US2770344A - Line-space control mechanism for flat platen typewriter or the like - Google Patents

Description

NW lf o. .1, SUNDSTRAND ETAL LINESPCE CONTROL MECHNISM FOR FLAT PLATEN TYPEWRITEIR OR THE LIKE A TTO RNE? mmh 13, 1956 o. 1. SUNDSTRAND ET AL ilil" LINE-SPACE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR FLAT PLATEN TYPEWRITER OR THE LIKE Filed May 23.,"1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY www.. iik

O. .,l. SUNDSTRAND ET' AL LINE-SPACE CONTROL MEOHANISM FOR FLAT FLATEN TYPEWRITER OR THE LIKE Filed May 2J., 1953 5 Sheets-meet 3 fr@ www lllliHlllllllllli INVENTOR. OSCAR SUA/057m No OSCAR w. SIMA/50N W LL 2.7m

United States Patent O l LINE-SPACE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR FLAT PLATEN TYPEWRITER OR THE LIKE Oscar .1. Sundstrand and Oscar W. Swanson, West Hartford, Conn., assignors to Underwood Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 21, 1953, Serial No. 356,494

Claims. (Cl. 197-124) This invention relates to at platen typewriters and 'accounting machines of which the best known example is the machine known commercially by the name Underwood Elliott Fisher. In its more particular aspects, the invention relates to the control of the line-spaceable element of such machines.

Machines of the Underwood Elliott Fisher type customarily have a stationary flat platen 'and 'a carriage comprising a keyboard and type carrying 'head movable over the platen for letter-feeding and line-spacing. In this type of machine the platen is sometimes moved for linespacing while the movement of the carriage is confined to letter-spacing and return. As will presently be more fully understood, the present invention is equally applicable to either of these styles of lat platen machines.

Even in those flat platen machines which do not have a so-called electric keyboard, that is, a machine wherein :an electric motor is provided to supply the power for operating the type bars in response to key-selection, it is customary, because of the weight of the parts involved, to provide power means for returning the carriage to linestart position and for returning the line-spaceable element to page-start position. It is the usual practice to provide a key on the keyboard which, when depressed, closes a clutch to thereby cause a continuously running motor to drive the carriage back to linestart position. It is also known in the Iart to provide an arrangement whereby as the carriage reaches line-start position, the line-spaceable element, be it the carriage or the platen, is automatically line-spaced. To hold the parts in proper line-space position, a friction brake is generally provided and the line-spaceable element is moved both for line-spacing Iand return against the action of such brake. Because of the effect of the brake Iand the weight of the parts to be moved, the line-spacing operation takes an appreciable time, with the undesirable result that a rapid operator will sometimes begin to type the next line before the line-spacing operation has been completed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved means for moving the line-spaceable element of a ilat platen typewriter or accounting machine in linespacing and return directions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a linespace mechanism which will become effective immediately upon operation of the usual carriage return key so that, by the time the carriage has returned to line-start position, the line-spacing operation will have been complete'd, to thereby eliminate the danger of the operator starting to type the next line before the line-spacing operation has been completed. y

It is 'a still further object of the invention to provide means for automatically releasing the brake during movement of the line-spaceable element, particularly during its return movement to page-start position.

These and further objects, features and advantages will be more fully understood and particularly pointed out Patented Nov. 13, 1956 ICC as the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a flat platen accounting machine embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a lside elevational View, partly in section, of the carriage return mechanism,

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the new linespace mechanism,

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing part of the line-space mechanism and showing the means for releasing the line-sp-ace brake,

Figure 5 is an enla-rged sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a section View taken on the line 66 of Figure 3,

Figure 7 is a plan view of the means for returning the line-spaceable element to page-start position, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the means for releasing the line-space brake during return movement of the line-spaceable element.

The particular machine chosen to illustrate the present invention is an accounting machine such as is more fully described -in applicants copending application, Serial No. 262,614, iled December 20, 1951, now Patent No. 2,667,956, but the invention is also applicable to a machine such 'as described in detail in `the patent to Foothorap, No. 1,904,127; and it will be apparent as the description proceeds that the features of the present invention are equally applicable to typewriting machines, as well as to accounting machines having different specie mechanisms from those shown in the Foothorap patent or in said copending application.

The illustrated machine includes a stationary frame generally indicated in Figure l at 10, upon which is secured a pair of longitudinally extending channel members 11, only one of which is shown, the upper horizontal ilanges 12 of which serve as a trackway or rails along which a type carriage support 13 is adapted to move, under certain circumstances, in line-spacing and retu-rn directions. The type carriage support 13 is pro vided with a pair of rear wheels or rollers 14 and a pair of front wheels 15, only one of each pair being shown, for supporting same for movement along the flanges 12.

A second pair of rails or track-forming members 16 are carried by the stationary frame 10, as by being Welded or otherwise secured to the channel members 11. The type carriage support 13 is provided with a pair of Irollers 17 fand with a pair of rollers 18, only one of each pair being shown, for bearing against the side ofa dhanneleshaped portion 19 of the track-forming members 16, to thereby guide the type carriage support during its fore-and-aft movement 'along the rails 12.

A flat platen 20 is mounted in a frame, as described in Ithe above mentioned Foothorap patent, and said frame is provided with a pair of front and rear rollers 21, only the front pair being shown, mounted within the channelshaped portion 19 of the track-forming members 16 for supporting said platen for fore-and-aft movement and with a pair of front and rear rollers 22 which bear against the `sides of the members 16 for guiding said platen during its fore-and-aft movement.

The type carriage support is provided with a transversely extending trackway 23 and with an upper transversely extending channel; member 24. i A type carriage generally designated at 25 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart wheels 26, only one of which is shown, and rollers 27 for mounting it upon the trackway 23 and with a roller 28 for cooperating with the channel member 24.`

The type carriage is provided with the usual array of alphabet and numeral types, not shown, operated from` the keyboard by the usual keys 29. Suitable well known mechanism is provided for advancing the type carriage in letter-feed direction in response to operation of the typing keys, said mechanism comprising theusual spring drum, indicated at 28 and escapement mechanism, partially shown at Z9. Aplurality of totalizers or column registers 30, only one of which is shown, are mounted upon the type carriage support 13 for cooperation with the usual computing mechanism as the type carriage moves from computing column to computing column.

As fully explained in the above referred to copending application, Serial No. 262,614, means is provided for selectively locking either the platen frame, with its platen 20, or the type carriage support 13 to the stationary frame 10 so that the unlocked one of said platen or type carriage support will move fore-and-aft during line-spacing and return operations. vInasmuch as the locking means forms no part of the present invention, the same has not been shown and throughout the remainder of this description it will be assumed that the type carriage support is locked to the stationary frame, that is, the platen will be ytreated as the line-spaceable element, it being understood, however, that if desired, the type carriage support 13 could be the line-spaceable element.

The machine is provided with a continuously running motor indicated in outline in Figure 2 at 31 which motor may be used in a well known manner to supply power tol drive the type bars against the platen and to operate the computing mechanism in accordance with the operation of the keys of the keyboard. The motor is also employed to supply power for returning the carriage or type head to line-start position after a line of typing has been completed as well as to move the line-spaceable element both in line-spacing and return directions, as will presently be described.

The means for restoring the carriage to line-start position is fully described in the above referred to Foothorap patent and in general it comprises a key 32 carried by key lever 33 connected to a bell crank 34, one arm of which has a pin-and-slot connection 35 with an arm 36 fixed to a rockshaft 37, as best shown in Figure 2. Also fixed to the rockshaft 37 is an arm 38 one end of which, as the type carriage moves back and forth in letter-feed and return directions, lies adjacent a bail member 39.

,The bail member 39 extends across the width of the machine and is carried by a plurality of arms 4t), one of whichV is shown in Figure 2, fixed to a rockshaft 41 mounted on a part of the framework 42 of the type carriage support 13. Fixed to the rockshaft 41 isV an arm 43 having a nose normally overlying a tab provided at one end of an arm 44 fixed to a stub shaft 45, a spring 46 extending between the arms 43 and 44 normally holding these parts in the position shown in Figure 2. A member 47 xed to the stub shaft 45 has a bearing portion thereof tted within an annular groove provided in a clutch member 48 slidably mounted upon a shaft 49. lWhen the key 32-is depressed the bail member 39 is swung clockwise about the rockshaft 41 to thereby raise the arm 43'from engagement with the ltab of the arm 44 and permit the spring 46 to rock the stub shaft and the member 47, to move the clutch element 4S into engagement with a clutch element 50 fixed to the shaft 49. The clutch element 50 is fixed to rotate with a worm wheel 51 which is continuously rotated by a worm 6 52 fixed to the drive shaft .of the motor31. A pinion 53 is secured to the clutch element 48 andis Ain mesh with a rack 54 secured to the 'type-carriage 25. Thus,- it will'be understood that when the clutch element 48 ismoved into engagement with the clutchelement 50 the pinion 53 will be rotated to thereby drive-the type carriage 25 back to line-start position. YAsexpla'ined in the Foothorap patent,means is provided to automatid cally disconnectv theV clutch 484-50.v when the `type.carriage reaches its home position. v

5 line-spaceable element necessarily has considerable weight or mass, a measurable amount of time is required to move the line-spaceable element from one line-space position to the next and since, according to the prior art, the line-spacing operation does not begin until the type car- 10 riage has substantially reached line-start position, it sometimes happens that a rapid operator will begin to type the next line before the line-spacing operation has been completed, with the result that the rst few letters of the new line will be improperly positioned. This undesirable 15 feature has been overcome by the mechanism most clearly shown in Figures 3 to 6, lwhich will now be described.

The type carriage support 13 is provided with a cross shaft 55, secured near each end of which is a toothed wheel 56, the teeth of each wheel being in engagement 20 with the teeth of a rack S7, there being a rack secured along each side of the platen frame. Fixed to the cross shaft 55 near one end thereof is a circular disc 58 `having on its periphery a series of closely spaced teeth. Loosely mounted on the cross shaft 55 adjacent the disc 58 is a pawl carrier 59 pivotally connected to one end of which is a pawl 6) provided with a plurality of teeth similar to the teeth of the disc 58. A pawl operating arm 61 is loosely mounted on the shaft 55 and is provided at one end with a pin 62 fitted within a notch provided in the pawl 60, as shown in `Figure 3. It will be apparent that when the pawl operating arm 61 is turned in a counterclockwise direction the pin 62 will tirst rock the pawl 60 about its pivot and bring the teeth thereof into engagement with the teeth of the disc 58 and that further movement of the pawl operating arm will impart rotary movement to the disc 58. Rotation of the disc 58 will rotate the toothed wheel 56 and thus drive the rack 57 and the platen to which said rack is connected rearwardly in 4 line-spacing direction, it being remembered that the type carriage support 13 has been, assumed to be locked to the stationary frame.

Through a gearing arrangement, not herein shown, but

which may be similar to that of the above referred to Foothorap patent, the motor 31 is caused to continuously drive a shaft 63, see Figure 7, which carries at one Vend a bevel gear 64 meshed with a bevel gear 65 secured to one end of a shaft 66. The shaft 66 has fixed near the other end thereof a pinion 67, see Figures 3 and 4, meshed` 50 with a large gear 68 rotatably mounted on a shaft 69.

As best seen in Figure '6, the shaft 69 is rotatably supported bya pair of fratrie plates 7b and '71 forming a part of. the type carriage support 13. Fixed to the gear 68 for rotation therewith is a toothed clutch element 72 and fixed to the shaft 69 is a disc 73 upon which is pivotally mounted a clutch pawl '74. A spring 75 extending between the end of the pawl 74 and the disc 73 tends to rock the pawl in the direction to engage a tooth 76 thereofY with the toothed clutchelement 7). Se# GO cured to a stub shaft 77 mounted in the plate 7@ is a member 78 having a tab 79fnormally engaged with an arm 80- of the pawl 74 toV hold the tooth of the pawl out of' engagement with the teeth of the clutch element 72.

^ With the parts Vin the normal position shown in Figure 3,r the end of a pivotally mounted pawl 81 engagesa step rovided in the periphery of the disc 73 to prevent the' spring 75 fronrrotating said disc in aclcckwise direction.

The-member 78is provided with. an upstanding portion 82 in contact with one arm of a latch member 83, which latch member is pivotally mounted lat 34 upon the frame 0 plate '71. VThe upper end of the latch member 83 is provided with an ear against which rests a nose provided on one end of a link 86. The other end of the link S6 is pivotally connected toa bracket 87 secured to thebail member 39. A link 88 is pivotally connected to the vlink 86and to one arm of a member 89, which member is pivotally mounted upon the pivot 84. Springs 90 and 91 extending respectively between the link 88 and the frame plate 71 and between the member 89 and the latch member 83 normally hold the parts in the position indicated in Figure 3, with the side of the upper end of the latch member 83 pressing against a pin 93 iixed in the frame plate 71. An operating lever 94, the purpose of which will presently be more fully explained, is xed to the stub shaft 77 and a spring 95 extending between one arm of the lever 94- and a tab on a stationary plate 96 urges the lever 94 and the member 78 in a counterclockwise direction to hold the tab 79 in engagement with the arm 80 of clutch pawl 74 to hold the clutch disengaged.

When the operator depresses the carriage return key 32, the bail member 39 is swung about the shaft 41 as aforesaid, toward the left as viewed in Figures 3 and 4, to thereby cause the link 86 to rock the latch member 83 in a counterclockwise direction and in turn rock the member 78 in a clockwise direction to thereby remove the tab 79 from engagement with the arm 80 and permit the spring 75 to move the tooth 76 of the clutch pawl 74 into engagement with the constantly rotating toothed clutch element 72.

Secured to the shaft 69 is a cam 97 against the periphery of which a roller 98 provided on an arm 99 pivotally mounted at 100 on the frame plate 70 is pressed by a relatively heavy spring 101. Pivotally connected to the arm 99 is a push link 102 having a slender nose 103 extending between the pawl 60 and the pawl-operating arm 61. A spring 104 extending between the arm 99 and the push link 102 holds the nose 103 lightly against the pin 62 of arm 61.

When the tooth of the clutch pawl 74 engages the constantly rotating clutch element 72, the disc 73, to which the clutch pawl is pivotally connected, is caused to rotate and with it the shaft 69 to which said disc is secured. The cam 97, being xed to the shaft 69, is also rotated and the heavy spring 101 forces the roller 98 to remain in contact with the periphery of said cam with the result that the arm 99 swings in a clockwise direction about its pivot 100 to move the push link 102 toward the left as'viewed in Figure 3. As the push link 102 moves to the left a shoulder 105 thereon strikes the pin 62 to rotate the pawl 60 and the pawl carrier 59 to line-space the linespaceable element, as previously described. If desired an adjustment may be provided for changing the angular starting positions of the pawl carrier 59 and the pawl operating arm 61 so that the line-space distance may be varied.

An arm 106 carrying a pin 107 is fixed to the shaft 69 and shortly after the shaft begins its counterclockwise rotation said pin contacts a nose 108 on the member 89 to swing said member clockwise about its pivot and cause the link 88 to raise the end of the link 86 off the ear 8S of the latch member 83. The spring 91 thereupon restores the latch member to its normal position in contact with the pin 93 and the spring 95 restores the member 78 to normal position with the tab 79 thereof in the path of movement of the arm S0 of the clutch pawl 74 so as to disengage the line-space clutch after the shaft 69 has rotated through one revolution. When the operator releases the key 32, the spring 90 restores the end of the link `86 to latching engagement with the ear 85 of the latch member 83. Thus, operation of the carriage return key 32 causes a power restoration of the type carriage to line-start position and also causes a power linespacing operation. Since the line-spaceable element, herein assumed to be the platen, is line-spaced immediately upon operation of the carriage return key, there is no danger that the line-space operation will not be completed before the carriage has reached line-start position.

To assure that the platen will not be accidently moved due to vibration of the machine, a brake is provided for the shaft 55. The brake is shown in Figure 4 and comprises a circular disc 109 ixed to the shaft :S5 and a pair of brake shoes 110. A pair of hinges 111 are connected to the lower ends of the brake shoes, the hinge pin, indicated at 112, being iixed in the framework of the type carriage support 13. Toggle links 113 and a tension spring 114 connect the upper ends of the brake shoes. A slide 115 having an elongated guide slot guided by the hinge pin 112 and an elongated slot loosely tted about the shaft 55 is carried by the pivot pin 116i of the toggle links 113. The spring 114 normally holds the brake engaged and prevents accidental movement of the wheel 56 and the rack 57.

Pivotally mounted at 117 is a member 113 having a bail portion 119 resting lightly on the top of the slide 115. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the member 118 is a link 120, the other end of which is pivotally connected to an offset arm 121 `of .a three-armed lever 122 pivotally mounted upon the frame plate 71. Another arm of the three-armed lever 122 carries a pin 123 in position to be contacted by a cam 124 secured to the shaft 69. Shortly after the shaft 69 begins its line-spacing rotation, the cam 124 contacts the pins 123 to rock the three-armed lever 122 in a counterclockwise direction to thereby cause the bail portion 119 to press down on the slide 115 to thereby straighten the toggle 113 and release the brake, thus relieving the line-space mechanism of the necessity of operating the line-spaceable element against the action of the brake.

In order that the platen may be line-spaced at any time without resorting to the carriage 25' to line-start position, a 1inespace handle 125 is provided `on the type carriage support adjacent the right-hand edge of the platen. The handle 125 is secured to one end of a shaft 126 turnably mounted in suitable bearings .and fixed to said shaft near the rear end thereof is an arm 127, best seen in Figure 5. Loosely mounted on the shaft adjacent the arm 127 is a member 128 carrying a pin 129. A `spring 130 extending between the arm 127 and the member 128 normally holds the arm and the pin in contact with one another and a spring 131 extending between the member 128 and a stationary member 132 holds an end-portion 133 of the member 128 against the member 132. A ootportion 134 of the hereinbefore referred to lever 94 underlies the end-portion 133 of the member 12S. Upward movement of the handle 125 rotates the shaft 126 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5 an-d the arm 127, by pressing against the pin 129, rotates the member 128 against the action of the spring 131. As the member 128 moves clockwise, the end-portion 133 thereof presses down on the foot-portion 134 of the lever 94 and rocks said lever and the member 78 operatively connected therewith in the direction to disengage the tab 79 from the arm 30 of the clutch pawl 74 to permit engagement of the line-space clutch. By continuing to hold the handle 125 in its upward position the operator can maintain the line-space clutch in engagement and thus obtain any desired number of line-space operations without further movement of the handle 125.

Secured to the shaft 126 is ian arm 135 to which is pivotally connected one end of a push link 136, the upper end of which is provided with an elongated `slot 137. Fitted loosely within the lslot 137 is a shouldered screw 138 provided at the end of an arm 139 integral with the pawl operating arm 61. The elongated slot 137 permits adjustment of the rest position of the arm 61, as above referred to. When the line-space handle 125 is moved downwardly, the arm moves the push link 136 upwardly to rock the arm 139 and the arm 61 integral there with about the shaft 55 to thereby impart rotary movement to the disc 58 and wheel 56 and yline-space the platen. This manual movement of the platen will no1'- mally be resorted to only when it is desired to move the platen less than a full line-space dist-ance as for example, when typing prime numbers.

The present invention provides a power operating means for restoring the platen to page-start position after it has been stepped rearwardly in line-space direction. Referring nowV to Figure 7, it will be seen that the type carriage supporting frame 13 is provided with a shaft 144i aligned with the shaft' 66. The right-hand end of shaft 140 has a bearing within a rotatably mounted element 141, said element comprising a bevel gear meshed with and constantly rotated by the bevel gear 6d. A toothed clutch element 142 is xed to the shaft 1% ladjacent the element 141, and a shaft shifter collar 143 is secured to the other end of said shaft. By moving the shaft toward the left, as viewed in Figure 7, the toothed clutch eiement 142 `is brought into engage-ment with cooperating teeth on the bevel gear element 11E-1 to thereby impart rotation of said shaft. Fixed to the shaft is an elongated pinion 144 meshed with the 'left-hand toothed wheel 56 of the shaft 55 and when the shaft 11%@ is shifted to the left, the pinion 144 drives said toothed wheel in the direction to cause the wheel to drive the rack` 57 and the platen 2d connected therewith toward page-start position.

Pivotally mounted on -a suitable bracket plate adjacent the shaft sh-ifter collar 143 is a member 1455 having a pin 146 itting within said collar. The member is pivotally connected at 147 to the rear end of a link 148, the front end of which is pivotally connected to an operating handle 149. Movement of the handle 149 from the full line position to the dot-and-dash line position, swings the member 145 aboutV its pivot to thereby shift the shaft 11i@ to the left and engage the clutch element 142 with the corresponding element of the bevel gear 141. Pivotally mounted on the plate carrying the member 145 is a dctent arm 15) urged by a spring 151 into engagement with the pivot pin 147. When the link 148 is moved rearwardly, the pin 147 moves over a shoulder 152 on the arm 150, whereupon said link is resiliently held in the rearward position, with the platen return clutch engaged.

A cam member 153 is pivotally connected to the framework of the type carrying head and is Connected by a pinand-slot connection 17d with the link 14S. When the handle 149 is moved rearwardly to engage the clutch which causes the platen to be restored to page-start position, the cam 15E moves from the full line position to the dot-and-dash line position. Fixed to the platen frame is an arm 155 carrying a pin 156 and as the platen reaches its forward or page-start position, the pin 155 strikes the carn 153 to thereby force the link 148 forwardly, which movement will of course rock the member 145 in the direction to move the shaft 141i to the right and disengage the platen-return clutch.

1n order that the platen will not have to be returned to line-start position against the action of the hereinabove described line-space brake, means is provided for releasing said brake during the return operation, such means being best shown in Figures 7 vand 8. A pivotally mounted lever 157 has a nose 158 tted within a groove provided in a. collar 159 fixed to the shiftable shaft 140. The upper end of the lever 157 is pivotally connected to one end 0f a link 160, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a pivotally mounted member 161 having a nose 162 overlying an arm 163 ofthe three-armed lever 122. Figure 8 is viewed generally from the rear of the machine and in this figure, it is rightward movement of the shaft 149 which institutes the platen return operation. It will be apparent that when the shaft 140 is shifted toward the right as viewed in Figure 8, the nose 162 will press down on the arm 163 to thereby rock 'the member 122 in the direction to cause the member 113 to be swung about its Vpivot 117 and release the line-space brake.

riage 'and against which said type actions are arranged to f S strike, mechanism for advancing said type carriage in Ietter feed direction in response to operation of the type actions, a motor, a carriage return key, means responsive to operation of said carriage return key to cause said motor to return said type carriage to line-start position, line-space mechanism for effecting a relative line-space movement between said type carriage and said platen,

and means connecting said carriage return key to saidV line-space mechanism whereby operation of said linespace mechanism is instituted byroperation of said key.

2. in a machine of the class described, a type carriage having a set of type actions and a keyboard by means of which said type actions may be selectively actuated, a flat platen horizontally mounted beneath said type carriage and against which said type actions are arranged to strike, carriage feed means for moving said type carriage letter-space distance in response to actuation of said type actions, line-space mechanism for effecting a relative line-space movement between said type carriage and said platen, continuously operating power means, a carriage return key on said keyboard, means responsive to actuation of said carriage return key to clutch said power means to said ,type carriage whereby said type carriage will be driven in a return direction, spring actuated means for operating saidrline-space mechanism, a rotatable cam normally restraining said spring actuated means, `and means responsive to actuation of said carriage return key to clutch said rotatable cam to said power means whereby said power means will rotate said cam and permit said spring actuated means to operate said line-space mechanism.

3. In a machine of the class described, a type carriage having a set of type actions and a keyboard by means of which said type actions may be selectively actuated, a at platen horizontally mounted beneath said type carriage and against which said type actions are arranged to strike, mechanism for advancing said type carriage Vin letter feed direction in response `to operation of the type actions, power means, a drive between said power means and said type carriage, a normally open clutch in said drive, a

carriage return key, means responsive to actuation of said` carriage returnV key to close said clutch whereby said power means will drive said type carriage in a return direction, line-space mechanismV for eiecting a relative klinespace movementV between said type carriage and said platen, spring powered means for operating said line-space mechanism, a cam normally restraining said spring powered means and rotatable to permit operation thereof, a drive between said power means and said cam, a normally open clutch in said last mentioned drive, and means responsive to actuation of said carriage return key to close said clutch whereby said power means will rotate said cam and thereby permit said spring powered means to operate said line-space mechanism.

4. In a machine of the class described, a type carriage support and a platen mounted for relative movement in line-spacing and return directions, Va type carriage comprising a set of type actions and a keyboard by means of which said type actions may be selectively actuated mounted on said support `for letter-feed and return -movements, means for effecting relative line-space movement between said `type carriage support and said platen comprising a rack fixed to said platen and a toothed wheel xed 'to a shaft rotatably mounted in said support and meshing with said rack, power means for rotating'said toothed wheel pre-selected amounts for causing said relative line-space movement, a member manipulatable in two directions, means Voperable by Vsaid member when said member is manipulated in one direction to institutetoperation of said'power means, and means Voperable by said member when said memberis manipulated inthe otherV direction to directly rotate said toothed wheel in proportion tothe distance said member is moved.

5. n a machine of the lclass described, a type carriage having a set of type actions-and a-keyboard by means of which said type actions may be selectively actuated, a at platen horizontally mounted beneath said type carriage and against which said type actions are arranged to strike, carriage feed means for moving said type carriage letter-space distance in response to actuation of said type actions, line-space mechanism for effecting a relative linespace movement between said type carriage and said platen, continuously operating power means, a carriage return key on said keyboard, means responsive to actuation of said carriage return key to clutch said power means to said type carriage whereby said type carriage will be driven in a return direction, spring actuated means for 10 operating said line-space mechanism, restraining means normally preventing said spring actuated means from operating, and means responsive to actuation of said carriage return key to operate said restraining means in such manner as to permit said spring actuated means to operate said line-space mechanism.

Foothorap Apr. 18, 1933 Homan June 6, 1944

Images