US2626695A - Carbon sheet retractor mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER 2,626,695

CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM 4 Filed March 9, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTbR. s .SU-IRODER Jan. 27, 1953 c.

CARBON SHEET RETRAc'roR MECHANISM SCHRODER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 1950 ATTORNEY Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1950 CHARLES SCHRODER 964 INI/ENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON 3mm RETRACTOR MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9, 1950 ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E Q kmN Q o L NQ WM 3 T: mm W? i1EIIHJMEIIH. :i. i W M J M. v H

Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM Filed March 9, 1950 Z zi-wk Jan. 27, 1953 c. SCHRODER 2,626,695

CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM Filed March 9, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 #vvavron CHARLES SCHRODER 2am l2. 7%

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 27, 1953 CARBON SHEET RETRACTOR MECHANISM Charles Schroder, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Underwood Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1950, Serial No. 148,675

This invention relates to typewriting machines and more particularly to machines known as fanfold or continuous billing machines, wherein carbon sheets are supported in interleaved relation between superposed continuous webs, or the plies of a fanfolded web, and are shiftable or retractable along the web for registration with carbon carrier is supported on a rear extension of a paper supporting carriage for movement toward and from a platen. Whenever the paper web is line-fed, the interleaved carbon sheets are drawn along with the paper web. After the typ ing of each form, the carbon sheets are required to be shifted out of the leading form into registration with the next form to be typed, this being in preparation of severing the typed, leading form. To eflectthe required shift of the carbon sheets, the invention provides for efllcient power means to retract them.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to provide an improved means for power-retracting the carbon sheets.

It is also an object of the invention to provide for use with machines of the general class indicated, a power-operatable carbon retracting device which is of simple structure, eflicient and reliable in operation, and places a minimum of encumbering load or weight on the paper supporting carriage.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a power-retracting means in which the operator is not subjected to danger from power operated elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide efficient power-retracting means having a stationarily mounted motor and including simple, efilcient and inexpensive means to impart a carbon retracting motion from the motor to a carbon carrier which is supported on the paper supporting carriage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an economically manufacturable, efflcient powerretra'cting device for a carriage-supported carbon carrier, the device comprising on a stationary part of the machine, a. power operable drum, and a draw band or string operable by such drum to retract the carbon carrier in any position of the carriage, or even while the carriage may be moving.

22 Claims. (Cl. 197-126) The device of the invention embodies a retractor device which includes a closeable and openable drive connection on the frame for rendering the device respectively effective and ineflective. In connection with such frame-supported drive connection, it is a further object to provide efflcient operable means to render said drive connection closed responsive to a control movement given a part on the carriage and regardless of the position in which the carriage may reside.

It is also an object to provide eflicient, automatically operative means to render said framesupported drive connection open at completion of the carbon retraction.

Other objects and features will in part be obvious and in part pointed out, particularly as the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a billing machine comprising a typewriter and embodying the novel device for power-retracting a carbon carrier, I

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a carbon carrier supporting shelf in an advanced letter-feed position, and illustrating also the power-retracting device for the carbon carrier on said shelf,

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 but the carbon carrier supporting shelf is shown moved to the right with respect to the frame,

Figure 4 is a sectional right-hand side view of the upper portion of the machine seen in Figure I, particularly the typewriter carriage with its rearward extension, and certainelements of the power-retracting mechanism, the machine being in writing condition, the section taken just inside of the right carriage end,

In Figure 5, a displaceable platen supporting frame on the carriage is shown displaced, and the power-retracting mechanism for the carbon carrier is in action,

Figure 6 illustrates the carbon carrier as just having been power-retracted, and having inactivated the power-retracting mechanism,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a framesupported portion or the power drive of the carbon retracting mechanism, and shows also a portion of a guide sheave and a portion of a drawcable drum, and finally a Figure 10 is a plan view showing a drum unit of the carbon retracting device, including a cover therefor.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is mounted on a main body l3 of an Underwood All Electric Typewriter a paper-supporting carriage generally designated by the numeral Ill and including at each opposite end an end-plate H rising rigidly from a grooved rail l2. Said carriage l8, through its rail I2, is guided between two trackways I4 in the typewriter body l3, see Figure 4, usual anti-friction elements |8 being provided between said trackways l4 and said rail |2. In the carriage 3 there is mounted pivotally displaceable between the end plates II a sub-frame l8 carrying a platen 2|. Said displaceable subframe I8 is shown to consist of opposite end pieces 24 and a bar 25 rigidly connecting them, see Figure 4, and is normally located so that the platen 2| bears upon front and rear feed rolls, respectively numbered 28 and 21. For pivotal support of said sub-frame l8, each carriage end II has a stud 28 extending inwardly therefrom, the two sub-frame end pieces 24 being pivotally carried on said studs. In the normal position of carriage l to run with the carriage l0, upon its own trackway 54. The latter may be in the form of a round bar rigidly carried on an extension said sub-frame |8, each of thettwo end pieces 24 rests at the rear of the platen upon a collar 28 provided upon a shaft 32, see Figures 4 and 8. Said shaft 32 is pivotally supported in the opposite end plates H of the carriage and has near each carriage end an upreaching latch arm 3| secured to it. Each arm' 3| includes a hook formation 33 which normally overlies a pin 34 in the adjacent end piece 24 of the sub-frame l8, thereby to lock the latter normally down and hold the platen 2| in feeding contact with the feed rolls 23 and 21. The structure comprising the rod or shaft 32 and the latch arms 3| is rearwardly swingable about the axis of said shaft for the hook formations 33 to clear the pins 34, and thereby to render the sub-frame |8 displaceable to the position seen in Figures 5 and 6. A spring, not shown, associated with one of the latch arms 3| biases both these arms 3| forwardly into the latching position seen in Figure 8.

The platen is rotatable in the displaceable sub-frame I8 by reason of a spindle 31 projecting oppositely into the end plates 24 of the subframe l8. In flanking relation with the end plates 24, the spindle 31 carries fast thereon, at

framework reaching rearwardly from the main typewriter body I3, see Figure 1. The carriage extension Illa, for running association on said bar 54, has secured to its underside, as at 58, an elongated bracket plate 52, the latter extending lengthwise of said bar 54 and having at two spaced points trucks or bearing elements 53, including anti-friction rolls 53a, associated with said bar 54. The bracket plate 52 is spaced from the table Illa between its points 58 of securement to provide working clearance for a draw-cable of the carbon retracting mechanism to be described. The extension framework 55 comprises a bracket 58 fastened to each side of the typewriter body |3, the brackets rigidly bridged by rods 51 and having table-rests in the form of caster rolls 62.

For connection with the carriage extension or table Illa. with the typewriter carriage It, the end plates H of the latter have each a rearwardly reaching bracket 5| supporting a rod 48 extending parallel to the carriage. As seen in Figure I, said extension la is yieldingly connected with said rod 48, by means of spacers in the form of compressible coil springs 81, arranged on the rod 48 between each side of the extension Illa and the adjacent bracket 5|. The springs 81 urge the extension Illa to assume a definite lateral relation with respect to the carriage, but permit a momentary lag of the extension during each letter-feed movement of the typewriter carriage. The latter, therefore, letter-feeds substantially without interference by the mass of the extension Illa and the parts carried thereby, wherefore utmost typing speed is possible. Also, at the end of long carriage movements, such as tabulations and carriage returns, the springs 61 I are instrumental to lessen shock.

each end, a gear 38. In the normal position of the platen supporting sub-frame seen in Figures 1 and 5, there is coaxially arranged closely adjacent to each gear 38 another gear 4|, each of the latter gears carried fast on a stud-shaft 42 which is revolvably mounted on the adjacent carriage end said stub-shafts having each a turning knob 44. Associated in constant mesh with said coaxially arranged gears 38 and 4|, at each carriage end, see Figures 1 and 5, there is another gear 43 tumably mounted on the nearby stud 28. These gears 43 are covered by guards 43a. The stated stub-shafts 42 are turnable by the knobs 44, and turning motion is transmitted to the platen 2| from the gear 4| to the gear 43 and hence to the platen gear 38.

As indicated in Figure 4, types |5 strike against the front side of the platen 2|, and as is conventional in typewriters, the carriage l0 letterfeeds responsive to each typing impression, and is returnable at will in preparation of typing each line.

Loosely connected to move with the carriage I0 A conventional Underwood carbon carrier comprises a base plate 12 which at each lateral end thereof has circumferentially grooved rollers 13 engaging spaced parallel trackways 14 that extend along the left and right border of the carriage extension Na. Said carbon carrier 1| comprises on the base plate 12 a detachably mounted, conventional plate 68 supporting blades 18 whereto carbon sheets 8| are attachable in a conventional manner. As seen in Figures 1 and 4, a work web 83 is placed in the machine to extend from the rear over a guide bar 11 forwardly over the carriage extension Illa, and downwardly around the bottom of the platen to the front thereof. The displaceable sub-frame |8 has a paper table 84 extending from the upper front portion of the platen 2 I, as seen in Figures 1 and 4, and a form severing knife 85 is also carried thereby. The work web 83 consists of several plies and, when the machine is in use, the carbon sheets 8| extend forwardly from their anchorage blades 18 in interleaved relation with the plies, the leading ends of the carbon sheets being normally about inch short of the leading ends of the web 83. Figure 4, as is indicated by the type bar l5 striking the paper, shows the leading set of forms of the work web 83 being typed upon, and the leading end of the work web is shown as having been line spaced well above the cuttingedge of the knife I 85. The carbon carrier II is shown advanced toward the platen, forwardly of a stop 88, and it will be evident from the description following hereinafter that this advance has been brought about partly by lowering the displaceable sub-frame I8, and partly by advancing the work web 88 by rotating the platen.

As already has been brought out, the platen is rotatable to advance the work web 82 by means of knobs 44, but it is understood that it may also be rotated in line-spacing steps in any known manner, either manually or by power.

After the typing on the leading set of forms is completed the carbon sheets are shifted to register with the next succeeding set of forms in preparation to typing thereon. This is preferably done with the web 88 in a straightened condition so that the web plies will not bind the carbon sheets. Accordingly, whenever it is desired to shift the carbon sheets 8I to register with a set of succeeding forms, the sub-frame I8 is first unlocked by a rearward displacement of the latch arms 8| clear of the pins 84, and is thereafter swung upwardly and forwardly to raise the platen 2I above the general plane of the carriage extension Ia. See Figure 5. This is preferably done by a single continuous motion of the operator's hand. To this end, see particularly Figures 1 and 8, a form measuring bar IOI, supporting an adjustable paper gage I02, is pivotally displaceable .to a limited extent toward the front of the machine on said subframe I8 and when so displaced, causes the latch arms 38 to be moved clear of the pins 34. Thereafter, continued forward movement of the gage bar IOI picks up the subframe I8 to move it about its pivot studs 28 to the position shown in Figure 5. As seen in Figure 1, the gage bar IOI is fastened to a shaft I08 which is pivoted in and extends between the ends 24 of the sub-frame I8. At the left end, the shaft I 08 carries fixedly a cam arm I04 which in the initial tilting movement of the gage bar IOI toward Figure 7 position acts on a pin IIO on the adjacent latch arm 3|, thereby to swing both latch arms 8i rearwardly clear of the pins 84 of the platen supporting sub-frame I 8. After the stated initial tilting movement of the gage bar IN, the lower end thereof engages a head of a movement limiting pin I I4 on said sub-frame I8, see Figure 8, and the latter will then move along with the gage bar to reach finally the position seen in Figure 5. Means, later to be described, stop the displaceable frame in the movement to the Figure 5 position. The form-measuring gage I02 on the gage bar IN is adjusted thereon to stand a form length away from the edge of the knife 85. As has bee n stated, the carbon sheets 8| are shifted into cooperative relation with succeeding forms while the platen is in or near the raised position seen in Figure 5. However, before the carbon sheets are shifted, that is to say, retracted, the work web 82 is preferably advanced for the leading edge thereof to meet the gage I02. The stated advance of the work web 88 may be efiected by turning the platen prior to effecting its displacement, but preferably the advance is effected concomitant to moving the gage bar IOI forwardly toward the extended'position seen in Figure 5. Towards accomplishing this, the operator may lightly grip the leading end of the web plies 85 and the gage bar IOI between the thumb and index finger and may early in the platen displacement, by gliding these fingers along the bar I0 I advance the leading end of the web 88 to meet the gage I02.

Power retraction of carbon sheets According to the invention, the carbon carrier II is power-retracted by eiiicient, simple means, preferably as the platen-supporting sub-frame I8 approaches its fully displaced position seen in Figure 5, the leading edge of the form 88 having been brought against the gage I02 and being held by the operator's fingers or otherwise.

The power-retracting means comprises a retractor drum II8 supported to turn on a stationary pivot axis located closely to the rear of the typewriter body I3, preferably underneath the carriage extension I0a. A band or draw-cable H6 having one end attached to the drum II8, and capable of being wound thereon, is operatively in communication with the carbon carrier II in any position of the typewriter carriage, said draw-cable leading rearwardly from the drum II8, reversely over a sheave or guide I carried on the bottom of the rear portion of the carriage extension Wu, and forwardly for attachment to the carbon carrier I I. Said draw-cable I I 0 is attached to the base plate I2 of the carbon carrier II, and to this end the base plate I2 has a downreaching bracket I I5 to which the cable is clamped by an element I II. A clock-type spring I32 accommodated within said drum II8 very lightly urges the latter to turn anti-clockwise as viewed in Figures 2 and 3. and always causes sufficient cable II6 to be wound on the drum to keep slack from forming in the lead to the carbon carrier. However the tension of the spring I32 is insufficient to draw the carbon carrier II rearwardly. As each form is line-spaced in the course of typing it, the carrier II is drawn forwardly toward the platen by the carbon sheets,-

the drum II8 paying off the necessary cable to allow forward movement of the carbon carrier. In Figure 2, the carriage extension I0a is shown in a leftward position with respect to the typewriter body I3, whereas in Figure 3 said extension is shown moved to the right. From these two figures it will be perceived that the drum I I8, by means of the cable H6, is operatively communicative with the carbon carrier II regardless of the position the carriage it may occupy. so that anti-clockwise rotation of the drum II8 by power will result in retraction of the carbon carrier II. The drum I i8 is located for the cable to lead, therefrom to the sheave I in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined plane, so that the stretch of cable leading from. the sheave MI to the carrier II passes freely and without conilict over said cable lead extending from the drum to the sheave at varying angles as viewed from the top. This may be seen from comparison of Figures 3 and 2. Moreover, it will be seen thatv due to the drum turning spring I32, cable will be drawn oil or paid to the drum II8, as required.

Before describing the drum rotating mechanism it will be of advantage to state briefly the manner of support for the drum II8.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 7 and 10, the retractor drum H8 is housed in a structure comprising a base plate I45 and a box-like cover I46. The drum H8 is provided on a pintle I41 whereon it is adapted to turn, and said pintle has reduced ends turnably accommodated as at I40 in opposite perforations provided in the base plate I45 and said cover I48. The aforestated clocktype spring I32, see Figure '2, has the outer end attached to the drum as at I50, and the inner end anchored on the pintle I41. The box-like cover I46 is secured to studs on the base plate I45 by screws I52. The clock-type spring I02 is 7 given the appropriate tension by rotatively adjusting the pintle I41 which for this purpose embodies a small worm gear I53 indicated in Figures 6 and 10, such gear turnably adjustable by a worm I54 provided on a shaft I55 turnably accommodated on the cover I46 and having externally of said cover a turning knob I48.

The structure comprising the base plate I45 and the cover I46 is rigidly supported behind the main body I3 of the typewriter, below the carriage extension Ia. For support of said structure I45, I46, see Figure 7, a stud I51 extends from an upreaching branch I56 of the left extension bracket 58 rigidly rightwardly therefrom. Similarly from an upreaching branch I58 of the right extension bracket 58 there extends a stud I60. The stated base plate I45 of the drum has a downreaching ear I6I for associating it fixedly with the stud I51, the latter having a reduced screw-end, and a nut I62 on said screw-end clamping the ear I'6I fast to the stud I51. The stud I60 is tubular and is held to the bracket branch I58 by a bushing I63, the latter extending through the bracket branch I58 and being screwed into the tubular stud as at I64. The bushing I63 passes also through a plate I65 and has a hexagon enlargement I66 serving to draw it into a rigid structure with the branch I52, the plate I65, andthe stud I60. The left end of the tubular stud I60 has united thereto, as by brazing, a bracket I61, the base plate I45 being secured to the bracket I61 by screws I68. This gives additional support to th drum base plate I45.

Referring to Figure 1, the Underwood All Electric Typewriter which the machine of the invention comprises, embodies a shaft-I10 which is constantly motor driven while the machine is in use. On said shaft I10 is a pulley I1I driving a belt I12 of the conventional type action operating drive. Alongside of the pulley "I, also fast on the shaft I10 and constantly driven thereby, is a pulley I13 which by means of an endless V- belt I14 constantly drives a pulley I15 rotatively borne on a part of the bushing I63 which extends rightwardly from the hexagon enlargement I66. Extending through the tubular stud I60 and turnably accommodated in the bushing I63 is a square shaft I16 having at the outer end a disk I11 in loosely keyed association with the pulley I15, so that the pulley rotates the square shaft I16. The plate I65, see Figure 1, supports a belt tightener I18 of a generally well-known type. A collar I80, see Figure 7, fast on the shaft I16 Just inside of the bracket I81, in cooperation with the disk I11 onthe outer end of the shaft I16 locates the latter endwise. When the machine is ,in use, that is when the shaft I16 is motor-rotated, the latter continuously turns a shiftable clutch member I8I turnably accommodated on a stud I82 and having four rollers I83 in engagement with the four sides of the square shaft I18. The left end of the shaft I16 extends with clearance concentrically into a bore in the stud I82, and said tumable clutch member I8I, by reason of the shaft I18 reaching between its four rollers I83, provides a rotative support for the left end of the shaft I16. The hollow stud I82 is home rigidly on a bracket I84 reaching downwardly from the drum base plate I45, and to this end has an annular enlargement I85 and bears between said enlargement and the bracket a bushing I86, a nut I81 on the stud drawing the shoulder I85 tightly against the bushing I86. To turn on the bushing I88, and axially confined between the enlargement I85 and an enlargement on the bushing I86, there is a clutch member I88 in exial alignment with the clutch member I8I. The clutch member I88 includes a gear I which is in constant mesh with a large gear I8I provided fast on the underside of the retractor drum M8. the gear I8I preferably pressed or sheet metal. Normally, see Figure 7, the clutch member I8I is held axially in a position so that the clutch teeth I82 thereon are out of engagement with clutch teeth I83 on the member I88. The stated position of the clutch member I8I prevails always when the platen I3 is in normal writing position as seen in Figure 4. This is because a bail I84 pivotally supported at the rear of the carriage I0 is normally in a rearwardly swung position. Said bail I84 comprises spaced arms I85 pivot ally mounted as at I88 on extensions 5Ia oi. the brackets 5| reaching rearwardly from the carriage ends II, and comprises further a rod I86 extending parallel to the carriage I0. The rod I86 by contacting a roller 20I on an arm I81 holds the latter in a rearwardly swung position, a pivot stud I88 for said arm rising from the base plate I45 and a torsion spring 200 urging the arm I81 for the roller to contact the rod I86. The arm I81 is in control of a clutch shifter lever 202 through the intermediary of an arm 203 pivoted at 204 on the drum base plate I45 and having pin 205 bearing against the front side of an arm of-the lever 202, said two arms having a pin and slot connection as at 208. The clutch shifting lever 202 bears a roller reaching into an annular groove 206 of the clutch member I8I, and, under the tension of a spring 201, tends to move the said clutch member I8I to closed clutch position, such movement being blocked normally by the stated normal rearward position of the bail rod I86.

The displ'aceable sub-frame I8 exerts control over the position of the bail I84 through .a mechanism comprising an arm 2 pivotally mounted on the shaft 32, a link 2I2 connecting the arm 2II with the right end-piece of the displaceable platen frame I8, and a link 2I3 extendin rearwardly from the arm 2I I and articulated to an upright arm 2I4 which by a rearwardlyreaching nose is operatively associated with a forwardly reaching nose on the bail arm I85 at the right carriage end. Said arm 2I4 is pivotally carried on the bracket 5I at the right carriage end. In the normal position of the displaceable sub-frame I8, see Figure 4, the arm 2I4 is govemed by said sub-frame I8 to occupy the shown position, the nose on'the arm 2| 4 bearing down on the nose of the arm I85 to hold the bail I84 rearwardly swung, thus holding the clutch member I8I in open clutch position. Displacement of the sub-frame I8 as the' 'latter'nears the 'position seen in Figure 5', results in the movement of the control mechanism 2I2, 2II, 2I3 and 2I4 as shown, with the effect that the bail I84 will be allowed to swing toward the front of the machine as illustrated, the tension of the spring 200 on the roll carrying arm I81 causing the roll 20I to swing the bail. However, in order that the clutch may close with an instantaneous action, substantially at the very end of the platen displacement, and regardless of slowly effected displacement of the platen, see Figure 7, a pawl 2I5 is associated with a shoulder on the clutch controlling lever 202 to delay clutch closing movement of the latter until the very end of the platen displacement. This pawl 2I5 is normally spring held in a blocking relation with respect to the stated shoulder, and when the platen approaches its fully displaced position shown in Figure 5, a pin 2I6 on the arm 293 will engage the outer end of the pawl 2I5 to swing it clear of the stated shoulder, wherefore under the tension of the spring 201 only then the clutch controlling lever 202 snaps to closed clutch position. Incidentally, see Figure '7, the limit of displacement of the platen sub-frame I8 is established by engagement of the arm 2 with an abutment 2" on the adjacent carriage end II.

As soon as resultant from platen displacement the driving connection across the clutch members I8I, I88 is established, the gear I99 will drive the drum II8 forcibly anti-clockwise as viewed from the top, and the carbon carrier II will consequently be drawn rearwardly by the draw-cable '6. It matters not in what position the carriage I9 may reside, inasmuch as the cable H6 is always communicative with the carrier II for retracting action.

When the carbon carrier II nears the required retracted position, namely the position illustrated in Figure 6 wherein the leading ends of the carbon sheets 8I are slightly short of the cutting edge of the knife 85, the power drive to the retractor drum H8 is automatically interrupted. To this end, towards the end of its forced rearward movement the carrier II displaces a shutoff element in the form of the before-noted stop 88 which is carried for adjustment along bar 222 and for limited rearward displacement with the latter on the carriage extension Illa, said bar having attached thereto at the front end, by means of studs 223, an element ending in a finger 224 reaching infront of the bail bar I96, see Figures 2, 4 and 6. The effect is such that when the stop 88 is displaced rearwardly by the carbon carrier 'II, the bail bar I96 is pulled rearwardly to impart a clutch opening operation to the arm I91, the motion imparted to the latter arm being translated into a clutch opening movement of lever 292. For slidably mountingthe bar 222, see Figure 2, the latter has at each opposite end thereof a pin and slot association 228 with the table extension IIla of the carriage. The rearward movement of the bar 222 is limited by a fixture 230 fastened to the underside of the said bar and having a soft pad 23I for stopping engagement against the rear side of one of the openings 49 in the carriage extension Ilia.

After the clutch member I8I at the automatic conclusion of a, power retraction of the carbon carrier 'II is moved to open-clutch position, the retractor drive must remain inactive. To this end, see particularly Figures 4, and 6, an element 232 is pivotally mounted on the rod 48 near the right end of the carriage, and includes a blocking nose 233 which, as illustrated in Figure 6, under the urge of a spring 235, swings in front of a pin 234 on the right arm I95 of the bail I94 whenever the latter arrives in a rearwardly rocked position incidental to the clutch opening movement imparted to the bar 222 at the end of a retracting movement. However, inasmuch as the bail I94 must be free to rock toward the front of the machine whenever the platen I0 is moved to displaced position, a pin 236 is provided on the arm 2 to give the element 232 normally the position seen in Figure 4, wherein its blocking nose 233 is below the pin 234 on the bail I94. At the beginning of each platen displacement, the clutch controlling bail I94 swings forwardly fast enough for the pin 234 to move idly above the blocking nose 233. Meanwhile the pin 238 on the arm 2 moves forwardly away from the element 232, giving the latter capacity for turning movement in anti-clockwise direction under the tension of the spring 235. Consequently, when at the end of each power-retracting operation, the bail I94 is rearwardly rocked by the finger 234, the element 232 will spring-move anti-clockwise, placing the blocking nose in front of the pin 234. Therefore at the end of each powerretraction of the carbon carrier II, the bail I94 will be moved to and retained in rearward, openclutch position against the tension of the spring 291 which is associated with the clutch shifter lever 202.

The control mechanism by which the powerretracting device is rendered active responsive to displacement of the platen supporting frame I8, is such that if said frame is prematurely thrown toward normal position before the powerretracting operation is concluded, there will ensue consequently a shut-off of the retractor drive. Namely, if the platen supporting frame I8 is thrown toward normal position while the carrier II is power-moved rearwardly as illustrated in Figure 5, then the movement of the control mechanism 2I2, 2| I, H3, 2 toward normal position will result in a restoration of the control bail I94 rearwardly on the carriage, which in turn will shift the clutch member IN to open-clutch position, rendering the retractor drive inactive. This shut-off position provides that neither the retracting mechanism, nor the work web 83, nor carbon sheets 8| are subjected to abnormal strain in the event the operator restores the platen to writing position before the power-retracting operation is completed.

The retractor drum I I8 and the clutch member I8I hereinbefore noted, are supported on the stationary part of the machine, but as has been brought out, the power-retractions are instituted and terminated under control of carriage supported mechanism. In this connection it should be noted that the bail I94 is operatively communicative with the roller 2!" on the frame supported arm I91 regardless of the position of the carriage I9, wherefore clutch closing as well as clutch opening action is provided for by control motions emanating from parts on the carriage II! or its extension Illa.

In the machine described the work web 83 is supplied upwardly from the rear of the machine and the weight thereof afiords considerable resistance to the forward movement of the carbon carrier, particularly so if the web consists of many plies and i of heavy stock. Accordingly, there is associated with the carbon carrier a means which at least in part counterbalances the dragging weight of the work web. To this end the cable II6 leading from the retractor drum II8 to the clamp III on the carbon carrier II is extended forwardly of the latter over a sheave 240 at the forward end of the extension IM and reversely rearwardly to wind on a drum 2 whereto the extended cable is attached. Said drum is supported on a bracket 242 reaching rearwardly from the bracket plate 52 carried by the carriage extension I0a. Said drum 2 is under constant influence of a spiral spring 243 to turn anti-clockwise as viewed from the top, and therefore to wind up the cable II8 leading thereto. The spring 243 in the drum 2 is relatively stronger than the spring I32 in the retractor drum II8, so that the carbon retractor 'II is favored to move toward the platen at all times, the weight of the work web 83 however exerting enough drag on the carbon carrier II to prevent the latter from moving forwardly on its own accord. So that the spiral spring 243 may supply the appropriate forward drawing action on the carbon carrier 1| suited to the drag of a particular work web 83, the spiral spring |32 in the retractor drum 8 is adjustable for strength in a manner explained hereinbefore, it being noted that if the spring I32 is given increased power, the effective power of the spring 243 is weakened.

The platen supporting frame It is shown in normal position in Figure 8 and accordingly the opposite latch arms 3| are in latching association with the pins 34. The initial forward motion given the gage bar in the platen displacing operation, as before stated, will swing both latch arms 3| rearwardly, clear of the path which the pins 34 need to take ensuingly during the actual displacement of the platen, that is during continued forward movement of the gage bar IIII. In the displacement of the frame IS, the pins 34 travel upwardly and forwardly, clear of the arms 3|. To retain the arms 3| rearwardly moved pending the restoration of the platen, there is provided a dog 245 pivotally carried at the right end ll of the carriage, which dog, under the constant urge of a spring 246, tends to swing limitedly upwardly However, the link 2|2 of the aforedescribed clutch controlling mechanism normally overlies and holds down the rear end of the dog 245. Incidental to the forward displacement of the gage bar ||l|, following the rearward displacement of the latch arms 3| and following some upward displacement of the platen supporting frame, the link 2 l2, by moving upwardly, allows the dog 245 to move in front of a notched, forwardly reaching nose 241. The platen frame pins 34 meanwhile glide along the front faces of the latches 3|. As the pins 34 clear the latches 3|, the dog 245 will block the associated latch 3| against forward movement, the notched nose 241 seating itself against the end of the dog. Both the latches 3| stay therefore in rearward position. Subsequently when the platen frame I8 is restored and the pins 34 thereon glide down the front of the latches 3|, said dog 245 is forced down to ineffective position below the nose 241, allowing the latches 3| to spring forwardly into holding position over the pins 34.

It is desirable that the draw-cable I6 be wound on the drum H8 in orderly adjacent turns. For assuring this, and also to prevent jumping of the cable 6 off the drum, there is provided closely acflacent to the latter, at the cable payoff side, a grooved roller guide 250, see Figures 2, 4 and 9. This roller guide 250 is rotatively supported on a stud 25| with capacity to move axially therealong for the width of the drum H8. As the drum winds successive turns, the roll travels upwardly against the light opposition of a compression spring 252 arranged on the stud 25| between the roller and the stud head. The spring 252, by tending to resist upward movement of the roller 250, causes the draw-cable to wind in closely adjacent turns on the drum. As seen in Figure 2 the roller 250 is located very closely to the drum H8, and for the draw-cable H3 to lead in a bend from the drum, this being conducive to keep the cable from jumping the drum.

Having now special reference to Figures 2 and 6, the carbon carrier has pivotally mounted to the underside of the base plate 12 a springpressed detent arm 253 for catching impositively behind the adjustable retractor stop 33 whenever the carbon carrier reaches retracted position. In catching impositively behind the stop 88, said detent 253 prevents rebounding of the carbon carrier 1| toward the platen. However, the detent yields readily when following retraction, the carbon carrier is drawn forwardly resultant to platen restoration to normal position while the leading edge of the web 83 is held against the gage I02.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is understood that many variations may be restorted to within the scope of the invention and that portions of improvements may be used without others.

What is claimed is:

1. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, and having a platen on the carriage relatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are advanceable and retractable; power-retracting means for said carbon sheets, comprising, a motor-operatable cable winding drum supported on said frame, and means operatable by said frame-supported drum in any position of the carriage to effect carbon sheet retraction, said last means including a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum for carbon sheet retraction.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, said drum located rearwardly of the platen, and said powerretracting means comprising beyond the range of carbon retraction, guide means for said drawcable to lead thereto from said drum directionally away from the platen and thence reversely toward the platen, said guide means supported on the carriage substantially in a lateral location which is coincident with the drum when the carriage is in the middle of its traveling range.

3. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, and a platen on the carriage relatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are advanceable and retractable; power-retracting means for said carbon sheets, comprising, a motor supported on said frame, a cable winding drum also supported laterally central on said frame and operable by said motor, a sheave laterally central on said carriage, said drum located nearer to the platen than the sheave, and a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum in any position of the carriage to effect carbon sheet retraction, said draw-cable leading rearwardly from said drum to said sheave and reversely thereover forwardly.

4. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return direc tions, a platen on the carriage, and a carbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward and retracting movement from said platen; power-retracting means for said carrier, comprisin a motor supported on the frame, a cable winding drum supported on said frame and operatable by said motor, and means including a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum, and operatively connecting said drum with said carrier in any position of the carriage for carbon sheet retracting action.

5. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage, and a carbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward and retracting movement from said platen; a power-retracting means for the carrier, comprising, a motor-operatable drum supported on the frame, a draw-cable windable on said 13. drum and having a connection with said carrier, and draw-cable guide means located for said draw-cable to lead thereto from the carrier directionally away from the platen and associated with the carriage for movement directionally in accord therewith, said drum supported nearer to the platen than said draw-cable guide means, and the cable leading thereto from said carrier by way of said guide means.

6. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage and a carbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward and retracting movement from said platen; a power-retracting means for the carrier, comprising, a motor-operatable drum supported on the frame, a draw-cable windable on said drum and having a connection with said carrier, and draw-cable guide means on the carriage located for said draw-cable to lead thereto from the carrier directionally away from the platen, said drum supported nearer to the platen than said draw-cable guide means, and the cable leading thereto from said carrier by way of said guide means.

7. The invention defined in claim 6, said guide means supported on the carriage substantially in a location which is laterally coincident with the drum when the carriage is in the middle of its traveling range.

8. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, a platen on the carriage and a carbon carrier supported on the carriage for advance movement toward and retracting movement from said platen; power-retracting means for said carrier, comprising. a motor supported on the frame, a cable winding drum supported on said frame, a normally open clutch between said motor and said drum, and a draw-cable windable on said frame-supported drum and operatively connecting the latter with said carbon carrier in any position of the carriage for carbon sheet retractin action.

9. The machine set forth in claim 8, and lightly active means associated with said drum to keep said draw-cable taut while said clutch is open,.

irrespective of travel of the carriage or the carbon carrier.

10. The machine defined in claim 9, said lightly active means comprising spring means having a light cable-winding action on said drum.

11. The invention defined in claim 8, including spring means associated with said drum for said draw-cable to exert a retraction favoring force on said carrier, and spring means exerting a light advancement-favoring force on said carrier, the favoring force of said first spring means in respect to the favoring force of the second spring means being smaller for any position of the carriage or the carrier.

12. The invention set forth in claim 11, said second spring means comprising, a second cablewinding drum, and a spring having a cable-winding action on said second drum.

13. The invention set forth in claim 12, said second cable-winding drum supported on the carriage.

14. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, and having a platen on the carriage relatively to which carbon sheets on the carriage are retractable to a certain position; normally ineffective power-retracting means for said carbon sheets, including, a motor on said frame, and

, means supported on said frame and operable by said motor for carbon-sheet retracting action, means including control means on the carriage, to cause operation of said frame-supported means by said motor in any position of the carriage, and means responsive to the retraction of the carbon sheets to the said position to interrupt the operation of said frame-supported means by said motor.

15. The invention set forth in claim 14, said control means comprising form-measuring means on the carriage displaceable from a normal to a form-measuring position to cause operation of said frame-supported means.

16. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions to diiferent positions, a platen on said carriage, and a carbon carrier on said carriage advanceable toward the platen; normally ineffective motor-operatable means adapted to retract said carrier in any position of the carriage and including a normally ineffectively conditioned drive connection on said frame, and means to effectively or ineffectively condition said drive connection, including, a control element on the carriage engageable by said carrier at the end of each retraction, and means responsive to said engagement of said control element irrespective of the position of the carriage to render automatically said drive connection ineflectively conditioned.

1'7. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame in letter-feed and return directions, a platen displaceable on saidcarriage and a carbon carrier on said carriage movable toward the platen; an electric motor on the frame, normally inefiective motor-operatable means adapted to retract said carrier in any position of the carriage, including a normally open clutch supported on the frame; and means responsive to displacement of said platen to engage said frame-supported clutch, and thereby to render said motor-operatable means effective, said responsive means being further responsive to retraction of the carrier to a certain position to render said frame-supported clutch automatically disengaged.

18. The invention defined in claim 17, the machine including means to maintain the clutch disengaged after automatic disengagement until said platen is again displaced.

19. The invention defined in claim 17, said responsive means including a member on the carriage operatively communicative with a member on the frame in any position of the carriage.

20. The invention defined in claim 19, one of said members comprising a bail extending parallel to the carriage.

21. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame to different writing positions,

and having a platen on said carriage relatively to which carbon sheets are retractable to a certain position; means supporting said platen for displacement on the carriage to a web-freeing position, motor-drive means to retract said carbon sheets, including a drive connection adapted to be closed or opened respectively to render the motor-drive means effective or ineflective; and means to render said drive connection closed incidental to the displacement of the platen, and to render said drive connection open incidental to the retraction of the carbon sheets to the said position. said last means including a provision to render said drive connection also open if the platen after displacement is restored before the retraction of the carbon sheets has been concluded by the motor-drive means.

22. In a writing machine having a carriage movable on a frame to difierent writing positions, and having a platen on the carriage relatively to which carbon sheets are retractable to a certain position; means supporting said platen for displacement on the carriage to a web-freeing position, motor-drive means to retract said carbon sheets, including a drive connection on the frame adapted to be closed and opened respectively to render said motor-drive means eflective or ineffective; means to render said drive connection closed by the displacement of the platen as such displacement nears conclusion, and means to render said drive connection open either incidental to the retraction of the carbon sheets to the said position or by the restoration of the platen as the platen nears restored position.

CHARLES SCHRODER.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Apr. 1, 1943 Number

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