US3168948A - Pulley selection means in rotary type carriers - Google Patents

Description

3,168,948 PULLEY SELECTION MEANS IN ROTARY TYPE CARRIERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. E. BUSCH PIE- 7 7 mm 3 01 A 4 III. a 4 3 l J .fl W \n I NVEN TOR.

A T TGRA/E) E/CHAED E. BUJCI/ 3 m -U m M L 7 a MW IM 2 w w! m za m w a a. g a w m Feb. 9, 1965 Filed Feb. 25. 1963 H I l4 llq/ R. E. BUSCH 3,168,948

PULLEY smsonou MEANS IN ROTARY TYPE CARRIERS Feb. 9, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1963 FIE. Q:

IN VEN TOR.

RICH/IEO 1 BUSC'H PIE. 2

AHMVZALQ 4 TTOEA/E Y Feb. 9, 1965 R. E. BUSCH 3,168,948

PULLEY SELECTION MEANS IN ROTARY TYPE CARRIElS Filed Feb. 25, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIE E 67 INVENTOR A 5 RICH/4E0 E. BUJCH g I n- /03 BY 19 Z! i m 97 z /04 ATTaE/VEY Feb. 9, 1965 R. E. BUSCH 3,168,948

FULLEY SELECTION MEANS IN ROTARY TYPE CARRIERS Filed Feb. 25. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIE E MAGNET MAGNET 0) UNIT:

INPUT MAGNET LINES MAGNET MAGNET um" MAGNET I MAGNET /2 INVENTOR. PRINT Elf/{4E0 i. 5030/ COMMAND BY Arrae/vsr Feb. 9, 1965 R. E. BUSCH ,1

PULLEY SELECTION MEANS IN ROTARY TYPE CARRIERS Filed Feb. 25. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PIE l E 0 234567 ROWS INVENTOR.

BY MM ATTQEMEY PIIEL l [:1

' clutching units.

United States Patent Oil 3,.lb8,948 Patented Feb. 9, 1965 snsaaes PULLEY SELECTION MEANS EN RGTARY TYPE CAREERS Richard E. Busch, La iuente, Caiii, assignor to Clary Corporation, San Gahriei, Caiiil, a corporation of California Filed Feb. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 269,62d 15 Ciaims. (Ci. 197-49) This invention relates to data printers of the type commonly referred to as stick printers wherein a generally cylindrical type member carrying a plurality of characters is provided, with means for selectively moving the member both axially and rotatably to position selected type characters opposite a print hammer.

Generally, in such printers the type member is positioned to print a selected type character by utilizing one cable to move the member axial to a selected row of type characters and a second cable to rotate the member to a selected column of type characters. Each cable is differentially acted upon by a plurality of pulleys in a coded fashion to present the desired type character at the printing position.

Formerly, the pulleys were generally mounted on individual cam followers, coded permutation bars or solenoids whose selective lineal movements differentially positioned the cables. Such previous actuating forms generally were power driven in one direction and relied on spring means for driving in the opposite direction. This construction is unsatisfactory for high speed printers. Also, the actuators for at least some of the pulleys required individual power supplies. Others required a multiplicity of actuating parts, thereby increasing the complexity, weight and size of the printer.

Therefore it becomes a principal object to provide a stic printer incorporating two-position clutch elements,

.driven by acommon drive means, which positively position the type member in any position and wherein said drive means. is common to both the longitudinal and rotational selection means.

Another object is to provide-a mechanical drive for the cables of a ,stick printer which has a minimum number of parts while providing harmonic acceleration and deceleration of the type member.

Another object is to provide a mechanical drive for the cables which has a minimum number of parts and yet is actuated under control of small electromagnets, thereby resulting in'a more compact and lighter'package, requiring a minimum of electrical power to operate.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a printer embodying the preferred form of the present invention.

taken substantially along arrangement and is taken. along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 i a perspective schematic view showing'the cables-and their positioning and guiding elements. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the clutches and respective eccentric elements. i

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view illustrating the eccentric throws of three of the eccentric elements and is taken along the line 7 .-'7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an expanded perspective .view of one ofthe -FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry for the printer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic developed view of the type member, showing the arrangement of type characters thereon.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view with fragments r moved for clarity and taken substantially along the line 11-411 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view through the paper feed device.

FIG. 13 is a sectional View illustrating the drive means for the ribbon and paper feed with parts removed for clarity and is taken substantially along the line 1313 of FIG. 11.

The printer comprises a type member or cylinder 9 slideably keyed at 28 to a splined shaft 11, FIGS. '1, 2 and 11, which is rotatably supported in bearings 12 and 1-3 mounted in a support plate 14 and a base plate 15, respectively.

A shaft 17 supported bythe support plate 14 and the base plate 15 is positioned adjacent the shaft 11 and has slideably mounted thereon a type cylinder carriage generally indicated at 18. The carriage is comprised of a cylinder 18* which slides over the shaft 17 and has mounted at its ends, arm 21 which extend transversely thereof .to embrace the type cylinder 9 at its opposite ends, whereby vertical movement of the carriage will, through the arms 21, bring about vertical movement of the type cylinder.

The arms 21 support a drive rack 22 therebetween. The rack 22 has a set of teeth 23 formed along one edge thereof which mesh with the teeth of a drive sector 24. The drive sector 24 is rotatably mounted on :a side frame 25 and has integrally formed thereto a drum 26 having grooves 27 therein for receiving control cables to later be described,

A gear 29, FIG. 11, rigidly mounted on the shaft 11, has its' teeth meshed with the teeth of a gear sector 31 which is rotatably mounted on the base plate 15. The sector is integrally formed with a drum 32 FIG. 1, having grooves 33 therein to receive the control cables for rotational or columnar positioning of the type cylinder, as will be described later. i p

Axial or row positioning of the type cylinder is provided through rotation of sector 24 and drum "26 by cables 34 and 35, FIG. 5, wherein the cable 34 is attached in one of the grooves 27 of the drum 26 and passes around approximately one half the periphery of the drum 26 before passfirst eccentric member 44 to a pulley 45, around pulley 45 to pass around a second eccentric member 46 to a pulley 47, and around pulley 47 to pass around a third eccentric member 48. 'From the member 48, the cable passes to a frame member Slto become anchored thereto through a screw 5-2, FIG. 4.

The cable 35 is attached in the second of said grooves 27 of the drum 26 at'a point approximately from the attachment, of cable 34, so as to pass around approximately one half the periphery of the drum, but in the reverse direction of the cable 34, before passing around pulleys 53, 54 and 55. From the pulley 55, the cable passes around a pulley 56, and thence around the first eccentric member 44 to a pulley 57, around the pulley 57 back around the second eccentric member 46 to a pulley 58, and around pulley 58 and the third eccentric member 48 to a second frame member 61 where it is anchored by a screw 62, FIG. 4. a l

At:this point it should be noted that, through the arthe apex away from the eccentric member.

the cable passes around the eccentric members in the opposite direction to that of the cable 34 whereupon rotation of any one of the eccentric members will draw one of the cables (thereby effectively shortening it) and relax the other (thereby effectively lengthening the latter). This causes rocking of the drum 26 in the appropriate direction. Thus, the sector 24 will likewise be rocked to cause the carriage 18 to raise or lower the type cylinder to position a selected row of type characters at the printing point.

Rotational positioning of the type cylinder to align a selected column of type characters with the printing point is provided by a pair of cables 63 and 64, which control the type cylinder by rotating the drum 32 in a manner similar to that used to rotate the drum 26.

Cable 63 is attached in one of the grooves 33 to the drum and extends around approximately one half the periphery thereof before passing onto and around a guide pulley 65 and over guide pulleys 66, 67 and 68. From the pulley 68, the cable 63 is serially guided about three eccentric members 69, 70 and 71, respectively, by guide pulleys 72 and 73 in a similar manner as described for cable 34, the cable being anchored to the frame member 51 by a screw 74, FIG. 4. The cable 64 is also attached to the drum 32 at a point approximately 180 from the point where it leaves the same to pass onto and around guide pulleys 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 so as to be guided serially about the eccentric members 69, 70 and 71 in a direction opposite to the cable 63, by the pulleys 81 and 82. From the eccentric member 71, the cable passes to the frame member 61 where it is anchored by a screw 83.

. As can be seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, each of the eccentric elements comprises a disc 84, having an eccentric portion 200 on which is r-otatably mounted a thin sleeve or sheave 201. The latter supports the associated cables which are wrapped thereover and thus prevents wear between the eccentric members and the cables and also reduces frictional drag between these parts.

Each disc forms'part of an associated clutch and, for simplicity,. since the clutches and eccentrics are similar, except fordiiferences in eccentricity, they will be labeled as units in which the units A, B and C control the axial positioning of the'type member while the units D, E and F control the rotational positioning.

Each clutch unit is comprised of the above noted disc 84 which is formed of a hardened steel and has on the side opposite the eccentric member a shallow V-shaped groove 85 whose apex extends transversely or diametrically across the disc. The sides of thegroove slope from A second disc 86, also formed of a hardened steel, has

a shallow inverted ,V-shaped end formation whose sides slope from its apex backto form a mating tongue for the groove 85.

keyed to the shaft;- and are heldin spaced relation by.

sleeve members -mounted on theshaft intermediate the discs. Such sleeves .also provide centering and bearing surfacesfor=the gclutch units. 7

' The shaft 91 is mounted between the plate 41 and the respectively, and the clutch assembly is spaced from' the bearing 96by a sleeve 98 surrounding the shaft 91 intermediate the bearing and a disc 99 juxtaposed the upper .1 disc 94. The disc 99 abuts against shoulders 101 formed on the shaft by the relieved sections 92 and 93.

The roller bearing 97 has an inner race 102 which at one end bears against a disc 103 juxtaposed the lower disc 94 while the other end abuts a threaded 'nut 104 which, when threaded on the shaft, clamps the discs 94 and sleeves 95 together so that the continuously rotating shaft 91 will, through the keyed relation of the discs 94, continuously rotate said discs and sleeves.

Magnet supports 111 and 112, FIGS. 1 and 2, extend between the plate 41 and the plate 15 and are retained through screws 113 in a position adjacent opposite sides of the stack of clutches.

Each of the supports 111 and 112 has attached, through legs 114 and 115 thereof, a group of electromagnets 109 and 1111, respectively. The magnets are attached in a horizontal fashion so that one magnet of each group is in line with a clutch unit.

Armatures 107 cooperating with the magnets 109 are pivotally mounted on a vertical shaft 116 carried by the support 111, and have blocking edges 117. The armatures are normally urged in a counterclockwise direction to ride on the peripheries of the discs 84 and 86 of the clutch units, with which such armatures are aligned, through leaf springs 118 restrained between the frame member 61 and the armatures.

Armatures 108 cooperating with the magnets 110 are pivotally mounted on a vertical shaft 119 carried by the support 112, and have blocking edges 121 which ride the peripheries of the discs 84 and 86 of the associated clutch units at point from the points of contact of the associated armature edges 117.

The discs 84 and 86 of each clutch unit have aligned blocking shoulders 122 and 123, FIGS. 7 and 8, which normally abut against one or the other of the armature blocking edges 117 or 121.

The system used for character selection in this embodirnent is the basic binary coded system wherein each clutch unit is set in either of two positions 180 apart,'the first position being representative of a binary 0 and the second position being representative of a binary 1.

As aforedescribed, there are three clutch units for vertical selection and three clutch units for rotational selection of the type cylinder 9,'and since the principle is the same for both, only one will be described.

- The units A, B and C are representative in a binary fashion of the values 1, 2 and 4, respectively, wherein the throw or amount of eccentricity of unit B is twice the throw of. A and the throw ofC is twice the throw of B, so that for example when A, B and C are all positioned in their 0 conditions, the leftmost column of type char- Iacters, FIG, 10, is aligned with the printing point;

Upon energization of the magnet 109 of the clutch unit A, the unit will rotate 180 through means to be described later, until the shoulders 122 and 7123' of the V 7 discs 84 and 86 strike the edge 121 of the armature 108.

. This brings about rotation of the cylinder 9, to the second plate 15'by aball 'bear-ing'96 and a roller bearing 97,

leftmost column, FIG. 10, through the shifting of the cables 63 and 64.

Through the differential control of the eccentric units, binary sums representative of the eight different column positions on the type cylinder areachieved. The clutch units D, E and F for controlling row selection are also capable of making eight different selections, thereby providing for a selectionof sixty-four type characterfpositions to force the :discs apart into'frictional engagement with;

the continuously/rotating discs 94. 1 I

Upon release of an armature, i.c.'16=7, the

. associated disc 556 will, through frictional engagement with the disc 94 juxtaposed thereto, rotate therewith to wedge against the sloped edges of the adjacent disc 34, binding the two discs between adjacent discs 94 so as to rotate 180 with the discs until the blocking edge 123 of disc 85 (which is also the leading edge since it rotated first) strikes the second armature res, breaking the Wedging action and detenting the disc 84.

From the above it will be seen that the eccentric members are rotated from any one position to an alternate position only when required due to the particular coded command and are only again rotated when required by a new command. That is, any one eccentric member may remain in either of its two positions through two or more different commands depending on the particular coding of such commands.

A paper strip 125, FIGS. 2 and 11, is retained in a holder 126 in a fanfold fashion and is presented to the printer through an angled guide 127 from whence it passes around a stationary cylinder 128 and onto a paper feed wheel 129.

The stationary cylinder 123 has a pair of radially aligned slots 131 formed therein to support and guide a print hammer 13:2 having a print head 133 positioned adjacent the type cylinder 9.

A cam follower 134, rotatably mounted on a shaft 135, moves transversely of the cylinder 128 and type cylinder 9 in a plane parallel the hammer 132. A pin 136 projecting from the follower 134 fits into a hole 137 of the hammer so that, upon counterclockwise rotation of the follower, the hammer will be carried towards the cylinder 9, moving the paper 125 and an ink ribbon 138 therewith, so that upon striking the cylinder 9, an image of the particular type character previously selected will be transferred by the ribbon.

The cam follower 134 carries at its opposite end a roller 1359 which rides on the outer periphery of a earn 141, the cam being integrally formed on a sleeve 14%) of a clutching member 142 which is similar to that described in association with the eccentric members except that only one magnet armature is provided for controlling the same, thereby allowing the cam to rotate 360 under control of the armature 143 of an electromag net 144. i

Theclutching member 142 is mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 145 which is supported between plates 15 and 41 in bearings (not shown) A motor 146 having an output shaft 147, FIGS. 1 and 3, is mounted between the plates 15 and 41 by screws 14-8. The shaft 14-? projects through an opening 149 in the-{plate 41 sothat a gear 15d mounted thereon can drive the shaft 145 through a compound gear 151 and a gear 152 secured on the shaft and meshing with the wherein the flanges 1590f the, ring can be compressed between the discs 155 for support of the ring 158. The

ring 158 has on its outer periphery a band 151 ofmaterial having a hi hcoeflicieht of friction, such as rubber.

The shaft 156 is supported at itsopposite endsin bearing supports 162 which'ai e so positioned that the ring 158 will hold the paper against a transparentcover plate 163 formed of a material having a low coeiiicient of friction, such as glass. The distance between the cover plate 163 and the center line of shaft 15d is less thanthe radius of the ring 158. Therefore, the ring will be forced e'ccentrically of the shaft and discs 155 gear drive unit N8 for driving the shaft 169.

while'the pressure upon the flanges 159 by the discs will retain pressure of the band 161 against the paper.

Rotation of the shaft 156 will rotate the discs 155 and through the flanges 159 the ring 158 will be rotated, thereby yieldably advancing the paper under the influence of the band 161 which presses the paper against the cover plate 163.

The pressure against the paper is constant even if the thickness of the paper should vary due to the ring being eccentric to the discs. As the discs rotate, the pressure between the ring and cover plate causes the flanges to slip in a direction away from the cover.

In effect, it could be said that the ring rotates about its center under control of the cover, and the distance of eccentricity between the ring and the flanges varies in accordance with the thickness of the strip 125.

If desired, the portion of the cover plate 163 directly opposite the printed matter appearing on the tape 125 could be relieved or cut away to prevent smudging as the tape passes over such cover plate.

The shaft 156, FIGS. 11 and 13, extends out beyond its support bearings and has a drive pulley 164 mounted thereon which is connected through a drive belt 165 to a second pulley 166 mounted on a rotatable shaft 167, supported parallel to the shaft 156 in bearings carried by plates 14 and 15.

The ink ribbon 138 is in a continuous loop and is intermittently driven by a hub 139!) having an ink absorbing ad 1419 fitted around its base, which while driving the ribbon also supplies fresh ink to the same as the ribbon passes therearound.

The ribbon 138 is guided from the hub 13% by a pair of rollers 1 .2 and 143. From the roller 143, the ribbon passes between the print head 133 of the hammer 132 and the type cylinder and thence passes over a roller 1.44 and onto and around the pad 1410 of the hub 13%. The hub 13% is mounted on a shaft 169, FIG. 13, rotatably supported in bearings (not shown) carried by suitable frames.

The shaft 145 has a second clutch 172, similar to that associated with each of the eccentric members except that two diametrically opposed stop shoulders are formed thereon. The clutch carries the drive gear of a worm The shaft 159, in turn, carries the drive gear of a helical gear drive unit 171 which drives the shaft 167 and, through the drive belt 165, the shaft 156.

The gear reduction of the worm gear unit 168 is such that one half revolution of the shaft 145 will transfer an equivalent of one character space of movement to the shaft 169 and therefore to the ribbon. The helical gear unit 171 is in a 1:1 ratio, as are the pulleys 164 and 1 66, so that the paper is spaced the same amount as the ribbon.

The circuitry for controlling the printer is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9 wherein 64 input lines, one for each different character, are connected to a matrix systern 173 or" which there are six outputs 174, three for the control of the magnets 1&9 and 110 of units A, B and C, and three for the control of the magnets 10? and 11b of units D, E and F.

Since each of the outputs of the matrix 173 passes through a similar circuit arrangement to control a re spective pair of magnets 1G9 and 11%, it appears necessary to describe but one circuit, it being understood that the other five outputs pass through similar circuits to control the other unit magnets. The upper output 174, for example; of the matrix system'173 passes through an inverter175 to an and gate-176. The output of the inverter 175 also passes over aline 177 and through a second inverter 173 to a second and gate 179.

The arrangement of the inverts is such that if the input to one of the and gates is in its high state, the input of the other IWilI be opposite or in its low state. Therefore,

arena-as only the gate with the high input will pass a pulse to a respective amplifier 181 upon the application of a print command pulse over a line 182 which, in turn, will energize its respective magnet.

An example of character selection can be found by referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein energizing of a units magnet 109 represents movement of the corresponding eccentric member to a binary 1 position whereas encrgizing of a zero magnet 110 represents movement of the corresponding eccentric member to a binary 0 position. For selection of the character S, the respective output lines 174 of matrix 173 for the different units will be as follows: A-high, B-low, C-low, D-low, E-higi1 and F-high, which through the circuitry above described will position the eccentrics of the respective units: A: l, B=0, C=0, D20, 13:1 and Pzl.

By referring to the chart associated with the developed view of the type cylinder, FIG. 10, it can be seen that Azl, B:0 and 6:0 represents column #4 of the cylinder and that D=0, E 1 and 5:1 represent row 3 of the drum. It will be noted that the units are selected concurrently, resulting in the type character S being positioned opposite the print hammer.

The timing of the printer is such that during the first 180 of a cycle, character selection occurs, while during the second 180 of the cycle actuation of the print hammer occurs, following which the paper and printing ribbon are advanced.

The timing of the hammer actuator is such that the magnet 144, FIGS. 2 and 9, is energized at the same time that the character selection magnets are energized by the print command pulse which passes over the line 132, FIG. 9, line 133, and through an amplifier 184 to the magnet 144. The engagement of the clutch 1412 therefore occurs at the same time that the character selection occurs and a'cam 185, P16. 13, formed on the sleeve 14%) of the clutch will, through a pin 1% mounted on a clutch control dog 137 of clutch 1'72, actuate said dog about its pivot shaft 25th toward the end of the cycle of clutch 142, thereby engaging the clutch 172 to initiate a paper feed. However, just prior to engagement of the clutch 1'72, a cam lobe 188 on cam 141 will lift the cam follower 134 to effect a print. Following such print operation, the matrix 173 may be energized to select the next character to be printed. This may occur during and after advancement of the paper strip to the next print line.

Although the invention has been described in detail andcertain specific terms and languages have been used, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictive and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto. p 1

. Having thus described the invention, what is be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impressionfrom any of saidtype characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position one of said esired to type characters in alignment with said printing device, means operatively connecting said first cable'length adjacent one end thereof to said type member, means anchoring saidcable length adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second length of cablefor rnoving. said'type member in an opposite direction to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, means operatively connecting said second cable length adjacent one end-thereof to said;type member, means anchoring said second cable length adjacent the opposite end'thereof,

an eccentric pulley eiement," said first cable length being wrapped over an eccentric-portion of said pulley element I from one direction, said second cable length being wrapped- OVCI' SZUd eccentric portionof said pulley element from 7 cable length to retract.

E, another direction, and se actively operable means for rotating said pulley element into one position whereby to advance one of said cable lengths to position one of said type characters in cooperative relation with said printing device and to permit the other to retract, said last mentioned means being selectively operable to rotate said pulley element into a second position whereby to advance said other cable length to position another of said type characters in cooperative relation with said printing device and to permit said 0 .e cable length to retract.

2. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any of said type characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position one of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, means operatively connecting said first cable length adjacent one end thereof to said type member, means anchoring said cable length adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second length of cable for moving said type member in an opposite direction to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, means operatively connecting said second cable length adjacent one end thereof to said type member, means anchoring said second cable length adjacent the opposite end thereof, an eccentric member, a sheave rotatably mounted on an eccentric portion of said eccentric member, said first cable length being wrapped over said sheave from one direction, said second cable length being wrapped over said sheave from anoher direction, and selectively operable means for rotating said eccentric member into one position whereby to advance one of said cable lengths to position one of said type characters in cooperative relation with said printing device and to permit the other to retract, said last mentioned means being selectively operable to rotate said eccentric member into a second position whereby to advance said other cable length to position another of said type characters in cooperative relation with said printing device and to permit said one 3. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any one of said type'characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position one of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second length of cable for moving said type member in an opposite d-irection'to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, an eccentric pulley element, said first cable length 7 g i being wrapped over an eccentric portion of said pulley element from one'direction, said second cable length being wrapped over said eccentric portion of said pulley element from an opposite direction, and selectively operable means for rotating said pulley element into one poextends in said opposite direction whereby to advance said other cable length and permit said one cable length to retract.

4. Printing apparatus comprising a type 'membierhav,

in a plurality of. spaced type characters thereon,a printmg device for obtaining a printing impression from any one ofsaid type characters, a first length of cable for i movmgsa d type member in one direction to position-one of saidtype characters alignment with said printing dev1ce,-a second length ;of cable "for moving .said'type member in an opposite 'direction to position another-of sa d type characters'inalignment with said printing device, a drive shaft, a pulley element eccentrically mounted on said shaft, said firstcable length being Wrapped over saidpulley element from one direction, said second cable length being wrapped over said pulleyplement from anferent ones of other direction, a clutching device for clutching said pulley element to said shaft, a first clutch control device for causing said clutch to rotate said pulley element into one position whereby to advance one of said cable lengths, and a second clutch control device for causing said clutching device to rotate said pulley element into a second position to advance the other of said cable lengths.

5. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any one of said type characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position one of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second length of cable for moving said type member in an opposite direction to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, an eccentric, a sheave rotatably mounted on said eccentric, a rotatable drive shaft, means on said shaft for yieldably rotating said eccentric, said first cable length being wrapped over said sheave from one direction, said second cable length being wrapped over said sheave from an opposite direction, said eccentric being effective upon rotation to a first position to advance one of said cable lengths and to allow the other of said cable lengths to retract, said eccentric being effective upon rotation to a second position 180 from said first position to advance said other cable length and to allow said one cable length to retract, means comprising a first abutment member for arresting said eccentric in said first position and a second abutment member for arresting said eccentric in said second position; and means for selectively causing one or the other of said abutment members to arrest said eccentric.

6. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any of said type characters, a cable for moving said typemenn ber to position dillerent ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a rotatable drive shaft, a plurality of eccentric pulley elements on said shaft, means guiding said cable serially over eccentric portions of said pulley elements, said pulley elements being each rotatable to either of two positions to respectively effectively lengthen or shorten said cable whereby to position differout one of said characters in printin position relative to said printing device, and means for selectively rotating difsaid pulley elements into either of said po' sitions thereof.

7t Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device "for obtaining a printing impression from any one of said type characters, a cable for moving said type member to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a plurality of eccentric pulley elcmen'ts, means guiding said cable serially over said pulley. elements, said pulley elements being each rotatable to either of two positions 180 apart to effectively lengthen or shorten said cable whereby to position different ones of said characters in printing position relative to saidrprinting device, one of said pulley any of said type characters, a cable for moving said type member to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a rotary drive shaft, a plurality of eccentric pulley elements on said shaft, means for guiding said cable serially over said pulley elements, said pulley elements being each rotatable to either oftwo'positions relative to said guiding means elements having an eccentricity twice that of another of t 1% to effectively lengthen or shorten said cable, clutching devices for clutching respective ones of said pulley elements to said shaft, and means for selectively controlling each of said clutching devices to rotate respective ones of said pulley elements into either of said positions thereof.

9. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any one of said type characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position difierent ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second length of cable for moving said type member in an opposite direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a rotatable drive shaft, a plurality of eccentric elements on said shaft, said first cable length being Wrapped serially over said elements, said elements being each rotatable into either of two positions to effectively lengthen or shorten said first cable length, said second cable length being wrapped serially over said elements in a manner to effectively shorten when said first cable length is lengthened and to effectively lengthen when said first cable length is shortened, clutch devices for clutching respective ones ofsaid elements to said shaft, and means for selectively controlling each of said clutch devices to rotate respective ones of said elements into either of said two positions thereof.

10. Printing apparatus according to claim 9 comprising sheaves rotatably mounted on respective ones of said eccentric elements for supporting said cable lengths.

11. Printing apparatus comprising a cylindrical type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any of said type characters, a first cable for axially moving said type member to position dilferent ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second cable for rotatably moving said type member to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a rotatable drive shaft, first and second groups of eccentric pulley elements on said shaft, said first cable being wrapped serially over said pulley elements of said first group, said second cable being wrapped serially over said pulley elements of said econd group, said pulley elements being each rotatable to either of two positions to effectively lengthen or shorten therespective said cable, clutching devices for clutching respective ones of said pulley elements to said shaft, and means for selectively and concurrently controlling said clutching devices to rotate respective ones of said pulley elements into either of said positions thereof.

12. Printing apparatus comprising a cylindrical type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing im pression from any of said type characters, a first cable for moving said type member in one direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second-cable for moving said type memher in the opposite direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a rotatable drive shaft, a group of eccentric pulley elements on said shaft, said first cable being wrapped serially over said pulley elements, said first cable approaching each of said pulley elements from onedirection, said second cable being wrapped serially over said pulley elements, said second cable approaching each of said pulley elements from a direction opposite to that of said first cable, said pulley elements .being each rotatable to either of two positions apart to effectively lengthen or shorten the respective said cable, and means for rotating selected ones of said pulley elements into either of said two positions thereof. t

13. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a print ing hammer cooperable with one of said type characters to obtain a printing impression, a first cable for moving l 3. said type memberto position one of said type characters in printing position, a second cable for moving said type member to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing hammer, a plurality of eccentric pulley elements, means for guiding said first cable serially over said pulley elements, said pulley elements being each rotatable into either of two positions 180 apart to efifectively lengthen or shorten said first cable whereby to position different ones of said characters in printing position, one of said pulley elements having an eccentricity twice that of another of said pulley elements and a third of said pulley elements having an eccentricity twice that of said one pulley element, means for guiding said second cable serially over said pulley elements, in a manner to eilectively shorten said second cable when said first cable is lengthened and to effectively lengthen said second cable when said first cable is shortened, means for selectively rotating different ones of said pulley elements into either of said two positions thereof, and means for actuating said type hammer to obtain a printing impression from an aligned one of said type characters.

14. Printing apparatus comprising a cylindrical type member having a plurality of type characters thereon, a printing hammer, a first cable length for axially moving said type member in one direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing hammer, a second cable length for axially moving said type member in the opposite direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing hammer, a first group of eccentric pulley elements, said first cable length being wrapped serially over said pulley elements, said pulley elements being each rotatable into either of two positionsto effectively lengthen or shorten said first cable length, said second cable length being wrapped serially over said pulley elements in a manner to effectively shorten when said first cable length is lengthened and to effectively lengthen when said first cable length is shortened, a third cable length for rotatably moving said type member in one direction to position different ones of said type characters in alignment with said printing hammer, a fourth cable length for rotatably moving said type member in the 0p said fourth cable length being wrapped serially over said pulley elements of said second group in a manner to effectively shorten when said third cable length is lengtl ened and to effectively lengthen when said third cable length is shortened, means for selectively rotating different ones of said pulley elements into either of said two positions thereof, and means for elliecting relative movement between said type member and said hammer to obtain a printing impression from an aligned one of said type characters.

15. Printing apparatus comprising a type member having a plurality of spaced type characters thereon, a printing device for obtaining a printing impression from any of said type characters, a first length of cable for moving said type member in one direction to position one of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, a second length of cable for moving said type member in an opposite direction to position another of said type characters in alignment with said printing device, an eccentric pulley element, a rotatable drive shaft, means on said shaft for yieldabiy rotating said pulley element, said first cable length being wrapped over said pulley element from one direction, said second cable length being wrapped over said pulley element from another direction, said pulley element being eflective upon movement to one position to advance one of said cable lengths and allow the other of said cable lengths to retract, said pulley element being effective upon movement to a second position to advance said other cable length and to allow said one cable length to retract, means comprising a first abutment member movable into arresting position to arrest said pulley element in said one position, and a second abutment member movable into arresting position to arrest said pulley element in said second position; and means for selectively moving one or the other of said abutment members into said respective arresting position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UlJlTED STATES PATENTS 723,567 White MaLvZ l, i903 775,739 White Nov. 22, 1904 2,363,253 Larson Nov. 2i, 1944 2,661,683 Beatti D'5C.f-8, 153 2,862,389; Potts Dec. 2, 1958 2,905,301 Bonner Sept. 22, 1959- 2,905,302 Hiclterson Sept. 22, 1959 3,029,921 Reynard Apr. 17, I962

Claims (1)

1. PRINTING APPARATUS COMPRISING A TYPE MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED TYPE CHARACTERS THEREON, A PRINTING DEVICE FOR OBTAINING A PRINTING IMPRESSION FROM ANY OF SAID TYPE CHARACTERS, A FIRST LENGTH OF CABLE FOR MOVING SAID TYPE MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION TO POSITION ONE OF SAID TYPE CHARACTERS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PRINTING DEVICE, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID FIRST CABLE LENGTH ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID TYPE MEMBER, MEANS ANCHORING SAID CABLE LENGTH ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, A SECOND LENGTH OF CABLE FOR MOVING SAID TYPE MEMBER IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO POSITION ANOTHER OF SAID TYPE CHARACTERS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PRINTING DEVICE, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID SECOND CABLE LENGTH ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID TYPE MEMBER, MEANS ANCHORING SAID SECOND CABLE LENGTH ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, AN ECCENTRIC PULLEY ELEMENT, SAID FIRST CABLE LENGTH BEING WRAPPED OVER AN ECCENTRIC PORTION OF SAID PULLEY ELEMENT FROM ONE DIRECTION, SAID SECOND CABLE LENGTH BEING WRAPPED

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