US2394167A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1946??" M, T, GOETZ, 2,394,167

PRIhTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Jul 28,- 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 MAURUS T. G'OETZ FlG.l

Feb. 5; 1946. M. "r. GOETZ 2,394,167 PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1944 s Sheets-Shee t' 2 m. n J l m m 0; v & .3 7 m5 6 E 5 i m m mom E! N mn .2 A H W 2 tn 7 9% .M E 5. :N :u K KB fin 5 vN. mo 3N 9 \won mm 7 w n mun .N w v2 Kn 2. N2 8 mm 8 :m mun mm- M6 00 mm 8 00m m N 5N n v Nnm\ 7 NW DP @QQQ Q- 3. Q 7 3 6 mm mm no. Q. 5. B No. 8 2h .9 m we Y O m :1 oz =5. om. N 1 m 8.2 n M 8m .3 03 N 8 t. I 5n 3 n: 2. v mm v 4,, O 0 8n n N2 m .w 1 mom Nm g m. w. G N mm :m N v mm v mom v N5 8 .9 m2 ms 3 R N2 Feb. 5, 1946. M. GOETZ 2,394,167

PRIlfITING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill 217 v 20s m I 208 INVENTOR. MAURUS T. GOETZ FIG; 7

' 'ITORNEY:

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 FFlCE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS f.

Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Toletype C'orporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July 28, 1944, Serial No. 546,945

Claims.

This invention 'relates .to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to signal recording and repeating apparatus and switching mech anism controlled thereby.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 411,665, filed September 20, 1941.

An object of this invention is to provide 'a telegraph apparatus that will receive and store telegraph signal combinations, record the -characters represented thereby, and redistribute the signal combinations to other locations.

In communication systems, particularly those in which messages may originate many of a number of substations to be transmitted to certain of the remaining substations, it is frequently the practice to transmit the message'tc a central ofiice for rerouting or retransmission to the desired substation. In such a system, the mes sage is customarily stored as it is received, preferably in a record tape, until the necessary retransmission channels are selected and'conditioned. The retransmission channels are generally conditioned manually through'plugs and jacks or semi-automatically through relay circuits. After the message channels have been established, the stored message is applied thereto and transmitted directly to the desired sub station, if a through connection is available,or to a further central office for relaying to the desired substation. At each message relaying point or central office, there is provided a message receiving and storing mechanism, such as a printing reperforator, manually or relay operated switching mechanism for establishing'message channels, and a message redistributor, such as, a tape transmitter, adapted to be associated with the determined channels.

This invention features a telegraph apparatus which may be utilized in communication systems to facilitate and expedite message transmission between substations and which includes within one compact unit a printing reperforator, a plurality of transmitters and entirely automatic switching mechanism. Telegraph signal combinations received by this apparatus are recorded in a control tape and a sensing device senses the tape and conditions the retransmitting distributors in accordance with the received signal combinations to retransmit the message. The switching mechanism of this apparatus operates under the control-of the same tape and sensing device in response to switching signal combinations received from the originating substation preceding the message signal combinations to establish (c1. ire-17.5)

the necessary communication channel to direct the message to the desired substation As a further feature there is provided in accordance with this invention a plurality oftransmitting devices associated with a common sensing mechanism, aiiording a flexible arrangement for signal redistribution. One transmitting device is associated with the automatic switchingmech- ,anism to be selectively connected thereby into one of several communication channels and another transmitting device; disassociated from the switching mechanism, may be connected to another channel. IEither or both of the transmitters maybe employed to redistribute the received message over one or morechannels.

This invention also features a device included in the telegraph apparatus to render the switching mechanism selectively operable; that is, to enable the switching mechanism when switching signal combinations are being sensed by the sensing device, and to disable the switching mechanism when message signal combinations are being sensed. The switching mechanism includes a holding device operable to maintain a communication channel determined by the operation of the switching mechanism in response to received switching signals and to preclude further-switching functions until the determined channel has been released by a predetermined operation of the switching mechanism.

Communication systems'employing apparatus which embody the features or this invention may operate rapidlyand automatically to relaya message from an originating substation to the desired substation. For such automatic operation a series of switching signal combinations is transmitted from the originating substation to establish the necessary communication channel to the desired substation through the operation of the automatic switching mechanism. Thereafter, message signal combinations from the originating substation are directed over the established channel to the desired substation.

The apparatus for accomplishing the above enumerated objects of this invention includes a of a selecting cam drum of the printing unit. The cam drum is adapted to be manually released for continuous rotation to feed a desired length of the tape or control strip through the operation of the feeding devices of the perforating units. From the reperforat-or, the control strip passes into the sensing or transmitting device tocontrol that device in accordance with received signal combinations stored in the tape,

The sensing or transmitting device, being of the pivoted type, is movable with respect to the reperforator and may, therefore, probe each signal combination including the last stored in the tape by the code punching unit. When the sensing device has been conditioned in accordance.

with a complete signal combination in the control strip, a transfer device operates to transfer the setting of the sensing device to a plurality of code bars and to restore the sensing device to its initial condition preparatory to another sensing operation; Each code bar is associated with a locking latch of a. cam type transmitting distributor and the code bars when they have received a setting of the sensing device, establish the setting on the contacts of the distributor so that the signal is retransmitted by the distributor while the sensing device is performing the next succeeding sensing operation and through this arrangement complete signal overlap is provided. The code bars condition automatic switching mechanism as well as the transmitting distributor to perform switching functions to determine the channel into which the distributor transmits in response to received switching signal combinations.

The automatic switching mechanism includes a plurality of switching function levers which in response tothe permutable setting of the code bars permitselective operation of the switching mechanism. In order to restrict the operation of the switching mechanism to only those settings of the code bars that represent switching signal combinations, a device including a plurality of control bars serves to hold the switching function levers normally non-responsive to the settings of a the code bars. When a switching operation is to be performed, apredetermined signal combination is set up in the code bars by the control strip and this conditioning of the code bars is effective to operate the blocking device and render the switching function levers responsive to subsequent settings of the code bars. After the desired switching functions have been accomplished the control tape establishes another predetermined condition in the code bars that restores the device into blocking relation with respect to the switching function levers rendering them nonresponsive to the subsequent settings of the code bars that relay the message signals over the determined communication channel through the agency of the transmitting distributor.

Upon the operation of a switching function lever under the control of a switching signal, the retransmitting distributor is associated with a determined communication channel for transmission thereover. As the channel is selected and associated with the distributor, a holding circuit is conditioned which maintains this association and precludes the establishment of other channels until the holding circuit is dumped preparatory to accomplishing another switching function. Accordingly, if signal combinations included within the repeated message condition the switching mechanism to respond to the operation of the code bars, switching functions'will not be accomplished and the determined channel will not be disturbed.

A second retransmittin'g distributor which is free from the control of the automatic switching device is provided and may transmit into any channel, as for example one leading to a supervisory position, with which it may be electrically associated. The sensing device also controls this distributor, the control being effected through the agency of contact operating fingers integrally formed with each sensing element. The contacts operated are connected serially with the corresponding cam operated contacts of the cam type distributor and determine the transmitted signal combination in accordance with the sensing de vice as it is conditioned by a signal combination stored in the control strip.

The sensing or transmitting device has a tape out pin'that is operated cyclically with the code sensing pins to interrupt the operation of the transmitter at a predetermined point in message signaling, as determined by a special perforation in the tape, or when the tape supply is broken or exhausted. The transmitter is also equipped with a tape feed suppression device operable to arrest the tape feed through the transmitter so that a given signal combination may be transmitted severaltimes in succession.

The pivoted transmitter is movable with the tape and ,when there is a predetermined length of tape intermediate the transmitter and reperforator a locking device, which serves to form this length of tape into a depending loop, locks the transmitter rendering it immovable with respect to the reperforator. Under the continuous operation of the transmitter, this length of tape will eventually be shortened and finally the tape will engage the locking device and move it out of engagement with the transmitter permitting the transmitter to approach the reperforator to sense every code combination in the tape.

For a more complete understanding of the foregoing objects and features of this invention, reference 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 in section, of a portion of a telegraph apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

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

Fig. 3 is a detailed view, in section, of the tape feed suppression device and control bar of the automatic switching mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a View, partly in section, taken approximately along lines 44 of Fig. 1 to show the transmitting cam assembly;

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

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the lines 6B' of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the electrical circuit associated with the automatic switching mechanism.

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 reperiorat-or unit l5, a tape sensing unit I6, a retransmitting distributor I1, a retransmitting distributor I8, and an automatic switching device 19. The several units are supported by a base casting 2|.

Printing perforator "The printing reperforator l included in the apparatus under consideration is substantially the same as that printing reperforator which is the subject of a copending application filed in the name of Ross A. Lake, Serial No. 274,796, filed May 20, 1939, and for a more complete understanding of the structure and mode of operation of this unit, reference may be had to the aforementioned copending application which is incorporated herein by reference. Since the unit under consideration is substantially the same as that disclosed in the above-identified copending application, the description of that mechanism to be set out hereinafter will be of a general nature and will be detailed only in the description of those features of the present unit which are .different'from features in the above-identified copending application.

A printing platen 22 is located in the front and central portion of the reperforator and is associated with an improved platen shift mechanism 26 which is the subject of a copending application Serial No. 411,660 filed in the name of R. A. Lake on September 20, 1941. An inking ribbon 23, Fig. 2, is directed thereover in well-known manner from ribbon supply reels 25 (only one of which is shown). A plurality of type bars 24 (only one of which is illustrated), is positioned in an arcuate path about and to the rear of the printing platen 22 and are articulated to their supports in a manner to permit their striking forwardly and downwardlyinto cooperation with the platen to effect printing. A plurality of pull bars 26 (only one of which is shown) is assembled to the rear of the type bars 24 and is adapted to 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 in shape 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 pull bars may be individually selected for operation. A continu ously operating driving motor 29 carries on its shaft iii a gear 32 which meshes with a gear 33 carried on the main shaft 34 of the reperforator to drive the reperforating mechanism; a selecting cam sleeve (not shown) is rotatably 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 cam sleeve from driving shaft 34 in amanner set out in detail in the aforementioned patent. The cam sleeve is thereupon rotated at a speed substantially synchronous 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 27 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 codebars 21 by means of the printing bail 37, Figs. 1 and 2, as it is raised and lowered. The printingbail 37 is suitably articulated to a bail operating plunger 38, Fig. l, slidably mounted within a guide sleeve 39, and plunger 38 is controlled by means of a cam (not shown) on the main shaft 3%. Themecise operation of the printing mechanism including bail 1' from the main shaft 34 is set out in detail in said afore-mentioned patent.

. When the bail 37 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 engagement with code bars 21 so-that the code bars may be readily shifted in accordancewith 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 2? 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 2'! to be operated by its biasing spring into the path of bail 37 which in its upward movement engages hook projection 42 'to lift the pull bar, and through the 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 merely to rock on its pivot into and out of locking engagement with code bars 2! under the control of bail 37 to retain the permutable setting of the code bars during the printing operation. For a more comprehen-v sive and detailed description of the printing operation performed by the printing reperforator, reference may be had to the afore-said Patent No. 1,745,633 which is specifically directed to a ported upon a stud 41 which is mounted in a supporting plate 48 secured to the frame of the reperforating unit. Each of the bell cranks 46 is provided with a projecting finger 49 adapted to overlap the locking bar 36 and be operated thereby to position the bell cranks 46in a counterclockwise direction as the bar 36 under the iniiuence of bail 31 is cammed out of locking engagement with code bars 21 preparatory to 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 27 when looking bar 36 under the control of bail 3! is moved into the locking notch 35 releasing the bell cranks to respond to their clockwise the code bar and when locking bar 36 responds" to-the bail 3'1 and enters locking :notch 35 as shown. the hell crank 46 will be permitted to assume its clockwise position. However, in the eventthat a code bar is in itsextreme clockwise position, locking bar 36 would engage the alternate locking notch on the particular code bar and that bar would be positioned in the ath of its associated bell crank 46 so that when looking 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 the blocking shoulders 5i of the bell cranks associated with the particular code bars, the permutabl setting of the code bars is transferred to the plurality of hell cranks 46 when those bell cranks are permitted to sense the positionment of the code bars as'locking bar 36 ismoved into a locking notch 35.

The frontward portion of supportin ,plate 48 as viewed in Fig. his slotted to'provide a .comb like 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 guided by the comb portion of :member 48 project into the path of operation of hell cranks 46 code bar 21, its springifl 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 2'! 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, spacin impulse, its associated interponent is shifted from its normal position and moved out of alignment with its associated code punch.

A punch block 61, Fig. 2, secured to the reperforator casting is suitably apertured to receive in a slidable manner the code punches 66 which project through the punch block and a guide comb 68 formed in the leftward extremity of a punch stripper bail 65 that is pivoted on the same pivot studs as cradle 62. A spring 18 is secured to a depending projection of bail 65 v and a spring post (not shown) located on the and eachlever 52 is controlled by one of the bell cranks 46. The lower ends of levers 52 cooperate with and control a series of hell cranks 54 pivoted on a pivot shaft 55, Fig. 2, secured to the casting 63. Bell cranks 54, in turn, extend beneath the horizontal portion of a second set of bell cranks 56 pivoted on shaft 51 supported in the perforator casting 63. The bell cranks 56 are normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of individual springs 66 which springs also serve through the engagement of hell cranks 56, bell cranks 54, pivoted levers 52, and bell cranks 46 to impart a clockwise bias on each of the bell cranks 46. Pivotally articulated to the vertical arms of hell cranks 56 are a plurality of punch interponents 58. Interponents 58 are guided by a comb out in a flanged portion 6| of a cradle member 62 pivotally supported by the casting 63 of the printing reperforator and serving as the 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 hell cranks 56. This pivot point is indicated 64. Through th mechanical linkage above described,

each permutable setting of the code bars 21 is transferred when locking bar 36 assumes its looking relation with respect to the code bars, to the interponents 58 to permutably condition'the interponents with respect to code punches 66, Fig. 2.

Locking bar 36, in being retracted from'a looking notch 35 preparatory to setting up a signal combination in code bars 21, rocks bell cranks 46 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. If any of the bell 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 .isretained in its leftward position in alignment with its code punch 66. However, if abell crank 46 is permitted to assume its clockwise position by its associated 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. 2, that depends from the code punch 61 and which is overlapped by the leftward extremity of comb 68. 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 may under the influence of spring [6 withdraw punches 66 to their lowermost positions. The front surface of the punch block is 'atan angle inclined to the vertical for a purpose which will be hereinafter described, and the top surface H is at an acute angle with respect to the axes ofthe punches to provide an inclined path for atape through the punch block. The front surface of the punch block is chamfered back to the apertures which accommodate the code punches to prevent the accumulation of tape chips over the code punches. The punch elemerits 66 may be associated with the punch block 61in much the 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 6'! is a die plate 12 and there is provided in the die plate a die sector for each code punch located in punch block 6'1. 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 out 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 ll of the punch block, a tape guideway for directing a tape to be perforated at an angle to the 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 punches, 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 I4 is provided to remove the lids from the die plate at the end of each perforating cycle. Secured to the die plate I2 is a pivot pin I6 upon which is pivotally supported a plurality of spring operated levers 'I'I operated by compression springs I8 to depress the stripper or ejector pins I4 at the end of each perforating cycle and eject the lids from the die plate. The compression springs I8 are held between a frame member I9 secured to die plate 12 and a projecting lug extending from each of the levers H. In each perforating cycle, the operated code punches 66 project into the sector openings provided in die plate 12 and force the stripper pins 74 upwardly and at the completion of the perforating cycle, the code punches 66 are retracted from the die plate by comb 68 rendering the levers I! operative under the influence of springs I8 to depress the ejector pins 14 and eject the lids from the die plate. The code perforating punch block described above forms no part ofthe present invention but is the subject of U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794 filed in the name of R. A. Lake and reference may be had thereto for a more complete disclosure of the punch assembly.

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. 2, and is stepped intermittently by means of a feed pawl 83, Fig. 1, pivotally supported on a lever 84 which is secured by screws 85 to cradle member 62 and engages a feed ratchet 86 with each operation of the cradle 52 in a well-known manner. See copending application filed by Erwin A. Gubisch, Serial No. 412,829, filed on September 29, 1941,

and directed in part to the feed wheel locatedwithin the punch block. A spring pressed detent 81 is provided to bear against the ratchet and hold the feed wheel immovable between feeding strokes of the pawl 83. i

A re-punch unit is provided to perforate a feed hole in the tape rior to the code perforating operation and comprises a feed punch 9 I, Figs. 1 and 2, which is adapted to be reciprocated vertically in a feed hole punch block 92 by means of 'a bell crank 33 pivoted on stud shaft 9 3 and provided with a fork shaped extension member 96, the tines of which engage beneath the flared upper end of the punch SI and confine the head of the punch between thefork member and the bell crank so that the punch is reciprocated as the bell crank is oscillated about pivot 94. Feed pins 98, Fig. 1, aresecured to a shaft 9'! rotatably supported in the pre-punch unit and provided at one end with milled ratchet teeth 99 to be engaged by a feed pawl IIlI to intermittently advance the pins 98 and cause the feed of the tape by the engagement of pins 98 with the feed perforations invariably providedin the tape by the pre-punch 9i. A star wheel I02 and detent I83 are provided for holding the feed shaft intermediate the feeding strokes of :pawl IM. A spring pressed guide I04,

Fig. 1, of the general contour of shaft 91 presses the tape against the feed pins to assure positive out of alignment with code punches 66, Thus the code perforations and 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 op.- erating means which is controlled by a perforating cam located on main shaft 34. Main operating shaft 35, 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 I85, Fig. 4, that is released for rotation with each operation of the selector cam drum. Cam drum I is driven through a grab clutch comprising drivingmerm ber I01 and driven member I88 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 I89 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 I89 and pivots it away from cam'I I I permitsion of code signals, it will be effective to release cam drum IIlB for a corresponding succession of cycles of operation. 7 I

A perforating cam H3 is included in the cam drum I86 and actuates a pivoted, punch operating lever I I4 through a cam following roller I'IE rotatably supported upon a stud which extends transversely of a bifurcation provided in the rightward extremity of lever H4. Lever H4 extends obliquely from main operation, shaft 38 at the rear of apparatus casting 2| downwardly and forwardly and is pivotally articulated at its lower extremity to a horizontally disposed link II'I, Fig. 2, located near the front of the casting. Lever II4 has a vertical projection II8 bored so as to be assembled in the perforator by means of a pivot shaft H9 secured in bearing blocks IJI and I22 formed'integrally with an upstanding supporting structure I23 to be described more fully hereinafter.

At its leftward extremity, Fig. 2, link IN is provided with an aperture I24 which receives a projection I28 adjustably carried by cradle 62. Cradle 62, which serves as the code punchhammer, is urged by means of a spring I28 secured thereto and to a spring post depending from base casting 2| into abutting relation with the leftward extremity of link II'I, adjustablestop I21 secured to depending portion I29 of cradle 52 serving to limit this counterclockwise movement of the cradle. Cradle 62 is guided in its movement by the engagement of stud I26 with the guiding aperture I24 of link II-I.-

Link H1 is slidably articulated through a slot I3I to pivoted three-arm lever. I32 which carries an eccentric I34 on arm I33, and the eccentric provides an adjustable engagement between lever I32 vand the bell crank 93 of the pre-punch. Feedpawl I-I for the pre-punch is adjustably secured to arm 136 of the lever I32 by means of an eccentric so that the feed stroke may be adiusted. Through the engagement of abutment I29 with link I I'I'and the articulation of link H 1to lever I32, the code punches and the pro-punch are operated with each oscillation of lever I I 4 under the control of cam I I3.

As has already been pointed out, the selector mechanism 28 which controls the code bars 21 conditions in this one operation both the printing mechanism throughthe alignment of the code notches in the code bars 21 and the code punches through the conditioning of punch interponents 58. Cam assembly 166', 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 accomplished a printing operation which records on the tape a character corresponding to the received code signal combination, and, simultaneously, there is accomplished one perforating operation that stores the received code signal combination in the tape and another perforating operation that prepares a feed hole in the tape.

Sensing unit Associated with the hereinbefore described printing reperforator, is a sensing unit |-=6 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 theprinting reperforator is of the pivoted or traveling type which is adapted to sense every code perforation recorded in a tape by the printing. reperforator, without the necessity of stepping-the perforated tape a plurality of feeding distances from the perforating unit into the transmitting or sensing This pivoted transmitter, is described in detail in .copending application Serial No. 219,170 filedJuly 18, 1938 by 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 I6 has a base casting. I 6|, 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 flat web portion 163, Fig. 2. The leftward extremity of portionv I63 is formed. into a vertical portion 1.64 which is channeled to serve as a journal for a shaft I66 and slotted to provide 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 I 62, as viewed. in Fig. 1,. support. pivot studs I68 upon which the movable or pivoted. portion of the sensing unit is secured. Specifically, the frame members I69 and I1!) are secured to the pivots i68 A plate "I is carried by the pivoted frame members and carries a hinge post I12, Fig. 2, upon which is hingedly supported a tape gate I13 which in conjunction with the plate I 1| defines the passage way for the perforated tape through the transmitter. A spring latch holds the tape gate in cooperating relation with the plate IN. This structure of the transmitter is substantially identical with that disclosed in the above-identified copending application, and reference may be had to that application and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical details of the transmitter frame. Both plate HI 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 Ill.

Apertures in plate I1I receive the reduced portions of sensing pins I15, Fig. 2. There is provided a sensing pin or finger for each of the possible 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 mannor to be hereinafter described. Inthe particular apparatus under consideration there are provided six sensing fingers, inasmuch as it is contemplated to utilize a five-unit code.

A slida-bly movable feed member I16, 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 copending application Serial No. 219,770 and illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 thereof. In view of the detailed description of this tape feeding mechanism, in the latter ccpending application, the apparatus description and the mode of operation will be set out herein only briefly, and reference should be had to the afore-mentioned application for a more complete understanding of both the structural details and the precise mode of operation of this rectilinearly operable feed mechanism. Member I16 carries on "its upper extremity pins 116 which enter and normallyengage the feed perforations in a tape to advance the tape or advance the transmitter, depending on which of the two is held immovable and cooperating with cam groove I11 in lever I16 is a pin I19 secured to the free end of a cam operated lever 'I8I.

On the shaft I 66 which is supported by the channel I 64, Fig. 2, formed in the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported a plurality of 'Y-levers I62 as well as other levers ineluding those required to control the operation of the members I16 and IBI of the tape feeding mechanism. The Y-levers are individual to the sensing fingers 115 and those fingers are pivot-- ally secured to one arm of the Y-levers on a centerline substantially coincident with the pivots I58. The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a member 133 secured by screws I 84, Fig. 1, to the vertical wall sections of the base casting of the sensing unit, and member 83 is suitably slotted to provide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical oscillation 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 I 63 are received in horizontal slots 1816 of the. casting 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 I89 the other end of which is anchored to a spring post I81 carried by member I83, and springs I89 tend normally to rotate the Y-levers I82 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I66, and elevate the sensing erates an associated pair of contacts 252 for.

purposes to be hereinafter described.

A cam drum I96, Figs. 2 and 4, carries a plurality of cams Which operate, as followers, the several levers pivotally supported by shaft I66, and located on this cam drum, are a plurality of cams I91, 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 I98 to control the operation of contacts 25!, a transfer cam I99 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, a cam 299 for controlling the operation of feed lever I16 through lever I9I, cam 29I for controlling the operation of feed lever I8I through lever I92, and cam 292 to control the operation of contacts 252. 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 giving a clear showing of the drum.

The power for driving cam drum I96 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 292 and 29-9 in which are securely fixed the bearings 204, preferably ball bearings, for shaft 34. An extension 296 is secured to main shaft 34 through a suitable coupling 291 and carries a gear 208 in mesh with a gear 299, Fig. 2, afiixed to .a power transmission shaft 2 extending across the rear of the printing reperforator. Shaft 2II is rotatably supported by bearings 2I2 and 2I3 depending from the principal apparatus casting, 2I and carries a second power transmitting gear 2M. Gear 2 I4, Fig. 2, which is continuously rotated by shaft 2! I meshes with a gear 2 I6 secured to shaft 211 which is journaled in suitable bearings preferably ball bearings 2I'8 and 2I9 depending from the horiozntal portion of base casting 2!. Grab clutch driving element 22I is driven continu-- ously from shaft 2I1. The driven element 222 of the clutch is loosely supported on shaft 2I1, and normally held out of engagement with driving element 22 I, by means of a clutch throwout lever 223 which normally is spring urged into engagement 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 from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven particularity in the Krum patent.

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 con tinuously and upon de-energization of the electromagnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum I96 completes its instant cycle of revolution.

The energization of electromagnet 221 is under the joint control of a manually operated switch (not shown), and a transmitter operated switch 229'so that the operation of the transmitter may be initiated when desired and terminated automatically upon the operation of the transmitter as the transmitter senses the last code signal combination perforated in the tape by the printing reperforator. The manually operated switch 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 I19 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 2I 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 the switch 229 to break the circuit to the electroma gnet 221 and shut down the operation of cam sleeve I96.

Retransmittmg distributors and transfer mechanism The sensing unit, in the manner described above senses the successive code perforations in the tape as the tape passes from the printing reperforator 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 portions of the guide slots in comb I83 in accordance with the extent of the counterclockwise rotation of the Y-levers under th influence of their biasing springs I89 as controlled by the perforations in the tape. The permutable setting of the Y-levers I82 controls the operation of cam type retransmitting distributors I1 and I8, Figs. 1 and 2, which redistribute or retransmit the received and recorded code signal combinations. A plurality of distributing devices have been provided to aiford a flexible retransmitting or redistributing system, as will hereinafter appear.

Each of the cam type retransmitting distributors is substantially the same as the distributor which is the subject of Patent No. 1,595,472 to Krum and includes a cam drum upon which are mounted the five code impulse controlling cams and a start-stop controlling cam described with Distributor I1 has a cam assembly 21I of this type rotatably supported upon a continuously rotating shaft 212 which is supported in suitablebearings preferably ball bearings, one of which, 213, is illustrated in Fig. i. Shaft 212 carries at its rearward extremity or rightward extremity'as viewed in Fig. 4, a gear 214 in mesh with power transmitting gear 2I4 secured to continuously rotating shaft 2I I. A clutch, including a driving portion 216 secured to shaft 212 and driven memher 211 rotatably'supported upon shaft 212, is provided to impartdriving force to the cam assembly. A spring 218- is effective when a distributor release magnet 219, Fig. 5, is energized retractinga clutch throwout lever 281 from engagement with the clutch throwout cam 282 formed on the periphery of driven member 211 to engage the clutch elements and rotate the cam assembly.

A plurality of pivotally supported contact operating bell crank'levers 283, Fig. 2, having cam following projections 284 is supported upon a pivot shaft 286 suitably secured to the apparatus frame structure and biasing springs (not shown) serve to urge the bell cranks in a clockwise direction to maintain the cam followers in engagement with their associated cams in cam assemblyZll. A pair of transmitting contacts 281 is associated with each contact operating lever to be operated thereby. The individual cams comprising the assembly 2'"- are arranged in helical arrangement and present cam recesses to the contact operating levers successively sothat the contact operating levers are invariably operated in succession with each rotation of the cam sleeve whereby a signal including start-stop phasing impulses-maybe transmitted.

The particular signal transmitted is determined by' a series of contacts, in this case five in number, one of which is serially connected with the code impulse contacts of the distributor l1. These character determining contacts 288 are supported in the apparatus assembly in operative relation with. respect to a depending projection 289 depending from each of the Y-levers corresponding to the code probing sensing elements to be conditioned thereby in accordance with a code combination sensed by sensing mechanism I6. Five code controlling contacts 288 have been provided because it is contemplated that the apparatus will be operated by a five unit code. It is to be understood that the number of such contacts employed will be determined by the particular code utilized.

As indicated above, the contact operating lever I94, Fig. 5, is pivotally supported on shaft I66 to operate under the control of a cam 202 a pair of contacts 252 which contacts, when operated, completethe energizing circuit (not shown) for the distributor release, magnet 219 to initiate a cycle of operation of retransmitting distributor l1. Cam 202 is oriented within the cam drum 196 to operate lever I84 in proper timed relation to the operation of the sensing mechanism l6 under the operation of the plurality of cams I91 so that distributor l1 will be operated to repeat a signal combination that has been sensed.

The distributor release magnet 219 as well as the transmitter release magnet 221 is supported by a bracket that depends from the main casting, the magnets being secured thereto in superposed relation, Fig, 5. A pair of horizontally extending arms, 29!. and 292, project from the bracket, Fig. 1, and a pivot shaft 293 upon which is mounted clutch throwout levers 223 and 28l is supported by the rightward extremities of the arms.

In the operation of the retransmitting apparatus thus far described, the transmitting distributor 11 repeats into the channel with which the distributor is electrically associated the signal combinations stored in the tape and sensed by the sensing device. Th Y-levers 18.2 are permutably conditioned under the operation of the sensing fingers 115 about the shaft 166 and thereby'operate the series of contacts 288 in-a corresponding permutation. This permutation is determined as follows: When a Y-lever has as sumed its extreme counterclockwise position as when its associated sensing finger has found a perforation in the tape, its projection 289 causes its associated contact pair 288 to be closed, and when the counterclockwise rotation of a Y-lever is impeded due to a spacing condition represented by the absence of a perforation in the tape over the particular sensing finger, its projection 289 retains contacts 288 open so that with each operation of the sensing device contacts 288 are opened and closed to determine a code signal permutation. In timed relation to the operation of the sensing device, cam 202 operates lever I94 to energize the distributor release magnet 219 which transmits a start impulse following which, through the invariable operation of its cam operating levers, it transmits the marking and spacing impulses comprising the particular code signal combination under the control of contacts 288 and finally it transmits a stop impulse whereupon the clutch throwout lever 232 arrests the cam sleeve pending another operation of the sensing device.

Transmitting drum 21! in its stopped condition maintains marking condition on the line, as is well understood in the art, and holds each of the code impulse contact pairs open whereas the sensing device in its arrested condition, retains the Y-levers in their extreme clockwise positions holding contacts 288 open preparatory to a sensing operation. Early in the cycle of cam drum I96 the sensing elements are operated simultaneously and establish a signal combination immediately upon contacts 288. At substantially the same time, distributor I1 is released and during the remaining portion of the sensing time, transmits over its associated line the signal combination established on contacts 288,

Y-lever I82 control the signals generated by a second retransmitting distributor I8 through a transfer mechanism that reads the setting of the Y-levers, determined by a sensing operation, and establishes that setting on the contact operating levers of the distributor. The particular association of the distributor with the sensing mechanism, being through the agency of a transfer mechanism, affords ccmplete signal overlap in this portion of the apparatus which is similar to a tape transmitter.

The transfer mechanism is supported by a pair of depending structural brackets, depending from base Casting 2|. These elements 3M and 302, Fig. 1, are provided with horizontally extending flanges through which the brackets are bolted to base casting 2i. Pivot stud-s 383 and 384, Fig. 4, are carried atthe lower extremity of brackets 30] and 302, respectively, and support the frame of the transfer mechanism in a pivotal manner. The frame comprises a pair of vertical arms 30% and 301 interconnected by a horizontally disposed member 388, Fig. 1. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 309, Fig. 2, extends between the upper portions of vertical frame members 306 and 391 of the transfer frame and there is mounted on the shaft a plurality of transfer levers 3!! which are substantially T shaped and suitably paced horizontally along shaft 309 by means of spacing discs 3l2. The upper and lower extremities of the vertical sections of T-levers 3! I face the fork elements of the Y-levers I182, Fig. 2, and when the Y-levers are positioned in the upper portion of the slide groove of comb I63, 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 in the 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 309 is preferably eccentric in cross section so that by rotating the shaft an accurate alignment of the T- levers and Y-levers may be 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 as described above, and cam I99, Fig. .4, which is included in cam drum I96, operates upon a cam follower 3 I3, Figs. 2 and 4, formed as a projection on the member 331 of the frame of the transfer mechanism. ,A biasing spring (not shown) operates normally to hold the transfer frame in its counterclockwise position, but the operation of cam I99 on cam follower 3I3 is sufiicient to overcome this spring bias and rotate the transfer frame and the T-levers 3| I into a clockwise position in which the terminals of the T-levers come into abutting relation with the tines of the Y- levers in accordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers, and this engagement of the T-levers with the Y-levers rocks the T-levers in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about shaft 399 and transfers the setting of the Y-levers to the T-levers.

More particularly, if a Y-lever is assumed to be in its lower position in comb I83, in response to the projection of its associated sensing finger I15 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, that is, after the tape has beensensed and the Y-levers permutably conditioned, it will bring the T-lever associated with the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower tine of which will engage the lower extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever 3| I, and through this engagement will rock the T-lever 3! I in a clockwise direction about shaft 399. 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 brought into engagement with the Y-lever, the upper tine of the Y-lever will e gage the upper extremity of th vertical section of the T-lever and in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 309. The transfer of the setting of the individual Y-levers to the associated individ ual 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 I99 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 finger I15 from engagement with the perforated tape, preparatory to the sensing of a subsequent code combination. When the transfer mechanism is returned to normal, it maintains control over a retransmitting distributor to transmit the signal combination transferred from the Y-levers and during this transmission, cam drum I96 im'tiates another cycle of the sensing unit, setting the Y-levers in accordance with the following code signal combination recorded in the tape, thereby providing complete signal overlap between the Sensing unit and transfer mechanism.

There is associated with each T-lever a code bar 3H5, Figs. 1 and 2, and this association is through the shank portion 3I1 of T-lever 3H which is received in a recess 3I8 provided in the upper surface of the code bar. Each code bar 3I6 is slidably supported at each of its extremities within guide combs 3I9 and 32!, Fig. 2, carried in depending fashion from the base casting 2I of the apparatus. There are as many code bars provided as there are T-levers, one bar being associated with one T-lever in the above-described manner. In this particular embodiment of the invention, wherein it is contemplated to employ a five-unit code, there are provided five Y-levers, five T-levers and five code bars mutually associated with one another. The code bars 3I6 extend leftwardly from the transfer T-levers and at its leftward extremity, Fig, 2, each code bar receives a-latching lever 322 to control the transmitting contacts of cam type distributor i3.

Latching levers 322 are pivotally supported upon a pivot shaft 323, Fig. 6, secured to main casting 2I and properl positioned axially along the shaft by spacing discs 324. At its lowest extremity each latching lever enters a recess 325 provided in the upper surface of its associated code bar to provide a, suitable articulation therebetween so that the permutable setting of the code bars will be automatically established on the latching levers. The latching levers determine the signal transmitted by cam type distributor I8.

Cam-type distributor l8, Figs. 1 and 2, com-- prises a cam drum 32B upon which are mounted the five code impulse controlling cams and the start-stop controlling cam, as is well known in the art, and described with particularity in Patent No. 1.595,472 to Krum. Cam drum 323 is loosely mounted on shaft 321 which receives its driving power from shaft 2I I, Figs. 1 and 2, which carries gear 328 meshing with a gear 329 secured to shaft 321. A grab or positive clutch comprising a driving element 33I, Fig. 1, secured to shaft 321 and a driven portion 332 rotatably mounted upon shaft 321 and controlled by clutch throwout lever 333 is provided to connect the power from shaft 321, through the grab clutch, to cam drum 323 when magnet 334 is energized, retracting the clutch throwout lever 333 from engagement with the cam on the peripheral portion of clutch element 332 permitting engagement of the elements of the grab clutch in a manner referred to hereinbefore in connection with another similar grab clutch construction. Shaft 321 is suitably journaled on supports provided in the base casting 2 I, one of which is illustrated at 336.

Associated with the cam drum 326 are a plurality of levers 331, Fig. 2, pivoted on a shaft 338 and operated by cams on cam drum 326 when permitted to move by the latching levers 322 to control the operation of transmitting contacts 339 associated with a telegraph line (not shown).

In Fig. 2 the levers 331 and cam drum 326 are illustrated, and from that view it may be seen that the horizontally extending portion of each lever 331 carries a cam following element 3M. A spring (not shown) individual to each lever 331 tends normally to rotate each lever in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 338. When cam drum 326 is permitted to rotate due to the energizationof magnet 334, the code impulse controlling cams; successivelypresent cam depressions-to thecam followers and in response thereto, the biasing springs rotate the levers ina counterclockwise direction to'close the associated contact 3-39 if the latching lever 322 associated with the particular lever 33-? is in its clockwise position; as illustrated in Fig; 2; due to the left- 'ward positionment of its respect-ivecode bar; under the-control of the T-levers. been conditioned in its rightward-position by its Ifa Codebar has T-lever, the latching lever I522 operated hy that code bar will be positioned in its counterclockwise position or into locking relation with the "lever 33-! associated therewith, and when the cam recess is'present'ed to the cam follower- 33*: of that lever, the counterclockwise rotation of the lever isrestrained through theengagement of thelatching lever 322 with the lever 3'37; preventing the closure of the cam operatedcontacts 339 associatedwith thatparticularlever;

The energization of electromagnet 334 isunder the control of cam 88 oncam sleeve 19E" of the sensing-unit which; through; the orientation of ca-m l98- onthe sleeve, releases the distributor shaf-t'327to drive the cam sleeve 325' in timed relation to the sensing. and transfer of" the code combinations-in the tape; Cam r88 operates a bell' crank I93, Fig. 1, pivoted on shaft 135' to close'contact's 25 l-, Fig; 5,- which complete a simple energizing circuit (not shown) to the electromagnet-3 3 in each cycle of revolution of the sensing unit cam drum" N35 to cause the grab clutch 355L432 in the transmittingdistributor unit to be engaged for asingle cycle of revolution.

The operation of the transfermeclianism and the tr-ansmitting distributor briefly i's as follows: 1 In timed relation-to the setting of the Y-levers 1-82, cam l 99 operatesto move the transfer mechsponse to the spacing impulse indicated in the tape; Through theirassociation with the T-levers thecode bars will becorrespondingly conditioned in a permutable setting corresponding to that setting which has been transferred to the T- levers'from the Y-levers and in this-setting the P -levers which have been rotated in a clockwise direction, positiontheir associated code bars leftwardly and, conversely, those T-levers'which are positioned in a counterclockwise direction condition their code bars in a. rightward position. Correspondingly, the latching levers 322 are moved respectively out ofand'into latching position with respect to the levers 33]. Those code bars 3H5 which havebeen positioned in a leftward direction in response. to a marking impulse. rotate their latching'levers-out of engagement with their associated levers 331 permitting the contactscontrolled by those levers to be closed underv the control of the-cam drum 326; to initiate a marking impulse; haveb'een moved in. a rightward direction in response to spacingjimpulses, position the latching 1evers322 into-blocking relation with their levers 331; to prevent the closure of the contacts 339 associated with those levers and thus initiate a Conversely, the code bars Bit which spacing impulse; In this manner, the code combination, sensed by the sensing unit and transferred to the code bars bythe transfer mechanism, is set up in the retransmitting distributor and retransmitted;

Automatic switching mechanism m order to effect automatic switching or any of the various functions which it may be desired to control from the perforated tape, there is providecl an automatic switching mechanism Illincluding a plurality of functionrlevers 35L Figs. 1, 2; and 6, pivotally supported upon a shaft 352 which is suitably carried by'the base casting to thetrear of the apparatus. The function levers are bell cranks and are properly positioned along shaft 352- by: means of spacers 3E3 interposed between successive bell cranks andto accommodate a large number of function levers, the levers are assembled on shaft 3522170 define two rows, one on either side of codev bars 316. For the purpose of: effecting switching operations, contacts354 associated with communication channels are suitably supported ina position to be operated'by the horizontal arms of hell cranks 351, Fig. 6. Each function bell crank 35! is provided with a biasing spring 35B tending to rock'the bell crank about its pivoted shaft 261' in a direction to operate thecontact pair associateditherewith.

Each code bar 3; is coded on both its upper and lower surfaces; that is,. each bar carries a series of recessesor cutaway portions in its upper and lower surfaces; located incodemann'er so that for each permutational setting: of the code bars there will: be one, and only: one, alignment of notches including a notch or' recess located in each code bar; Function levers '35! arepositioned. transversely of the code bars-to beselectively operated thereby. The posit-ionment of' the function levers with respect to the code notches is'such that-there is a predetermined permutationa-l settingof the codebars for each function lever which; will present an alignment of, code notches to that function lever; and that lever alone, permitting the lever: to: be positioned into the. alignment of 'code' notches by its biasing spring" to thereby actuate; its associated contacts 354.

Aselectedfunction bell crank-351', selected in response. to the setting of code: bars 3| 6, isrestored; to; its unselected position against the tension: of its biasing spring by a spreader cam at the completion'of the instantcycle of operation which is ample time to accomplish the selected switching operation. For this purpose, cam 351, Fig; is provided; extending parallel to bars 3l6 and rotatably supported beneath the horizontal portion of maincasting 2| on ashaft 358; The cam isdisposed transversely of and between function bell cranks 351i. Shaft 358 carries a gear 359 which meshes with gear. 361: secured to cam assembly I96 and preferably the gear ratio is 2:1 sincecam 35lincludes apair of cam surfaces to operate both rows of functiontlevers 35! With this arrangement, .shaft 353 rotates coextensively with but at-halfthe speed of cam assembly I96 so-that. near the completion of each cycle of cam drum I96; cam 35].; moves all. functionlevers 35l to an: extreme position out of'engagement with codebars Bid-freeing the-bars for thenext permutational setting. In the following cycle of operation, after cam-drum lildhascaused a succeeding permutational setting tobetransferred to codebars v31 6., =cam351 frees the function levers and permits the restoring springs 355 to rock the function levers into probing relation. with respect to the code bars resulting in a selected operation of the bell cranks and contacts 354.

A cognizance device, Fig. 3, is provided to hold the function levers 35! normally nonresponsive to the permutable settings of code bars 3H5 and to render the function levers selectively responsive to the operation of the code bars following a predetermined operation of the code bars which is effective to remove the cognizance device from disabling association with the function levers. The cognizance device comprises a selectively operable control bar which must be properly conditioned to render the function bell cranks 35! responsive to the permutable setting of the code bars 3H5. Referring more particularl to Figs. 1 and 3, the control her 365 is supported by guide combs M3 and 32! and is spaced from but parallels code bars 3E3. The control bar 355 is also slidably supported u on pins 35'! and 358 which are mounted in a frame member 31! and which project through slotted apertures 369 in the control bar. Frame member 31! is supported by combs 3! 9 and 32!. Control bar 366 extends transversely of and beneath the function bell cranks 35! and normally presents blocking p-rojections 372 to each of the function bell cranks which prevent the rotation of the bell cranks under the control of their springs 353 in response to the permutable setting of the code bars 3l6. However. control bar 356 is provided with notches 373 which. when the control bar has been operated in a predetermined manner, will be positioned beneath the function bell cranks 35! rendering the bell cranks responsive to subsequent operations of the code bars 3 I3.

Pivotally sup-ported on pin 36! is a bell crank 313 one arm of which is directed downwardly into alignment with a forwardly extending, depending projection 31'! secured to control bar 355. Similarly, a bell crank 318 is pivotally supported on pin 338 and one arm of the bell crank is in alignment with a second, forwardly extending projection 319 that depends from control bar 366. It may be observed that the bell cranks engage opposite sides of projections 316 and 379 so that the bell cranks, when rotated about their pivots in a manner to be presently described, will slide control bar 366 in opposite directions. A plurality of control function levers indicated 33! and 382 is provided for operating the bell cranks 315 and 318 to effect the responsiveness of the switching function levers 35! to the permutable setting of the code bars 3H5. Although any particular function levers of the group indicated 35! may be employed to condition the control bar, specific ones to be identified presently have been selected in this embodiment of the invention. Control function lever 38! is the Fig. function lever and control function lever 332 is the letters function lever.

When the function levers 35! are held from responding to the permutable setting of the code bars 3l6, control bar 366 is positioned in its leftward position as viewed in Fig. 3, presenting a blocking tooth 312 beneath each of the function levers exclusive of the Figs. function lever 38! and letters function lever 382. When it is de sired to erform a switching or other function through the agency of the function bell cranks 35!, the signal combination to select the Figs. function lever is set up from the perforated tape in the code bars 3H5 in response to which control: function lever38! is selected'and operated about pivot 352 into its extreme counterclockwise position, as .viewed in Fig. 6, since there is a notch in the control bar 366 beneath this particular bell crank. In assuming its most counterclockwise position, lever 38! depresses bell crank 3T8 rocking it in a counterclockwise direction, as'viewed in Fig. 3 about pin 368, and

accordingly, the bell crank through its engage-1 ment with projection 319 shifts the control bar 366 rightwardly. This positionment of control bar 366 presents a notch under all of the function levers 35! and in this condition the cognizance device permits selective operation of the control or switching'function levers 35! in response tosubsequent code signal combinations set up in the code bars by the perforated tape.

When the required switching or other functions have been accomplished through the code combinations set up in code bars 3H5 subsequent to the conditioning of the cognizance device, the letters selection combination is set up in the code bars which operates-the controlfunction lever 332. In operating, control'function lever 382 rotates bell crank 316 in a clockwise direction, as

viewed in Fig.3; and through its engagement with projection 31'! slides the control bar in a leftward direction disabling the functio-n'levers 35! from responsiveness to the subsequent permutable' settings of the code bars, until the cognizance device has again beenoperated in the above-described predetermined manner.

In order to utilize the automatic switching mechanism, the substation at which a message is to be originated, transmits in sequence, the Figs. signal combination and the switchin signal combinations. Following the switching signal combinations, the letters function signal combination is transmitted after which the message signal combinations may be transmitted. At the receiving station these signals are received, recorded, and stored in' a tape, transferre dftoth e transmitting distributor and automatic switching mechanism to first condition the switching mechanism for operation, selectively operate it, and disable it in sequence. The switch- 'retransmitting distributors thus far has brought out the fact that a code signal combination sensed is transmittedor repeated twice; that is, by re transmitting distributor I! and again b retransmitting distributor 8. Only one of these distributors, however, namely, !8,.is associated with the switching mechanism and one practical utility for that switching mechanism is the determination of the communication channels with which the retransmitting distributor I8 is associated for the repetitionof code signal combinations received by the printing reperforator. The circuit of Fig; '7 will accomplish this purpose.

In the circuit arrangement disclosed there are represented the contact 354 operated by four of the function levers 35L It is, of course, to be understood that this is merely a representative circuit and maybe expanded as desired. The contacts have been designated UCA, U03, U00, and UCZ indicating that those contacts which are operated by the signal combinations A, B, C, and

. 389;.390, andl39l over Whichthesignals originating inlth'e' retransmitting distributor l8 maybe repeated toreceivin'g stations'iA, .B, and G, respectively (not shown);-

In describingthe circuit operation it will be assumed that va- Fig; signal combinatiomhas been conditioned in the switching mechanisni- I9" to renderlthe' switching levers- 35h selectively: respons ve-to the operation of code bars-316." The signal combination of-upper case A wilt cause the selection and operation :ofthat-function-lever 35 I associated with contacts 354' indicated UCA in Fig. 7; These contacts-willbe-closed completing a circuit'f'rom battery through-contacts UCA,-relay 388, line 392,,armature: and closedtcontacts of relay 381, line:393, armatureand closed contacts of relay 388; line 394 and closed contacts UCZ to ground. In the above-defined circuit, contacts UCZ havebeen' identified as normally closed whereas the remaining contacts associated with the :function levers. 35 i are normally opened and are closedupon the selectionoftheir associated function levers.-

one contact pair, however, UCZ, is normally closed and-is opened upon the selection-of the upper caseZ-function lever. The-above-defined circuit energizes relay 385 which draws up its armature andcloses-a looking or holding circuit including battery, inner left-hand armature and'contactof relay 386, winding of relay 3%, line 392-, closed armature contacts atv relays-381 and 388to line 394 and ground, as recited previously. The holding circult which retainsthe relay 386 energizedis effective thereby to retain a circuit connection from line L through operated relay contacts at relay- 388 to-line 389 which thereby associates the retransmitting distributor with sub-station A over communicationv channel 389.-

In the course of amessage to berepeated over channel=389, itf-requently happens-thatthe message will include signal combinations which rep resent the Figs. selection. 'Ilr1is,.ofcourse comes about when it isnecessary'to transmitany upper case characters which maybe. included" in the message. Since the Fig.- selection combination conditions the function levers 35? tobe selectively responsive to subsequent code signal combinations established incode bars'3l6, it is desirable to preclude theoperation of any. function leversfrom beingeffective to establish-additional switching or communication-circuits;.that is, itiis desirable to maintain the estahlished'connect'ion etween retransmitting distrihut'or l8 and the selected channel; For this purpose a circuit disabling mechanism is. provided and associated with each communicationdetermining.relay 386, 381. and 388 to maintain the connection fromthe retransmitting distributor I"! over a predetermined channel or a selected channeluntil that channel has been interrupted" by the establishmentof a dumping signal. condition in the switching mechanism.

Continuing with the assumedselectionof line 389 connecting the line L from theretransmitting distributor thereover to station A,-the operation of this holding-device is as follows: withrelay- 385 energized, the two left-hand amiatures of the relay establish the locking circuit for the relay and the: connection from: the. retransmitting distributor to 'the sele'cted sub-station; respectively. 'Ihe twmright-hand armatures, however, which normally engage their associated contacts are moved from engagement therewith and disable the energizingcircuits to relays 387 and 388 precluding the energization thereof should contacts UCB or UCC be operated While the selected channel-remains in electrical connection with'the lin'e L. Assume that contacts UCBare selected and operated, the circuit to relay 38T includes battery, contactsUCB, winding of relay 381, andthe-ex tremesright-hand contact and armature of relay 386. The circuit is 'interruptedat this lastpo'int, and accordingly relay 381, will not be energized.

Assume'that contacts UCC are selected. and operated; The energizing circuit to relay: 388 would include battery, contacts'UCC, windingof relay 388; closed contacts of relay 381; line 39-6, and opened contactand armature of relay 386 so that relay:- 388 will not be energized. In. a similar mannergit may be demonstrated that if the-lineLis associated'with either of stations B or C, the energized line relay maintaining'that association will preclude the operation oieither ofthe remaining. relays so long as that selected circuit association maintains.

After the communication over the selected channel, which .in-the illustration chosen is channel 3.89, has. been completed it. is necessary to interrupt that channel and the relay which maintains it to prepare the switching mechanism to operate in response torthenextgroup of switching signal combinations to establishv the next communication channel with retransmitting. 'distributor l8. For this-purpose, followingcompletion ofthemessagesignal combination, the .Figs. combination is established. inthe code bars 3l6to assure that the function lovers are permittedto. respondto the switching signal-combinations following which the- Z signal combine tion, which; of course, is the upper case Z,.is established. in code bars 3'! 6 whereupon that function lever associated with contacts UCZ is set lectedand operated. The operation ofthisfunction lever opens contacts UCZ and interrupts the holdingcircuit to relay 38B de-energizingr the relay and establishing the normal circuit condition illustrated in Fig. 7. Thereafter, switching may be accomplished through the selectionof any of the upper case signal combinations which control the communication channels.

The described circuit illustrates one embodimerit of. the operation of the switching mechanism and its controlling, circuits. The control circuit may be rearranged and modified to perunit the selection of more than one communication channel at a time as by cascading the relays. These and other modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart.

The apparatus described provides a flexible retransmitting arrangement which enables various services to be carried on through the employment of this apparatus by providing a plurality of retransmitting distributors. Message signals received in the printing reperforat-or may'bc'repeated over a plurality of communication channels. One of those channels may be invariably connected to one of the vretransmitting distributors, such as distributor IT. A supervising or master station may conveniently be connected to such a transmitter to supervise and study the operation ofthe' apparatus. Any of a plurality'of communication channels, however, may be associa-tedwiththe remaining distributor, theselection or the particular channel or channels conaaoaicv nected therewith being under the control of signal; combinations established in the code bars 316 of the switching mechanism. In the event that the message is to be transmitted over only a signal channel, it, of course, is merely necessary to disable one of the retransmitting distributors and associate the desired communication channel with the remaining distributor. Similarly, if the features of the automatic switching mechanism are not to be taken advantage of, signal repetition may be carried on through retransmitting distributor I? and need not be carried onthrough distributor l0.

Additional functions may be effected through the control of function circuits associated with pull bar operated contacts provided at the printing reperforator It). The pull bar operated contacts 40] are actuated when predetermined pull bars 26 provided with contact operating projections 402 are selected upon a predetermined operation of the notched code bars Z'l. A preferred association of the pull bar and the pull bar operated contacts is the subject of copending application Serial No. 405,301 filed under the name of Walter J. Zenner.

The function circuits controlled by the pull bar operated contacts 401 are preferably completed through contact pile up 403, Fig. 4, controlled by the main operating plunger 38 of the printing reperforator which is provided with a cam surface 604 to operate a contact operating bell crank 406 pivoted on a stud 401 which is secured to a bracket 408 depending from the apparatus casting 2!. A spring cos extended between one arm of bell crank 400 and bracket 408 urges the bell crank in a counterclockwise direction to follow the cam surface 404 of the main operating plunger 38. Bell crank 4-06 at its opposite extremity carries an adjustable screw 4 which engages the movable elements of the contact pile up 403.

With this mechanical construction and electrical circuit arrangement when it is desired to accomplish a function through a circuit associated with a pair of pull bar operated contacts 40!, the associated pull bar 26 is selected through a predetermined operation of the code bars 2'! in response to the received code signal combination characteristic of the particular function. Upon the selection of the pull bar, the contact pair 401 is closed immediately as in a manner fully described in the 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 408 which is normally held in a wise direction to a position, illustrated in Fig, 4, 7

in which the contact pile up 403 is operated completing the circuit through the selected pull bar operated contact 401. Near the completion of this cycle of operation of the printing reperforator plunger 38 is returned to its lowermost position rotating the bell crank 406 to its normal clockwise position which opens the contact pile up 403 and disables the function circuit closed through the pull bar operated contacts 40! and the contact pile up 403 and finally as the cycle is completed, the selected pull bar 26 is returned to its normal position which opens the contact pair 40I 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 understoodthat 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 transmitting apparatus including a sensing device to sense control indiciain a strip, a signal storing'device, mechanical transfer. means to condition saidstoring device in accordance with the operation of said sensing device, transmitting contacts conditioned by said storing device to transmit a signal stored therein, switching members controlled bysaid storing device, means for selecting a circuit under the control ofsaid switching members, and means to operate said transfer means subsequent to the operation of said sensing device whereby the next succeeding sensing operation is entirely effected during thetransmission of the transferred signal over the circuit controlled by. a selected switching member to provide a complete overlap.

2. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, a unit in juxtaposition with said perforator including a pivotable frame, sensing fingers in.

saidframe for sensing code perforations, feed mechanism in said frame cooperating with the feed perforations for advancing the strip, a pivoted lever secured to each of said fingers and responsive to their position, a transfer lever associated with each of said pivoted levers and having two manners of cooperation therewith, a transfer bail for supporting said transfer levers, cam means for operating said bail to bring said transfer levers into cooperation with said pivoted levers, code bars articulated to said transfer levers and operable thereby in accordance with the manner of cooperation between said transfer levers and said pivoted levers to effect therein the storage of the signal sensed by said sensing fingers under the control of said pivoted levers, switching members controlled by said code bars, a signal generator controlled by said code bars to transmit a signal stored therein, means for selecting a circuit under the control of said switching members, and cam-controlled means to operate said signal generator and said sensing device subsequent to the operation of said transfer device, whereby the next succeeding sensing operation is entirely effected during the transmission of the transferred signal over the circuit controlled by a selected switching member to provide a complete overlap.

3. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, a unit in juxtaposition with said perforator including a pivotable frame, sensing fingers in said frame for sensing code perforations, feed mechanism in said frame cooperating with the feed perforations for advancing thestrip, a pivoted lever secured to each of said fingers and responsive to their position, a transfer lever associated with each of said pivoted levers and having two manners of cooperation therewith, a transfer bail for supporting said transfer levers, cam means for operating said bail to bring said transfer levers into cooperation with said pivoted levers, dual functionary bars articulated to said transfer levers and operable thereby in'accordance with the manner of cooperation between said transfer levers and said pivoted levers to effect therein the storage of the signal sensed by said sensing fingers under the control of said dual functionar bars, switching members controlled 103% said dual customar 'bars, a sign-a1 generator also controlled by said bars to tran-smit a signal'stored therein, means for selecting a circuit under the-control of said switching members, and time-controlled means to operate said signal generator and said sensing fingers subsequent to the operation of said transfer device, wherebythe next succeeding sensing operation is'entirely eflected-during the transmission of the' transferred signal over the circuit controlled by a selected switching memberto provide a complete-overlaps 4. 'Atapeltransmitter comprisinga sensing deviceto sensea contro1tape,'a transferdevice, cam controlled meansito cause said transfer device'to lie-conditioned by said sensing device after the completion :of a sensing operation, a mechanical signal .storingdevice comprising a series of dual functionaryibars articulated to said transier device to the conditioned thereby, :switching members controlled Lby :said :bars,'ra signal generator controlled by said bars .to "transmit asignal stored therein, means ior selecting acircuit under the control or. said swltchingmembers,andcammmtrolled means to operate saidsignal generator and said'sensing device, whereby theznextsucceeding sensing operation is entirely effected during the transmission oi the transferred signal over the circuit controlled by a selected switching member to provide a complete signal overlap.

5. A tape transmitter comprising a sensing device to sense control indicia on' a strip, amechanical signal storage device comprising a plurality of dual 'functionary bars, a transfer mechanism to transfer a signal from said-sensing device to said bars, switching members controlled by'said bars, a cam type signal generator controlled by said bars'in accordance with transferred signals, a cam assembly to cause a sensing operation, a transferring operation, and a signal generating operation in'the recited order, and means for selectin a circuit under the control of said switching members, whereby the sensed signal-is repeated over a circuit determined by the switching member selected.

MAU'RUS T. G'OETZ.

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