position, the printing wheel In will not be unlatched for a printing operation at 269 and therefore, with clutch pawl 58 maintained in engaged position with respect to the clutch tube 51 the gear 53 will continue to rotate and, therefore, continue the counterclockwise rotation of the printing wheel lil so that during this maintained rotation oi' the printing wheel the group of printing characters J-R will be brought into operative correlation with the platen M. When the perforation at the X index point position is analyzed, the clutch pawl |01 is released and the zone selector disk inl will, therefore, be driven counterclockwise and while the printing wheel 40 is still rotating the latch arm 4B is moved to unlatching position by means of the projection H2 of the zone selector disk IIB and from the timing diagram it will be observed that by the sensing of the peri'oration at the X index point position at 189 the latch arm 4B will be rocked to unlatching position at 313 of the same machine cycle that the card is analyzed. The bail 52 begins to move counterclockwise at this point in the machine cycle so that at 3361/2 of the machine cycle printing is eiected from the printing wheel which has rotated to an extent of 29 teeth from normal to select the printing character and in the present example printing will be effected to print the capital letter 0.

With this understanding of the operation of the machine it will be evident that if the zone selecting perforation was at the "R index point position the further continued rotation of the driving gear 53 will correlate the group of printing characters A-I with the printing platen, the particular character of this group which is to be selected depending upon the index point analyzed and the time of engagement of the clutch for driving the disk 82. Under control of the R zone selecting perforation the zone selector disk iilil will be clutched for counterclockwise rotationv at 207 of the machine cycle and from the timing diagram it will be observed that `the arm 4B is unlatched at 221/2" of the machine cycle subsequent to that in which the card is analyzed. At this point in the machine cycle the bail 52 is given its counterclockwise rotation so as to effect printing from the selected printing character at 44 of the machine cycle subsequent to that in which the card is analyzed.

It will be observed that as far as the performance of the machine for printing capital letters is concerned the different groups are selected by the presence of the R, X, and 0 periorations and that printing occurs at three different points in the machine cycle and when printing oi' numerals is considered, printing can be eifected at four diierent times during the machine cycle. This is of particular advantage because of the reduction of load in the operating parts of the machine permissible over constructions where printing is eiiected from all the printing wheels at a single point in the machine cycle.

Selection of alphabetic characters-Lower case In addition to printing numerals and the alphabetic type in capital letters me printing mechin character to the groups of alphabetic type in capitals. From Fig. 3 it will be noted that each capital letter has adjacent thereto a type which is the same alphabetic character but in lower case. The use oi' alphabetic characters in lower case is merely exemplary to illustrate one use of the improved printing arrangement. lf so desired other characters may be provided and by their selection in a manner now to be explained they can be utilized for supplementary character printing.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that for the selection oi aY particular lower case type one of the pilot holes 0, X, R. is required and in addition thereto two successive perforatlons at the l-9 index point positions. For example, 1" is selected by perforations at the 9 and 8 index point positions and also at the R position. The character f is selected by periorations at the 6 and 5 index point position as well as the R index point position and since the previous description involved the selection of the W character the performance of the machine for selection of "w will now be explained. When the 6 perforation is rst encountered the clutch pawl 1I is uniatched in the manner previously described, this being eiiected by the energization of the print control magnet 15 at the 6 index point position. This will initiate the counterclockwise rotation of the disk 82 and when the successive index point position, namely 5 is correlated with the analyzing brush the selector disk 82 has been rotated suiliciently counterclockwise so that an extension 465 of the latch pawl 9| will be beneath an extension |66 of the clutch release arm 18. When the 5 perforation is analyzed at 81 in the machine cycle the print control magnet l5 for the order now being considered will again be energized, causing the extension |66 in cooperation with the extension IBS to rock pawl SII, thereby disengaging its hooked portion from the extension |61 of the arcuate plate 8B. This plate will now be moved by its connected spring 92 to a position limited by the guide studs 88. Therefore, a relative movement is effected between the disk B2 and the arcuate plate 90 which has the effect of causing the cam portion S3 to be effective to rock the latch arm 62 later in the machine cycle than it would be had it not been unlatched. Therefore, in the example for selecting w", the latch arm 62 will not be tripped at 227% as previously explained but at 231 V2" and at this time the clutch paw] 59 will engage the notch 58 designated 6/5 which will select w on the printing wheel MI.

The operation of the machine as far as the control by the 0 perforation is concerned is precisely the same but it will be observed that in the case now under consideration instead of the character W being selected for printing the gear 53 will not be rotated to as great an extent, this diilerence being equivalent to the space between successive type of the printing wheel IB, enabling the character "w" to be selected for printing. This is readily evident because in the previous example the gear 53 is rotated an extent of eleven teeth under control of the 6 perforation line whereas the supplementary perforation changes the control so that the gear 53 is rotated only ten teeth and this rotation will cause the selection oi' the character "w". The other characters in lower case are selected in substantially the same manner, it being observed that for the selection of the type j, k, l-r the X perforation is utilized, whereas for the selection of the remaining type o! the alphabet, namely s, t, u to z the 0 perforation is utilized in combination with successive perforatlons at the numeral index point positions. It should also be observed that due to the inability of the machine to utilize the zero perforation as a pilot hole and also as one of the numeral index holes in the combination 1 0, no character can be selected by the combination l-0, 0. This is not of importance because in the code of perforations selected all of the alphabet type, either capitals or lower case, can be selected for printing operations, eliminating `the necessity oi' utilizing printing characters which do not conform to the usual character formation as has been round necessary in previously designed alphabetic printing mechanisms. In this respect it has been customary to utilize the character v for both u and v character representation.

Address printing The function of the 0 notch in disk 1I (Fig. 3) will now be explained. When the machine is plugged to plug socket |21 for alphabetic and numeral printing, a hole at the 0" position alone will cause printing from the 0 type. In printing a street number such as 205 the 0 perforation will transmit an impulse at 171 to print control magnet 15 to release pawl 'i4 and at this time the engaging end 13 of pawl T4 will rest on the circular part of clutch disk Il between the "1 and 0 notch and will nally enter the "0 notch about 202. This delay in clutching disk 1i to drive shaft will enable a rotation of disk 82 but not of an extent suilicient to cause the cam edge 93 to strike projection 94. However, disk I2 will be rotated sufllciently to allow bell crank Iii to rock and close contacts |36 and these are closed by 225. A second impulse is now transmitted at 225 by the "0 printing circuit previously described to the print control magnet 15 to cause the unlatching of the printing wheel 40 in this order to cause printing of the 0.

Selection of special symbols The selection of the symbols is effected by the occurence of the perforations in pairs 9 8, 8 7, 7 6, 1 0, without other perforations, i. e., Without an R, X. 0 perforation, as shown in the code 0i' Fig. 1.

It will be observed from Fig. 3 that such symbols are interspersed between the numeral type 1-9 on the printing wheel. It will also be recalled that the perforations 9-1 alone select the related numeral type of the numeral group. With the understanding that the presence of an adjacent perforation modifles the operation of the type selecting mechanism to select an adjacent type, it is clear that the special symbols will be selected for printing. An 8 hole alone selects the 8 type, but if a 7" hole follows the type wheel 4I) will be rotated one type space less to select the "DR" symbol for printing. The same principle of operation is involved for the selection of the other symbol type.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modication, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described controlled by cards bearing holes appearing singly in a column. or bearing holes appearing in pairs but always as adjacent holes between which no other hole can appear, an operating means. a movable member carrying a plurality of groups of type, one group alternately arranged with respect to the other group, a clutch intermediate said member and said operating means, means for analyzing the card holes, means controlled by said analyzing means upon the analysis oi' the rst hole for determining the time of engagement oi' said clutch and said operating means for predetermining the extent of movement oi said member to select a type of one group, and further means controlled by said analyzing means upon analysis of an adjacent hole, ii' it occurs, for changing the `time of engagement of said clutch and said operating means for modifying the extent of movement of said member to select a type of the other group.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a movable member carrying a plurality of groups of type, one group being a1- ternately arranged with respect to the other group, with type of the same character representation being adjacent to each other, an operating. means, a clutch operating means, means for analyzing the card holes in the order 9-0, a clutch intermediate said operating means and said clutch operating means, a supplemental clutch intermediate said operating means and said member, means controlled by said analyzing means upon the analysis of the rst hole for engaging the first named clutch to cause the operation of said clutch operating means whereby the latter engages said supplemental clutch for predetermining the extent of movement of said member to select a type of one group, and further means responsive to the analysis of the next hole, if it occurs, for modifying the time of operation of said clutch operating means to engage said supplemental clutch whereby the extent of movement of said member is modified to select an adjacent type of the other group having the same character representation.

3. In a. card controlled machine, a member carrying a plurality of type comprising one group, and a plurality of type of the second group alternately arranged with the type of the first group, means for effecting a printing impression from a selected type, means for moving said member, means for analyzing the card holes in the order 9-0, means controlled by said analyzing means for predetermining the extent of movement effected to said member by said moving means to select upon the analysis of one oi' the holes 9-1 alone a type of the first named group, means responsive to the analysis of a Second hole adjacent the iirst hole analyzed with the holes appearing in combination as 9 8, 8 7 2 1, 1 0 to change the movement of the member predetermined by the rst hole analyzed by the space between adjacent type to select a type of the other group, and means initiated in operation by the analysis of a supplemental hole in the card utilized when either type group is selected to e!- iect an operation of the nrst named means to take an impression from the selected type.

4. In a printing machine, the combination of a member carrying six groups oi' type, the type oi' one group being alternately arranged with the type oi' another group, means lor effecting an impression from said type, means for analyzing the holes in the order 9-1, 0, X and R, type group selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting in accordance with the 0, X, R holes analyzed a group of type and a group oi' alternately arranged type. type selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting in accordance with the ilrst hole 9-l analyzed a type from one of the two selected groups, and further means controlled by said analyzing means in accordance with the next adjacent hole analyzed, i! it appears, for controlling the operation oi' the type selecting means to select a. type from the other of said selected groups.

5. In a printing machine the combination of a type wheel carrying six groups oi' type cornprising three groups of alphabet capital type and three groups of lower case alphabet type, each of said capital alphabet type of each group being arranged adjacent the corresponding lower case alphabet type, means for rotating said wheel, means for effecting an impression from a selected type on said wheel, means for analyzing the holes in the order l-9, 0, X and R, type group selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting in accordance with the 0, X, R holes analyzed a group oi'. alphabet capital type and a group of similar lower case alphabet type, type selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting a desired alphabet capital type upon analysis of the 1-9 holes, and further means controlled by said analyzing means upon analyzing a hole following the first hole analyzed for controlling the operation of the type selecting means to select a lower case type for printing.

6. In a printing machine the combination of a type wheel carrying six groups of type comprising three groups of alphabet capital type and three groups of lower case alphabet type, each of said capital alphabet type of each group being arranged adjacent the corresponding lower case alphabet type, means for rotating said wheel, means for eiecting an impression from a selected type on said Wheel, means for analyzing the holes in the order l-9, 0, X, and R, type group selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting in accordance with the 0, X, R holes analyzed a group of alphabet capital type and a group of similar lower case alphabet type, type selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting a desired alphabet capital type upon analysis of the 1 9 holes, further means controlled by said analyzing means upon analyzing a hole following the first hole analyzed i'or controlling tlf-e operation of the type selecting means to select a lower case type for printing, and means controlled by said analyzing means to cause the operation of said impression effecting means at different times in the operation of the machine determined by the analysis of the 0, X. R holes to print from the desired type.

7. In a printing machine the combination of a type wheel carrying seven groups of type comprising, a group of numeral type, three groups of alphabet capital type and three groups of lower case alphabet type, each of said capital alphabet type of each group being arranged adjacent the corresponding lower case alphabet type, means for rotating said wheel, means for eilecting an impression from a selected type on said wheel, means for analyzing the holes in the order 1-9. 0, X and It, type group selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting by predetermined extents of rotation oi' said wheel and in accordance with the 0, X, R holes analyzed a group of alphabet capital type and a group of similar lower case alphabet type, type selecting means controlled by said analyzing means for selecting a desired alphabet capital type of a selected group upon analysis of the 1-9 holes, and a corresponding numeral type, further means controlled by said analyzing means upon analyzing a hole adjacent the first hole analyzed for controlling the operation of the type selecting means to select a lower case type for printing, means controlled by said analyzing means for effecting the operation of said impression means at different times in the machine operation in accordance with the 0, X, R holes analyzed, and means, separate from the last named means, for causing in the absence of said 0, X, R holes an impression from the selected numeral type.

8. In a record controlled printing machine which is controlled by cards bearing holes at 9 1, 0, X, R positions, a member carrying a plurality of interspersed groups of alphabet type, an electromagnet, means for eiecting printing impressions from said type, means for analyzing a record to effect a double energization of said magnet when a hole 9 1 appears alone together with an 0, X, R hole, and a triple energization of said magnet when an 0, X, R hole appears with a pair oi adjacent holes 9 1 such as 9 8, 8 7, 7 6, etc., means for moving said member, means controlled lby said analyzing means for causing said moving means in response to the first energization of said electromagnet to initiate the movement of said member to select a type of a selected group, and in response to the analysis of a second hole of the group 9 1 to select an adjacent type of an interspersed group, if such second hole appears, means for eil'ecting an operative connection between said electromagnet and said impression eil'ecting means after the analysis of the 9 1 holes, and means operative in response to the second or third energization of the electromagnet by the analysis of the 0, X or R hole for causing the operation of the impression eiecting meanswhen the selected type of the selected group is at the printing point.

9. In a record controlled printing machine which is controlled by cards bearing holes at 9 1, 0, X, R positions, a member carrying a group of numeral type, and a plurality of interspersed groups of alphabet type, an electromagnet, means for eiecting printing impressions from said type, means for analyzing a record to eiect a double energizaton of said magnet when a hole 9 1 appears alone together with an 0, X, R hole, and a triple energization of said magnet when an 0, X, R hole appears with a pair of adjacent holes 9 1 such as 9 8, 8 7, 7 6, etc., means for moving said member, means controlled by said analyzing means for causing said moving means in response to the rst energization of said electromagnet to initiate the movement of said member to select a numeral type, or a type of a selected alphabet group, and in response to the analysis of a second hole of the group 9 1 to select an adjacent alphabet type of an interspersed group, ir such second hole ap- 10 s,see,4as

group is et the printing point. end Ineens seperate from the lest named means end e'ective in o the absence of en 0, X, R hole or e second hole in the group 9-1 to energize said electromegnet a second time to cause the operation of the impression eecting means to print from e selected numeral type,

HORACE S. BEAI'I'JE.

CERTIFICATE 0F C ORRECTION.

Patent no. 2,586,Li22.

October 9, 19-L5.

'HORACE S BEATTIE It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionele follows: Page 10, first column, line 6, claim 9, after the words "hole for insert --causing--g 4emi that the seid Lettere Patent should be read with this correction therein that the seme may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January, A. D. 19146.

(Seal)- Lesle Frazer First Assistant Gcmmiseioner of Patents.