US3200740A

US3200740A - High speed printer with ribbon-shift assembly for permitting printing in different ink

Info

Publication number: US3200740A
Application number: US171520A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank H Schaller; David W Hubbard
Original assignee: Sperry Rand Corp
Current assignee: Sperry Corp
Priority date: 1962-02-06
Filing date: 1962-02-06
Publication date: 1965-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-17

Description

SCHALLER ETAL 3,200,740 ER WITH RIBBON-SHIFT ASSEMBLY G PRINTING IN DIFFERENT INK Aug. 17, 1965 F. H.

HIGH SPEED PRINT FOR PERMITTIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1962 INVENTORJ 04100 W Hues/m0 FRANK H .yc/Mure Aug. 17, 1965 F. H. SCHALLER ETAL 3,200,740

HIGH SPEED PRINTER WITH RIBBON-SHIFT ASSEMBLY FOR PERMITTING' PRINTING IN DIFFERENT INK Filed Feb. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTORS 0AV/0 14 Hl/EBARD BY Fem/A H 50/441 5/? United States Patent HIGH SKEEE) PRINTER WZTH RIEBGN-EiHEFT AS- SEMBLY FUR. PERWTTTHNG PRINTING TN DEF- FERENT TNK Frank H. dchaller, Westport, and David W. Hubbard, Stamford, Conn, assignors to Sperry Rand Corpora= tron, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 171,526 12 Claims. (Cl. MIL-9e) The subject matter of this invention pertains, in general, to printing machines; and, in particular, to a ribbon-shift assembly for incorporation with such machines to permit selected portions of information to be printed in different inks.

Although the ribbon-shift assembly provided by this invention may be incorporated in many kinds of printing machines, particularly beneficial results, hereinafter ap pearing, are achieved when it is incorporated in high-speed printing machines. Accordingly, the subject ribbon-shift assembly is hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, as being incorporated in a high-speed printing machine of the rotary type-wheel kind. High-speed printing machines of this kind are especially useful for recording, on paper, at very high printing rates, the very great quantities of information received in the form of coded electrical signals from a computing machine during very brief durations of time.

The paragraph, next following, will provide an introductory appreciation of the nature and basic operating principle of the high-speed, rotary type-wheel printing machine which is, as is set forth in greater detail hereinafter, operationally enhanced by the incorporation of the subject ribbon-shift assembly therein:

A selected character, embossed on the peripheral surface of a continuously rotating type-wheel is printed through an inked web, or ribbon, on recording paper as the face of a hammer, actuated by control means, presses a small portion of the recording paper and inked web against the embossed character at the instant the hammers face and the embossed character are, substantially, in face-toface alignment.

The operating principle of commercially available rotary type-whee1 printing machines is, basically, the same as that just described. Characteristically, such printing machines are so constructed as to embody the sophistications needed to perform their principal task-printing; as well as many other tasks ancillary thereto. Accordingly, in order to provide an introductory appreciation of a commercial embodiment of a rotary type-wheel printing machine, the four paragraphs, next following, describe, briefly, the nature and operation of such a typical, commercially-available printing machine.

Instead of individual type-wheels, it is usual to employ an elongated drum, or cylinder, which is arranged for rotation on a driven shaft. Characters of the alphabet, numerals, and other intelligence-bearing symbols are embossed on the type-drums peripheral surface. The embossed characters, or type faces, as they are often called, are arranged in a row-and-column array on the druins surface; parallel rows of type faces run longitudinally along the surface; and, running circumferentially from line to line, the type faces form columns.

Spaced apart from, and parallel with, the axis of the drum is an assembly of hammers and hammer actuators. There are as many hammers as there are columns of type face; a first hammer being situated proximate to the first column; a second hammer being proximate to the second column, a third hammer proximate to the third column; and so forth. Each of the hammers has a separate actuator associated therewith.

A character-storage unit, a type face detection unit and ice a character-comparison unit cooperate to select and control the hammer actuators in such manner that a line of type is printed during a complete revolution of the typedrum.

A line of characters to be printed is stored in the character-storage unit. Usually, the characters are stored in a binary code form; each character being uniquely represented by such code form. For each column of type face on the type-drum, the type face detection unit serves to provide an instantaneous binary-coded signal which is representative of the embossed character, or type face, which is just arriving in print position; i.e., at the position where the type face and hammer face are in face-to-face alignment. The particular binary-coded character to be printed in a particular column is compared in the character-comparison unit with every binary-coded character signal, in the particular column, generated by the type face detection unit. When there exists an identity of the binary-coded characters, the comparison unit functions to cause the hammer actuator associated with the particular column to operate the hammer.

A fuller appreciation of the kind of high-speed printing machine just described, as well as of the many sophistications embodied thereinto, is to be had by referring to the descriptions and illustrations appearing in the specifications and drawings accompanying the following United States Patents: No. 2,978,977 for a High Speed Printer, granted on April 11, 1961, to l. P. Eckert, Jr., et al.; No. 2,954,731 for an Electronically Controlled High Speed Printer, granted on October 4, 1960 to D. C. Durand et al.; No. 2,915,966 for a High Speed Printer granted on December 8, 1959 to M. lacoby; No. 2,938,193 for a Code Generator, granted on May 24, 1960 to l. P. Eekert, Jr., et al.; and, No. 2,842,663 for a Comparator, granted on July 8, 1958 to I. P. Eckert, IL, et a1.

High-speed printing machines of the kind hereinbefore described perform the printing function remarkably well. The rate at which information is printed is very high. For example, from 400 to 600 lines of characters can be printed during one minute; each line having about characters.

In addition to performing the printing function very rapidly, such printing machines are very versatile. They can print information received directly, in electrical signal form, from a computer; and, they are adaptable for printing information which is fed to them in coded form on such media as punched cards, magnetic tape and the like.

Although they are rapid and versatile, presently known printing machines of the rotary type-wheel, or type-drum, kind are not versatile enough to print selected portions of the information in an ink which is different from that used in printing the rest of the information. Different colored inks, or different kinds of ink, cannot be used. For example, it is not possible for such presently known high-speed printing machines to print some lines of characters in ordinary black ink and certain other lines of characters in ordinary red ink, or magnetic ink. Shifting different inked webs, or ribbons, in and out of print position will enable such an achievement. Such schemes are often employed in slow-speed printing machines; for example, in the typewriter. But, such schemes are, to say the least, highly impractical for use in printing machines which must perform the printing function very rapidly. In the rotary type wheel kind of printer, hereinbefore described, it would be most impractical to shift one inked web out of print position and shift another one into print position in order to print a selected line of information in a different color. To achieve such shifting, this kind of printer would have to sufier great revision. Its size and weight would increase. Many components would have to be added. Operationally, it would be highly complex. But, such revision and addition would, necessarily, con- I a mi) vert the printer from a highspeed machine to a slowspeed one.

However, there exists a more fundamental reason which militates against serious consideration of shifting such inked webs into .and out of print position: The rather large size of the inked web, or wide ribbon, and the way in which it is arranged in relation to the type drum and the recording paper makes it highly impractical to try to shift it into or out of print position. Those persons familiar with rotary type-wheel printing machines know the relative arrangement and understand the need for having such a large inked web. (A momentary reference to FIG 1 of the accompanying drawing figures will greatly aid the visualization of the inked web 24 and its arrangement relative to the recording paper 10 and the assembly of type-wheels 18.) High-speed printing machines use up the ink which impregnates the web at a very rapid rate. Therefore, it is usual to provide an ade quate supply of ink by using a web, or wide ribbon, which is very large; very much larger than the familiar typewriter ribbon. Typically, the dimensions of the web provided are as follows: the width of the web is substantially the same as the length of the type drum, or the length of the line of characters to be printed; and, lengthwise it is very long, e.g. six-hundred times the width. The direction of web feed, in the print position area, is perendicular to the lines of printing on the recording paper. Accordingly, the large inked web, arranged as illustrated and described, is not easily adaptable for being shifted out of print position to permit another inked web, or rib 'bon, to be shifted into print position.

Of course, such large Web dimensions are needed in order to provide an adequate ink storage capacity. onceptually, a narrow inked ribbon, arranged parallel with a line of print, could be used; i.e., like the inked ribbon which is used in such slower speed machines as the typewriter. However, in order to provide an ink storage capacity in an amount equal to that of the large inked web, a narrow inked ribbon would have to be enormously long. Supply and take-up reels having prohibitively large diameters would, necessarily, have to be used with a narrow ribbon. Narrow ribbon, in the very great lengths required, is not a commercially available item.

conceptually, shorter lengths of the narrow, inked ribbon could be used; but, at the cost of sacrificing ink storage capacity. The sacrifice of storage capacity would necessitate frequent interruption of printing so that fresh ribbon could be instai led Each such interruption would, of course, be costly. Often, an interruption would be thoroughly intolerable because of the need for continuous print-out of data; e.'g., in applications Where the results of process control computations are needed in a relatively short time after a change in the process variables.

Therefore, the objectives achieved by this invention include: the provision of a ribbon-shift assembly which enables selected portions of information to be printed in different colors, or kinds, of ink; the provision of a ribbonshift assembly which enables such selective printing by high-speed printing machines of the rotary type-wheel kind; and, the provision of such a ribbon-shift assembly which can, easily and economically, be incorporated into a wide variety of printing machines, including high-speed printers of the rotary-type wheel kind.

Accordingly, .the paragraph, next following, provides an introduction, albeit brief, to the subject matter embodying the invention, the full appreciation of which is to be had by referring to the description and claims, hereinafter appearing, as Well as to the accompanying drawing figures.

Wit-h a .printing machine, which includes an assembly of type faces available for recording characters on paper by impression through an inked medium situated between the paper and type faces there is combined an additional inked medium and means for positioning it between the paper and the first-mentioned inked medium. Because the additional inked medium is next to the paper, type face impression through both inked media will permit character recordation in the color, or kind, of ink Wlll'Ch is contained by the additional inked medium. In order to prevent intermix-ing of the inks contained by the media, t the additional inked medium includes a masking material situated at the interface between the inked med1a.

Accordingly, an important feature ofthis invention is the provision of an additional inked medium and means for positioning it relative to another inked medium. For

example, in the illustrative embodiment hereinafter described, in addition to .a web containing black ink, a ribbon containing red ink may be interposed, by a solenoidactuated assembly, between the recording paper and the inked web.

Another important feature of this invention is the employment of an additional inked medium having a coating to prevent intermixture of the inks. For example, in the illustrative embodiment hereinafter described, a

ribbon containing red ink has one side thereof covered with a material suitable for masking the ribbon from a web containing black ink.

Other objective achieved, other features and advantages, as well as a fuller appreciation of the inventlon is to be had by referring to the following description of one embodiment thereof; and, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration, in perspective and partly cut-away, showing a portion of a rotary type-wheel printing machine having an inked ribbon and rlbbon shifting means incorporated therein, in addition to its inked web; the hammers and hammer actuating mechanism being omitted for clarity.

rFIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of the printing machine shown at FIG. I, viewed along the lines 2--2 thereof, showing, among other things, the relative arrangement of a rotary type-wheel, a recordmg paper, an inked web, a print hammer assembly and an lnked ribbon.

FIG. 3 is an illustration, in perspective, showing a portion of the inked ribbon and part of the means for shifting it; and particularly showing the masking material portion of the inked ribbon.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which illustrates electrical control circuitry for conditioning and shifting an inked ribbon into, or out of, print position.

As is illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a strip of recording paper 10 is advanced by drive means, not shown, over the sprocket wheels, 12 and 14, in the direction 59 indicated by the arrows. The recording paper 10 is advanced, line by line, by controlled drive means of the type, and in a manner, which is well known to those persons familiar with rotary type-wheel printing niachines. One example of a controlled drive means which may be used is described in the specification, and illustrated in the drawing figures, accompanying the hereinbefore-identified patent granted to M. Jacoby.

Situated across from one face of the recording paper is a rotary-type-drum comprising many type-wheels.

0 Each type-wheel being designated by the reference number 18, is keyed to a rotatable shaft 20 by a key mem ber 22 so that all of the type-wheels 18 are locked in side-by-side relationship to form a type-drum. For simplicity of illustration, 'only the two end type wheels at 35 each end of the type drum are shown at FIG. 1.

Between the type-drum and strip of recording paper 10 there is situated an inked web 24 (shown partly broken away for clarity of illustration) which is advanced, intermittently, around a portion of the type 7 drums surface. The direction of intermittent advancement may be in the direction indicated by the arrows. A supply reel 26 and a take-up reel 28, controlled for rotation by means not shown, transport the inked web 24 around the type-drum. Two guide rollers, 30 and 32, and a type-drum guard member comprising two,

separated, curved plates, 34 and 36 (see FIG. 2, not shown at FIG. 1), serve to guide the inked web 24 around the type-drum.

The curved plates, 34 and 36, forming the type-drum guard member, are illustrated at FIG. 2. They are separated so that the portion of the inked Web 24 at the PRINT POSITION AREA (labelled as such at FIG. 2) may assume a rectilinear attitude; and, of course, to provide an unobstructed path between a type face, on the type-Wheel 1 8 in the print position area, and the inked web 24.

The web 24, or wide ribbon, may be a suitable fabric Woven from natural, or syntheitc, fibers and impregnated with ink. The same ink-impregnated fabric as is presently used in the manufacture of typewriter ribbons will serve the purpose well. However, because the inked web 24 will be required to endure type face impressions at high repetition rates, and at high impulse values, it will tend to wear more readily than would the inked ribbons used in typewriters. Accordingly, it is generally advantageous to employ a high-strength, woven, synthetic fabric. For example, closely woven fibers of nylon, or the like, Will serve the purpose well. Printers ink of suitable viscosity and of the color, or kind, desired may be used to impregnate the woven fabric. For example, black printers ink which will adhere well to the synthetic fabric chosen may be used.

A print hammer assembly, designated, generally, by the reference number 3 8, is illustrated at FIG. 2. For purposes of clarity, it is not illustrated at FIG. 1. Comprising the hammer assembly 38 are: a hammer element 4ft, having a hammer face 42; a coil-encompassed core element, designated by the reference number 44; and, an armature member, designated by the reference number 46. As is well known to those persons familiar with rotary type-wheel printing machines, when the core element 44 is energized, the armature member 46 is attracted, electromagnetically, toward the core element 44 thereby causing the hammer element 44? to fly forward against a face of the recording strip ltl.

Arranged between the strip of recording paper it and the inked Web 24, is the inked ribbon 48. Like the inked web 24, the ribbon 48 may be made of woven natural, or synthetic, fibers. But, it is impregnated with a different color, or kind, of ink than that which impregnates the web 24. For example, fibers of nylon, or the like, may be closely woven to form a ribbon, or ribbon-like fabric. Printers ink of suitable viscosity and of the color, or kind, desired may be used to impreghate the woven fabric. For example, red ink, or magnetic ink, which will adhere well to the fabric chosen may be used.

Illustrated at FIG. 3 is, among other things, the inked ribbon :8 and a masking material d, integral with the ribbon. For purposes of clarity, the ribbon 48 and masking material 59 are shown in a partly disassembled condition. As is stated, hereinbefore, the purpose of the masking material 59 is to prevent intermiXing the black ink in the Web 24 with the red ink in the ribbon 48 when the ribbon 48 has been interposed between the recording paper lit and the web 24 for the purpose of printing a line of characters in red ink, rather than in black ink. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, it is assumed that the web- 24- is impregnated with black ink; and the ribbon 48 with red. Of course, other colors, or kinds of ink may be used. At FIG. 2 such an interposition is clearly illustrated. The ribbon 4-8 and its integral masking material St) is situated between the inked web 24 and the face of the paper 10. When so interposed, the masking material 50, being integral with the ribbon 48, is situated between the inked web 24 and the ribbon 43; the interchanging of inks between web and ribbon being thereby prevented.

Referring, again, to FIG. 3, the masking material 51 may be a membrane, or film, of synthetic material such Q as polyethylene, nylon, or the like. It is possible, also, to use a fabric of very closely woven fibers of synthetic material such as nylon, or the like. If the masking material is a Woven fabric it should, of course, be much more closely woven than the fabric of the ribbon 48. In any case, the masking material 56 should be relatively impervious to ink; i.e., ink should not be able to pass through it. It has been found advantageous to employ a ribbon 4-3 made from closely woven nylon fibers and a masking material 54 in the form of a thin membrane, or film, of nylon; the advantage being that the nylon fabric and membrane may be joined along the edge portions, designated, generally, by the reference number 52, by a heatsealing process.

The mechanisms for feeding, taking up and shifting the inked ribbon 48 (and, of course, the membrane Sil) are illustrated at FIG. 1. A supply reel 54, only partly shown for purposes of clarity, carries the membranebacked ribbon 48 thereon in a spool-like fashion. A takeup reel 56 is intermittently rotated by controlled rotation means, not illustrated, so that the ribbon 48 can be fed, intermittently, from the supply reel 54 to the take-up reel 56 in the direction indicated by the labelled arrow shown at FIG. 1. The controlled rotation means for intermittently feeding the inked ribbon iii are neither illustrated in the drawing figures nor described in great detail herein. Many such means are well known to those persons familiar with ribbon feeding mechanisms employed in typewriters and the like. For example, after a line of characters is printed in red ink by type face impression on the inked ribbon 48, the take-up reel can be partly rotated thereby taking up the slack in the ribbon 48 which has been fed by the capstan 63 and pinch rollers 66 and 7t) in the direction shown at FIG. 1. The reason for feeding and taking up the ribbon :8 is, of course, to provide fresh ribbon portions for the next occasion on which red-colored characters are to be printed; i.e., so that on the next occasion type face impressions will be made on the hitherto not used, or little used, portions of the ribbon 48.

For example, a driven shaft (not shown) suitably coupled with the take-up reel 56, as Well as with the capstan 63 and pinch rollers 66 and iii, may be turned by a camcontrolled clutch mechanism, or the like, to feed and take up the ribbon 43; such action being timed to occur after a line of characters is printed and when the recording paper It? is, likewise, being advanced to a new line position. However, as is stated hereinbefore, any of the many ways, and means, which are used to feed the inked ribbon in typewriting machines will be suggestive as to mechanisms for feeding the ribbon 48.

Shown, also, at FIG. 1 are means associated with the supply and take-up reels, 54 and as, which help to guide the membraned ribbon 48. Associated with the supply reel 54 is a ribbon guiding assembly comprising a guide roller 58 and a guide pin 6%, both of which are supported on a frame, not shown, of the printing machine by the

structural elements

62 and 64. As is shown in FIG. 1, the guide roller 53 and the guide pin 6% are arranged in a mutually perpendicular attitude so that the membranebacked ribbon 48 may be twisted so as to change its direction of feed. Advantageously, a more compact arrangement of the ribbon assembly is achieved. In like manner there is associated with the take-up reel 56, another ribbon guiding means comprising the guide pins 72, '74 and 76; the structural elements 73 and 89 being purposeful for supporting these guide rollers and guide pins to the frame, not shown, of the printing machine.

illustrated at F163. 1, 3 and 4 of the acompanying drawings are controlled means for shifting the membraned ribbon 48 into, or out of, the print position area; such area being indicated at FIG. 2.

Two hollow shafts, 32 and 84, are individually arranged on their respective solid shafts, 86 and $8, for sliding movement. For example, the hollow shaft 82 may be slid upwardly or downwardly, in the directions indicated by the arrows appearing at FIG. 3, on the solid shaft as which is coaxially situated within the hollow shaft 82. Similarly, the hollow shaft 34 is arranged on the solid shaft 88 for sliding motion; the

solid shafts

86 and 88 being immovable because they are rigidly fixed to the frame, not shown, of the printing machine. As an example, the solid shaft 86 is supported to the frame by the structural elements 91: and 92. The solid shaft 88 may be supported with like elements.

As is more clearly illustrated at FIG. 3, a shipper member, designated, generally, by the reference number 94 is fixed to the hollow shaft 82 so that it slides together with the shaft. Comprising the shipper member 94 are: two crosspiece elements 96; two pin members 98; and, that portion of the hollow shaft 82 which is between the crosspiece elements 96. The membrane-backed ribbon 48 is held between the shaft portion 82 and the roller members 98 as shown at FIGS. 1 and 3.

Two solenoid-type actuators, 16d and 1112, are associated with the hollow shaft 82. When actuated, in accordance with the scheme hereinafter set forth in the description pertaining to FIG. 4, both actuators cause the shipper member as to move the ribbon 48 into print position, or out of print position. As is shown at FIG. 1, each actu-- ator has a rotary lever: actuator 100 having the rotary lever 104; and, the actuator 1112 having the rotary lever 11%. Both levers, 1114 and1ti6, bear against the disklike element 163, which is fixed to the hollow shaft 82. As is illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the lever 106 bears against the upper surface of the disk-like element 108 and the lever 1G4 bears against the under surface of the element 1133.

Shown at FIG. 1 is another shipper member, designated, generally, by the reference number 110, which is comprised of elements, and members, like those hereinbefore described in the description pertaining to the shipper member 94; the shipper member 110 coacting with the hollow shaft 84 and ribbon 43 in the same manner. Because of like construction and function, further description is not necessary.

With the shipper member 111 are associated two solenoid-type actuators, 112 and 114, which are illustrated at FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. Also shown thereat are the rotary levers, 116 and 118, which are, respectively, associated with the

actuators

112 and 114.

Also shown, at FIG. 1 is another disk-like element which is connected to the hollow shaft 84 associated with the shipper member 110, in the same manner as the disklike element 198 is connected with the hollow shaft 82 of the shipper member 94. As is the case with the shipper member 94, the

rotary levers

116 and 118 function to move the shipper element 11% into, or out of, print position. As is described in greater detail hereinafter, the solenoid-actuated rotary levers 1114 and 116 operate in unison to slide the

shipper elements

94 and 110 upwardly, into print position; and, the solenoid-actuated rotary levers 1% and 113 operate in unison to slide the shipper elements 94 and 11d downwardly, out of print position.

Illustrated at FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical circuitry for shifting the membranedribbon 48 into, or out of, print position. The

shipper elements

94 and 110 are indicated as being in a down position; i.e., the membraned ribbon 48 is not in print position. This is accomplished by keeping the solenoid-actuators 1G2 and 114 energized; and, by keeping the solenoid-actuators 1M and 112 deenergized. Thus, the rotary levers 1G6 and 118 depress the disk-like elements associated with the shipper elements 94 and 111) downwardly. The rotary levers 1G4 and 116 do not provide any uplifting forces against the disk-like elements associ ated with their respective shipper elements because of the denergized condition of the

solenoid actuators

100 and 112. Accordingly, printing .in black ink through the inked web 24, only, is enabled.

In order to enable printing in red ink, the membraned ribbon 48 mus-t be shifted upwardly so as to be positioned between the inked web 24 and a piece of recording paper 1%. Accordingly, the solenoid-

actuators

102 and 114 are, first, deenergized; and, subsequently, the solenoid actuators 101) and 112 are energized. As a consequence, the

rotary levers

106 and 118 do not exert any downwardly directed forces on the disk-like elements associated with their respective shipper elements 94 and but, the

rotary levers

104 and 116 do exert upwardly directed forces thereby shifting both

shipper elements

94 and 110 upwardly. Accordingly, the membrane-backed ribbon 48 is in print position.

The solenoid-actuators 101), 102, 112 and 114 are rotary solenoids. Such solenoids are well known, commercially-available devices. Of course, many other kinds of actuating devices, arranged to function in a manner which will result in the shifting operation hereinbefore described, may be used. For example, a double-stroke, single solenoid may be used instead of the two rotary solenoids associated with each shipper element. Pneumatic or hydraulic actuators may also be employed.

When incorporated with a printing machine of the rotary type-wheel kind, the subject ribbon-shift assembly must, of course, be compatible, operationally, with such a machine. One control scheme for achieving ribbon shifting which is operationally compatible with a rotary type-Wheel printer is shown at FIG. 4. The operation and other components of the control scheme is described in the few paragraphs, hereinafter following:

Assume that a line of printing is being done in black ink; i.e., by type face impression, column-by-column, through the inked web 24. Of course, the membranebacked ribbon 48 is out of the print position area; i.e., in the down position, shown at FIG. 2. As is described hereinbefore, the solenoid-actuators are in the condition of energization, or deenergization, required to maintain the ribbon 43 in such a position.

If the next line of characters is to be printed in red ink, the

shipper elements

14 and 110 must be shifted by proper energization and denergization of the solenoid actuators, associated therewith. But, the shifting operation may only occur during the period between the termination of the presently occurring line of black printing and .the initiation of the next line of intended red printing.

One way of determining termination of the presently occurring black printing is to detect the end of a complete revolution of the assembly of type-wheels 18 which form the type drum. To do this, the counter 120, the sensing head 122 and the magnetic track 124 are employe-d.

The counter accumulates serially-received electrical pulses. When a finite number of pulses has been accumulated an electrical signal appears at the output terminals 126 of the counter. This output signal is fed along a path, diagrammatically indicated by the reference numher 128, to .the paper feed controlling means; such means comprising the brake mechanism 130 and the clutch rechanism 132. The paper strip 10 is, as is illustrated at FIG. 4, advanced by the rotatable sprocket wheels 134 when the brake mechanism 130 is disabled, or released, and the clutch mechanism 132 is energized, causing engagement thereof, so that the paper drive motor 136 may partially rotate the sprocket Wheels 134 through the action of the driven shaft portions 138. (When a line of characters is being printed the brake mechanism 130 is on; i.e., in the absence of the output signal on path 128, the brake mechanism operates to hold the shaft portions 138 and, of course, the sprocket wheels 134 at rest. In addition, the absence of the output signal operates to disengage the clutch mechanism 132 so that no rotational energy from the motor 136 is transmitted through the shaft portions 138.)

Therefore, the output signal, generated by the counter #120 along path 128, causes the brake mechanism 130 to release and, after a very short interval, it causes the clutch mechanism 132 to become engaged thereby permitting the paper strip 18 to advance. The brake mechanism 130 and the clutch mechanism l32 may he the fan i iar electromagnetically actuated type of mechanisms. Such mechanisms are well known to those slc'lled in the art.

During the period in which the paper strip it) is being advanced, printing does not, of course, occur. Therefore, the shipper elements 94 and lid may be conditioned and shifted into position. The conditioning and shifting is accomplished by the means, and in the way, described in the few paragraphs, next following:

When the clutch mechanism 132 and the brake mecha nism 130 have, respectively, engaged and released, the open contacts 149 and 142, close thereby conditioning the ribbon-shift circuitry for enabling ribbon shifting. The ribbon-shift circuitry comprises: the source 14 of the ribbon-shift command signal; the coil actuated single-pole double-throw swi ch 1465; the serially connected contacts,

and 142; and the conductor 14?.

When the brake mechanism 13% releases, the contacts lid-d close; when the clutch mechanism 132 engages, the contacts 142 close thereby proviting electrical continuity between the coil 1% of switch 146 and the command signal source Thus, when the contacts lid-ll and 142. are closed, a signal from the source 144 of the ribbonshift command is enabled to energize the coil 156 there by deenergizing the solenoid actuators i 92 and 114 and energizing the solenoid actuators lid) and 112 to raise the shipper elements 94 and lid into print position. The energization and deenergization of these solenoid actuators is accomplished when the energized coil 1% causes the transfer contact 35?; of the switch 46 to break contact with the l sted contact 154 and make contact with the other fixed contact 155d. As is illustrated at FIG. 4, the potential source tee is normally connected with the solenoid actuators i6 2, and 114 through the serially connected conductor 162, the transfer contact 152, the fixed contact 154- and the conductor When so connected the solenoid actuators lt2 and 114 keep the shipper elements 94 and llltl out of print position. But, when the command signal energizes the coil Edit, the potential source 169 is disconnected from the fixed contact 154 and, through the transfer contact 152, makes contact with the fixed Contact lfio thereby energizing the solenoid actuators tilt? and M2 through the conductor 166.

When the shipper elements and are shifted into print position in accordance with the foregoing conditioning and shifting operations and when the strip of record ing paper in has been advanced to a new line position, the printing machine is nearly ready to print a line of characters in red ink. To make the machine completely ready, the brake mechanism i359 must engage, or hold, the shaft 138 and the clutch mechanism 132 must be disengaged. ln order to do this the output signal, which is a direct current signal of a suitably finite duration, is self-terminating; the output si nal being that signal derived from the output terminals 126 of the counter 12%. The counter 12% is discussed hereinafter in more detail.

As is set forth hereinbefore, the serially-connected contacts 14% and 142 are associated with the brake mechanism 136 and the clutch mechanism 132, respectively; the contacts 14% having closed in response to energizetion releasing of the brake mechanism till; the contacts 14-2 having closed in response to the energization engaging of the clutch mechanism 132. But, when the output signal from the counter 12$ terminates, the contacts 14d and 142 are returned to their normally opened status. Although these contacts open and thereby cause the coil to become deenergized, the transfer contact 1522 still remains in contact with the fixed contact 156 so that the potential source res is still applied through the

conductors

164 and 166 to the solenoid actuators lllil and 112; the solenoid actuators 192 and 114 being, of course, deenergized. Therefore, although the counters output signal has terminated to cause the brake and clutch mechanisms, 13d and 132, to engage and disengage, respectively, and, in addition, to cause the contacts 14! and 142 to open, the shipper elements 4 and ill) are, nevertheless, still raised to keep the membraned ribbon 48 in the print position area so that the printing machine is completely ready, i.e. conditioned, for printing in red ink.

Each of the contacts 14% and 142 are closed, or opened, in response to the energization, or deenergization, of individual coils, not illustrated at FIG. 4, which are, respectively, associated with these contacts. One coil may be connected in parallel with the brake mechanism 1-30 to control the opening and closing of the contacts 146; similarly, another coil in parallel with the clutch mechanism controls the contacts 142. Such coil-controlled contacts are, of course, the commonly known relay. Accordingl since such relays are well known and for purposes of simplifying the drawing figures, these coils are not illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

As is illustrated at FIG. 4, and now, perhaps, fully understood from its func ioning, hereinbefore set forth, the witch 1 56 is an electromagnetically-controlled bistable, latching switch of the single-pole, double throw type. Electromagnetically-controlled switches, or relays, of this kind are well known, and widely used. One commercially available switch of this kind is described, briefly, in

- the paragraph, next-following:

Sealed within, and protruding through, a glass envelope there is a magnetizable, but not magnetically remanent, reed which is cantilevered from the envelopes wall. The free end of the reed is situated between two spacedapart fixed contacts, 354 and 156, which are sealed through the wall of an opposite end of the envelope; each of the fixed contacts are fashioned from a magnetizable, non-rcrnanent material such as soft iron or the like. The cantilevered reed may be of the same material. Two small permanent magnets are used; one of the magnets sets one of the fixed contacts to a north magnetic polarity; and, the other magnet sets the other of the fixed contacts to a south magnetic polarity. For purposes of clarity, these magnets are not illustrated at FIG. 4. When a coil 155 encompassing the envelope is energized, momentarily, with a command signal which produces a north magnetic polarity in the reed 152, i.e. the transfer contact, the reed 152 will be repelled by the fixed contact having that polarity. Simultaneously, the fixed contact having a south magnetic polarity will attract the reed i552. Thus, the reed will transfer from one fixed contact to the other if the magnetic pole reduced in the reed 152 and the magnetic polarity of the fixed contact with which the reed is in contact are of the same polarity.

Therefore, during the period when the serially-connected contacts 14d and 1 .2 are closed in response to the output signal from the counter 12.0, the source 144 of the command signal may be actuated to provide a signal of suitable magnetic polarity for the coil in order to transfer the contact 152; i.e., to change to red-ink printing from black-ink printing, or from black-ink printing to redink printing. Of course, in the absence of any command signal from the source 144, the printing ma chine will print the next line to be printed in the same ink as the line of printing just completed.

The actuation of a command signal from the source 144 may be done in many ways; automatically; semiautomatically; or manually, by a human operator. The means, or agency, to be used will depend, largely, on the printing application. For example, a human operator may, with a momentary contact switch mechanism which is in series with a source of direct current, select redink printing for the next line of printing while a line of black-ink printing is presently in progress. He may, selectively, press the switch mechanism during the blackink printing and hold the switch mechanism until the contacts 14% and 142 are closed to enable the transfer 1 ll contact 152 to change positions to effectuate the appropriate solenoid-actuators for red-ink printing. As another example, the source 144 may be appropriately proqgramed to print every fifth line in red ink. As-a fur- 1 may be achieved.

As is illustrated at FIG. 4, a code wheel 168 including an additional magnetic track 124 is fixed with the assembly of type-wheels 18 to a common rotatable shaft 20. Since such code wheels are well known in the art pertaining to rotary type-wheel printing machines, further description of the code wheel is not needed. The United States Patent No. 2,938,193 of J. P. Eckert, Jr., et al. discloses such a code wheel. Included on the periphery of such a code wheel is the additional magnetic track 124. The track 124 is a peripheral band region with evenly spaced dots of magnetic material situated around the band; there being at least as many dots on the band as there are rows of type face.

As the code wheel 168 and track 124 revolve, the sensing head 122 converts the sweeping action of the individual magnetic dots into serial electrical pulses. These serial electrical pulses are accumulated in the counter 120 until, as hereinbefore stated, a predetermined number of such pulses have been stored. For example, if there are 50 rows of type face and there are, correspondingly, 50 magnetic dots on the track 124, a complete revolution of the type-drum 13 will cause 50 electrical pulses to be stored in the counter 120. When these 50 pulses are accumulated, an output signal of finite duration is gated to the output terminals 126. The output signal may, for example, be a square-wave direct-current pulse having a period which is compatible with the time duration required for advancing the paper strip 16. The accumulated pulses are cleared from the counter 120 at the termination of the output signal so that the counter 120 is reset to start counting pulses as the next line of character printing is initiated.

Counters for performing the accumulation, gating and resetting functions hereinbefore described are well known devices which are widely used for many applications. Because, of the rather rapid printing rate of the rotary type-wheel printing machines, static, rapid-acting counters such as those employing glow-discharge electron tubes, or magnetic cores are, in general, preferred. One example of a counter which is adaptable for performing the aforementioned functions is comprised of: plural banks of glow-discharge counting tubes; and AND gate, suitably coupled with the banks of counting tubes; and, a square-wave generator which, when triggered by the AND gate, provides the required output signal for the path 128. Feedback circuitry coupled with the output terminals 126 of the counter 12G) may be employed for the purpose of clearing, i.e. resetting, the counter 120.

The rotary type-wheel printing machine with the ribbon-shift assembly hereinbefore described and illustrated in the companying drawing figures is to be considered as being an illustrative example of the invention. Many changes, substitutions for, and other arrangements of, the means hereinbefore described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the claims hereinafter set forth.

We claim:

1. A machine for printing characters from either of two inking media on the same surface of the same recording medium, comprising: an assembly of type faces; a-web impregnated with a first ink and arranged between said assembly and recording medium so that type face impressions on said web may be transferred as characters in said first ink onto the recording medium; a ribbon impregnated with a second ink; movable means mounting said ribbon and arranged for interposition of said ribbon between the Web and the same recording medium; said ribbon including an ink-impermeable masking medium so arranged that the ribbon, when so interposed, is separated from the web by the masking medium; and means for selectively interposing the ribbon whereby selected type face impressions may be transferred as characters in said second ink onto the same recording medium; transfer of first and second inks be tween said web and said ribbon being prevented by said masking medium.

2. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable, inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type face impressions on a re-' cording paper; another inked fabric, including an ink impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, ar ranged for interposition from a first position to a posi tion between the firstunentioned inked fabric and the recording paper, the membrane covering being disposed between both inked fabrics in the interposed position, whereby marks in ink of the second-mentioned fabric are left on said recording paper, and control means for selectively interposing the second-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shipper means engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuating said shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, a command signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means.

3. In a printer having opposable printing means including a multiplicity of type faces arranged along a printing line and means for feeding a material to be printed between said opposable printing means; a first strip carrying a first transfer material between said material to be printed and said opposable printing means in a direction transverse to said printing line; a second strip impervious to said first transfer material and carrying a second transfer material between said first strip and said material to be printed; means for feeding said second strip longitudinally along said printing line; and means for shifting said second strip transversely to said printing line in and out of a position adjacent said type faces and between said material to be printed and said first strip.

4. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable, inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type face impressions on a recording paper; another inked fabric, including an ink-impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, arranged for interposition between the first-mentioned inked fabric and the recording paper, the membrane covering being between both inked fabrics, whereby marks in ink of the second-mentioned fabric are left on the recording paper, and control means for selectively interposing the second-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shipper means engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuating said shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, a command signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said control circuit comprising switching means responsive to command signals to energize said solenoid means,

and means responsive to the completion of a line of print to connect said command signal source to enable it to actuate said switching means.

5. In combination with a printing machine including an impressionable, inked fabric which is arranged for leaving ink marks from type face impressions on a recording paper; another inked fabric, including an ink-impervious membrane covering a portion thereof, arranged for interposition between the first-mentioned inked fabric and the recording paper, the membrane covering being between both inked fabrics, whereby marks in ink of t3 the second-mentioned fabric are left on the recording paper, and control means for selectively interposing the second-mentioned inked fabric; said control means comprising shipper means engaging said second-mentioned fabric, solenoid means actuating said shipper means for interposing the second-mentioned fabric, a command signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said printer comprises initiating means responsive to the completion of a line of print to produce an output indicating such line-completion, and paper feed control means responsive to said line-indicating output to advance said recording paper for printing of a new line,

and said control circuit comprises switching means responsive to command signals to connect said solenoid means to an energizing potential, and means responsive to the paper-advancing condition of said paper feed control means to connect said command signal source to enable it to actuate said switching means.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein:

said solenoid means comprises at least a first coil energizable to interpose, and at least a second coil energizable to retract, said second-mentioned fabric; and said switching means comprises a polarized bistable control relay responsive to a command signal of one polarity to connect said first solenoid coil to an energizing potential and responsive to a command signal of a second polarity to connect said second solenoid coil to an energizing potential; said command signal source providing command signals of said first and second polarities for respectively interposing and retracting said second-mentioned fabric.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein:

said printer comprises a set of type faces of various characters for each position in a line of print, means for rotating said sets of type faces to present the various characters during the printing of a line, and means rotating with said sets of type faces and having a selected number of sensible markings recorded thereon;

and said initiating means comprises sensing means responsive to said markings to produce outputs corresponding thereto, and means receiving and counting said sensing means outputs and producing said line-indicating output when the count equals said selected number.

8. In a printer having opposable printing means including a multiplicity of type faces arranged along a printing line and means for feeding a material to be printed between said opposable printing means; a first strip carrying a first transfer material between said material to be printed and said opposable printing means in a direction transverse to said printing line; a second strip impervious to said first transfer material and carrying a second transfer material between said first strip and said material to be printed; means for feeding said second strip longitudinally along said printing line; and control means for selectively shifting said second strip transversely to said printing line in and out of a position adjacent said type faces and between said material to be printed and said first strip including shipper means engaging said second strip, solenoid means actuating said shipper means for interposing said second strip, a command signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said control circuit comprising switching means responsive to command signals to energize said solenoid means;

t4 9. In a printer having opposable printing means including a multiplicity of type faces arranged along a printing line and means for feeding a material to be printed between said opposable printing means; a first strip carrying a first transfer material between said material to be printed and said opposaole printing means in a direction transverse to said printing line; a second strip impervious to said first transfer material and carrying a second transfor material between said first strip and said material to be printed; means for feeding said second strip longitudinally along said printing line; and control means for selectively shifting said second strip transversely to said printing line in and out of a position adjacent said type faces and between said material to be printed and said first strip including shipper means engaging said second strip, solenoid means actuating said shipper means for interposing said second strip, a command signal source, and a control circuit responsive to said command signal source for actuating the solenoid-actuable shipper means,

said printer comprising initiating means responsive to the completion of a line of print to produce an output indicating such line completion, and paper feed control means responsive to said line-indicating output to advance said material to be printed for printing of a new line;

and said control circuit comprising switching means responsive to command signals to connect said solenoid means to an energizing potential, and means responsive to the paper-advancing condition of said paper feed control means to connect said command signal source ot enable it to actuate said switching means.

it The invention of claim 9 wherein:

said solenoid means comprises at least a first coil energizable to interpose, and at least a second coil energizable to retract, said second strip;

and said switching means comprising a. polarized bistable control relay responsive to a command signal of one polarity to connect said first solenoid coil to an energizing potential and responsive to a command signal of a second polarity to connect said second solenoid coil to an energizing potential;

said command signal source providing command signals for said first and second polarities for respectively interposing and retracting said second strip.

11. The invention of claim 9 wherein:

and said initiating means comprising sensing means responsive to said markings to produce outputs corresponding thereto, and means receiving and counting said sensing means outputs and producing said lineindicating output when the count equals said selected number.

12. In a selective printer type members settable in response to signals received from an electrical data input,

selectively actuable impression members defining a print position with a row of said settable type presented opposite thereto,

a first ink ribbon spanning the print position adapted to print on a sheet interposed between the type members and impression members,

means holding the first ink ribbon in said print position through successive imprint cycles,

a second ink ribbon, and means movably mounting same from a first position away from said print position to a second position covering the first ink ribbon at said print position,

said second ribbon mounting means being actuable from a signal in said electrical data input to move the r 1. 5 second ribbon to said print position to thereby prevent printing from said first ribbon and constituting the sole ink transferring medium for printing on the interposed sheet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,362 12/27 Kurowski 197 153 1,741,545 12/29 Smith 197 -153 1,800,399 4/31 Page 197-157 1,874,749 8/32 Henry 197 153 16 Cargill et :11 197-172 X Mannino 197-172 Phelps 197-172 Schmidt 197-153 Ellerbeck 101-96 Beattie 197-158 X Davis et a1. 101-93 Brown et a1. 101-93 Campbell et a1 197-172 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,200,740 August 17, 1965 Frank H. Schaller et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 39, for "hitherto" read hither i thereto column 10, line 49, for "pole reduced" read 1 pole induced Signed and sealed this 22nd day of March 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A MACHINE FOR PRINTING CHARACTERS FROM EITHER OF TWO INKING MEDIA ON THE SAME SURFACE OF THE SAME RECORDING MEDIUM, COMPRISING: AN ASSEMBLY OF TYPE FACES; A WEB IMPREGNATED WITH A FIRST INK AND ARRANGED BETWEEN SAID ASSEMBLY AND RECORDING MEDIUM SO THAT TYPE FACE IMPRESSIONS ON SAID WEB MAY BE TRANSFERRED AS CHARACTERS IN SAID FIRST INK ONTO THE RECORDING MEDIUM; A RIBBON IMPREGNATED WITH A SECOND INK; MOVABLE MEANS MOUNTING SAID RIBBON AND ARRANGED FOR INTERPOSITION OF SAID RIBBON BETWEEN THE WEB AND THE SAME RECORDING MEDIUM; SAID RIBBON INCLUDING AN INK-IMPERMEABLE MASKING MEDIUM SO ARRANGED THAT THE RIBBON, WHEN SO INTERPOSED, IS SEPARATED FROM THE WEB BY THE MASKING MEDIUM; AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY INTERPOSING THE RIBBON WHEREBY SELECTED TYPE FACE IMPRESSIONS MAY BE TRANSFERRED AS CHARACTERS IN SAID SECOND INK ONTO THE SAME RECORDING MEDIUM; TRANSFER OF FIRST AND SECOND INKS BETWEEN SAID WEB AND SAID RIBBON BEING PREVENTED BY SAID MASKING MEDIUM.