US2683410A - Selective wire printing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 13, 1954 Filed March 8 1949 H l1-H..."

w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l I ei r gf a' INVENTORS. William hbalrenfuss July 13, 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS El AL 2,533,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8 1949 INVENTORS. William Waekenf'mss y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE 7 SheetsSheet 3 Filed March 8 1949 INVENTORS. Mil ljam lfwkezzhzss By and Web,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS Er AL 83,

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. Mllzam ll bdrezzfass flTTOE'VEI T y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS El AL 2,683,410

I SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. I William Wash-rams BY and Eennazui'aeh,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 0 SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. William llwkenfibs's amdflaz-nzalglgwlz,

y 1954 w. WOCKENFUSS ET AL 2,683,410

SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 T CONDUCTORS 7/ 90 I I80 v 225 270 515 360 CARD Pk/NT CAM c4 DISTRIBUTOR ZR0 PRINT CAM C5 PR/NT BAIL 55 INVENTORS. William mkenfzws BY and Harmlfipoh,

Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTIVE WIRE PRINTING MACHINE Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,136

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines and has particular reference to a machine wherein one or more print heads are employed, each comprising a multiplicity of printing elements adapted for selective operation in various combinations to form different characters.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and practical construction of a printing machine in which a plurality of print heads of the type referred to are assembled into groups each carried by an individually mounted panel which also supports the selectively operable controls for the printing elements of the various heads on said panel.

Another object is to cyclically move the printing elements of a head to and from print and non-print positions and to control said movements by means of retaining devices for said elements which are rendered ineffective by one of the movements and are then selectively maintained ineffective during a printing cycle.

Another object resides in the provision of an improved printing machine wherein a group of printing elements are operable in various combinations to form different characters, and to provide electromagnetic devices which cooperate with said printing elements and which are selectively operable to identify by their energization the combination of printing elements required to print any one of said characters.

Another object is to employ a movement of a controlled element to close the air gap of an armature of an electromagnetic device which controls said element, and to thereafter energize said device to maintain its armature in closing position.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are employed merely to facilitate the description of the invention as a whole and not to define the limits thereof, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. i is a fragmentary front elevation of a printing machine constructed in accordance with the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating a complete panel or print section on which is mounted six print heads, the character forming elements of each head and the individual controls for said elements, there being also illustrated in said figure a portion of the common mechanism for cyclically controlling the print heads of all of the print sections;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of the lower portion of one of the panels or print section illustrating the retaining or latching devices for two of the printing or character forming elements of a print head and showing said devices in their normal operative condition in which said printing elements are retained in a non-print position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the position assumed by a latching device of one of the printing elements upon return of the latter to a non-print position under the control of a restoring bail which forms a part of the cyclically operating means that controls the movements of the printing elements to and from print and non-print positions;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 showing two printing elements in their advanced or print positions, with the latching devices for said elements maintained in their inoperative positions by the energization of the electromagnetic devices associated therewith;

Fig. 6a is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a modified form of printing element and its associated electromagnetic device;

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan view of the print section or panel shown in Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 combine to illustrate diagrammatically the control circuits for one of the print heads by which selection of the printing elements constituting said head to form any particular character is accomplished in accordance with the analysis of a punched card or similar statistical record;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a circuit for controlling the elimination of printing of zeros to the left of a significant figure;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a timing chart for the machine;

Fig. 12 is a greatly enlarged view of the type of character to be printed; and

Fig. 13 is a similar View showing diagrammatically, one of the print heads with the various printing elements comprising said head indicated by numerals.

Reference is first had to Figs. 1 to 7 which structurally show the machine as comprising the side plates l5 and 16 connected by the tie rods H, and between these plates are suitably supported a plurality of individual print sections, generally indicated at H8, in the form of substantially rectangular and narrow panels which are vertically arranged in abutting relation. The front of each panel is constituted by a block 58 (Fig. 2) of any suitable synthetic resin capable of being molded and having its top and bottom edges converging forwardly so as to impart a generally tapered formation to said block with its forward extremity terminating in a rectangular end portion 253 which, along with similar portions of the other blocks it of the various panels, is freely mounted in a support 2i extending across the front of the machine and attached, by the side members 22, to the plates 55, it. The 222 secure the rear portion of each block it to the recessed heads 24 at the upper and lower front corners of the main section of the panel is, and upper and lower angle straps 25 secured to the plates 115, I6 and extending across front of the machine are engaged by the blocks 2 of all of the panels and thereby assist in. retaining the latter in operative position. Other straps 25 removably secured to the plates i5, ill at the rear of the machine and an intermediate top strap 2? extending between said plates further maintain the panels in position. Bottom rollers 28 supported by said side plates are engaged by the lower edges of the panels to support the same and to facilitate their easy removal and replacement.

As shown in Fig. l, the end portion 29 of each block it contains six print heads 29 arranged in horizontal pairs so as to provide for three lines of printing, but it will be understood that the number of heads and their line arrangement is arbitrary.

The block E9 of each panel has extending therethrough six groups of movable printing elements til, each group being conventionally represented in Fig. 2 by two dotted lines. Said printelements are in the form of wires of very small diameter and, within the block 59, they extend through guide tubes 3| molded in said block with their inner or rear projecting ends fixed in a mounting plate 32 (Figs. 4 and 6) extending between the upper and lower blocks as. Said tubes, and consequently the wires 32 guided thereby, converge forwardly into the end portion 2B] of the block I9 Where the wires of each of said groups combine to form one of the print heads 29.

As illustrated in the co-pending application of William Wockenfuss, Serial No. 35,307, filed June 26 1948, the present construction may also employ thirty-five printing wires to constitute single print head, and the slight reciprocating movements of these wires between non-print print positions are selectively controlled in various combinations, and in accordance with the analysis of a record such as a tabulating card, to form different characters which are impressed upon a sheet 33 movable over a platen in any preferred manner. As herein shown and more fully described hereinafter, the selection of certain of the printing wires of a group results in the advancement of those wires from non print to print positions, but it is within the scope of the invention to reverse the above action by arresting the selected wires in non-print position and permitting those that are not selected to move to print position to form any particular character, as illustrated in Fig. 6a which will later be described.

In the main portion of each panel 8, as shown in Fig. 2, each group of wires to has assigned thereto a supporting unit, generally indicated at 35, in vertical alignment with the five other similar units constituting the panel. Each of said units comprises upper and lower pairs of spaced supporting bars 3% (Fig. 3) the inner opposed edges of which converge rearwardly so as to be inclined. with respect to the horizontal for a purpose which will later appear, and joining said bars are a plurality of vertically disposed and equi-distantly spaced guide plates i? for the rear portions of the printing elements till. Said rear portions are of different lengths, as indicated by the stepped formation of the two dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 in each of the units 35, and the movements of each printing element are controlled by an electromagnetic device, generally indicated at 38, mounted upon the inolined inner surface of one of the of bars 35 and between two adjacent guide plates 3?. Only three of such devices 33 are shown in Fig. 2 to avoid duplication of ilustration. In Fig. 3, all thirty-five printing wires are shown as extending through the forward end wall 38 of the panel and as being arranged in two outer vertical rows of twelve each which are horizontally opposed to each other and an intermediate row of eleven wires disposed in staggered relation to the wires of the outer rows. In Fig.2, the portions of the two dot and dash lines extending through the wall 39 and the first plate 3? to the right, represent the two wires 3!] at the top and bottom of the left hand row in 3, and as indicated at 40 in Figs. 4 and 6, said two wires terminate just beyond said first plate Bl and are the shortest of all of the thirty-five wires in the group. The continuation of the dot and dash lines on the same level between the first and second plates 3'! represent the top and bottom wires in the right hand row of Fig. 3 and these wires, which are the next shortest, terminate just beyond said second plate where the first step in the dot-dash lines occurs in Fig. 2. The two short lines extending between the first and second steps and projecting through the third plate 37, represent the top and bottom wires Sli of the intermediate row in Fig. 3. The next two long lines between the second and third steps in Fig. 2 and extending through the fourth and fifth plates 3?, represent the two second upperniost and the two second lowermost printing wires in the two outer columns in Fig. 3, while the next two short lines in Fig. 2 represent the sec ond uppermost and second lowermost wires in the intermediate row of Fig. 3, and so on throughout the length of the panel to the thirtyfifth wire which is the longest and is the midd e one in said intermediate row controlled by electromagnetic device 38 shown at the Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that as the v "e progressively extend to the right, the approach the horizontal centerline of the supporting unit 35, thus necessitating the incur terline to bring each device 38 into cooperative relation with its individual printing wire, this positioning of the devlces 38 being accomplished last space at the extreme right, opposite device 38 which controls the thirty-fifth wire, being vacant.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6, portions of the printing wires 30 which project from the rear ends of the guide tubes 31 where the latter are secured in the plate 32 of each panel, are rigidly fastened to the forward ends of rods 4! which thereby become parts of the printing elements. Said rods are slidable in the guide plate 42 and each rod has an enlargement 43 thereon forming an abutment for one end of an expansion spring 44 coiled on said rod and engaging at its other end the rigid wall 39. Said spring forms part of a mechanism for cyclically controlling the movements of the printing element between non-print and print positions and acts to constantly urge said element toward its print position when the spring is under compression. The lowermost and shortest rod 4| shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is the element shown at the bottom of the left hand row in Fig. 3, and the portion of another rod extending to the right beyond the rear end 40 of the first rod is the bottom ele ment in the right hand row of Fig. 3, both said rods being in horizontal alignment. The next lowermost rod 4| fragmentarily shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is the bottom element in the intermediate row of Fig. 3; the third rod shown is the next to the lowermost element in the left hand row of the latter figure; the fourth rod is the second lowermost element in said intermediate row; the remaining rods (not shown in Figs. 4 and 6) alternate in the same manner and progressively increase in length until they reach the horizontal centerline of the supporting unit 35; and for the upper half of the unit, the rods are similarly arranged beginning with the two shortest rods at the top.

Figs. 4 and 6 show the electromagnetic devices 38 for controlling the two lowermost rods 4! and the printing wires 39 of which they form a part. and since said control is the same in each instance a description of the operation of one of the printing elements will suiiice. Each device 38 comprises a substantially U-shaped plate 45 secured at its intermediate portion between the bars 36 by means of screws 46, with one leg of the plate forming the core of said device while the other leg provides a pivotal support for the armature 41 which constitutes a latch for its associated printing element whereby to control its movement. A coil spring 48 connects one end of the armature 41 to the lower portion of the plate t5 and acts to normally urge said armature to its latching or operative position with its air gap open, and to restore said armature to such position upon deenergiza-tion of the coil of the magnet. When in said normal position, a shoulder 49 on the armature latch engages a stop collar 50 on the rod ll to prevent advancement of the printing element to print position under the infiuence of its spring is which is now compressed. Also, in said normal position of the rod, an armature actuating collar 5! thereon is slightly spaced from a second shoulder 52 on the latch 4'2. During each cycle of operation all the rods ll in the various panels are simultaneously moved rearwardly, in a manner to presently appear, from either their print positions or their primary non-print position of Fig. 4, depending upon their action in the previous operating cycle, to a secondary non-print position shown in Fig.

'5 wherein only one of the rods M and its device 38 are illustrated. During thisslight movement, the

collar disengages from its shoulder 49 and the collar 5! then engages the shoulder 52 of its associated armature latch 41 and, by this contact, urges said latch to close its air gap. It is at this instant in the cycle of an operation that simultaneous selection of all of the printing elements to be operated in the various panels and print heads is efiected by the energization of those devices 38 individual to the elements 3!! which are to be advanced to print positions; and the armature latches of the elements which are not selected for printing are immediately restored to normal because of the non-energization of their devices 38 so that their stop shoulders 49 will be interposed in the path of the collars 50 to pre vent advancement of the associated printing elements beyond the position of Fig. 4 and under the control of the springs 44. Because of the preliminary action of closing the armature air gaps under control of the rearward movements of the rods 4! to their secondary non-print positions of Fig. 5, the current necessary to energize the coils of the various selected devices 38 to thereby retain the armatures in inoperative positions during an operating cycle, will be reduced to a mini mum. With the armatures of the selected devices thus positioned, their respective printing elements will be free to be advanced by the springs 44 to the print position shown in Fig. 6 wherein three of the four elements therein illustrated are so advanced, the fourth element being shown in its primary non-print position of Fig. 4 which it assumes by reason of the failure of its device 38 to be energized and the consequent immediate restoration of the armature, by the spring cc, to its operative position in the path of the collar "is before the latter can pass beyond the shoulder 49 under the initial impetus of the spring 24.

As previously mentioned, the springs A l form part of the mechanism for controlling the cyclic operation of the printing elements, their action being to advance said elements to print positions which is immediately followed by the de-ener gization of all devices 38, as will later appear. Cooperating with said springs to complete the cycle of operation by restoring the printing elements to their secondary non-print positions of Fig. 5 in order to close the armature latches 4? of all printing elements and, at the same time, place the springs it under compression, is a bail 53 for each of the panels l8 and common to all the printing elements in the six units 35 comprising said panel. Each bail extends between the heads 24 of a panel and is substantially the width thereof. It is mounted between the guide plates 32, 52, and has a reciprocatory movement of slight magnitude, as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Fig. 4, and all the wires 3t pass freely therethrough. As the bail is moved forwardly, it permits the springs M to advance all printing elements which have not been latched by the armatures t1, and as soon as said elements have reached the print position said ball starts its rearward or restoring movement. In so doing,

it engages the forward ends of the advanced rods 7 ill and pushes them rearwardly to retract the printing elements to non-print positions and compress the springs id. Upon reaching the rearmost dotted line position of Fig. 4., which is also the full line position of Fig. 5, the bail will have moved all the rods ii through their primary non-print positions and. to their secondary positions in which the collars 5! will close the armature latches A! as previously described. Here,

the bail dwells during analysis of a record card and until selected devices 38 are energized to retain their latches in inoperative position, whereupon the bail again advances to permit expansion of the springs 44. The initial impetus of said springs disengages the collars from the shoulders 52 of the armature latches the springs 38 of those latches which are not held in closed position because of the non-energized condition of their magnets will immediately restore such latches to their operative position where they will be engaged by the collars 5E1 of those printing elements which are not to be further advanced toward printing positions.

For the purpose of reciprocating the various bails associated with the diilerent panels [8, each bail is provided at its upper and lower ends with recessed heads 54 slidable in the blocks 24 of its panel, and engageable with each head is a bell crank 55. Upper and lower rock shafts 5E and El journaled in the side plates l5, l6 and common to all the panels, each carries a plurality of arms 58, one for each of the bails 53. Each arm freely engages in a recessed end of one of the bell cranks 55 to impart thereto an oscillatory movement which causes the reciprocation of the associated bail 53.

To drive all of the bails simultaneously, a source of power (not shown) is geared at 59 (Fig. 1) to a vertically extending shaft 56 supported by the side plate l5. At the upper end of the machine, gearing 6| couples the shaft 69 to a stub shaft 62 journaled in the late l5 and the lower end of said shaft 60 is similarly connected to a stub shaft 63 (Fig. 2). Said shafts 52, 63 mount the complementary cams B l, 85 each ongaged by different arms of the followers 56 connected by links El to the crank arms 98 secured on the shafts 56 and :5! so as to impart simultaneous rocking movement thereto and thus reciprocate the various bails in unison.

Reference is now had to Figs. 8 and 9 which illustrate the circuits that selectively control the thirty-five electromagnetic devices 38 allotted to the printing elements of one print head, the circuits for the remaining print heads being duplicates of those shown. Devices 38 are selectable for energization in various combinations and in accordance with any desired code such as the two-hole combin-ational code for alphabetical characters disclosed in the aforementioned copending application, wherein twelve index point positions are provided in each column of a card. The first three of said positions to be sensed for an alphabetical character in each card column are designated in Fig. 11 as #12, #11 and #0 and the zoning points assigned, respectively, to the letters A-I, J-R and SZ, each of said letters having further assigned thereto in its col umn one of the other numerical index points 1 to 9. In this code and in the system herein shown, the character 0, whether it is employed to designate the letter or a zero, is formed by the energiza-tion of the same group of devices 38 but, as will be seen in the course of the description, the shection of said group for the printing of a zero is accomplished difierently for the letter. The coils of said devices each have one terminal thereof joined to a common bus bar 69 connected to a conductor 10, and the other terminal thereof to an individual conductor 1 l, and said conductor is connected to a bus 12 to which all similar conductors of the various print heads are joined.

A record card feed mechanism (not shown) of any desired construction successively feeds the cards to a sensing device conventionally illustrated as comprising the contact roll l3 and a series of brushes 14, one for each card column, which progressively sense punched index points in the card columns as the card is fed between the roll and brushes, and a distributor 75 operates in synchronism with the feed of the cards so that the wiper thereof will successively engage its twelve contacts simultaneously with the sensing of the corresponding index points in the card columns. all said contacts being multipled to the other print heads.

Assigned to the index point positions #12, #11 and #0 of each column of the record card are the three zoning thyratrons '55, ll and '18 of standard construction which have the characteristic of remaining conductive, once they are fired, until the voltage is removed from the plate elements thereof. The plate elements of said tubes 16, ll and 18 are connected to associated zoning relays 19, 8d and 81, and the firing of any one of said tubes by the sensing of a hole at a zoning index point position in the card simultaneously with the engagement of the wiper of the distributor 75 with a contact corresponding to said point, determines the zone of the alphabetical character to be printed. Thus, when the tube is is made conductive through the brush is and the distributor 15, its relay '19 will be energized, and remain so as long as the tube is conductive, to close its nine contacts designated A to I (Fig. 8), thereby determining that the character to be printed is contained within this group. In the same manner, energization of relays or iii establishes that the character to be printed is in the J to R or the S to Z groups. The contacts A to Z of the various zones are connected. to different groups of the conductors ll leading to the electromagnetic devices 38 so that when selection of any contact in any one of said is made, in a manner to later appear, i the sensing of the second hole in a card coin the devices 38 assigned to said contact will be energized and their respective printing elements will be advanced to print position. A fourth zoning relay 82 is assigned to the printing of the numerals 1 to 9, but if either one of the tube ll or T8 is fired, a relay 33 multipled to the c ode elements of said tubes is energized an: by opening its back contact M, will disconnect relay 82 from the power supply 85 (Fig. 8). Or.- the other hand, if no zoning tube is fired to e t the printing of an alphabetical character due to the failure of the sensing brush Hi to sense a hole at any one of the zoning index points, relay 82 will be energized to close its group of cont. l to 8 shown at the right of Fig. 9 to await the sensing of a hole in the card column designating the particular numeral to be printed.

With any one of the tubes '15 to "E3 rendered conductive and its corresponding set of alphabetical contacts closed, the second hole of the two-hole combination in a card column is then sensed by its brush it and, through the distributor 15, this results in the firing of one of the nine thyratrons 86 to 94 identified by the sensed hole and the establishment of circuits thr gh one of said set of alphabetical contacts in the selected zone to the group of devices Bil which are to control the particular alphabetical character to be printed.

As one specific example, it will be assumed that the letter A is to be printed and in order to better follow the circuits for the various devices 38 which are to be energized, the conductors t5 acsaci leading from the contact A controlled by the relay I9 are indicated by heavier lines, and rectifiers 96 are interjected in all circuit groups at points where it is desired to prevent the shunting effect of unrelated circuit groups which may have connection to the same conductor 'II. The letter A, when printed, takes the form shown in Fig. 12 and, by reference to Fig. 13 wherein the printing elements 30 of a head are diagrammatically designated by the numerals l to 35, it will be seen that the elements to be actuated, and consequently the devices 38 (also numbered 1 to 35 on the bus bar 69) to be energized in order to print said letter, are identified in Fig. 13 by the eighteen numerals 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 30, 31 and 35. Thus, the contact A is connected by the conductors 95 to the eighteen conductors 'li through which the circuits of the selected electromagnetic devices 38 will be energized. As another example, the contact for the numeral 1 controlled by the relay 82 has three conductors leading therefrom which are connected to seven conductors ll joined to a corresponding number of devices 38 identified in Fig. 13 and on the bus bar 69 by the numerals 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 and 33.

The cycle of operation for printing various characters will now be described specifically in connection with the printing of the letter A which involves the successive sensing, by the brush i i, of the punched index points #12 and #'1 in the card column assigned to said brush, which sensing results in the firing of the thyratrons it and 86. Immediately upon entry of the leading edge of a card between the roll l3 and brush it, the code holding cam cI (Fig. 9) closes its contact and remains in this condition throughout the entire operating cycle including the printing of the selected characters, as indicated in Fig. 11. At the beginning of the cycle, the three zoning thyratrons 16 to 18 and the nine numeric Thyratrons 86 to 94 are non-conductive clue to the application of a negative bias from the power source 85 through the bridge network of each tube to the grid thereof and, upon closure of the contact of holding cam cl, positive voltage is applied to the plate elements of the tubes 16 to is from the source 85 over the conductor 91, through the contact of said cam, and the conductor 98 connected to the bus 99 common to all the print heads. The brush 14 now starts to successively sense the index point positions #12, #11 and and, simultaneously therewith, the wiper of the distributor I successively engages contacts corresponding to said points. Since the index point #12 is punched for the letter A, contact by the brush M will be made with the roll 13 and, with the distributor wiper simultaneously engaging its contact #12, zero potential from the intermediate terminal of the source 85 will be applied through the conductor I80, the #12 contact of said distributor, and the conductor IilI to one midpoint of the bridge network connected to the grid element of the zoning tube I6 and, at the same time, said potential is connected, by said conductor H113, to the other midpoint of said network over the conductors I02 and I03, roll 13 and brush i4, and conductor I05. The grid voltage is thereby raised to zero, causing said tube 76 to fire, whereupon current will flow from the positive terminal of source 85 through the cam cl, the windings of relays l9 and 83 connected, respectively, to the plate and cathode elements of the tube 76, and then over the conductors I02 and to the intermediate terminal .10 of the source 85,. and said relays will be energized and held so by the cam cI. Energization of relay 33 opens its back contact 84 to thereby disconnect the positive terminal of the source 35 from the winding of the numerical zoning relay E52 and thus prevents the latter from closing its contacts I to 9. Relay I9 closes its group of contacts 11-5 and the zone in which appears the character to be printed is now selected.

The card being analyzed now passes its #11 and #0 index points under the brush it but, since no hole is punched at either or" said points, the tubes '5? and T8 are not fired and, consequently, the other two sets of alphabetical zone contacts of relays 86 and BI remain open. Immediately upon completion of the sensing of the three zoning points on the card, the numeric tube holding cam 02 is operated to close its contact to thereby prepare a holding circuit for any one of the subsequently fired numerical tubes 35 to 94, said circuit extending from the positive terminal of source 85 through the contact of cam 02, and the conductor [U6 connected to the bus Itil to which all similar conductors of the circuits for the remaining print heads are joined, said conductor [06 being connected through a resistance to the plate element of each of said numeric tubes. Said cam 02 maintains its contact closed throughout the sensing of all nine numerical index points, as indicated in Fig. 11, and opens said contact directly after the print bail 53 has started its advance.

The brush It now senses the hole punched in the #1 index point which completes the combinational code for the letter A and, at the same instant that said hole is being sensed, the numeric zone cam 03 (Fig. 8) closes its contact and holds it closed, for a purpose which will later appear, until the printing operation is completed. When hole #1 is sensed in the card, the wiper of distributor '55 also engages its #1 contact, thereby connecting zero potential from the source 85 over the conductors H30 and Its to one midpoint of the bridge network of tube 8t, while the other midpoint of said network is connected to said potential over the conductors I92 and Its, the roll '13 and brush it, and conductors t5 and I99, thus raising the grid voltage of said tube to zero and causing the same to fire. The tube is maintained conductive from the intermediate terminal of source 85 through the winding of relay IIS, the tube 86 and its holding resistor, the common conductor E06, and the contact of cam c2 to the positive terminal of said source 85. Relay I i3 is energized by the current flowing from the plate of said tube 86, for a purpose to later appear in connection with the elimination of zeros to the left of a significant figure.

Brush I4 now continues to sense the remaining numerical index point positions and upon the sensing of the last or #9 position, the print cam 04 closes to establish circuits from the positive terminal of the source 85 for the energization of the eighteen previously mentioned electromagnetic devices 33 whose associated printing elements 35) form the letter A, said circuits extending from the positive terminal of source 85 over the conductor 97, the contact of cam c t, conductor It and bus es, the windings of the eighteen devices 33, the conductors H connected to said windings, the conductors 95, the contact A of the zoning relay 19, the tube 86 and through the winding of relay II!) to the intermediate terminal of the source 85. All of said devices 33 now energize to retain their armature latches 41 in the position of Fig. 5, as previously described, to thus permit the respective printing elements to be advanced to the position shown in Fig. 6. During the sensing of the card and until after the contact of print cam 04 has been closed, the print bail 53 dwells in the position shown in Fig. 5 and indicated in Fig. 11, and immediately after the energization of the electromagnets 38, said bail advances to permit the selected printing elements to move forward toprint position and then returns to the non-print position at the conclusion of the cycle to perform the previously described functions of restoring the printing elements and again actuating the armature latches il to close their air gaps preparatory to another selection in the next operating cycle.

In the event that no one of the three zoning tubes 16 to '18 is fired due to the failure of the brush 14 to sense a hole in the three zoning points on a card, indicating that a numerical character is to be printed, it will be apparent from the foregoing that relay 83 connected to the cathode ele ments of said tubes will not be energized and therefore its back contact 84 will remain closed. Hence, as soc-n as the cams 0! and 03 close their contacts, an energizing circuit for the numerical zoning relay 82 will be established extending from the source 85 through the conductor 91, the contact of cam cl, conductor 98, winding of relay 82, back contact 84 of relay 83 and the contact of cam c3 to the intermediate terminal of the source 85. Upon energization of relay 82 in this circuit, its group of numerical contacts I to 8 are closed and await the sensing of the hole punched in one of the numerical index points in the card column. When this occurs, zero potential will be applied to the grid of one of the tubes 86 to 94, depending upon which hole is sensed, through the brush M and distributor 15 in a manner which will now be understood. Said tube will then fire and will remain conductive through the contact of cam 02 and conduc tor 506, as previously described. Upon closure of the print cam 04 at the conclusion of the sensing of the last index point position of a card, energizing circuits will be established for the electromagnetic devices 38 which are selected to effect the printing of the desired numerical character, said circuits extending, as previously described, through said cam 04 and over the conductors 'H which are connected to the numerical contact of relay 32 that extends to the plate element of the fired tube, and from thence the circuit extends through the Winding of relay I it to the intermediate terminal of the source 85. Energization or" the selected group of devices 38 permits the associated printing elements to be advanced under the control of the print bail 53 to print the desired numeral.

With respect to the character 0, it has been previously mentioned that the same is formed by the energization of the same group of electromagnetic devices 38 Whether said character is to indicate a letter or a zero, but that the selection of said group to print the letter is accomplished differently than when a zero is to be printed. This difference originates in the code punching in a card column and the consequent firing of different Thyratrons during the course of the analysis of said column. The letter is formed by punching the index points #11 and #6, while for a zero, only the zoning index point #0 is punched. From the foregoing description, it will now be understood that the group of conductors connected to the contact 6 controlled by the relay 88 and selected for the energization of the devices 38 which control the printing of the letter O, is accomplished by the firing of the zoning tube H and the numerical tube 9%. When only the #0 index point position is punched in the card column, indicating that a zero is to be printed, only the zoning tube '38 is fired and, at the conclusion of the sensing of said column, the zero print cam 05 (Figs. 8 and 11) is closed. Piring of the tube 18 energizes the relay 8! in series therewith, closing its contacts S to Z, but this will have no effect since none of the numerical tubes 86 to 94 is fired to extend the circuits for the devices 38 through any one of the latter tubes. However, the closure of the additional contact ill (Fig. 3) of relay 8| will connect the conductor H2 leading from. said contact to the conductor to which the 0 contact of relay 86 is joined, and this will extend the circuits for the energization of the devices 38 which control the printing of the character 0, from the contact lli through the back contact H3 of relay III] which is not energized at this time due to the non-conductive condition of all the tubes 86 to 94, and thence over the conductor I I4, plug I 15 in the full line position of Fig. 8, and the contact of the zero print cam 05 to the intermediate terminal of source 85, whereupon the selected devices 38 will be energized. At the conclusion of any printing operation and when the bail 53 has restored to its dwell or non-print position, all five of the control cams heretofore described open their contacts to de-energize all devices 38 and relays in the various circuits, and again render all Thyratrons non-conductive preparatory to the next card analysis.

In a tabulating card wherein a field thereof is allotted to the entry of amounts, it is common practice, for the purpose of subsequent verification of the entries made therein, to punch the index points #0 in all columns in said field to the left of a significant figure therein and to thereafter, in the tabulation of such entries, eliminate or suppress all zeros to the left of said figure.

Such elimination will now be described by reference to Fig. 10 wherein there are fragmentarily shown four of the circuits illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The first circuit unit to the left is set up, as in Fig. 8, for the printing of all zeros by connecting the plug H5 to the two lower jacks HQ so that a zero will be printed as above described, and it will be assumed that the three serially arranged circuit units to the right, and any required additional ones (not shown), are assigned to the columns of an amount field in each of the cards to be analyzed. In order to eliminate zeros to the left of significant figures in the printing or" entered amounts in said field, the first circuit unit of highest denominational order (the second to the right in Fig. 10) is not plugged in at its jack terminals, while all remaining circuits units to the right of lower denominational order have their two upper jacks connected each by a plug H5. With respect to said first circuit unit in the amount field, it will be apparent from the previous description that if the letter 0 is to be printed, which involves the firing of tubes 11 and 9|, the 0 contact of the zoning relay will be closed to extend the circuit from said contact to the tube 9! which results in the printing of said letter, but the current will not pass from the conductor H2 through the contact ill of the zoning relay 8| which is not energized at 13 this time since the zoning tube 18 is not fired. Due to the lack of connection between terminals N6 of said first circuit unit, it will not print a zero in response to the sensing of only the third zoning index point in a card column, which sensing results in, first, the firing of tube 18 and energization of zoning relay 8! to close the contact I l of said relay and, second, the retention of the back contact N3 of relay H in closed position because of the failure of the latter relay to be energized through one of the tubes 86 to 94. Said conditions extend the conductors ll leading to the 0 contact over the conductor I l 2 and contacts I! l and H3 to the conductor I [4 connected to the unplugged middle jack H6 where the circuit terminates and, therefore, no printing of a zero in said first circuit unit takes place. In the second of said circuit units assigned to the amount field, should only the 0 index point be punched in the card column individual to said unit, the conductor N4 of the latter will be extended through the plug H connecting the two upper jacks H6, and over the conductors H? and H3 to the conductor H4 of the first circuit unit, and again a zero will not be printed. On the other hand, if a significant figure is to be printed by said second circuit unit, its relay [It will be energized, by reason of the firing of one of the tubes 36 to 94, to close its front contact H9 and open its back contact H3 to permit of a zero to the right of said significant figure being printed by the third circuit unit of lowest denominational order over a circuit extending from conductor N2 of said third unit, the then closed contact H! thereof, back contact H3 of relay iii? which is not now energized, conductor H4, plug H5, conductor I26 connected to conductor i 18 of said second or next adjacent circuit unit, front contact 1 IQ of the now energized relay H0 in the latter unit, the common conductor EU, the contact of zero print cam 05 now closed, to the intermediate terminal of the source 85, the circuit being completed from the positive terminal of said source through the devices 38 and conductors H which are instrumental in printing the character 0. Thus it will be seen that zeros to the left of a significant figure are eliminated, but that those to the right are printed.

The foregoing description has been directed to that form of the invention wherein the selective operation of the circuit of a print head has divided the printing elements thereof into two groups, one being identified as including those elements whose electromagnetic devices 38 are energized so that said elements can be advanced for printing, and the other group being identified as containing those printing elements which are to be prevented from moving to print position by the failure of their devices 38 to be energized.

The modified structure of Fig. 6a accomplishes the reverse of the operation hereinbefore described by energizing those electromagnetic devices whose printing elements are to be prevented from advancing to print position. In carrying out this form of the invention, the rear end of each printing wire 30 is secured to rod d Ia similar in all respects to the rod 4! except that it is made of magnetic material to act as a keeper and does not have the collar 5! formed thereon, as in the previously described embodiment. It does, however, have thereon a stop collar 50a, similar to the collar 59, which acts as a safety device to insure prevention of the advancement of the printing element when its U-shaped electromagnetic device 38a is energized to attract the rod 4Ia which has a loose fit in the guide plates 3'! and consequently a very slight movement toward the poles of said device suificient to engage said rod therewith and thus be held against advancement under the influence of the spring 44. The slight movement of the rod lla, when attracted by the energization of its device 3811, positions the collar 59a so that it will engage behind the extremity of the adjacent pole of its device 38d and thus prevent any forward movement of the printing element during energization of said device.

In adapting this embodiment to the circuit of Figs. 8 and 9, it is only necessary to re-arrange the connections from the various alphabetical contacts A-Z and numerical contacts i to ii to the conductors ll so that those devices 38a will be energized whose printing elements for any particular character are not to be advanced. Thus, for example, when printing the numeral 1, it will be apparent by reference to Fig. 13 that the conductors leading from the contact l of zoning relay 82 will be connected to the conductors 1! leading to all devices 38a represented in the first, second, fourth and fifth vertical columns in said figure so as to energize said devices when said relay is energized and the thyratron 86 is fired. The printing elements represented by the third or middle column in Fig. 13 and whose devices 38a are not energized will now be identified as the group which will then be advanced to print position.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements grouped to form different characters and selectively operable in various combinations each capable of printing one of said characters, electromagnetic devices cooperating with said printing elements and selectively operable to identify by their energization the combination of printing elements required to print any one of said characters, a circuit for said devices, said circuit including a plurality of contacts one for each different combination of said printing elements and arranged in groups, circuit connections between each contact and the electromanetic devices that identify the combination of printing elements individual to said contact, a relay for each of said groups of contacts for closing the same, means to energize one of said relays to close its contacts, means operable through one of said closed contacts and the circuit connections thereto for energizing the electromagnetic devices that identify the combination of printing elements individual to said contact, and means controlled by the last named electromagnetic devices upon energization thereof for im parting a single operation to said combination of printing elements to print the complete character identified by said devices.

2. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements grouped to form difierent characters and selectively operable in various combinations each capable of printing one of said characters, an electromagnetic device individual to and cooperating with each of said printing elements and selectively operable in groups to identify by their energization the combinations of printing elements required to print said characters, a circuit having a current source for said devices, said circuit including a plurality of contacts one for each different combination of said printing elements and arranged in groups, circuit connections between each contact and the electromagnetic devices that identify the combination of printing elements individual to said contact, a relay for each of said groups of contacts for closing the same, a plurality of electronic devices, means to activate one of the latter devices to energize one of said relays to close its contacts, means to activate another of said electronic devices to establish from said current source the circuit connections between one of the last named contacts and the electromagnetic devices that identify the combination oi printing elements individual to said contacts to thereby energize the last named electromagnetic devices, and means controlled by said last named electromagnetic devices upon energization thereof for imparting a single operation to said combination of printing elements to print the complete character identified by said devices.

3. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each including printing wires selectable in various combinations to form diiierent characters, advancing means to move selected. ones of said wires from non-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to the wires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and also operable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latching devices for said printing wires having normally operative positions relative thereto, means under control of said bail member when returning said wires to non-print positions for rendering ineflective said latching devices, means to selectively retain certain of said latching devices ineffective while said advancing means is operated, and means to restore to normal the remaining latching devices.

i. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each including printing wires selectable in various combinations to form different characters, advancing means to move selected ones of said wires from non-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to the wires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and also operable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latching devices for said printing wires having normally operative positions relative thereto, means under con trol of said bail member when returning said wires to non-print positions for rendering ineffective said latching devices, electromagnetic de vices operable, when energized, to retain said latching devices ineffective while said advancing means is operating, record controlled means for selectively energizing certain of said electromagnetic devices, and means to restore to normal those latching devices whose electromagnetic devices remain de-energized.

5. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements selectable in various combinations to form different characters and having print positions and primary and secondary non-print positions to which they are adapted to be moved, means to so move said printing elements, a latching device for each printing element having an operative position relative thereto when said element is in its primary non-print position and also having a release position, means controlled by said moving means when said printing element is being moved to its secondary non-print position to move said latching device to its release position, means to selectively retain certain of said latch devices in. their release positions, and means to restore the non-selected latching devices to their operative positions.

6. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements selectable in various combinations fill to form different characters and having print positions and primary and secondary non-print positions to which they are adapted to be moved, means to so move said printing elements, a latching device for each printing element having an operative position relative thereto when said element is in its primary non-print position and also having a release position, spaced collars on each printing element, one of which is engageable with the associated latching device in the primary non-print position of said printing element, and the other collar engaging said latching device to move it to release position upon movement of said printing element to its secondary non-print position, an electromagnetic device for each latching device, means to selectively energize certain of said electromagnetic devices to retain their respective latching devices in release position, and means to restore the remaining latching devices to operative position for re-engagement with the first named collars of their associated printing elements.

'7. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each including printing wires selectable in various combinations to form different characters, advancing means to move selected ones of said wires from non-print to print positions, a reciprocating bail member common to the wires of all said heads controlling said advancing means and also operable to return said selected wires to non-print positions, latching devices for said printing wires having normally operative positions relative thereto, means under control of said bail member vhen returning said wires to non-print positions for rendering ineiiective said latching devices, an electromagnetic device for each of said latching devices, record controlled means for selectively energizing certain of said electromagnetic devices to retain their latching devices ineffective while said advancing means is operated, and means to restore to normal those latching devices whose electromagnetic devices are not energized.

8. In a printing machine, a framework, a plurality of contiguously mounted panels supported therein and each comprising a plurality of print heads having a multiplicity of selectively operable printing elements, guides through which the elements of each head extend, supporting members for said guides, a latch device for each printing element mounted on one of said supporting members and having operative and inoperative positions relative to its printing element, means including an individual spring for each printing element and a common restoring bail for all the elements mounted in one of said panels to, respectively, move said elements from nonprint to print positions and to restore them to non-print positions, means to operate saicl restoring bail, an electromagnetic device for each latching device mounted on one of said supporting members and controlling the position of its latch device relative to the associated printing elements, and means to selectively energize certain or" said electromagnetic devices to render inoperative their respective latching devices.

9. In a printing machine, a framework, a plurality of contiguously mounted panels supported therein and each comprising a plurality of print heads having a multiplicity of selectively operable printing elements, guides through which the elements of each head extend, supporting members for said guides, a latch device for each printing element mounted on one of said supporting members and having operative and inoperative 17 positions relative to its printing element, means including an individual spring for each printing element and a common restoring bail for all the elements mounted in one of said panels to, re-

spectively, move said elements from non-print to print positions and to restore them to non-print positions, means to operate said restoring bail, an electromagnetic device for each latch device mounted on one of said supporting members and controlling the position of its latch device rel-ative to the associated printing elements, cooperating means between each printing element and its latch device for moving the latter to its inoperative position upon movement of the printing element to non-print position, and record controlled means for selectively energizing certain of said electromagnetic devices to retain their latching devices inoperative while the associated printing elements are being moved to print positions by their springs.

10. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads, a circuit for each head including means to conductor through the first circuit for printing a zero by the circuit of lower denominational order.

11. In a printing machine, a plurality of print heads each including a multiplicity of printing elements selectable in various combinations to form different characters including zeros, circuits for said print heads serially arranged in denominational order and each including means individual to each printing element for selecting the same for operation, means cooperating with said individual means to operate the selected printing elements to print a character, asource of supply for said circuits, a conductor connected to said source and common to said circuits and normallydisconnected therefrom, the circuit of highest denominational order being. entirely disconnected from said conductor, and means in one circuit perable upon the selectionof a significant figure to be printed to connect a'circuit of lower denominationol order to said common conductor through the first named circuit for printing a zero by the circuit of lower denominational order.

12. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality of printing wires selectable in various combinations each identifying a different character to be printed and movable between print and non-print positions, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires, means thereafter operable to restore the selected combination of wires to non-print position, a plurality of electromagnetic devices, one for each of said printing wires, cooperating with the first named moving means to render the same effective when said devicesare energized, and each device having an armature'means .operable to hold said armature open, means to close said armatures when said printing wires are restored to non-print position, and means thereupon operable to energize a groupof said electromagnetic devices corresponding to the combination .of printing wiresthat identifies a characterto be p n cd o ret n t arm s 0 sa qsrpurin 18 closed position to thereby render effective the first named moving means.

13. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality of printing wires selectable in various combinations each identifying a different character and movable between print and non-print positions, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires that identifies a character, means to then move the selected combination of wires to non-print position, latching devices, one for each of said printing wires, movable to non-latching position reiative to its wire, means to so move said latching devices, selectively operable means for retaining certain of said latching devices in their nonlatching position so that their associated printing wires will move to their print position under control of the first named moving means, and means operable before movement of the last named printing wires to print position to restore the remaining latching devices to latching position relative to their respective wires to retain the latter in non-print position while said last named wires are being moved to print position.

14. In a printing machine,aprintheadcomprising a plurality of printing wires selectable in various combinations each identifying a difierent character and movable between print and nonprint positions, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires that identifies a character, means to then move the selected combination of wires to non-print position, latching devices, one for each of said printing wires, movable to non-latching position relative to its wire, means to so move said latching devices, electromagnets, one for each printing wire, selectively operable to retain certain of said latching devices in their non-latching position so that certain of said printing wires will move to their print position under control of the first named moving means, and means operable before movement of said certain printing wires to print position'to restore the remaining latching devices to latching position relative to their respective wires to retain the latter in non-print position while said certain wires are being moved to print position.

15. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality of printing wires grouped to form different characters and selectively operable in various combinations each identifying one of said characters, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires that identifies a character, means to then move the selected combination of wires to non-print position, a latch device for each printing wire being moved to print position by said first named moving means, means to selectively operate said electromagnets, and means to restore non-selected latching devices to latching position prior to printing to allow printing by the wires associated with operated magnets.

16. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality of printing wires grouped to form difierent characters and selectively operable in various combinations each identifying one of said characters, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires that identifies a character, means to then move the selected combination of Wires to non-print position, a latch device for each printing wire having latching and non-latching positions relative to its wire, cooperating means on each printing wire and its latch device for actuating the latter to its non-latching position during movement of said printing wire to non-print position under control of the second named moving means, a plurality of electromagnets, one for each wire, selectively operated in accordance with said combinations for retaining the latch devices of certain wires in their non-latching position while their respective printing wires are being moved to print position by the first named moving means, record controiled means to selectively operate said electromagnets, and means to restore non-selected latching devices to latching position prior to printing to allow printing by the wires associated with operated magnets.

17. In a printing machine, a print head comprising a plurality of printing wires grouped to form difierent characters and selectively operable in various combinations each identifying one of said characters, means to move to print position each selected combination of printing wires that identifies a character, means to then move the selected combination or" wires to non-print position, a latch device for each printing wire having latching and non-latching positions relative to its wire, cooperating means on each printing wire and its latch device for actuating the latter to its non-latching position during movement of said printing wire to non-print position under control of the second named moving means, a plurality of electromagnets, one for each wire, selectively operated in accordance with said combinations for retaining the latch devices of certain wires in their non-latching position while their respective printing wires are being moved to print position by the first named moving means, means operable upon the latching devices of the remaining printing wires before movement of said certain wires toward their printing position to restore the remaining latching devices to latching position relative to their respective wires to retain the latter in non-print position, and

vidually associated with respective ones of said printing elements and each movable to an effective position in which it prevents movement of the respective printing element to printing position and to an ineffective position in which it permits movement of said printing element to printing position, means to return each of said control devices to said effective position, means common to all of said printing elements and their control devices and operable to move all of said printing elements away from printing position and all of said control devices to their inefiective positions and subsequently to permit return of said control devices to said eiiective positions and to then move to printing position any printing elements not prevented by their control devices from moving to printing position, means individual to each of said control devices and activatable to hold the respective control devices in inchestive position, and means to selectively activate said holding means to hold selected control devices in ineffective position while said common means is operating to permit the remainder of said control devices to return to eiiective position and to move the printing elements associated with the held control devices to printing position, the remainder of the printing elements being prevented from moving to printing position by those control devices which are returned to effective position.

19. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable in opposite directions to and away from printing position, a like plurality of control devices individually associated with respective ones of said printing elements and each movable to an effective position in which it stops movement of the respective printing element in a first one of said directions and to an ineffective position in which it does not interfere with such movement; of said printing element, means to return each of said control devices to said effective position, means common to all of said printing elements and their control devices and operable to move all of said printing elements in the opposite one of said directions and all of said control devices to their ineffective positions and subsequently to. permit return of said control devices to said effective positions and to move in said first direction any printing elements not prevented by their control devices from moving in said first direction, means individual to each of said control devices and activatable to hold the respective control devices in ineilective position, and means to selectively activate said holding means to hold selected control devices in ineffective position while said common means is operating to permit the remainder of said control devices to return to effective position and to move the printing elements associated with the held control devices in said first direction, movement of the remainder of the printing elements in said first direction being stopped by those control devices which are returned to effective position.

20. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable to. and away from printing position, a like plurality of control devices individually associated with respective ones of said printing elements and. each comprising an armature movable to an open. position in which it prevents movement of the respective printing element to printing position and to a closed position in which it permits movement of said printing element to printing position, electromagnetic means energizable to hold. said armature in closed position after movement to that position, and means. to return each of said armatures to said: open position, means common to all of said printing elements and operable to move all of said printing elements away from printing position and then. move to. printing position any printing elements not prevented by their armatures from moving to printing position, said printing elements and the respective armatures having portions cooperating to move the armatures to closed position during a final portion of. the movement of the respective printing elements away from printing position by said common means and to permit return of the respec tive armatures to open position during an initial' portion of the movement of the printing elements toward printing position, and means to selectively energize said electromagnetic devices to hold the respective armatures in closed position while said common means operates to permit the remainder of said armatures to move to open position andto move the printing elements associated with the held armatures to move to printing position, the remainder of the printing elements being prevented from moving to printing position by those armatures which are returned to open position.

21. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements movable in opposite directions to and away from printing position, a like plurality of control devices individually associated with respective ones of said printing elements and each comprising an armature movable to an open position in which it stops movement of the respective printing element in a first one of said directions and to a closed position in which it does not interfere with such movement of said printing element, electromagnetic means energizable to hold said armature in closed position after movement to that position, and means to return each of said armatures to said open position, means common to all of said printing elements and operable to move all of said printing elements in a second one of said opposite directions and then move in said first direction any printing elements not stopped by their armatures, said printing elements and the respective armatures having portions cooperating to move the armatures to closed position during a final portion of the movement of the respective printing elements .in said second direction by said common means and to permit return of the respective armatures to open position during an initial portion of the movement of the printing 22 elements in said second direction, and means to selectively energize said electromagnetic devices to hold the respective armatures in closed position while said common means operates to permit the remainder of said armatures to move to open position and to move the printing elements associated with the held armatures in said first direction, the movement of the remainder of the printing elements in said first direction being stopped by those armatures which are returned to open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,028,037 Lilleberg May 28, 1912 1,124,150 Lilleberg Jan. 5, 1915 2,016,682 Mills Oct. 8, 1935 2,053,243 Mills Sept. 1, 1936 2,111,122 Mills Mar. 15, 1938 2,129,065 Loop Sept. 6, 1938 2,248,522 Conrad July 8, 1941 2,291,970 Neumann-Lezius Aug. 4, 1942 2,338,173 Furman Jan. 4, 1944 2,353,083 Roth July 4, 1944 2,486,985 Ruderfer Nov. 1, 1949 2,524,127 Johnson -1 Oct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 523,698 Germany Aug. 21, 1933

Images