US2936831A - Composing machine - Google Patents

Description

y 1960 P. JEAN-BAPTISTE ASTIER 2,936,831

COMPOSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Ma rch 22, 1957 y 1960 P. JEAN-BAPTISTE ASTIER 2,936,831-

COMPOSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Shoot 2 Filed March 22, 1957 Avranor UN /erre Jean-flap/lls/e 457%? gilt; i Lomcs aw fl/forny May 17, 1960 P. JEAN-BAPTISTE ASTIER 2,936,331

COMPOSING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 *(mu. (l-mus flfforney United States Patent w 7 2,936,831 I I f COMPOSING MACHINE I Pierre Jean-Baptiste Astier, Paris, France i Application March 22, 1957, Serial No. 647,907 Claims priority, application France October 17, 1956 2 Claims. (Cl. 164-112) are arranged in a manner like the keys of an ordinary Recording on a paper tape during the normal running of the composingmachin'e.

typewriter. To the applicants, knowledge, no machine 4 existsfor punching thepaper tape ofwhich the keyboard is an integral reproduction of the keyboard of the com- 'posing machine itself. 7 7

Existing punching apparatuses possess an obvious disadvantage owing to the fact that the composing machine operator, being accustomed to 1 the arrangement of the keys of his keyboard, is obliged to becomeacquainted with the keyboard of the paper'tape punching machine. Otherwise the services of a typist have to be obtained, whois acquainted with the keyboard of an ordinary typewriter, which implies that two operators are'required.

The present invention obviates these disadvantages and provides a keyboard of the typeexistingon a composing machine capable of punching a paper tape and at the same time playing its usual part in the composing machine. The improved keyboard according to the invention can also be utilized independently from the composing machine itself; owing to the conventional arrangements of its keys, it is not necessary to employ an operator other than the one alreadyconversant'with the composing machine. 7

I According to another object of the invention, the conventional keyboard of a composing machine comprises additional members working in such manner that when a. key is depressed by the operator, punching occurs according to a given code, on the tape, and a matrix is released from the magazine, which occurs in the convenin facts? the working speed on the improved keyboardaccording to the invention is at least equal to that .which it is possible to reach on the perforator keyboard of the type known at present. If work is effected with a 7-hole code and with a keyboardaccording to the invention used as perforator only, "independently from the composing machine, there is-a 'possibility of gaining speed by the elimination of the keys corresponding toshift and unshift. I

Thc signal bringing about the rise of the assembling elevator is obtained on the paper tape according to a suitable code. v

"The keysof the keyboard are very sensitive and the operator acts on these; keys in the same manner as he "would on the keyboardof the composing machine itself. 4 The possibility of utilizing the spare magaz nes and *any. additional machine control member.

The possibility'of checking the composition on the notches of the matrices. v T

Other advantages and features of the invention will be more clearly brought. out by the ensuing description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: yjFi'gure lis a perspective view of one of the keys of the keyboardof a composing machine co-operating with the perforator according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial plan view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the movement of one ofthe members of Figure 1.

Figures 4a, 4b are elevational views of the counterweights of a conventional keyboard of a composing machine, these counterweights being altered so as to be applicable to the improved keyboard according to the invention, said counterweights being shown in two diiferent positions. Y 1 Figures 5 and 6 are alternative embodiments of members of Figure 2. o o Figure 7 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of the control circuit of the electro-magnet of Figure 1, vcalled synchronization circuit. Y

With reference to these drawings, Figure 1 shows in perspective, a key of a conventional keyboard of a composing machine cooperating with'the perforator according to the invention. Thereferences A designate the conventional counterweights or so called key bars that are already found on a conventionalkeyboard and which 'are actuated by the lever arms 416 hinged at428 andconnected toeach key 417 of the keyboard. On =a conventionalkeyboard c'omprising90 keys,-these counterweights number 91 i;e. plus one counterweight corresponding to space bar. These counterweights-A are notched or banked as usual at B (key side); moreover, on the opposite side to these notches 01' banks B, they comprise a series of notches C, being for example seven in number. This notching differs from one counterweight to another.

It is pointed out that the shape of these-notches C, being different from one key' to another, enables, as will be seen hereinafter, a special perforation to be obtained on a paper tape according to a code corresponding to each key under consideration. Y Opposite to each notch C of the counterweights A there is a series of rods or bars (seven in number in the drawings) so mounted asto effect the oscillating movement of rods 1, another rod 1b (notseen in the drawing) is also provided. 7

In Figure 3, O1, O2, O3, 04 show the hinging points having the same reference numerals in Figure 1-; O1O2, O3O4 indicate the connections between these hinging points. Each bar 1 may thus make an oscillating movement shown by the arrows f and f It will easily be understood that if a part 3a (shown in dotted lines in Figure 3) abuts at any point along the bar 1, the oscillating movement of this bar will be prevented. Onlythe bars 1a and 1b can' freely pivot without hindrance at any time of their displacement. This displacement takes place in the same way-as that of the bars 1. The bars 14 and 1bonly-lr'nake the end perforations on a tape, these end perforationsserving to guide the tape in its'feeding system.

The description given below concerns the actuation of one or morerods 1 including the rods 1a and 1b and. the perforation of a paper tape P.

g 9 (Fig. 2) in the direction of the arrow Fa; each of these arms 7 is capable of acting through the intermediary of a shoulder It) on a ratchet device 11 rotatably mounted about 12 and acting against a spring 13. The end of each arm 7 is capable of acting on rollers 14, 15, 16, and 17 mounted on a segment gear 18 mounted on a shaft 182:, said gear being adapted to mesh with a toothed wheel 19. The operation of this gear system 18-19 is described below. i n Each of the rods 1, in its initial position, abuts against the end of a flap 20, hinged at 21, the side 23 of this flap abutting against a shoulder 24 of apart 25 hinged at 26 and capable of being attracted by an electro-rnagnet E1. The flap 20 is moreover hin'gedly connected by a bar 20;: to a second flap 27 hingedat 28 and 29 whose function will be explained below. The above mentioned device as a unit is capable of acting on a rod 30 guided at 31 and 32 acting by its lowerend on a punch 33 actingon the tape moving in the slot 34 of the device 35 guiding the tape. The rod 30 always acts on a lever system generally designated by the reference numeral 36 acting against a spring 37, this device 36 also serving to move the tape forward. This feed device may be of any conventional type such as a pawl and ratchet wheel device 0- The device described above operates in the following manner: l

When a key of the keyboard of the composing machine is depressed, the electro-magnet E1 is excitedas will be seen below. The part 25 is attracted ingt'he direction of the arrow F2 and the bars 1 corresponding to the key depressed, move in the direction of the arrow "F1 being urged by their spring 2 provided that these bars are opposite a notch C of the counterweight A. At the time of this movement the flap 20 pivots about 21 in the direction of the arrowFS, its side23 no longer abutting on theshoulder, 24; the arm 7,through the intermediary of its shoulder ,10, acts on the latch 11 in the direction of the .arrow F4, said latch abutting initially on the roller 16; by continuing its movement, the arm 7 acts on the roller 14 and compels the corresponding gear or gears 18 loosely mounted ontheir shaft 18a to rotate in the direction of the arrow F5 thus compelling the segment S1 to mesh with the gear 19 which constantly rotates about the shaft 19a; the rotatory movement of this shaft being derived from any suitable device (not shown) (independent motor, power take-01f from the composing machine itself, etc.).

When the gear. ,18'rotates in the direction of the arrow F5, said rotation being obtained from 19, the roller 15 strikesthe rod '30, and thus causes the punching of the tape by means of the punch or punches 33. 7

Moreover, the roller 14 acts on the flap 27 which, during the pivoting of the flap 20 in the direction of the arrow F3, has moved in the direction of the arrow F6 and restores this flap to its initial position. In returning to its initial position, the flap 20 brings the rod or rods 1 also into their initial position as well as the latch 11; each corresponding gear 18 has, during these displacements, made 7 made of suitable materials. This assemblyrmay alsobe formed as p in the case of, Figure 6 by toothed segments of currenttype for 18 and by a gear 19 mounted Ton a rubber ring 19b .for example. V I v The preferred form of embodiment oftlieinvention is that shown in Figure 2 in which each gear 18 is afiexible gear obtained "by cutting outcircular slots in a circular plate, from the periphery thereof, so as'to form resilient segments.

The electro-magnetic control of the device described above with a view to synchronising the operation of the machine, is shown in Figure 7; in this figure there has been shown one or" the counterweightsA co-operating with a key (not shown) of the composing machine, each of these counterweights A being adapted to act directly on a flap 38 which can pivot about a shaft 39; a counterweight 40 which is, for example, adjustable along a rod 40a is provided for balancing said flap. Moreover, this flap comprises two conductor blades 41 and 42 00- operating with two electric contacts 43 and 44. The contact 43 is connected to one of the. terminals A of a source of current supply; the blade 42 is connected to the same terminal A The contact 44 is connected to a contact 45 placed opposite a contact 46'conn-ected to the electro-rnagnet E1. This contact 46 is carried by a lever arm 47 hinged at 48, urged by a spring 49 in the direction of Pb and carrying a pawl 50 at its end impelled by a spring 51 and cooperating with a ratchet wheel 52 which can be rotatably driven by means of an electromagnetic clutch 53 (shown diagrammatically), for example, by a worm-gear system 54-55 (the worm being continuously rotated). The electro-magnetic clutch is connected, on the one hand, to the plate 41, and on the other hand to the terminal B1 of the source of current. T his terminal B1 is itself connected to the electro-magnet E1.

The device described above operatesin manner: 7

The contact 45-46 being closed, when one of the counterweights A is impelled upwards in the direction of C (by depressing a key on the keyboard, not shown), its upper shoulder C causes the flap 38 to swing in the direction of the arrow C the blades 41 and 42 bear on the contacts 43 and 44. The electro-magnetic clutch device 53 is 'energize d and the ratchet wheel caused to the following rotate. The electro-magnet E1 is energized and starts the perforating device described above. When the rods ,1 move in the direction of F1 (Figs. 1-2), said rods, by a mechanical connection system 47a, act on the lever 47 in the direction of the arrow Fc thus opening the contact 45-46 and hence de-energizes the electro-magnet E1. By the displacement of lever 47, the .pawl 50 engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 52 which is always rotating (slow movement in the direction of F11) and the lever 47 moves, first slowly in the direction of Pb, then abrupt- 1y, the pawl 50 moving away from the tooth with which it was engaged. This escaping movement may be enhanced, for example, by a pin 56 cooperating with an inclined surface 57 provided on the pawl 50. The contact 4546 is restored and if in the meantime the counterweight A has returned to its initial position, the

device is ready to work under theaction of another key according to the invention thus does not involve any change in the operators habits and at the same time.

allows the repeated perforation corresponding to a required letter.

-It :is obvious that the counterweights -A, in relation :to thecemp i m in p ay t a a t tha h y ;have :always played. Thus, independently of the per rforationwmade-on -'a tape'when each key-is depressed,

there corresponds, *as usual, the=release ofa matrix which goestowards making a line, andrthis is achieved when the keyboard is directly mounted on said -composing machine. p --It will be understoo'd that the liabove described comprising machine may have associated with it --a suitable apparatus, called "a counter, for ehecking the line -after th'e 'operator has depressed a certain number 0f *keys,

this checking process being known inthexart "as justi fication. Also, the keys of the composing machine, ac-

matically by a suitable mechanism. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims. 7

What I claim is:

1. In a conventional keyboard ofa composing machine, keys mounted on lever arms, counterweightsmovably mounted at the end part of each'lever arm of each key and comprising a plurality of banks at said lever arm side and a plurality of notches at the opposite sides, said notches being located differently from one counterweight to the other, a plurality of rods, means mounting said rods for oscillation in juxtaposition with said notches, so that at least one rod can engage in one notch of one counterweight when said counterweight is raised, two rods adapted to oscillate and whichdo not cooperate with said notches, a synchronization electromagnetic device, a source of electric current, a pair of electric contacts closed by each of said counterweights when the latter are raised, a flap,'means movably mounting said flap adjacent said rods for engagement and movement thereby, lock means including an electromagnet for permitting movement of said flap by said rods, said electromagnet being connected to said pair of contacts and said source of electric current, a spring connected to and urging each rod in the direction of abutment against said flap, each rod having an articulated form extending therefrom, a shoulder on each arm, a plurality of segment gears each having a plurality of rollers extending from a side thereof, means mounting each said gear adjacent one of said arms for engagement of said arm with a roller of said gear uponoscillation of'the rod to which said arm is attached, ratchet means mounted adjacent each said gear for engagement with a roller thereof, each said ratchet means having a part engageable by the shoulder on each corresponding arm whereby movement of said arm removes said ratchet means from engagement by one of said rollers, a plurality of continuously rotating toothed wheels, each positioned to engage and' drive one of said segment gears upon initial rotation thereof by engagement of one of said arms with a roller of said gear, a bar positioned adjacent each said'segmen-t gear for striking of one end thereof by a roller of each segment gear, punch means operatively associated 'with each said bar for punching a tape, means for feeding a tape into juxtaposition with said punch means, and means connected with said two rods not cooperating with said notches of said counterweights for actuatingsaid tape feeding means, whereby upon the depressing of a key a counterweight will be raised, the electromagnet will be energized, said two rods not cooperating with the notches of the counterweights will be oscillated, at least one of the other rods will be oscillated and will thereby initially rotate the corresponding segment gear, a punch means will be actuated to perforate a tape and the tape feeding means will be actuated to feeda tape.

2. In a conventional keyboard of a composing machine, keys mounted on lever arms, counterweights mov ably mounted at the end part of each lever. arm of each key and comprising a plurality of banks at said lever weight to the other, a plurality of rods, means mounting said rods for oscillation in juxtaposition with said.

notches, so that at least one rod can engage in one notch a of one counterweight when said counterweight is raised,

two rods adapted .to oscillate and which do not cooperate with said notches, a source of electric current, a synchronization electromagnetic device comprising a first pair of electric contacts closed by each of said counterweights upon raising thereof, an electromagnetic clutch connected to said source and to said pair of contacts, means for continuously rotating the input side of said clutch, a ratchet wheel drivingly connected with the output side of said clutch, a lever arm mounted for oscillation adjacent said ratchet wheel and having means thereon for engaging with said ratchet wheel to thereby oscillate said arm' in one direction, a second pair of electric contacts closed by oscillation of said lever arm in said one direction, an electromagnet connected to said source and said second pair of electric contacts, linkage means-z between said rods and said lever arm for moving said j I lever arm in the opposite direction upon oscillation of each rod in the direction of abutment against said flap,

each rod having an articulated arm extending therefrom, a shoulder on each arm, a plurality of segment gears each having a plurality of rollers extending from a side thereof, means mounting each said gear adjacent one of said arms for engagement of said arm with a roller of said gear upon oscillation of the rod to which said arm is attached, ratchet means mounted adjacent each said gear for engagement with a roller thereof, each said ratchet means having a part engagea-ble by the shoulder on each corresponding arm whereby movement of said arm removes said ratchet means from engagement by one of said rollers, a plurality of continuously rotating toothed wheels, each positioned to engage and drive one of said segment gears upon initial rotation thereof by engagement of one of said arms with a roller of said gear, a bar positioned adjacent each said segment gear for striking of one end thereof by a roller of each segmen-t gear, punch means operatively associated with each said bar for punching a tape, means for feeding a tape into juxtaposition with said punch means, and means connected with said two rods not cooperating with said notches of said counterweights for actuating said tape feeding means, whereby upon the depressing of a key a counterweight will be raised, the electromagnet will be energized, said two rods not cooperating with the notches References Cited in the file ofthis patent "UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,969,891 Lake et a1. Aug. 14, 1934 2,036,139v Hanney Mar. 31, 1936 2,060,838 Thienemanna Nov. 17, 1936 2,436,126 Tholstrup Feb. 17, 1948 2,492,584 Kogler et a1. Dec. 27, 1949 2,544,994 Julius Mar. 13, 1951 2,672,231 Goetz Mar. 16, 1954 2,781,975 Pudelks et a1. Feb. 19,

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