US251658A - Printing-telegraph - Google Patents

Description

s sheets-sheen u1.

('No Model.)

H.. VAN'HOEVENBBRGH. PRINTING TELBGRAPH.

y Patented'Dec. 27,1881.

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sheets--Sheeb-. H. VAN HOBVENBERGH.

PRINTING TELEGRAPL No. 251,658.

W50/Lewes;

' (No Model.) 6 sheets-sheen A H. VAN HOBVENBERGH.

PRINTING TBLEGRAPH.

No.. 251,658, Patented Dee. 27,1881.

(No Model.) 6 `Sneete--Sheeia 4;.

H. -VAN HOEVBNBERGH. PRINTING TBLEGRAPH.

No, 251,'658. Patented Deo. 27.18181.

Inventar',

N4 PETERS. PxmwLnhognphu, wauhingmn. l1 C (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sh'eet 5A H. VAN HOEVENBBRGH. PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

Ne. 251,658. 1 Petented Dee. 27,1881.

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N. PETERS. Pholwumegnpner, wuhingion. D. c.

(No Model.) s sheets-sheen 6.

H. VAN HOEVENBERGH.

PRINTING TELBGRAPH.

Patented Deo. 27,1881.

No. 251,658. @ya

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N. PETERS. Phone-Limugnpher. wnhnmm. D. C.

l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY VAN HOEVENBERGH, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEYI PmNTiNG-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming' ,part of Letters atent No. 251,658, dated December 27, 1881. Application filed September 27,1 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HENRY VANHoEvEN- BERGH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Elizabeth, in the countyof Union and` State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Print"- ing-Telegraphs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of printing-` `telegraphs in which the type-wheels ot' the receiving-instruments are impelled by `a weight or spring acti n g through suitable intermediate wheel-work, and the progressive movements of sa-id type-wheels are controlled by a seriesl Lof electricalpulsations, alternately ot'ioppo- `site polarity, which are transmittedover the mainline from the sending-station. These pulsations cause the rapid to-and-fro vibration between electro-magnets of an armature suitably constructedA tofbe actuated by such alter` nati-ng currents, and the vibrating armature in turn controls thetype-wheel by means ot' a step-by-step escapement ot' well-known construction.

In my improved apparatus, hereinafter `described,` the printing is effected by increasing` the strength of the electric cnrrentduring some oneiot` the pulsations without reference to its polarity at the instant the required divisionot' the type-wheel is opposite the platen, and this action takes place without retarding the progressive movement of the type-wheel oninterrupting the regular succession of electric pul sations. The momentary stoppage of thegtypewheel shaft at the termination of each vibra tion of the step-by-step escapementaibrds sufficient time to permit an impression to be taken from the type-wheel by means of proper mechanism. The receiving or printinginstrul nient is provided with a double type-wheel, consisting of two type-wheels fixed side by side upon the same axis, and an oscillating printingplaten is made use oi', by means otwhich either one ofthe two type-wheels may be printed from Vat thewill of the transmitting-operator.

In the organization of electric circuits for operating my improved apparatus two independent main lines are required. The currents transmitted over thetirst line control thepro- `gressive movement of `the type-wheels, and also actuate the printing mechanism. The currentsover the second line control the angular position ot' the oscillating platen, and thus determinefrom which of the two type-wheels a given impression vshall be taken, and the currents upon this line also actuate the unison mechanism, by means of which the synchro- `nism between the transmitting and receiving instruments is maintained.

The oscillating printing-platen hereiubefore referred to is governed in its movements by a clutch-leverin sucha manner that either one 'of three` different results may be produced by Azero-poinuas in apparatus ot' `this kind heretoforeV constructed.

Theunison mechanism,by means of which the synchronism between the transmitting and the receiving instrument is maintained, is preferably actuated by `means of `the same clutch that controls the oscillating platen hereinbefore referred to, and its function is to automatically adjust the position of the type-wheels of the receiving-instrument, when out of correspondence with thetransmitter, by the normal `operation of the instrument acting at a particularipoint once during each com plete revolution of the type-wheel.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isv a pla-n view ofa portion of the transmitting apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe same. Figa?) is a transverse vertical section of the key-board which forms a portion of the transmitting apparatus, and Fig. 4 is a plan of said key-board, (the last two gures being ona reduced scale.) Fig. 5 is a detached view of the pole-changing circuit-closer which transmits currents over -the second line-wire. Fig. 6 is a detached view, showing certain details of thetransmitting apparatus. Fig. 7 is a front elevation'ot` the receiving and printing mechanism. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 9 is afrontelevation, showing the scapewheel and its controlling mechanism. Fig. 10

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.character of the impression any given point in the revolution ofthe type- Whce1; and the fourth readjusts, when neces- Fig. 11a is a similar view, showing the oscillating platen in a different position. Fig. 12 is a theoretical diagram, illustrating the organization 'of the electric circuits and their relation to the mechanical portions of the transmitting apparatus; and Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the construction ofthe electro-magnet of the receiving apparatus.

The transmitting apparatus may conven iently be regarded as composed of four divisions. The tirstof these controls the transmis sion of the alternate positive and negative electrical pulsations by which the intermittent rotation ofthe double type-wheel of the receiving-instrument is eft'ectet. The second producesaprinted impression of the required character upon the type-wheel at the proper pointin its revolution. The third determines the specific thus produced at sary, the position of the type-wheel at the receiving-station, and thus maintains its synchronism with the transmitting apparatus at the sending-station.

. The rst part ofthe transmitting apparatus consists of a pole-changing or battery-reversing commutator,which is driven at a determinate and uniform rate of speed by some suitablemechanicalmeans. Thispcle-changer,as it will be hereinafter termed, is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 12.' A shaft, 1, ismouuted in suita- Able stationary bearings upon standards 2 2,

upon which shaft is fixed a piece of hard rubber or other like insulating material, 3. Upon this latter are mounted four metallic contactpoints, 4 5 6 7. -Two metallic spring-fingers, 8 and 9, are so arranged with reference to the four contact-points upon the hard-rubberblock A(which isthat shown in Figs. 2 and 12) the .15,and binding-screw 16.'

3 that when the shaft l is in one position spring 8 rests upon the contact 5 and the spring 9 upon the contact 7. If, however, the shaft 1 .be rotated a short distance in the direction indicated by the arrow iu Fig. 2, the spring 8 will Abe brought into contact with and will rest upon the contact 4, and will be thereby. lit'ted from the contact 5, and in like manner the spring 9 will rest upon the contact 6 and be lifted from the contact 7. The spring 8 is electrically connected, through the post 10, wire 12, andbinding-screw 1 3, with the positive pole of the main battery 14, and the spring 9 is in like manner connected with the negative pole of ,the main battery 14 through the post 11, wire The contacts 5 and 6 are electrically united with each other by a short conductor, 17, and also with the line-wire V18 through the wire 19 and binding-post 20. In

like manner the contacts 4 and 7 are united by the conductor 21, and are also connected through the wire 22 and binding-post 23 with the earth-wire24. The line-wire 18, hereinafter termed the first line-wire, extends to the dis- -tant station or stations, as shown in the diagram Fig. 12, and there passes through the will be transmitted over the line 18, for the reason that the connections between the poles of the battery and the line and earth wires are interchan ged at each oscillation.

In practice any required number of separate or independent lines may be operated from one key-board and system ot' transmitting mechanism by ma-king use of as many separate commntators or pole-changers as there are independent lines to be operated, and by mounting all these pole-changers upon a single roekshaft, which may be of any required length and will actuate all the lines in unison.

The mechanical instrumentalities for imparting motion to the rock-shaft and pole-changer hereinbefore described consists of a shaft, 25,

(see Figs. 1 and 12,) which is mountedV upon' suitable standards or bearings, 26a 26a, and is provided with a pulley, 27, around which passes a belt or band from another shaft, (not shown in the drawings,) which latter shaft may be driven by any suitable motor-as, for example,

an electro-motor. By this means the shaft 25 is kept in continuous and uniform rotation, and the oscillation of the rock-shaft 1 and its attach ments is effected thereby through the medium of certain mechanism, which will now be described: Upon the shaft 25 is fixed a wheel, 2S, hereinafter termed a scroll-wheel, the periphery of which is formed into alternate recesses or projections of a wave-like form, as best seen in Fig, 12.

ADirectly beneath and in the same plane of rotation with the wheel28 is mounted another precisely similar scroll-wheel, 29. The number of projections and 'recesses upon each of these wheels, taken together, is made equal to the number of positive and negative impulses, taken together, which are necessary to effect one complete revolution of the type-wheel of the receiving-instrument, as hereinafter described. lhe scroll-wheels 28 and 29 are compelled to revolve isochronously by means of spur-gearing 30, eonsistingof two toothed Wheels having each a like number of teeth, the upper -wheel (seen in Fig. l) being fixed to the shaft 25, and communicating motion therefrom to the lower wheel, which is directly beneath it upon the axis ofscroll-wheel 29. The scroll-wheels 28 and 29 are so mounted with reference to each other that the projections of one Wheel are directly opposite the recesses of the other as they revolve, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 12. The space between the scroll-wheels 28 and 29 is just sufficient to admit a pin, 32, which is inserted in the arm 33 of a right-angled or bell-crank le- IOO IIO

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ver, 33 34, mounted upon 'an axis, 35, the otherarm, 34, of which is connected by a`rod, 36, with a crank-arm, 37,1ixed to the rockshaft 1. It will be understood, therefore,that as the scroll-wheels 28 and 29. revolve in the direction denoted by the arrows an oscillatory motion will be communicated tothe pin 32, which will be transmitted to the lever 33 34, and thence to the rock-shaft 1, upon which the pole-changer is mounted, and hence that the number of oscillations of thelatter during each` revolution ofthe shaft25 will be determined by the number of projections and recesses upon essarily follows that so lon gas the shaft 25 is kept in continuous rotation a determinate numberot' alternate positive and negative electric pulsations will he transmitted 4over the line during each revolution which it makes. By means hereinafter to be described thetypewheel of the receiviiig-instrumentis causedto revolvesynchronously with the `shaft 25 and its attachments.

The impression of any particular character upon the paper is eft'ected at thereceiving'station by increasing the strength of the electric pulsation which occurs at the` same moment the required character upon the rotating typewheel is oppositetheprinting-platen. Thetrans mission of a pulsation otincreasedstrength at .the proper time and in the proper sequence `is effected by the following mechanism, (see Figs. 1,2, and 12:) Upon an upright plate, 3S, of hard rubber or other suitable insulating material, is mounted a segmental ring, 39, technically termed a suntiower.7 This consistsot' a number ot' metallic segments insuthe scroll-wheels 2S and 29. From this it nec-V lated 'rom each other and arranged in a cir-` cle, as shown in Fig. 2. These `segments are equal in number to the whole `number of pro-` jections and recesses taken together upon the scroll-wheels 23 and 29. Upon a spring-arm,

40, ixed upon the shaft 25, is mounted a slid-` ing contact-point, 4l, hereinafter termed a traveler, which revolves within the seg-` mental circle or sunflower, and thus comes in` contact successively with the inner edge otall;

the segments duringeach of its revolutions.

The keyboard is shown in cross-section in` Fig. 3 and in plan in Fig. `4, both of which tig- 'lhe keys of the 4m ercial telegraphy. Theletters ofthe alphabet are arranged in the first row, 42, the numerals,

punctuation points, and other signs in the-'third` row, 44, while the second row, 43,` consistsT of keys whose sole office it is to formblank spaces between words or wherever needed in the communication to be printed. The electrical connections of the key-board will be best under-- `stood by reference to Figs. 3 and 12. `Each `in the `main-line wire 18.

key consists of a vertical pin having a knob or button at the top, by means ot which it may be depressed by the fin ger of the operator, and a spring for returning it to its normal position. The keys in row 42 are all mounted in a long metallicrack, 45, and each one, when depressed by the operator, falls upon a corresponding `tooth of the metallic comb 46, which extends the Whole length ofthe row ot' keys with its teeth extending underneath them. In like manner the keys 44 are mounted in a separate rack, 47, and ach upon the teeth ot' a comb, 48. The

`middle row ot' keys, 43, are likewise mounted fas-tened to the base of the apparatus at. both ot` its ends, and extends underneath the ends of' a, tooth of the combs 46 and 48, ri spectively, as` will be understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 12. The springs 50 are electrically connected by means of a corresponding number of separate `conductiiig-wires, 5l, with the corresponding insulated segments of the sunflower 39.`

The general principle upon which the keyboard, suntlower, and traveler act together to increase the strength ot a given electrical pulsation upon the line-is that of cutting out or. short-circuting an` artificial resist-ance normally interposed in the main cireuitdnring the time in which the traveler is passing over that segment ot' the suntlower which correspond-s totheparlicular key which is depressed upon the key-board. t The operation of the devices by means of which this is ettected will be best understood by reference to Fig. 12. A rheostat or artificial resistance, 521, is placed Wires 53 and 54 are united with the line-wire 18 on each side of said rheostat. The wire 53 is connected with the comb 48, and also, by a branch wire, 55, withthe comb 46. .The wire 5L is electrically connected with the shaft 25, a'mlthnongh that with the traveler 41. Thevrack 49 ofthe middle row of keys, 43, is also connected b v a branch wire, 56, with the wires 55 and 53. Hence it will be understood that whenever any key whatsoever upon the key-board is depressed by the operator a shunt or circuit ot' small resistance is closed at that point passing around the rheostat 52 which shunt, how everisonly completed soas to cutout the rheostat by the passing of thetraveler 4l over the t segment ofthe suntlower corresponding to and connected with the particular key which has been depressed and7 moreover, it is to be understood that the shunt-circuit through any IIO with the numeral 2 were depressed, or the unmarked space-key immediately between the two named. Whether the letter B, the numeral 2, or the space shall appear upon the record at the receiving-instrument is a matter that is determined by the action of other and additional mechanism actuated through the second linewire, and hereinafter to be described.

The mechanism for determining whethera letter, numeral, or space shall he printed by the receiving-instrument when the printing mechanism is actuated, and for automatically securing synchronism between the transmitting and receiving instruments, is actuated by means ot' an independent circuit or second linewire, which extends through the receiving instrumentorinstruments, and is preferablyoperated by an independent battery at the transmittingstation. rlhe electrical currents or pulsations traversing this second main circuit are transmitted by a special pole-changing key, the movements of which are controlled by the apparatus hereinbefore described. This key consists of a horizontal metallic lever, 57, pivoted, in the usual manner of a key, at its center 58. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 12.) An L-shaped arm, 59, extends downward from the center ofthe lever 57, passing underneath or within the base, and terminating in a tlexible, resilient upward projection, 60, which is clamped between the adjustable screws 6l and 62. The object of this device is t-o maintain the key-lever 57 normally in a horizontal or central position, but to per- -mit it to be inclined in one direction or the other in response to the action of the electromagnets 63 and 64 upon their armatures 65 and 66, which armatures are tixed upon the key-lever 57 at equal distance from but on opposite sides of its fulcrum 58. The key-lever 57 actuates 4certain pole-changing devices for transmitting electric currents, which are shown in Figs. 1, 2, and l2, but will be more readily understood by reference to Fig. 5, which shows an end view ofthe lever 57 in its normal or central position. When in this position the lever Y57 rests between two flexible resilient contactsprings, 67 and 69, which are mounted. upon suitable standards, 68 and 70, projecting from the base of the apparatus. When the lever 57 is in its normal position of rest the circuitspiings 67 and 69 are both in contact with it, as shownin Fig. 5. The standard 7l is yokeshaped at its upper eXtremity,and carries adjustable contact-screws 72 and 73. The contact-screw 72 is so adjusted that when the end of the lever 57 is depressed the spring 67 is brought into contact therewith, and by the -same movement the existing contact between the lever 57 and the spring 67 is interrupted. In the same manner, when the lever '57 is elevated the spring 69 comes in contact with the screw 73, and at the same time breaks contact with the lever 57.

The arrangement of the second main battery and second main circuit with reference tothe pole-chan ging key last described will be best understood by reference to Figs. 5 and 12. The main battery 74 has its positive. pole connected by a wire, 75, with the standard 7l, and its negative pole in like manner connected by a wire, 76, with the key-lever 57. The standard 68 is connected by a wire, 77, withthe earth, and the standard with the second line-wire, 78, extending to the receiving-station. By an inspection of Figs. 5 and 12 it will be seen that when the key-lever 57 is in its normal position the line 78 is connected directly with the earth through the standard 70, spring 69, key-lever 57, spring 67, standard 68, and wire 77. When the key-lever 57 is elevated the positive or copper current is sent to line, the circuit being as follows: from the earth,through the wire 77, standard 68, spring 67, lever 57, wire 76, main battery 74, wire 75, standard 7 l, contact-,screw 73, spring 69, and standard 70, to the line 78.

When, on the contrary, the key-lever is depressed, a negative or zinc current is sent to line, the route of which is asfollows: from the earth to the wire 77, standard 68, spring 67, contact-screw 72, standard 7l, wire 75, main battery 74, wire 76, key-lever 57, spring 69, and standard 70, to the line-wire 78.

The movements ofthe pole-changing key 57 are controlled by means of the two electromagnets 63 and 64 and a local battery 'operated bythe keys of the key-board. The connections of this local battery will be understood by reference to Fig. 12. The. local battery is shown at 79, one of its poles being connected by a wire, 80, with the key-board wires 53 and 55, which are also a part of the main circuit, and have already been described in that connection. The other pole of the local battery 79 is connected by means ot' the wire 80 and the branch wires 81 and 82 with the electro-magnets 63 and 64, which operate the hereinbefore-describedpole-changingkey. The electro-magnet 64 is connected by means of a wire, 83, with the metallic rack 45, in which the row or series of keys 42 is mounted. In like manner the electro-magnet 63 is connected by means ot' the wire 84 with the metallic rack 47, in which the row of keys 44 is mounted. Hence it' any one of the keys in the vrow 42 (representing the letters ot' the alphabet) is depressed it not only closes the shunt of the rheos'tat in the first main circuit, as hereinbefore explained, but also closes the local circuit of the local battery 79 through the electromagnet 64, the route of the current being from the battery 79 through the wires 80 and 8l, electro-magnet 64, wire 83, rack 45, key 42, tooth of metallic comb 46, and wires 55 and 80. In precisely the same manner, if' any key in the row 44 (representing the numerals or other characters) is depressed, the circuit ot' the local battery 79 is closed through the electromagnet 63, the route being as follows: from the battery 79 by the wires 80 and 82, electro- `magnet 63, wire 84, rack 47, key 44, tooth of IOO IIO

effect produced by this organization therefore "is that when any one key of the row 42is de- 'pressed a local circuit is completed from battery 79 through the electro-magnet 64, and a positive current is thereby caused to pass over the second line-wire, 7S, from the s econd main battery, 74, solong as the said key is depressed; andin like manner when any key in the row 44 is depressed a negative eurrrnt is sent over the second line-wire from the same battery, and the polarity of the current thus transmitted over the second line-wire, through the operation of mechanism hereinafter to be described, determines whether a letter, or a numeral shall be printed from the type-wheel of the receiving-instrument or a space Aor blank produced in the printed record.

The means which I employ for maintaining correspondence between thetransmitting and receiving mechanism consists in the transmission of a single electric impulse, always of the same polarity, once in each revolution of the traveler 4l, which impulses pass over the `second line-wire to the receiving-station. This result is effected by means of a rotating arm, 485, fixed upon the shaft 25, which carries the traveler 41. This arm is provided with a projecting beveled pin, 88, (best seen in the detached view, Fig. 6,) which pin, at each revolution of thearm 85, comes in contact with a similar beveled pin, 87, upon the key-lever 57 when the latter is in its normal position of rest, but not otherwise. The effect of this arrangement is that once during each revolution ofl the shaft 25, just as the traveler 41 passes the zero-point, the pin 88 passes by and depresses the pin 87,` thus elevating the opposite end of the key-lever 57 and sending arnomentarypositive pulsation over the second line-wire,78. It will be understood, therefore, that this positive pulsation `of momentary duration is transmitted at one particular point-that`is to say, the zero-point-in each revolution of the transmitting apparatus.

The apparatus at the receiving-station which is employed for printing the communications may, like the transmitting apparatus, be convenientiy regarded `as consisting of four sets of mechanism. The first of these produces or controls the intermittent rotation of the typewheel axis and type wheel. The second produces the impression ot' each character as required upon the paper and moves thelatter forward to the typewheel, in readiness for the next impression. The third determines the particular character of the impression, whether it shall be a letter, numeral, or space, and the fourth `maintains the synchronism ofthe typewheel with the transmitting apparatus at the sending-station and restores the type-wheel to its proper position in relation to the transmitter in case it is thrown out of correspondence by accident or otherwise.

The first part of the receiving apparatus comprises a double type-wheel, (see Figs. 7, 8,

10, and 11,) which consists of two separate type-wheels, 88 and 89, mounted side by side upon the same arbor, 90. Each of these type- "wheels contains the same number of divisionsviz., twenty-eight. The type-wheel 88 has twenty-eight characters corresponding with those upon the twenty-eight keys of the keyboard 42 in Fig. 4. The type-wheel 89 has a similar set of characters, consisting of numer- Aals, &c., corresponding to those of the row of keys 44 upon the key-board'. Upon the typewheel arbor 90 is iix'ed a scapewheel, 91, having fourteen teeth. The type-wheel and scapewheel tend to rotate continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9, being impelled by a train of wheel-work, 92, which receives its motion from a barrel, 93, and cord 94, to which a Weight is attached. This mechanism may be wound up as required by applying a suitable key to the winding-post 95. The type-wheels 8S and 89 are held in check by a double-actin g anchor-escapement, 96,the pallets of which engage alternately with oppcsite teeth of the scape-wheel 91. The escapement 96 is fixed to a rock-shaft, 97, from which projects an arm, 98, carrying the armature 99. Two electro-magnets, 100 and 101, are arranged with their poles facing each other upon opposite sides of the armature 99, as best seen in Figs. 7 and 9. The yoke or back armature of each of these electro-magnets consists of a permanent magnet of horseshoe form, 102 and 102, into the opposite poles of which the respective cores of the electro- magnets 100 and 101 are inserted. Each permanent magnet induces corresponding polarity in the respective cores of its attached electro-magnet, and. thus the latter are rendered in: effect permanently magnetic while of opposite polarity.

By reference to Fig. 13 it will be seen that the north and south poles of the permanent magnets 102 102,(indicated by the letters at and 8,) are placed in such relation to the cores of the electro magnets 100 and .101 that the respective `similar poles of the latter face each other upon opposite sides of the armature 99 that is to say, two north poles face each other at one end and two south poles at the other end of the same armature. The continuous conducting-wire 18, which is included in and forms a part of the iirst line-wire, is wound helically around thesecores, successively, in the manner illustrated in the gure. By tracing this wire in the direction indicated by the arrows, it will be observed thatit is wonndin one direction around one core of the electromagnet 100 and in the opposite direction around the other core of the same, after which it passes to that core of electro-1nagnet`101 whose like pole faces that of the last-named core and is wound around it in the saine direction; but its direction is again reversedin passing aroundthe other core of the electro-mag- IOC net 101, so that its convolutions are now in v the impression of same direction around the cores whoselike polesface each other and in opposite directions around the cores which do not face each no current is passing the armature 99 will be` other.` If, therefore, through the wire 18, attracted indifferently by either electro- mag net 100 or 101; but it a current of one polarity ismade to traverse the wire 18 the normal magnetism in one of lbe increased and that in the other diminished, and the reverse effect will take place when a current of opposite polarity traversesthecircuit. Thus a positive' current tlowing in the direction indicated by the arrows would tend to increase the normal magnetism existing in thecores ofthe electro-magnet 100 and to diminish or destroy that in the electro-magnet 101, while a negativeY current would produce precisely theopposite effect. Hence when alternate pulsations of positive and negative electricity are transmitted through both electro-magnets (these being included in the same circuit) the armature 99 is caused to vibrate to and fro with great rapidity.

The printing meehanismconsists of a lever, 103, (see Figs. 7 and 10,) tixed upon au arbor or shaft, 104,*whichlever carries a cylindrical pad or platen, 105, and a paper-feeding mechanism, 106, of the usual or ot any suitable construction, by means of which a paper ribbon orv tape, 107, is drawn forward to receive the successive characters fromthe type-wheel, as required. The paperfeeding mechanism is actuated in a well-known manner by the retrograde movement of the printing-lever 103 after the impression has .been taken.. The electro-magnet 108 actuates the-printing-lever by direct magnetic attraction exerted upon its armature 109, which armature is attached to the axis 104: of the printing-lever 103, asbest seen in Fig. 10.

The printingmagnet 108, Fig. 10, is included V in the first main-line circuit, 18, together with Y themagnets 100 and 101,

. brought into action, when creasing the strength of one of the Fig. 9, which control the movements of the type-wheels, and is required, by an increased strength ot current durin'g'the time ot' a single pulsation proceeding from the transmitting-station, irrespective ot' its polarity. The printing mechanism is thus actuated for the reason that ,the soft-iron or neutral armature-10.9responds equally to either positive or negative currents, provided they arc ot' sutcient strength. The current of increased strength required for printing is transmitted from the sending-station by the short-circuiting of the rheostat 52 at the transmitting-station through a key of the key-board, in the manner hereinbefore explained. The normal positive and negative pulsations traversing the first main line, although of sufficient strength to oscillate the type-wheel armature, are quite insufficient to actuate the printing mechanism. Hence the printingV is eiiected by simply inpulsations, whether positive or negative, at the instant the electro-magnets will',l

`upon the the required character upon the type-wheel is oppositethe platen, and this is done, as hereinbet'ore shown, without stopping the typewheel.

The mechanism which determines whether a given impression shall be taken from one or the other o't' the two type-wheels, or from neither oty them, when it is necessary to produce a space, will now be described. The platen 105 consists of a roller having a curved or convex face, as best seen in Figs. 11 and 11n. This platen is mounted in a-frame, 110, which is tixed upon a horizontal axis, 111, which axis is mounted inbearings 112 upon thelever 103, so as to admit ot' a horizontal rocking or oscillatory motion of the platen 105. The secondmain circuit, 78, coming from the transmitting-station,passes through the coils of an independent electro-magnet, 112% Fig. 11, which is provided with a polarized armature, 113, which latter is connected by a link, 114, with a clutch-lever, 115, which moves upon an axis, 116. rJhe clutch-lever 115 is provided with two angular arms, 117 and 118, which extend inwardly far enough to engage with one end or the other, as the case may be, ot' the oscillating platen 105. It' the clutch-lever 115 is in its central position, as shown in Fg.11, and the printing-lever 103 is then actuated, the platen 105 cannot come quite into contact with the type-wheels, because it is arrested by the projections 117 and 118 ofthe clutch 115, but the paper-feedin g mechanism operates as usual return 'ot' the platen, and hence a space is produced upon the paper. It the polarized armature 113 is deflected, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 11, the clutch 115 is moved to one side, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 11, and in the detached view, Fig. 11a. Hence it' the printing-lever 103 is actuated the platen 105, in moving toward the type-wheels, strikes against the projection 117 only and is tilted on its axis, so that its t'ace comes in contact with the type-wheel 88, but not with the type-wheel 89, as shown in Fig. 11a. On the other hand, it the polarized armature 113 is deliected in the opposite direction, the clutchlever 115 will be shifted, and the impression will be taken from the other type-wheel,89, in the same manner. Thnsit will be understood that while the impression is produced by the action ot' the electro magnet 108 the position of the polarized armature 113 determines whether that impression shall -be taken from the type-wheel 88 or 89, or from neither of them, and consequently, whether the char-l acter printed shall be a letter, a numeral, or a space. Then no current'whatever is passing through the electro-magnet 112, which, as heretofore explained, is the normal condition of thesecond circuit, the central position ot' the armature 113 is maintained by means of springs 120 and 121, mounted upon a standard, 122. A pin, 123, is inserted into the clutch-lever 115 and plays between these two springs. Theyielding of therespective springs IOO IISv

ratus is to be used the shaft permits theT lever to play in one direction or? the other, according as the deflection of armature 11.3 is produced bya positive or a negative current, and they restore it to a central position when no current is passing. The double type-wheel is ysupplied with ink, in theusual manner, by means of' a suitable ink-roller, 119.

In order to render it certain that the engraved letter upon the type-wheel from which y the impression is to be taken shall be exactly` opposite the platen when the latter is brought into contact with it, so as to insure a clear and y distinct impression upon the paper, the typewheels 88 and 89 are not attached rigidly to the arbor 90, but are mounted upon a sleeve, 124, together Withatoothed wheel, 125. This sleeve, with its toothed wheel and type-wheels, is attached tothe shaft by means ot' a yielding spring, 126. Upon the printing-lever 103 is tixed a corrector, 127, which consists of a projecting arm or tooth, `which engages with one toothof the Wheel 125 when the printing-lever rises, and holds the type-wheels in theproper position during the instant that elapses while the impression is being made, even if the type-wheel axis 90 is moving forward at the sameinstant.

The unison mechanism comprises au arm, 128, which is iixed upon the type-wheel shaft 90 and revolves with it. A stop, 129, projects from the upper corner of the clutch-lever 115 into -the path of the rotating arm 128, provided the clutch-lever 1 15 is in its normal-that is to say, central-y-position. Hence if the clutch-lever rc- `mained constantly in this position the stop 129 would arrest the motion ot' the arm 128, and consequently that yot the type-wheels also. So long, however, as the transmitting and .receiving instruments remain in correspondence the projection 129 is withdrawn from the path of the arm 128 at` the proper moment by the ac- `tion of the electric pulsation which is transmitted` once duringeach revolution of' the traveler 41, as hereinbefore explained, by the action of the arm 85 and beveled pin 8o'. It, however, the type-wheels 88 and 89 are out. of correspondence with the traveler 41, the stop 129 will not be withdrawn from the path of thearm 128 at the moment of its arrival, and consequently the type-wheels will be arrested and held until the travelerarrivesat the zeropoint in its next revolution1 when the transy mission ot' thesynch: onizing pulsation will act upon the electro-magnet 112 and unlock the arm 128, permitting the type-wheelto go forward. The instruments at the transmitting andreceivingstations may therefore be brought into correspondence at any time when necessary by merely permitting the type-Wheels to make one or more revolutions without printlng.

The `manner in which the apparatus-is operated requires but little additional explanation other than that which is contained in the description hereinbei'ore given. When the appa- 25 is kept in coni tinuous rotation by the band passing around the pnlley27, andan uninterrupted succession Y the electro-magnet 108, which actuates the printing mechanism. The vibrating armature ofthe electro- magnets 100 and 101 permits the type-Wheel shaft 90, by the propelling torce of the weight and the clock-work, to revolve constantly in one direction with a unit'orm rate of progression. The type-wheels at the `receiving-station move synchronously with the traveler at the transmittiiig-station, and the correspondence between the two is insured by the agency of the unison device, which has already been described. When one ot' the keys upon the key-board is depressed no elfect is produced upon the rst line-wire until the traveler passes over that segment of the suntlower wh ich corresponds to the depressed key. When this occurs, however, the rheosta-t. 52 is momentarily cut out of the main circuit. which increases the strength ot' the current sufciently to actuate the printing-magnet 103 of the receiving-instrument, which attracts its armature momentarily, and thereby raises the platen 105 toward the type-wheels 89 and 88. It' the key depressed be one ot' the rst row, reprei senting a letter of the alphabet, a positive current is sent over the second wire during the time it is so depressed, which acts upon the polarized armature 113 ot the electro-magnet 112m and causes thel platen to be tilted, as in Fig. 11a, so as to print a letter from the typewheel 88, whereas if a key in the third row is depressed a negative current is transmitted and a numeral is printed from the type-wheel 89. lf any'one of the middle row ot' keys is depressed, no current is transmitted over the second main circuit. Hence the armature 113 remains in its central position and the platen 105 is prevented from coming in conta-ct with either ot the type-wheels, and a blank or space accordingly appears upon the paper.

My improved apparatus is capable of transmitti'ng communications with much greater rapidity-that is to say, ot' printing a in uch greater number ot' characters in a given time or by means of a given'num ber ot' pulsationsthan those heretofore in use. This result is partly due tothe method which is employed otl prin t1l ing from the type-wheel without interrupting or retarding its progressive movement, and partly to thefcircumstance that a space may be printed during any portion ot' the revolution ot' the type-wheel and without reference to its position, instead ot' a single point only in each revolution. Under ordinary circumstances at least one space is requiredin every four or ve letters.

important saving ot'time is effected by inserting the space or blank in the printed record immediately after the last letter of-any given IOO Henceit is obvious that an word, and during that portion of the revolution of the type-wheel which takes place after the last letter of one word has been printed, and prior to the printing'of the rst letter of the next succeeding word.

lt is to be understood that any required numberofindependent printing-instruments at the same or different receiving-stations may be included in the circuit of the same pair of mainline wires and actuated simultaneously by a single key-boald and transmitting apparatus constructed and operated in the manner hereinbefore set forth.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, ot' a mainline, a main battery, a series ot'insulated metallic segments, a series ot' branch conductors, one of which is electrically connected with earh of said segments, a series of finger-keys for establishing electrical connection between the mainline and any one of said branches at the will of the operator, a traveler and mechanism for causing the same to pass over and make electrical contact successively with each segment in the series, an artificial resistance included in the circuit of said main line, and a brauch conductor connecting the traveler with the main line, whereby the said resistance is cut out ot' the main circuit by the traveler while passing over the segment corresponding to the particular key which is depressed.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, ot' a main line, a main battery, a series of insulated metallic segments, a traveler and means for causing the same to pass successively over each segment in the series, a pole-changer mechanically connected with the axis of said traveler for reversing the poles of theniain battery with reference to theline when the traveler passes from one segment to the next succeeding one, a series of keys, each key of which is connected with one of said segments, and a rheostat included in said main line, which is cut out by the traveler while passing over the segment corresponding to the particular key which is depressed.

3. The combination,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of insulated metallic segments, a traveler and means for causing the same to pass over and make contact successively with each segment of kthe series, a main line extending to the distant stat-ion, a main battery, a traveler, a pole-chan ger whereby the polarity of the battery with reference to the main line is reversed when the traveler passes from one of the segments of the series to the next succeeding one, a rotating arm rigidly connected with the traveler, a key-lever momentarily actuated by said rotating arm at the same point in each successive revolution, a main line extending to the distant station, and a second main battery which is connected with said line by said key-lever when the latter is momentarily actuated by the rotating arm.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a key-board having its keys arranged in three rows, a main battery,a main line extending to the distant station, a local battery, two electro-magnets, a conductor connecting said magnets with the key-board and including said local battery, and a key-lever actuated by said key-board and capable of being placed in three positions, of which the first position connects the positive and the second the negative pole ot' the main battery to the line, while the third disconnects the battery from the line.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two rigidly-united typewheels, a platen, mechanism substantially such as described for causing said platen to oscillate so as to print from 'one or the other of said type-wheels, an electro-magnet for impelling said platen toward the type-wheels, and an independent electro-magnet for controlling the lateral movement of the oscillating platen.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two rigidly-united typewheels, a platen, mechanism substantially such as described for causing said platen to oscillate so as to print from one or the other of said type-wheels, an electro-magnet for impelling said platen toward the type-wheel, a polarized armature for controlling the lateral movement of the oscillating platen, and an independentv electro-magnet for actuating said polarized armature.

7. rlhe combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two rigidly-united typewheels, a laterally-oscillating platen having a convex or curved face, and mechanism substantially such as described for controlling the lateral oscillation of said platen.

8. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two rigidly-united typewheels, a platen capable of `three positions, mechanism substantially such as described for oscillating said platen, and an armature for controlling the lateral oscillation of the platen which is capable ot' three positions corresponding to the respective positions of the platen.

`9. lhe combination, substantiallyas hereinbefore set forth, of two rigidly-united typewheels, a laterally-oscillating platen, and a clutch-lever substantially such'as described for controlln g the lateral position of the oscillating platen with reference to the plane of the type-wheels.

10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel or typewheels, a platen, a paper-feeding mechanism actuated bythe mechanism which moves the platen, and mechanism substantially such as described for arresting the movement ot' the platen, whereby the paper-feed may be actuated at any pointin the revolution of the type-wheel without bringing the platen into contact with said type-wheel.

l1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel or type- IIO IIS

mounted upon said axis, a type-Wheel or type- Wheels and a toothed wheel rigidly mounted upon said sleeve, a yieldin g mechanical connection between said sleeve and the type-wheel axis, a platen, and a corrector or projection rigidly affixed, to the printing-lever for locking the type-Wheel or type-Wheels by engaging with said toothed wheel While the platen remains in contactwith the type-wheel.

zo 13. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-Wheel axis, a rotating unison-stop tixed upon said axis, aclutohlever, a pin on said clutch-lever normally projecting into the path of the rotating unisonstop, an electro magnet for actuating said clutch-lever and withdrawing said pin from the path of the unison-stop, a rotating arm upon the transmitting-axis, and a key for transmitting a momentary current through said electro-magnet once during each revolution of the transmitter and type-.wheel axis when said key is actuated by said rotating arm.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of September, 4

A. D. 1881. i

HENRY VAN HoEVENBERGI-I.

Witnesses CYRUs TAYLOR, PHINEAS TAYLOR.

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