US3688888A

US3688888A - Type head setting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3688888A
Application number: US118811A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chien Van Der Werff
Original assignee: Olympia Werke AG
Current assignee: Olympia Werke AG
Priority date: 1970-03-05
Filing date: 1971-02-25
Publication date: 1972-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-05
Also published as: JPS4940647B1; DE2010272B2; DE2010272A1

Abstract

Two hemispherical type head halves with integral first bevel gears, are mounted on a carrier shaft for rotation about a first polar axis. The carrier shaft extends perpendicularly to, and is fixed to,an equatorial carrier plate in which independently driven second bevel gears, meshing with the first bevel gears are supported for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that one of the types on the hemispherical type head halves, can be selected for printing by turning the second bevel gears independently of each other by key controlled setting means.

Description

United States Patent van der Wei-ff 15'], 3,688,888 1 51 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] TYPE HEAD SETTING MECHANISM [72] Inventor: Chien van der Werlf, Carolinensiel,

Germany [73] Assignee: Olympia Werke A.G., Wilhelmshaven, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 118,811

30 Foreign Application Priority Date March 5, 1970 Germany ..P 20 10 272.1

52 US. 01 ..197/s2, 197/18 [51] Int Cl. ..B41j 1/60 5s FieldofSearch ..197/s2,1 s

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,207,874 7/1940 Reynolds ..197/5 2x 2,895,584 7/ 1959 l-lickerson et al 197/52 2,902,132 9/1959 Walker ..'l97/52 3,420,350 l/ 1969 Decker 1 97/52 X 3,348,649 10/1967 Cramer 197/52 Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Att0mey-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT Two hemispherical type head halves with integral first bevel gears, are mounted on a carrier shaft for rotation about a first polar axis. The carrier shaft extends perpendicularly to, and is-fixed to,an equatorial carrier plate in which independently driven second bevel gears, meshing with the first bevel gears are supported for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis'so that one of the types on the hemispherical type head halves, can be selected forprinting by tum- ,ing the second ,bevel gears independently of each other by key controlled setting means.

12'Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TYPE HEAD SETTING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Type heads are known which have two halves with hemispherical surfaces carrying types arranged in circular rows and transverse columns, and which are mounted on a carrier plate which has an equatorial position in relation to the hemispherical surfaces.

The German Pat. No. 1,063,612 discloses a device for setting a spherical type head to a selected type. In order to place the selected type in a printing position, the type head must perform a rotary motion and a tilting motion about two crossing axes. This requires a double universal joint for supporting the type head. The arrangement permits only limited tilting movement of the type head, so that it is not possible to use the entire surface of the type head for types, unless the type head has a very great diameter. This is due to the fact that the polar region of the spherical type head cannot be used for types.

The German Auflegeschrift No. 1,436,743 discloses a setting arrangement for a spherical type head in which the types are distributed over the entire surface of the type head. The type head has two rigidly connected hemispherical shells which are rigidly connected for rotation and which are rotatable relative to an equatorial carrier plate between the same. In order to place selected types in a printing position, the hemispherical shells are rotatable relative to the equatorial carrier plate, which is mounted in a tiltable bearing fork. The selection of circular lines of type is carried out by a rotary motion of the equatorial carrier plate about journals in the bearing fork, and the respective column of types is selected by rotating the hemispherical shells and the bearing fork. In order to obtain an exact positioning of a selected type, a complicated mechanism is required. To select certain types, motions of three different setting means are required, which reduces the speed and accuracy of selection of the respective types.

It is one object of the invention to provide a type head setting mechanism in which the hemispherical surfaces of a type head are fully used for types, but which is free of the above explained disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type head setting mechanism which can be accurately operated at high speed, and consists of only few parts.

With these objects in view the present invention provides in the interior of a type head including two hemispherical halves, a differential bevel gear transmission having at least one first bevel gear secured to the inside of one of the hemispherical halves, and meshing with second bevel gears which are driven from setting means of the typewriter. The second bevel gears are preferably secured to coaxial drive shaft driven by key controlled setting means. This arrangement permits it to use a type head with a comparatively small diameter which, due to its low mass and inertia, and due to the positive connection between the second bevel gears and the setting means, is suitable for very high setting frequencies.

The setting arrangement disclosed in the German Auflegeschrift No. 1,436,743, has hemispherical type head parts which are rigidly connected with each other. Inertia forces created during braking, must be taken up by the supporting frame, which has to have a corresponding rigid construction. This disadvantage is overcome by providing the preferred embodiment of the invention with a first bevel gear secured to each hemispherical type head halves. The two type head halves and their respective, preferably integral, bevel gears, are mounted on a shaft, projecting from the equatorial carrier plate, for relative rotation about the axis of the carrier shaft. Consequently, during the setting operation and the braking of the two hemispherical type head halves, the inertia forces of the two type head halves, compensate each other.

A type head according to the invention has a very simple construction and consists of only few parts, which can be mass-produced. Nevertheless, any type on anyone of the two hemispherical type head halves, can be quickly and accurately selected.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a type head mounted on a carrier and including two type head halves located on opposite sides of the carrier and supported by the same for rotation about a common first axis, each type head half having an outer hemispherical surface with types disposed in circular lines concentric with the first axis, and forming columns transverse to the circular lines, the type head including at least one first bevel gear coaxial with the first axis, and preferably two bevel gears respectively secured to the two type head halves; two drive means mounted in the carrier for rotation about a common second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and having drive portions located outward of the carrier and type head, and inner adjacent second bevel gears meshing with the first bevelgear or with both first bevel gears; supporting means supporting the drive means for rotation; and two setting means operatively connected with the drive means for rotating the same independently of each other.

The arrangement is such that relative rotation of the two drive means at different speeds causes rotation of the type head about the first axis for selection of one of the columns of types, and about the second axis for selection of one of the lines of types. In this manner, a selected type located in a selected column and in a selected line, is set to a printing position.

However, if both drive means are driven by the setting means in the same direction and at the same speed, same angle, the type head performs a tilting movement only about the second axis. If the drive means are turned in opposite directions at the same speed and same angular distance, the type head halves rotate in opposite directions about the first axis, without any tilting movement of the type head about the second axis.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective and partly exploded view illustrating an'embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 at a reduced scale; and

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional exploded view, illustrating the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 on an enlarged scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, the substantially spherical type head 1 includes two

type head halves

3 and 5, each of which has a hemispherical surface provided with types 50. Both

type head halves

3 and 5 are mounted for rotation on a carrier shaft 43 which has threaded bores 3 a into which

screws

45 and 47 are screwed as far as possible so that the heads of

screws

45 and 47 retain the

type head halves

3 and 5 on the shaft 43, permitting an exchange of the

type head halves

3 and 5 for replacement or servicing of the

type head halves

3 and 5. The depth of the threaded bores 3 a,and the length of the

screws

45, 47 is selected so that a little play remains betweenthe heads of

screws

45, 47 and the recesses 46 in the

type head halves

3 and 5, permitting free and independent rotation of type head halves 3.and 5 about a common first axis and on the carrier shaft 43.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carrier shaft 43 is fixedly secured to the central portion 7a of carrier 7 which includes a circular upper portion 1 1, and a circular lower portion 9. Between

portion

9 and 11, a circular flange 7b projects in outward radial direction, and supports two bearing

bushings

13 and 15. Bearing bores 13a and a extend not only through the

bearing bushings

13 and 15, but also through the radial flange 7b, and into the central portion 7aending in cutouts 31a and 33a, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the

type head halves

3 and 5 are in the assembled position shown in FIG. 2, the

annular shoulders

3a and 5a cooperate with the annular surfaces 9a and 1 1a, the

circular shoulders

3b and 5b cooperate with the peripheral surfaces 11b and 9b, so that the

type head halves

3 and 5 are guided during rotation about carrier shaft 43. The

type head halves

3 and 5 have

inner surfaces

35 and 37 whose central portions are formed as inwardly projecting

bevel gears

39 and 41. As best seen in FIG. 2, the

bevel gears

39 and 41 are located on opposite sides of carrier plate 7a, and adjacent the cutouts 31a and 33a.

Drive means are provided which include two

drive shafts

17 and 19 supported in the

bearing bores

13a and 15a and having adjacent non-circular ends 17a and 190 on which

drive bevel gears

31 and 33 are mounted. The outer ends of

shafts

17 and 19 project out of the bearing bushings l3 and 15, and carry

setting gears

23 and 25, see FIG. 1, meshing with

control gears

27 and 29 which are operated by key controlled selector means, not shown, which cause independent angular displacement of

control gears

27 and 29 in accordance with the type which is selected to be printed by operation of the respective key of the typewriter, not shown.

In this manner,

bevel gears

31 and 33 can be independently rotated in the same or in opposite direction selected angles, and since the peripheral portions of

bevelgears

31, 33 project above and below the cutouts 31a, 33a, the rotary motion is transmitted to the

bevel gears

39, 41.

Drive shafts

17 and 19 have a common axis which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the

type head halves

3 and 5 which is the axis of shaft 43.

The first axis of shaft 43 and the second axis of drive shafts l7 and 19 intersect at right angles at a point of intersection.

The types of the

circular rows

51, 52, 53 are located along circles having centers in the axis of rotation defined by carrier shaft 43. The corresponding

transverse columns

54, 55 are located in radial planes passing through the axis of shaft 43, and along circles having the centers in the point of intersection of the axis of shaft 43, and the axis of drive shafts l7 and 19.

OPERATION The

control gears

27 and 29 are independently rotated by a setting apparatus including differential levers, not shown, which effect the turning of

control gears

27 and 29 through predetermined angular distances so that the

drive shafts

17 and 19 are also turned angles which are associated with the selection of a particular type, 50, for example. The operation of

control gears

27, 29 is not an object of the invention and depends on the actuation of a typewriter key not shown, which represents the same character as the selected type 50.

The following operations are possible:

Both

control gears

27 and 29 are turned in the same direction the same angle so that the

drive bevel gears

31 and 33 turn together with setting

gears

23, 25, drive shafts l9 and 17, and

bevel gears

33, 31 in the same direction of rotation, and about the axis defined by the

bearing bores

13a and 15a in carrier 7.

Bevel gears

39 and 41 are not rotated relative to each other about the axis defined by carrier shaft 43, but both hemispherical

type head halves

3 and 5 turn about the axis of

shafts

17 and 19. Consequently, a selected

circular line

52, 51 or 53 is placed in a printing position, and the selected type 51 moves in the direction of a column 55. The type head 1 performs a tilting movement for selection of a circular line of types. When control gears 27, 29 turn the setting gears 23, 25 in opposite directions of rotation at the same speed and for the same angular distance, the type head halves 3 and 5 turn in opposite directions about the axis of carrier shaft 43. Consequently, a

column

54 or 55 is placed in the printing position.

If only one

control gear

27 or 29 is rotated, and the respective

other control gear

27 or 29 is not rotated, or when both control gears 27, 29 are simultaneously rotated at different speeds and for different angles, rotational movements of type head halves 3 and 5 about the axis of shaft 43 are superimposed on tilting movement of type head 1 about the axis of

drive shafts

17 and 19, so that the type head halves 3 and 5 turn not only relative to the carrier plate 7a which is located in an equatorial position regarding the spherical upper surfaces 1a and 1b of type head halves 3 and 5, but also perform a tilting movement about the axis of

drive shafts

17 and 19.

Assuming that four steps in column direction are required for placing the circular line of types in which the selected type 50 is located in the region of the print ing position, both drive means 17, 31 and 19, 33 are simultaneously turned in counterclockwise direction four steps by the setting means 27, 29, 23, 25, so that the correct circular line 54, for example, in which type 50 is located is placed in the correct position.

When the control gear 27, and thereby setting gear 23 and shaft 19 with bevel gear 33 are further turned three steps, the type head halves 3 and 5 rotate about the axis of carrier shaft 43 three steps so that the correct column is placed in a printing position in which the selected type 50 is in a printing position located opposite a platen, not shown. In this manner, sixtyfour characters, letters, digits and symbols can be exactly and quickly placed in a printing position.

The number of steps of the setting means 27, 29, 23, 25 depends on the number of types on the type head halves 3 and 5. If 64 types are provided, each

control gear

27, 29 may perform eight steps so that 64 different positions of the type head 1 can be accomplished.

It is possible to connect the type head halves 3 and 5 for rotation together, which may be accomplished by a rod passing through a hollow shaft replacing shaft 43. The setting means 27, 23, 29, 25 may also be replaced by a rope and pulley connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the

drive shafts

17 and 19, which carry the setting gears 25 and 23, are supported on supporting means including the supporting arms 21 which carry

shafts

17 and 19 and there by the carrier means 7, and the two type head halves 3 and 5.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of type head setting devices differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a type head setting mechanism including two hemispherical type head halves and a differential bevel gear transmission connecting the type head halves with drive means, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Type head setting mechanism comprising carrier means; type head means mounted on said carrier means and including two type head halves located on opposite sides of said carrier means and supported by the same for rotation about a common first axis, each type head half having an outer hemispherical surface with types disposed in circular lines concentric with said first axis, and forming columns transverse to said lines, said type head means including at least one first bevel gear adjacent said carrier means and coaxial with said first axis; two drive means mounted in said carrier means for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and having drive portions located radially outward of said carrier means and said type head means, and radially inner adjacent end portions located between said type head halves and including second bevel gears meshing with said first'bevel gear; supporting means supporting said drive portions for rotation whereby said carrier means and type head means are supported; and two setting means operatively connected with said drive portions, respectively, for rotating the same independently of each other so that relative rotation of said two drive means at different speeds causes rotation of said type head means about said first axis for selection of one of said columns, and about said second axis for selection of one of said lines of types whereby a selected type located in said selected column and in said selected line is set to a printing position.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said type head halves includes'a first bevel gear coaxial with said first axis; and wherein said first bevel gears are located on opposite sides of said carrier means and mesh with said second bevel gears so that said type head halves rotate in opposite directions about said first axis when said two drive means are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions by said setting means.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes a carrier plate located in a plane perpendicular to said first axis and containing said second axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plate projecting from opposite sides of the same and having said first axis; and wherein said type head halves are supported by said shaft on opposite sides of said carrier plate for rotation about said first axis.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said carrier plate is circular and has circular shoulders on said opposite sides thereof, and a radial flange between said shoulders; wherein said carrier means further include two diametrically disposed bearing bushings radially projecting from said radial flange and supporting said drive portions of said two drive means for rotation about said second axis; and wherein said type head halves have circular peripheral shoulders in contact with said circular peripheral shoulders of said carrier plate so that the same is in an equatorial position relative to said hemispherical surfaces.

5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first bevel gear is integral with one of said type head halves; and wherein at least said one type head half and said first bevel gear consist of a light synthetic material.

6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means include manually operable means for detachably and exchangeably attaching said type head halves to said carrier means for rotation about said first axis.

7. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes a circular carrier plate located in a plane equatorial relative to said hemispherical surfaces and perpendicular to said first axis; wherein said second axis is located in said plane and intersects said first plane at right-angles at an intersecting point; and wherein said columns of types are located in radial planes passing through said first axis and are located in circles having the centers thereof at said intersecting point.

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves have circular edges; wherein said carrier means includes a plate in contact with said circular edges, and a shaft fixed to said plate projecting from opposite sides of the same into said type head halves for supporting the same for rotation about said first axis, and manually operable threaded means detachably engaging the ends of said shaft and holding said type head halves on said shaft.

9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said type head halves includes a first bevel gear coaxial with said first axis; wherein said first bevel gears are located on opposite sides of said carrier means and mesh with said second bevel gears so that said type head halves rotate in opposite directions about said first axis when said two drive means are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions by said setting means; wherein said carrier means includes a carrier plate located in a plane perpendicular to said first axis and containing said second axis, and a shaft fixed to said carrier plate projecting from opposite sides of the same and having said first axis; and wherein said type head halves and said first bevel gears are supported by said shaft on opposite sides of said carrier plate for rotation about said first axis.

10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two setting means include two setting gears secured to said drive portions, and two control gears meshing with said setting gears, respectively, and adapted to be rotated under manual control to selected angular positions for operating said drive means.

11. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said type head halves are connected for rotation; and wherein one of said type head halves includes said first bevel gear meshing with said second bevel gears.

12. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said drive means includes a drive shaft between said second gear and said drive portion thereof; and wherein each said drive shaft is mounted in said carrier means for rotation about said second axis with the respective second gear and drive portion.

Claims

1. Type head setting mechanism comprising carrier means; type head means mounted on said carrier means and including two type head halves located on opposite sides of said carrier means and supported by the same for rotation about a common first axis, each type head half having an outer hemispherical surface with types disposed in circular lines concentric with said first axis, and forming columns transverse to said lines, said type head means including at least one first bevel gear adjacent said carrier means and coaxial with said first axis; two drive means mounted in said carrier means for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and having drive portions located radially outward of said carrier means and said type head means, and radially inner adjacent end portions located between said type head halves and including second bevel gears meshing with said first bevel gear; supporting means supporting said drive portions for rotation whereby said carrier means and type head means are supported; and two setting means operatively connected with said drive portions, respectively, for rotating the same independently of each other so that relative rotation of said two drive means at different speeds causes rotation of said type head means about said first axis for selection of one of said columns, and about said second axis for selection of one of said lines of types whereby a selected type located in said selected column and in said selected line is set to a printing position.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said type head halves includes a first bevel gear coaxial with said first axis; and wherein said first bevel gears are located on opposite sides of said carrier means and mesh with said second bevel gears so that said type head halves rotate in opposite directions about said first axis when said two drive means are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions by said setting means.

7. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes a circular carrier plate located in a plane equatorial relative to said hemispherical surfaces and perpendicular to said first axis; wherein said second axis is located in said plane and intersects said first plane at right angles at an intersecting point; and wherein said columns of types are located in radial planes passing through said first axis and are located in circles having the centers thereof at said intersecting point.