US2708218A - Printing telegraphic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1952 D rq INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON BY 7K7 ATTORNEY May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,708,213

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,703,213

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

FIG. l3

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY FIG. l2

May 10, 1955 A. N. NILSON 2,708,218

PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I FIG. 5

173 163 I72 I77 lee fig. I96 97 199 UIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII;IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII n7 f FIG. 6

FIG. 7

INVENTOR ARTHUR N. NILSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS Arthur N. Nilson, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application October 8, 1952, Serial No. 313,658

16 Claims. (Cl. 178-25) The present invention relates to printing telegraph mechanisms and apparatus for efiecting coordinate selection of type characters under the control of permutation .Code signals.

In high speed printing telegraph machines of the class represented by the disclosure in W. I. Zenner Patent No.

I 2,505,729 a rectangular type holder is employed in which the printing characters consist of longitudinally shiftable plungers lightly spring loaded toward retracted position and adapted to be actuated by an overpowering stroke 'from a percussion spring loaded print hammer. The

paper is fed around a stationary cylinder platen and the I type carriage is advanced a letter space at a time across the width of the paper web parallel to the platen whereafter it is returned in line for line advancement as the platen is advanced.

The improved speed printing characteristics of this class of printer reside in the short moving distances and mobility inherent in the type holder. This member, as explained in the above referred to patent, and as illustrated particularly in Figs. 44 to 46 thereof, consists of a light weight minimum inertia assembly designed to require but short movement during character selection and as a consequence of which a considerable gain is achieved respecting typing speed as compared with other classes of printing telegraph apparatus theretofore known.

The individual type elements which are carried in the I rectangular type box or holder consist of short length Ibars each having on an end an individual character type. Each such element is spring tensioned to maintain its type end retracted. When struck by a trip-release print hammer the element is given forward about an eighth of an inch to impress itself against a print ribbon which is then caused to impinge upon the surface of a sheet of paper trained around a cylindrical platen. The operation of each printing or other function is controlled by the same system of permutation code signals used in other automatic transmission which conventionally employs a five unit permutation code that has its selective possibilities expanded by devoting two of its thirty-two selections to the performance of case shift and unshift operations. As a consequence the use that may be had ofthe remaining thirty selections is doubled there by yielding an adequate total of sixty selective possibilities which is ample for the performance of all letter and figure printing operations under American and English language practice together with standard punctuation and various special functions needed for supervision.

It is important that all automatic printers be capable of responding to the same code system in order that improved apparatus may be connected into existing networks and respond to the same transmitting signals as existing machines. Although designed for the purpose of achieving greater printing speed, it is nevertheless apparent that these machines should be capable of operating under established practice in order that where conversion to newapparatus may be effected the changeover may take place transitionally and without producing costly obsolescence.

2,708,218 Patented May 10, 1955 Briefly, the present improvement concerns itself with coordinate placement selecting mechanism for page print ers. The type characters are housed in rectangular boxlike type carriers having transverse slide receiving apertures. In each aperture there is lodged an individual character bearing type element. All of the type elements comprising two so-called case groups are arranged in four horizontal rows with sixteen elements in each row.

The present invention concerns mechanism for moving the type box from a neutral or zero position to one in which the type elements are brought into alignment to print on the paper. The selection of each element toward this end is accomplished by an individual code signal. The placement of the type carriage in accord '1 ance with each printing code signal constitutes a horizontal movement whereby to align, at the printing station, one of the sixteen printing type elements in each horizontal row as well as the proper elevation of the type carriage to dispose the related horizontal row at the printing station.

The print characters are organized into two case sections occupying adjacent positions; thereby, the total is. divided into two major groups identified traditionally as case shift although actually printing telegraph apparatus is usually composed of but a single case alphabet and numerals supplement. These characters together with punctuation constitute the lower case group as distin-' guished from most of the alphabetical characters which are in the upper case.

Each of the two major sub-divisions of the type carriage is further divided by vertical delineation into two side-by-side sub-groups with the intermediate delineation constituting the zero placement. The sub-groups consists of four horizontal rows each having four vertical rows or in terms of the already described division each consisting of four vertical typing positions.

From the zero positions of each sub-division into which the type carriage is placed as a response to the case shift or unshift code combination signals, further movement to achieve a precise printing location in both horizontal and vertical directions is made responsive to the component characteristics of each code combination signal. The selective movement of the type carriage in response to such signals is a momentary operation after which, and following the print stroke, the typecarriage is returned to its particular zero position in its last case selection.

Character printing selections are made by moving the type carriage either. to the right or left of each of its zero positions and at the same time elevating it to one i four different levels. The referred to patent shows one manner of such a selection and apparatus for accom: plishing it. The present invention concerns itself with a difierent and improved manner of achieving this selection by the use of more efiicient and reliable operating media. The improved apparatus is capable of withstanding more extended fatigue service without breakdown or susceptibility to error while yet achieving these ends under economic and more practical or eflicient manufacturing cost factors.

The principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide a novel 'type'of selector mechanism for printing telegraph apparatus which is capable of high speed responses in the coordinate placement of grouped type elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel printing telegraph selector mechanism for coordinating the horizontal and vertical components of selective type carriage placement into a diagonal vector movement which is the resultant of the coordinate factors.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of coordinate selection apparatus for printing telegraph mechanism which is characterized.

by a simplification and reduction in the number of moving parts while yet achieving a durable, efficiently operating mechanism which undergoes a straight line movement from its ;zero to each. of its selected positions so that the selecting and printing cycles may be eificiently performed attended by generous margins of operating cycle over-lap and resulting in a general improvement in efficiency and speed of operation.

For a better understanding of this invention and for a more comprehensive explanation of its mode of accomplishment attention will now be directed to the following detailed specification and to the accompanying illustrations in both of whichsimilar parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustratingvarious features of a printing telegraph selector mechanism having embodied therein certain principles of the present invention;

. Fig. 2 is a front televational view diagrammatically illustrating the type carriage selector mechanism surrounded by certain structural elements relating to the present invention;

Fig.3 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated'in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus viewed in Fig. 2 with the type carriage removed for the sake of revealing underlying structure;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating the No. 6 code bar which is positioned in response 1 to shift and unshift code signals in a five unit code;

,Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the No. 3 code bar and its related mechanism for shifting the slide cam switches to their right or left hand positions so that theetfective one of them will determine the direction of movement in a horizontal sense of the type carrier from its zero position;

Fig. 7is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of the No. 1 and No. 2 code bars together with their related transfer bell cranks which determine the increment of horizontal displacement in each printing type selection;

Figs. 8, 9, l0, and 11 are similar views of-a series of cam plates or slideswhich incorporate the lateral shift component into the movement of the type carriage at the same time that its vertical shift component is imparted to it;

Fig. 12 is. a fragmentary side elevational detail view with parts broken away featuring a centering detent for maintaining the type carriage and its control shaft stable uponrthe return of the operating cam plates to their home position; and e I Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, attention is directed to the rectangular type holder or box designated '21, Figs. 1, 2, and '3. This member is formed of sheet steel in the same manner as the. one indicated 99 in the referred to Patent No. 2,505,729. The distribution and arrangement of the type plungers 22in the four positions or sub-divisions 23, 24, 25, and 26 may be more clearly regarded in Fig. 3. The central dividing line or space 27 separates the total body of type into two'case groups of which sub-groups 23 and 24 together will be designated as upper case While sub-groups 25. and 26 will be designated as lower case. It has already been mentioned that case as a group classification in printing telegraphy does not necessarily involve type style designation.

patent is tripped to efiect a percussive stroke against the selectively aligned character element.

Since the present invention concerns itself more directly with the type positioning phase of the selecting mechanism which permits the desired printing character to be placed at the printing station, than it does with the actuating and other apparatus, the accompanying illustrations have been purposely limited to showing the pertinent structure, reference being had to the patent for other views of the disclosure, which are general or incidental to the invention.

The type box 21 is anchored as by bolting at 28 and 29 to a vertical slide or elevator rack which is made up of the side frame members 31 and 32 that have ribbed rail or flange extremities confined to parallel vertical movement by the guides 33. The raising of elevator 31-32 is accomplished by a-transversely extending shaft 35 (see also Fig. 2), carried at the free end ofa bell crank lever 36 pivoted at 37 and connected by a linkv v 33 to a similar arm of a power driven bell crank 39 pivoted at 41. The free end of the horizontal arm of the bell crank 39 carries .a roller 42 which is confined between a pair of spaced parallel barsor beams that comprise a cyclically actuated power apparatus driven by an electric motor in the printing machine. By means of the bell cranks 36 and 39 arranged in the manner shown the power take-01f stroke is transmitted in the desired proportions and direction for accomplishing the selecting and positioning of type characters during the elevator operation.

As may be observed from Fig. 3, shaft 35 raisesthe.

elevator slide -3132 through a knee action linkage com prising the link arms 44 and45 which are connected together at an intermediate pivot 46 and. held in the position shown in Fig.3 under bias of a spring 47. This relationship prevails because sidewardly extending lug 48 jutting from arm 45 encounters the obstructing lip 49 integral with the framework of elevator 31- 32. Arm 45 forms part of a bell crank lever which is pivoted at 51 on the elevator frame 3132 and another arm of which extends sidewardly and is designated 52.

By means of code component translating apparatus such.

as that disclosed in the referred to patent or such as that discussed in connection with the description of Fig. 4, one or another of four interponents designated 53, 54, or 56 is adapted to be placed into the path of sidewardly extending arm or anticipator 52 so as to obstruct the raising of this'arm at a significant level and instead to cause the bell crank 45 to rotate counterclockwise about its pivot 51 overcoming the influence of spring 47. The aforedescribed selectable intervention by one of the stops 53 to 56 is accomplished through the No. 4 and No. 5 17C: sition code bars of the basic five unit code. The permutative positioning of these two code bars operating through a local selecting apparatus is made to influence the four interponents 53+-56 so that one of them alone Will lie in the path of arm 52 of bell crank lever 45.

Depending upon which one of the interponcnts is thus selected, bell crank lever 45 will rotate counterclockwise about its pivot 51 at a related level causing the straight alignment with lever 44 to collapse so that the remainder of the stroke imparted by the shaft 35 will be dissipated in rotating levers 44 and 45, the former clockwise about its pivot 35 and the latter counterclockwise as has already been said. Meanwhile the type carriage 21 will have 7 been elevated to a significant level which corresponds with the point at which the interponent group 53-56 caused the lifting apparatus to collapse at the yicldable lever linkage 4445. This action is also referred to as the 1;!160 action yield.

Attention is now directed to that portion. of the disclosure which is illustrated in Fig. 2 and in connection therewith there will now be explained the mechanism. which locatesthe type box orcarrier-21inthe horizontal. sense at the same time that it is being elevated by the, just described power stroke bell crank 36 and shaft 35.

Shaft has sufficient length to extend horizontally across four arcuate links designated 61, 62, 63 and 64 seen also in Figs. 8 through 11. Each one of these links has the same profile and each is pivotally articulated as at 65 to a downwardly extending projection 66 integral with one or another of the four slidable cams 67, 68, 69, and 71.

As viewed in Fig. 2 the foremost link 61 and the foremost slide cam 67 are the only ones that may be seen since the remainder of them are stacked behind the foremost 3 one in parallel alignment. The cams 67-71 have different profiles and physical characteristics one from another, however. Links 61-64 each include an arcuate lower portion, the center of which is arcuately slotted as at 72 on a radius about pivot 37 as a center. Hence, when the bell crank 36 is rocked counterclockwise shaft 35 normally is free to travel the full distance of the bell crank stroke which corresponds with the length of the arcuate slots 72.

Under certain conditions, however, one of the four links 61-64 is permitted to become displaced from the position in which the foremost link 61 is shown in Fig. 2 by rocking clockwise about its pivotal center 65 to a limited extent or until the cove 73 receives shaft 35. This is brought about in the following manner.

The two principal selector bars 76 and 77 which correspond with the No. l and No. 2 code positions in a five unit permutation code transmit their placement to a pair of spring loaded (counterclockwise) selecting bell cranks 78 and 79 both of which are pivoted at 81 Figs. 1 and 7.

In accordance with the permutative placement of the two selecting bell cranks 78 and 79 their downwardly extending beam sections 82 and 83, Fig. 1 become variously disposed, but for each selective disposition a clearance is established for one of a series of four selectable bell crank levers 84, 85, 86 and 87 which lie transverse to bell cranks 78 and 79. The horizontally extending arms of these levers are equipped with individually disposed projections 88 arranged so that for different permutation code signals, so far as code bars 76 and 77 are concerned, one L and only one of the bell crank levers 84-87 may be selected for movement from the rest position in which these members are normally held.

The movement imparted to each one of the selectable bell cranks in a clockwise direction about their common pivot 89 is urged by a corresponding series of individual springs 91 each acting on its related bell crank lever dependent arm 92. All of the springs 91 may be attached to a common spring post 93 and their spring pressure is relatively greater than that of four related leaf springs 94, which will be described later.

Each one of the bell crank levers 84-87 is accompanied by a companion bell crank 95-98 also pivoted on shaft 89. Bell cranks 95-93 each have an arm 99 which is connected through a spring 101 with a sideward extension 102 integral with the depending arm 92 of each of the levers 84-87. Through the springs 101, whose force is slightly inferior to that of springs 91 but greater than that of the fiat leaf springs 94, the bell crank companion levers 95-98 are maintained in a counterclockwise extremity of position determined by the encounter between their horizontal arms 99 and short sidewardly jutting pins 103 carried by portions which depend from the horizontal arms of the bell crank levers'8487.

The downwardly extending arms of bell crank levers 95-98 are profiled after the manner in which they are more accurately illustrated in Fig. 2, including feeler extremities 104 which rest, each against a related one of the links 61-64 maintaining the latter members in the counterclockwise extreme positions, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

When any one of the bell crank levers 84-87 is permitted to rotate clockwise as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, by reason of the selective disposition of the selecting bell cranks 78 and 79, its spring 91 causes such bell crank to be rotated clockwise about pivot 89. As a consequence,

springs 101 cause the companion bell crank 95-98 also to be rotated clockwise withdrawing its extremity 104 from engagement with the lowermost portions of related links 61-64. The freeing of pressure from any of springs 101 upon the links 61-64 permits its individual flat spring 94 to exert sufiicient pressure against the sidewardly extending nose portion 105 to cause such link to rotate clockwise whereat the shaft 35 will be nestled within the cover 73 for the duration in which a particular one of the bell crank levers 84-117 becomes thus selectively disposed.

Briefly following this portion of each selecting cycle, a power stroke is imparted by the printer unit to the bell crank lever 39 which carries the follower roller 42. As a result, bell crank lever 36 is rotated counterclockwise about its pivot 37, Fig. 2, as has already been explained, and as a further result shaft 35 undergoes a reciprocal motion rising to an uppermost level and then returning to the lower level, as shown. As a consequence of this movement on the part of shaft 35, it will engage and lift one of the link arms 61-64 which has been selectively displaced and will ride idly within the slots 72 of the remainder of them. Respecting the selected link 61-64 which has been thus engaged and lifted, the movement of shaft 35 will cause such link to bodily carry with it the. associated slide cam 67-71 with which it is connected at stem projection 66.

It may be Well to note at this point that shaft 35 represents the power factor for raising the elevator mechanism 31-32 as well as for operating a selected slide cam 67-71 and that it accomplishes both of these functions concurrently. This means that the vertical and horizontal shift components are imparted to the type carrier 21 concurrently. Accordingly, type carrier 21 in attaining any of its selected printing positions moves in a diagonal and practically straight line toward such selected destination as Well as returning therefrom.

Attention is now directed more particularly to Figs. 8 through 11 in which are shown the four slide cams 67- 71 together with their carried reversing switches 111- 114. Each reversing cam or switch 111-114 is an individually profiled and proportioned member of a class which are otherwise generally similar. Each is pivoted as at 115 to the downwardly extending stem 66 of its related slide cam and each is provided with a flaring or angularly shaped neck portion 116 significantly greater in width than the stem 66 to which it is pivoted.

in connection with this arrangement, Fig. 6, the disposition of the No. 3 code bar 117, see also Fig. l, acting through a bell crank lever 113 pivoted at 119, is made to impart related motion to a shiftable slide 121. Slide member 121 is confined to these short reciprocal sliding movements by the elongated openings 122 and the transverse pins 123 that extend therethrough. The body of member 121 comprises a wide intermediate portion which.

is slotted as at 124 in a precise manner to encompass all of the flaring angle neck extremities 116 of the reversing switches 111-114. Depending, therefore, upon whether.

the No. 3 code bar 117 is placed into marking or spacing condition, all of the reversing switches 111-114 will be correspondingly disposed, either in the position in which they are all shown in Figs. 8 through 11 or in an opposite condition in which all of the reversing switches 111-114 will be inclined symmetrically in the opposite sense from vertical. 7

Accordingly, the disposition of the No. 3 code bar 117 is made to fulfill a certain phase in the selective movement of the type carriage 21 which may be designated as the determination factor which resolves Whether the sideward movement of the type carrier following the case shift determination, shall be to the right-or to the leftof zero position. This resolution is in effect choosing between sections 23 and 24 on the one handand between sections 25 and 26 on the other.

Each one of the slide cams 67-71 is internally profiled in a symmetrical pattern resembling an inverted keystone or diamond shape. These apertures range from the relatively wide base characteristics of that shown in cam 67, progressively diminishing to a relatively narrow base aperture as shown in earn- 71. The active or significant portions of these profiled apertures are their inclined cam surfaces 131, 132, 133, and 134. In correspondence with the inclination of these cam surfaces the reversing switches 111 -114 are of corresponding angular inclination. To illustrate what is meant by this relationship further, attention is directed to Fig. 11 where the angular inclination of the cam surfaces 134 are comparatively steep and nearly vertical. When the reversing switch 116 is disposed to'the left as viewed in this illustration, reposing against pin 138, its related edge 135 is parallel to the right hand cam surface 134. When the switch 116 is shifted to its opposite condition reposing against the pin 13') instead of against the pin 138 then its opposite edge 139 will be parallel to the left cam surface 134.

In likemanner the respective edges 141 and 142 of reversing switch 113 are so shaped that they will be correspondingly parallel with the cam surfaces 133 of cam plate 69 while the edges 14-3 and 144 of reversing switch 112 bear the same relationship to the cam surfaces 132 of cam plate 68. Finally, the edges 145 and 146 of reversing switch 111 are correspondingly disposed in respect to the cam edges 131 of plate 67. Suitable spring detenting may be provided to work on the several switches 111 through 114 in an overcentering manner so that when shifted to the right or left through the action of shift plate 121 in accordance with the placement of the No. 3 code bar 117 the respective reversing switches will assume their right or left-hand positions so as to provide a spaced channel in cooperation with their respective inclined cam surfaces 131-134 for directing the course of movement which will be imparted to a stud V shaft or beam 148, one end of which is anchored to the 'main frame 34, Fig. 1.

Each one of the side loops 149 and 151 is formed with an internal guide slot or elongated hole 152 within which there rides a roller 153 or 154 that extends from one of the side extremities 155 or 156 of the base carriage which includes slide frame 157;

p The carriage frame 157 together with its side portions .155 and 156 is moved from left to right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, in a step-by-step manner after each character is printed in accordance with the usual letter space V operations of a typing printer and as described in the patent referred to, and is returned leftward to starting position following each line feed operation. This carriag'e structure 157 carries with it all of the mechanism utilized in' the power transmitting and selecting operations previously described. Included is a downwardly extending rib or wall designated 158, Fig. 2, and ,a sidewardly extending wall portion 159 (Figs. 2 and 3) which carries being displaced leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 2 and by being thrust upwardly on account of the action of shaft 135, the other ones of the links 61-64 remaining in their ,normal condition as illustrated in Fig. 2 and in respect to them the movement of shaft 35 is idle.

f The link this selected and operated 61-64 is carried upwardly with shaft 35 and by so doing carries with it the related cam plates 67-71. Meanwhile the remaining cam plates 67-71 stay in their down or normal position as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11. As a consequence of the upward movement of one of these plates, its reversing switch 111-114 having already been determined in its right or left-hand position in accordance with the placement of the No. 3 code bar 117, as explained above, there is caused to be presented a channel, to the right or to the left, for receiving the shaft or beam 148 and for carnming said cam plate rightwardly or leftwardly. In the case of cam plate 67 this channel is extremely sloped, and hence shaft 148 undergoes an extreme movement while in the case of cam plates 68, 69 and 71 this movement is proportionately smaller. In terms of the type box 21this' selective movement constitutes a resolution which brings the related vertical row of typing plunge'rs into the precise printing station.

The case shift determination is executed concurrently in accordance with a five unit permutation code case signal. The receipt of a case shift signal precedes its character signal and accordingly positions a sixth selector bar designated 163, Figs. 1 and 2. As more clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 the case shift code bar 163 dilfers in several regards from the remaining code bars 76, 77, 117 and 164 and 165. This bar includes apparatus for latching itself in eitherof its selected positions so that such position will be maintained until an ensuing shift or unshift signal is received causing the latch mechanism to place the code bar 163 into its other condition. This latch mechanism includes a principal latch lever designated 168 pivoted at 169 and urged by a spring 171 in a. clockwise direction as viewed inVFig. 5. One end of lever 168 is provided with alatching shoulder 172 which i may repose in the first notch 173 or in the second notch 174 formed in code bar 163. When a case shift signal is received by the five principal code bars 76, 77, 117, 164 and a condition is established for enabling the selection of a function lever designated in Fig. 5 by the reference numeral 177. As a consequence of the cyclic power stroke this code bar is moved downwardlyes viewed in Fig. 5 causing to be rotated the bell crank lever 178 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 169 wherefore its other extremity 179 engages a pin 181 which juts out of code bar 163 thrusting the latter member rightwardly or into its shift position in which position it is shown in solid outline in Fig. 5. When this happens, latch lever 168 presents its. shouldered extremity 172 in the notch 173 and bar 163 is thus held in the case shift position.

When an unshift signal is received a different condition is established upon the series of five code bars which results in the selection of an unshift function lever 182. This lever engages the head portion 133 of latch lever 168 rocking that member counterclockwise about pivot 169 and releasing the shouldered extremity 172 from notch 173 so that spring 184 is then enabled to restore the No. 6 code bar 163 toits unshift condition which is that in which it is illustrated by dotted outline in Fig. 5.

Sometimes it is desired that a printing telegraph apparatus which is capable of shift and unshift regulation be made to restore toits unshift condition automatically or without necessarily awaiting the receipt of an overt unshift signal. Towards this end there has been provided an alternative selectable function lever 185, Fig. 5 ,which is characteristically notched so that it will respond to theordinary space signal. This signal is received at the conclusion of each word for the purpose of spacing the printing before the b'eginningof a succeeding word. As will be observed from Fig. 5 the elfect of the selection of function lever 185 will be the same as'that of the unshift function lever 182 above described.

By providing oblique guide slots 186 in all of the code bars including the No. 6 case-shift bar 163, the longitudinal shifting of these bars may be made to effect a slight lateral displacement, as has already been discussed in connection with the dotted and solid outline illustrations of Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In connection with the case shift bar 163 this slight lateral displacement is transmitted to a bell crank lever 187 pivoted at 188. The working end of bell crank lever 187 is articulated as at 189 to a shiftable bar 191, Fig. 2, and causes the latter bar to assume a corresponding position at either of its extremities as permitted by the elongated slot 192.

At its opposite end, shiftable bar 191, is connected pivotally as at 193 with a cloverleaf shaped interponent 194. This interponent is pivoted at 195 in the main frame 158 and is provided with a pair of sidewardly extending arms each of which carries a short length of abutment pin designated 196 and 197, see also Fig. 3. The alternative placement of cloverleaf interponent 194 causes one or the other of its pins 196 or 197 to be disposed in the path of a control arm 198 which extends downwardly and is integral with a box cam bell crank lever 199 pivoted on shaft 148.

Bell crank lever 199 is internally profiled with a sinuous or reverse curve camming groove 201 within which there is adapted to ride a follower roller 202 carried by a pin which juts sidewardly from and is anchored to the guide frame 34. When bell crank lever 199 assumes the position in which it is indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 follower roller 202 rides in the outermost extremity of sinuous groove 201 and as a result carriage 34 is disposed in its figures shift position. Under such conditions the printing apparatus is prepared to' type from among the'character elements located in divisions 23 and 24 of the type box 21. When this bell crank lever is disposed in its alternative position the follower roller 202 is cammed to the opposite extremity of sinuous slot 201 whereupon the printing carriage 34 will be disposed to print from among the character elements found in areas 25 and 26. This resolution is termed the case shift selection. It is to be noted that while the determination is 'made by the case shift code bar 163 during the receipt of a shift or unshift five unit signal, the execution of case shift displacement upon the type box 21 and its carrying frame 34 is accomplished during a selecting cycle whenshaft'148 is moved sidewardly by the slide cam 67. It is to be noted at this point that in the present embodiment of the invention, slide cam 67 functions in a dual capacity;'for example, as just described, the slide cam 67 is instrumental in effecting the shift and unshift functions. However, it is to be remembered that slide cam 67 is normally instrumental in efiecting character selections.

Case shift lever 199 is moved from either one of its alternative positions to the other one by the pins 196 and 197 which jut sidewardly out of the cloverleaf memher 194. This is accomplished in the following manner. Shaft 148 is moved to the right or to the left depending upon the disposition of reversing switch 111 which results in a corresponding sideward movement on the part of sift cam 199. When under these circumstances one or the other of the pins 196 and 197 is positioned to encounter the downwardly extending arm 198 of case shift bell crank lever 199, the latter member is shifted and its sinuous internal groove 201 causes follower roller 202 to be positioned correspondingly.

Thus, as a'consequence of the case shift signal aifecting the No. 6 code bar 163 the cloverleaf member 194 will have imparted to it a case shift positioning characteristic, but such characteristic will not be translated to the principal carriage 34 until the slide cam 67 which is responsive to the Nos. 1 and 2 code bar selection consummates its slide movement upwardly.

Case sift lever 199 is springably detained by a jockey 204;pivoted at 205 and spring urged in a counterclockwise direction as observed in Fig. 2 so as to dispose its disk head in one or the other of a pair of peripheral recesses 206 and 207. Jockey lever 204 is pivoted on an 10 inclined arm extention 208 of an intermediate bar 209 in which is mounted the already described stud shaft 148 and a pair of spaced companion stud shafts 211 and 212 which ride in longitudinal slots 213 and 214 formed in the side wings and 156 of the principal carrying frame, Figs. 1 and 2.

Intermediate slide bar 209 is thus enabled to undergo longitudinal displacement in correspondence with the movement of shaft 148 in a horizontal direction while through hell crank 199 and its sinuous box cam groove 201, the type carriage 34 is capable of receiving a total horizontal movement consisting of the summation of movements caused by the box cam 201 and by the sideward displacement of shaft 148 together with its intermediate bar 209 which has already been explained. Thus, during the upward stroke of cam slide 67, the shaft 148 (and hence slide 209) is moved a predetermined distance to the left (for example) while, through the cam'slot 201, the slide 209 is moved a predetermined distance to the right, causing thereby, the type box 24 to move a predetermined resultant or differential distance to the right, which is only a part of the full shift motion or distance. Then, upon the down-stroke of the slide cam 67, the shaft 148 (and hence slide 209) is moved a further predetermined distance to the right, which added to the previously mentioned resultant distance, will be equal to the full shift motion or distance imparted to the type box 24. With this arrangement the shift movement of the type box 24 is achieved in a gentler and quieter manner. Through the operation of one or another of the four interponents 53-56 the so-called knee-action linkage, including arms 44 and 45 is made to impart a variable degree of vertical movement to the elevator slide 31-32 stimulated by the power driven stud shaft 35. The selection of the interponents 53-56 whereby there is obtained four different levels of elevation is accomplished through the permutative setting of the No. 4 and No. 5 code bars designated 164 and 165, see also Fig. 4.

The codal positioning of bars 164 and may be impressedupon a pair of intermediate selecting bell cranks 217 pivoted at 218 and by an arrangement resembling the selecting bell cranks 78 and 79 of Fig. 7 there is accomplished an ultimate selection of one of the four interponents 53-56. This selection is accomplished during the selecting portion of a cycle prior to the action of the power stroke upon follower roller 42 and bell crank 39. It is therefore to be observed that both the vertical and horizontal setting which is eventually imparted to the type box 21 consisting of the horizontal and vertical motion components which is imparted through all of the described action, a single print plunger 22 is brought into alignment with the printing hammer.

All of these motions are completed during the period of time of execution of the single power stroke on the part of hell crank levers 36 and 39.

Each of the four slide cams 67-71 is provided with an internally profiled aperture the lower portion of which is singularly contoured respecting each slide cam surface but the upper portions of which, as at 221, are identical. This permits stud shaft 148 to be moved sidewardiy in either direction actuated by one of the cam plates 67-71 Without interfering with the idle cam plates which are then unactuated. Upon the return motion of an actuated cam plate 67-71 shaft 148 is returned to its central position by a reverse guidance through the same slot or course which directed its sideward movement during the raising of the particular actuated cam plate. However, when all of the cam plates have reached their home position additional means is provided for maintaining shaft 148 in its central location and for this purpose attention is directed to Figs. 12 and 13.

Here there is indicated by the reference numeral 220 a latch bell crank which is pivoted at 222 and which includes a long arm 223 terminating with a hook recess as at 224. This recess is provided with flared entry in An overhanging portion 226 which may be a sideward 7 extension of the central yoke formation of this bell crank lever is adapted to overlie all of the slides 67-l1 when they are located in their down or unoperated position but upon the raising of any one of them, its encounter with the overhanging portion 226 of bell crank lever 220 will result'in the counterclockwise rotation of this lever against the influence of its return spring whereupon shaft 148 is free to be shifted and the lever will come to be disposed after the manner indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 12. t

The effect of this detent accessory is to assure the maintenance of central location on the part of shaft 148 at such times when control over this shaft is not assumed by any of the slide cams 6771. This precaution is particularly important in view of the fact that the elongated slot 221 which is common to all of the slide cams would otherwise permit shaft 148 to drift away from its central position and perhaps be out of registry with the common mouth opening into each of the inverted scutiform apertures of the several cam slides 6771.

The operative cycle of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention may have generally the same characteristics as that of all conventional five unit permutation code telegraph transmitters employing shift and unshift selection for case control. A substantial degree of overlap between successive character signals may be permitted in accordance with the design of the selecting and printing mechanism herein proposed. For example, each one of the secondary selection devices (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) is able to receive its signal impression in accordance with the setting of the series of code bars 76, 77, 117, 164 and 165 and to impart such setting to its consequent elements in the transfer train thereby releasing the basic code bars, 76, 77, etc. to the reception of a subsequent codecombination signal even while the printing operation pertaining to a preceding signal is yet undergoing execution,

Also, it is to be observed that the selective placement of the type box 21 which is a resultant compounded of vertical and horizontal movements executed simultaneously by independent trains of mechanism under impetus of a single stroke or power actuation results in the movement of the type box 21 to each selected printing position by following a diagonal straight line path whichis the hypotenuse of the two coordinate paths. This makes for improved efiiciency and speed in attaining selective response mass and inertia factors being equal. Since the actuation of each type element which is performed in the same manner as described in the referred to patent, constitutes an instantaneous percussive stroke on the part of a spring loaded trip hammer, the type box 21 may be permitted to return to its zero or home position with almost no perceptible delay following its attainment of each selection.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to particularly illustrated features and embodiments, it would be understood nevertheless that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from its essential spirit or scope. Ac-

variable connection with said carriage, a series of slide cams each having characteristic cam surfaces and a switching member, an elevator vertically slidable in said carriage, a source of rotary power including a reciprocating member for moving said elevator as well as said series of slide cams selectively, means responsive to certain components of a permutation code telegraph signal for shifting the switching members in said slide cams to determine the cam surfaces to be used, means responsive to case signals for positioning said cam member and there by determining case positioning of said carriage, and means responsive to other components of a signal for determining which of said series of slidecams is moved by said reciprocating member.

2. A cyclically operative power mechanism for printing telegraph apparatus including a shaft movable reciprocally throughout a power transmitting cycle, a beam shiftable laterally in opposite directions from a zero station, a type carriage associated with said beam receiving a primary setting in accordance with the shifting of said beam, a plurality of slide cams each having individual slope characteristics in symmetrical arrangement, a switch carried by each of said slide cams having cooperating slope char-.

acteristics in correspondence with its slide cam, means responsive to certain impulses of a permutation code signal for resolving the disposition of all of said switches in order to determine the direction of lateral movement imparted to said beam by an operated one of said slide cams, and means responsive to certain other impulses of a permutation code signal for coupling one of said slide cams to said shaft during a printing cycle for determining the degree of movement imparted to said beam and the ultimate setting of said type carriage.

3. A sub-selector mechanism for telegraph printers which comprises a type carrier, a projection extending from said carrier, a series of cams parallelly arranged and each provided with alternative characteristic cam profiles for guiding said projection, eachof said series of cams having associated with it a switch for routing the projection to said alternative cam profiles, a power mech anism, means for coupling each of said seriesof cams to said power mechanism individually and selectively to cause said cam to move into engagement with the projection, and a shiftable member for shifting all of the switches of said series of cams for thereby determining the alternative routing of the projection in response to the coupled and operated oneof said series of cams.

4. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a series of type elements arranged in coordinate rows, a principal support for said type elements movable horizontally and vertically to dispose a selected one of said type elements'at a printing station, a cam member for imparting a gross movement to said support in correspondence with a case .selec? tion, a series of slide cams for imparting a unit movement to said support each having characteristic slope-angle surfaces, a switching element associated with each slide cam, a source of power in said apparatus for imparting movement to a selected one of said series of slide cams, means responsive to a certain component of a permutation code character signal for shifting said switching elements, means responsive to certain permutation code case signals for positioning said cam member, and means responsive to other components of said permutation code character signal and for determining whichof said series of slide cams is coupled with said source of rotary power.

5. In a permutation code device, a cyclically operative power mechanism, a selecting beam movable in alternative directions from a zero position, a plurality of slide cams each having opposed cam slope characteristics, a switching element carried by each'of said slide cams for directing said selecting beam to one or the other of said opposed cam slope characteristics, means responsive to certain impulses of a permutation code signal for resolving the disposition of all of said switching elements, and means responsive to certain other impulses of a permuta- 13 tion code signal for coupling one of said slide cams to said power mechanism for determining the degree of movement imparted to said beam.

6. In a permutation code selector for printing telegraph control systems, a beam shiftable laterally through variable distances and in alternative directions from a start position, a type carriage associated with said beam, a plurality of slide cams having different opposed slope characteristics, a switching element carried by each of said slide cams for directing the beam to one or the other of said opposed slope characteristics, means responsive to part of a permutation code signal for shifting all of said switching elements simultaneously, and means responsive to other parts of a permutation code signal for selecting one of said slide cams for engagement with said beam.

7. A mechanism for telegraph printers which includes a type carrier, at selecting beam associated with said carrier, a series of slide cams each provided with opposed characteristic cam profiles for guiding said beam, each of said slide cams including a switching element for routing the beam alternatively to one or the other of said opposed cam surfaces of its cam, a power mechanism, subselector means responsive to certain impulses only of a character signal for coupling each of said cams to said power mechanism to cause said cam to move into engagement with the beam, and a shiftable member for switching all of the switching elements from one of their alternative positions to the other for thereby determining the direction of routing the beam within the selected and operated one of said series of cams.

8. A telegraph printing mechanism comprising a type carrier, a slidewardly extending traveler on said carrier, a series of cams each provided with a characteristic cam profile for guiding said traveler in different lateral degrees 5;.

of movement, a switching element associated with each cam for routing the traveler directionally toward alternative profiles of its cam, a power mechanism, means for selectively coupling one of said cams to said power mechanism to cause said cam to move into engagement with the traveler, and a shiftable member for shifting all of the switching elements simultaneously for thereby deter mining the direction of movement imparted to said traveler by the selected and operated one of said series of cams.

9. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box comprising a series of spring loaded type elements arranged in coordinate rows and consisting of two primary groups, a primary carriage capable of moving horizontally across the width of a page printing platen, a secondary carriage borne by said primary carriage and shiftable horizontally relative thereto for aligning one of said primary groups of type elements for printing, a cammable link for effecting the shift movements of said secondary carriage, a

series of slide cams each individually operable for eifecting characteristic incremental movement to both said carriages, an elevator vertically slidable in said primary carriage for disposing said type box at various horizontal levels, and a single power take-ofi mechanism cyclically operative to impart a vertical reciprocal movement to said elevator and to a selected one of said slide cams concurrently for thereby imparting an angular composite movement to said type box comprised of the vertical and horizontal componential movements of said link, slide cams, and elevator.

10. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box supporting individual type elements arranged in coordinate rows, a frame for moving horizontally in respect to a page printing platen, a carriage for said type box borne by said frame, a link connecting between said frame and said carriage for effecting a horizontal case shift movement, a series of slide cams each individually operable for effecting characteristic incremental movement in addition to said case shift movement, an elevator vertically slidable in said carriage for disposing said type box at varians horizontal levels, and a power take-off mechanism to impart a vertical thrust movement to said elevator, to a selected one of said slide cams, and to said connecting link for thereby imparting a resultant movement to said type box comprised of the vertical and horizontal componential movements of said link, slide cams, and elevator.

11. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box, a plurality of individual spring retractile type elements in said type box arranged in coordinate rows and in two case groups, a principal frame supporting said type box and capable of moving horizontally, a carriage borne by said frame, means for effecting a horizontal case shift movement between said frame and said carriage, a series of slide cams for effecting a characteristic incremental movement for disposing said type box at various horizontal levels, and a power mechanism cyclically operative to impart a vertical movement to said elevator and to any of said slide cams concurrently for thereby moving said type box componentially.

12, In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type box in eluding a series of projectile type elements arranged in vertical and horizontal coordinate rows, a support frame for said type box moxable horizontally in gross movements relative to a stationary platen, a carriage for said type box shiftable horizontally in incremental movements relative to said support frame, a cam member having a pivotal connection in said frame and a variable connection in said carriage, a series of slide cams each having a pair of symmetric cam surfaces and a switching element, an elevator vertically slidable in said carriage and mounting said type box, a source of rotary power in said apparatus including a reciprocatory power take-off for imparting a vertical movement to said elevator as well as to one of said series of slide cams selectively, means responsive to certain components of a permutation code signal for shifting said switching elements in said slide cams to select one of the cam surfaces of a selected slide cam which is to be utilized, means responsive to certain code signals for positioning said cam member and thereby making a gross movement of said carriage, and means responsive to certain other components of a code signal to determine one of said series of slide cams to be operated by said power takeoff for thereby making incremental movement of said carriage.

13. A secondary selecting mechanism for printing telegraph apparatus comprising, a shaft associated with a typing unit, a series of cams each having internal profile apertures which defines a lateral clearance to said shaft and opposed symmetrical camming surfaces for engaging said shaft, a path routing switch element associated with each cam for directing said shaft toward one or the other of its said opposed camming surfaces, a member responsive to certain attributes of a code signal for shifting all of the routing switch elements to one side or the other respecting their cams, and a code bar subselector for connecting one of said cams with a cyclic powering device to move said cam toward said shaft whereby said typing unit is characteristically disposed as said shaft moves into the lateral clearance afforded by the dormant ones of said cams.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 including a detent spring-held in position to maintain said shaft centered in respect to said cam apertures, and means carried by said detent engageable by an operated one of said cams for withdrawing said detent from its centering position.

15. In a printing telegraph apparatus, type carrying means including a series of type elements arranged in coordinate rows, said means movable horizontally and vertically relative to a stationary platen, a series of slide cam means for governing the horizontal movement of said type carrying means, each of said slide cam means having characteristic cam surfaces and a switching mem- 15 bet, ,an elevator verticallyslidahle to govern the vertical movement of said type carrying means, a first selecting means for controlling the shifting of said switching member in said slide cam means to determine the cam surfaces to be used, a second selecting means comprising selectively controlled stop elements for determining the elevation to which said elevator is raised,

and knee-action instrumentalities cooperably associated a cam member having a pivotal connection in said frame'and a variable connection with said carriage, a series of slide cammeans, each of said means having characteristic cam surfaces and a switching member, an elevator vertically slidable in said carriage, a first select-l ing means forcontrolling the shifting of said switching members in said slide cam means to determine the cam surfaces to be used, a second selecting means comprising'selectively controlled stop elements for determining the elevation to which said elevator is raised, and knee-action instrumentalities cooperably associated with said carriage, said knee-action instrumentalities comprising an anticipator means to be impinged against selected stop elements, whereby under the combined action of said cam means and said knee-action instrumentalities a type element is positioned to efiectuate a printing operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED PATENTS 2,505,729 Zenner V Apr. 25, 1950

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