US3834512A

US3834512A - Correction tape attachment for typewriters

Info

Publication number: US3834512A
Application number: US00272078A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Haugen
Original assignee: EFFICIENCY PROD CO
Current assignee: EFFICIENCY PROD CO
Priority date: 1972-07-14
Filing date: 1972-07-14
Publication date: 1974-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-10
Also published as: DE2335975B2; IT998240B; DE2335975A1; CA992901A; JPS4956717A; GB1433605A

Abstract

A typewriter attachment presenting correction tape in the strike area of the type and between the ink ribbon and the platen, the attachment having supply and take-up spools on the frame which is a thin strip of stiff sheet metal fitted onto a substantially flat paper guide; and also having an operating lever to alternately raise the correction tape into the strike area of the type and then return the tape below the strike area and simultaneously advance the tape to locate a fresh portion of the tape adjacent the strike area for subsequent use.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Haugen 1451 Sept. 10, 1974 1 1 CORRECTION TAPE ATTACHMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS [75] Inventor:

Dorothy E. Haugen, Minnetonka Mills, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Efficiency Products Company,

[22] Filed:

Minnetonka Mills, Minn.

July 14, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 272,078

[52] US. Cl 197/181, 197/151, 197/156,

51 1m. (:1 B41j 29/16 [58] Field of Search.... 197/126 B, 151, 153, 153 A,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Diss 197/170 X Barker 197/151 Baldwin 197/181 Ireland et al 197/151 Baldwin 197/181 X Baldwin.. 197/181 Johnson 197/170 X Banister 197/181 X 2,565,985 8/1951 Norton et al. 197/151 X 3,200,740 8/1965 Schaller et a1. 197/172 X 3,204,746 9/1965 Wolowitz 197/151 X 3,397,767 8/1968 Hobbs 197/181 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,920,010 4/1969 Germany 197/172 192,548 2/1923 Great Britain... 197/181 308,533 2/1969 Sweden 197/181 Primary Examiner-Ernest T. Wright, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould, Smith & Edell [57] ABSTRACT A typewriter attachment presenting correction tape in the strike area of the type and between the ink ribbon and the platen, the attachment having supply and take-up spools on the frame which is a thin strip of stiff sheet metal fitted onto a substantially flat paper guide; and also having an operating lever to alternately raise the correction tape into the strike area of the type and then return the tape below the strike area and simultaneously advance the tape to locate a fresh portion of the tape adjacent the strike area for subsequent use.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEB an 1 man similar-31 CORRECTION TAPE ATTACHMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is an attachment for a typewriter, and of a nature to be applied to an existing machine without modifying the machine. The attachment carries a length of correction tape immediately adjacent the ink ribbon and the strike area of the type. The correction tape is simply raised into the strike area and presented to confront the incorrectly typed indicia in preparation for the correcting strikeover by the type. A single manual operation of an operating lever lifts the correction tape into the strike area. Release of the lever is followed by a spring-induced return of the lever and a simultaneous advancing of the correction tape to provide a fresh portion of tape for a subsequent correcting operation.

The attachment has supply and take-up tape spools removably keyed to rotary shafts. The supply spool shaft is braked to restrict unwinding of the correction tape. The take-up spool shaft is turned by a spring return of the operating lever through a one direction clutch. Elevation of the correction tape is caused by a slidable tape guide which is pushed along an inclined guideway by the initial movement of the operating lever.

An important aspect of the present invention is the arrangement of its operating mechanisms on a frame which may be assembled in an existing typewriter without modifying the typewriter to any extent. Even the existing screws in the typewriter are used for mounting the attachment. The supply and take-up spools are fitted into otherwise empty spaces.

The correction tape is guided at the strikke area of the type by a fork which permits the correction tape to slide between its tines as the fork is moved diagonally upwardly in a camming motion induced by the operating lever of the attachment, and also permits the tape to slide between the tines as the tape is subsequently advanced.

The removable supply and take-up spools for the correction tape are of simple construction for maintaining the predetermined rotational relationship between the spool and mounting shaft. The central hub of the spool is provided with a simple cylindrical opening with a pin extending across a diameter thereof. The shaft has a flattened side to bear against the pin of the spool and the shaft is also rounded to fit the contour of the mounting opening in the spool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION'OF THE DRAWING Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals and letters represent like parts throughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter incorporating the present invention, illustrating the operating lever in shifted position so as to raise the correction tape into the strike area of the type in preparation for a subsequent correcting strikeover;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the present invention applied to a typewriter which is partly broken away for clarity of detail;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with other portions of the typewriter broken away and with the correction tape lifted into the strike area in preparation for a correcting strikeover;

FIG. 4 is atop plan view of the typewriter attachment of the present invention shown removed and detached from a typewriter;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the typewriter attachment disclosed in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken approximately at line 6-6 of FIG. 2 with a minimum of the surrounding typewriter illustrated;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken approximately at line 77 in FIG. 2; also iillustrating certain parts of the typewriter in full and dotted lines; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken ap-.

proximately at line 88 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawing and is described herein.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a present invention associated with an electric typewriter 10 of the type have a movable carriage 11 which mounts the roller platen 12. The movable carriage 11 has suitable paper guides 13 (illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 7) and other paper guides, not particularly pertinent to the present invention, for guiding and holding one or more sheets of paper (P) tightly against the roller platen 12. The typewriter10 has a plurality of the usual types 14, one of which is shown in striking position in FIG. 2, an ink or typing ribbon l5, and a vertically moving slide and ink ribbon guide 16 which alternately carries the ink ribbon 15 upwardly into and downwardly out of a strike area generally designated at 50, of the types 14. The types 14 strike through the ink in the strike area 50 ribbon 15 to produce an indicia on the paper (P). The ink ribbon 15 is lifted into the strike area 50 each time one of the types 14 is operatively moved from its normally resting position 50 to the strikearea. When the type 14 returns to its resting position, the ink ribbon 15 is returned downwardly with the slide and ribbon guide 16.

Additional upper paper guides 17 are stationary with a frame 52 of the typewriter I0 and, therefore remain stationary regardless of th movement of the carriage 11. The paper guides 17 may be of transparent plastic material and are disposed in close proximity to the roller platen 12. In the particular typewriter illustrated, the paper guides 17 have a plurality of mounting clips or brackets 18 (FIG. 2) imbedded in the lower edge of the plastic guide 17 and protruding downwardly for attachment to two pairs of upright ears I9 and 20 which are a part of a frame, generally designated at 52, of the typewriter 10. The paper guide mounting brackets or clips 18 are bifurcated and therefore slotted at 21 to receive the shanks of screws 22 threaded into tapped apertures (not illustrated) in the ears l9, 20. These screws 22 therefore normally hold the paper guides 17 at the desired location, confronting the roller platen l2 and the paper (P). All of the

upright ears

19, 20 are spaced approximately equally from the roller platen 12.

The attachment 25 comprising the present invention and, independently illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, carries a length 26 of correction tape (T) immediately adjacent the strike area 50 wherein the type 14 strikes through the ink ribbon I5 for producing an indicia on the paper (P); and the length 26 of tape (T) is movable transversely into the strike area 50 and is interposed between the ink ribbon l5 and the paper (P) so that a white material carried by the tape (T) may be used to obliterate an erroneous indicia previously produced by conventional typing.

The attachment 25 has an elongate frame plate 27 of thin and stiff material such as sheet metal, and the elongate frame plate 27 may be fitted into the typewriter 10, between the upright ears 19, and the roller platen 12 and without interfering with any operating mechanisms off the typewriter 10. The frame plate 27 lies between the carriage 11 and the vertically oscillating slide 16 which repeatedly carries the ink ribbon 15 into the strike area 50. As will hereinafter more fully appear, the attachment locates the length 26 of correction tape (T) between the roller platen 12 and the ink ribbon 15 so that when the lenght 26 of correction tape (T) is raised into the strike area as illustrated in FIG. 3, a type 14 swung upwardly to operate through the strike area 50 will strike the ink ribbon 15 which has been moved upwardly into the strike area with upward swinging of the type (T) 14. Simultaneously, the length 26 of correction tape will shield the ink ribbon 15 from engaging the paper (P). The type 14 will therefore strike through both the ink ribbon 15 and correction tape (T) so that the indicia obliterating effect of the correction tape (T) will obliterate the indicia on the paper (P).

The frame plate 27 has bifurcated, depending tabs or fingers 28 which are suspended upon the mounting ears 19 of the typewriter frame 52 so as to receive the shanks of screws 22 therebetween. The frame plate 27 is clamped securely to the typewriter frame 52 by the screws 22 which also clamp the mounting brackets 18 of the paper guides 17 to the frame ears 19 of the typewriter 10.

The frame plate 27 mounts a pair of

shafts

29 and 30 which removably mount supply and take-up spools 31 and 32, respectively, for the correction tape (T). Rotation of both of the

shafts

29 and 30 is restricted or braked so as to restrain rotation thereof by spring clips or C or fasteners 33 which bear against offset end portions 27.1, 27.2 of the frame plate 27 and fit in grooves of the shafts, 29 and 30 respectively see FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. The shaft 30 has a shoulder 30.4 which bears against the surface off the offset end portion 27.2 of the frame plate 27 in a frictional relation so as to restrict rotation of the shaft 30. The shaft 29 has a nylon washer 34 which bears against the offset end 27.1 of the frame plate 27 under influence of the spring clip 33 so as to produce a binding relationship between the shaft 29 and the frame plate 27 so as to restrict rotation of the shaft 29.

Referring to FIG. 7, shaft 29 has an insert end 29.1 which fits into a socket opening 31.1 of supply spool 31. The socket opening 31.1 is substantially circular in shape, and a rigid metal pin 35 is extended diametrically through the socket opening 31.1. The insert end 29.1 of shaft 29 is shaped for insertion into the socket opening 31.1 and one side of the insert end 29.1 conforms to the internal periphery of the socket opening 31.1. The other side of the insert end 29.1 is flattened to lay alongside and frictionally engage the pin 35 so as to retain the supply spool 31 on the shaft 29.

An insert end 30.1 (FIG. 6) of shaft 30 is similarly shaped to the insert end 29.] of shaft 29 so as to mount the take-up spool 32 (or to interchangeably mount the supply spool 31) which has a socket opening 32.], across which extends a pin 53. The pin 53 is anchored rigidly in the hub of the take-up spool 32.

The shaft 30 has a portion 30.2 (FIG. 6) of reduced diameter which rotatably mounts a clutch driver sleeve 36. The clutch driver sleeve 36 has a peripheral surface 36.1 which is identical in diameter to the diameter of the adjacent peripheral surface 30.3 of the shaft 30. A coil spring 37 constructed of square wire encompasses the peripheral surface 36.1 of the clutch driver sleeve 36 and peripheral surface 30.3 of the shaft 30 in tight fitting relation so as to effect a coupling between the clutch driver sleeve 36 and the shaft 30 when the clutch driver sleeve 36 is turned in one direction and to allow the clutch driver sleeve 36 to rotate freely with respect to the shaft 30 when the clutch driver sleeve 36 is to revolve in the other direction. The clutch driver sleeve 36 has a shoulder portion 36.2 upon which an operating lever 38 is affixed to the clutch driver sleeve 36 in a friction fit or other immovable relationship. When the operating lever 38 is manually swung in either direction, the clutch driver sleeve 36 is turned with it. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 3 and 5, swinging of the operating lever 38 in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 causes the clutch driver sleeve 36 to turn, but when the clutch driver sleeve 36 is turned in this direction, the spring 37 releases its grip upon shaft 30 so that shaft 30 is allowed to remain stationary under the braking effect of the spring clip 33. When the operating lever 38 is returned in a counterclockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the clutch driver sleeve 36 turns with the operating lever 38 and the spring 37 is thereby caused to grip the peripheral surface 30.3 of the shaft 30 and revolve the shaft 30 and take-up spool 32 so as to advance the tape (T).

A tension spring 39 (FIG. 4 and 5) is anchored at one end to an apertured car 40 on frame plate 27 and is connected at the apertured lower end 38.1 of operating operating lever 38 so as to return the lever 38 to its rest position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The tape (T) is guided from the spools 31 and 32 to the length 26 of the tape (T) which extends adjacent the strike area 50 of the typewriter 10, by means of

tape guide wires

41 and 42 which are formed to orient the length 26 of tape (T) in a substantially vertical plane. The

guide wires

41 and 42 are affixed to the frame plate 27 by anchoring screws 43.

The apertures 27.3 (FIG. 5) in the frame plate 27 are merely relief holes to allow the frame plate 27 to pass by the shanks of screws 22 without engaging the screws 22. As a result, there is no interference between the frame plate 27 and the screws 22 which are a part of the original construction of typewriter 10.

A tape guide 44 is located intermediate the ends of the length 26 of tape (T) and is disposed at one side of the strike area 50. The tape guide 44 is in the form of a fork with parallel and spaced guide elements or tines which are spaced from each other to slidably receive the tape (T) therebetween. The tines or guide elements of the tape guide 44 are closely spaced together and are all disposed at one side of the strike area 50. The type 14 of the typewriter 10 strikes through the tape (T) at one side of the guide 44, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3.

A mounting arm 45 for the tape guide 44 carries a pair of cam followers or slide bearings which may be constructed of a rigid slippery plastic material known by its trademark Teflon and denominated by the numeral 46. The Teflon cam followers 46 are confined in an elongate slot 47 in the frame plate 27 and oriented obliquely of the length 26 of tape (T) so that when the cam followers 46 are moved along the slot 47, tape guide 44 moves obliquely along the length 26 of correction tape (T) to raise the tape (T) into the strike area 50 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. When the tape guide 44 is returned to the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the length 26 of correction tape (T) is moved transversely out of the strike area 50. An operating push rod 48 is connected between the operating lever 38 and the mounting arm 45 for the tape guide 44 so as to produce sliding movement of the mounting arm 45 along the camming guide slot 47.

When the attachment 25 is to be applied to the typewriter 10, the screws 22, which are already a part of the typewriter 10, are merely loosened, and the frame plate 27 is slipped down into the space between the frame ears l9 and the movable carriage 11 so that the rigid tabs 28 are suspended on the frame ears 19. The screws 22 are merely re-tightened and the attachment 25 is ready for use.

When, during typing with the typewriter carriage ll 10, an error is effected, the typewriter is back spaced until the erroneous indicia confronts the strike area 50 of the type 14. The operating lever 38 which protrudes above the case of the typewriter adjacent the carriage 11, is swung from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to that illustrated in FIG. 3, whereupon the push rod 48 causes oblique sliding motion of the arm 45 and tape guide 44, whereupon the length 26 of correction tape (T) is moved transversely upwardly and this oblique movement of the tape guide 44 also produces sliding of the tape guide 44 along the correction tape (T), only along that portion of the tape (T) which has already been used. The upward transverse movement of the intermediate portion of the length 26 of tape (T) takes any slack out of the length 26 of the tape so that all portions of this length 26 of tape (T) are taut. As a result, the length 26 of the tape (T) is accurately positioned over the strike area of the typewriter 10. Although the length 26 of tape (T) is pulled taut by the transverse movement of tape (T) guide 44, the braking action at each of the supply and take-up spools 31 and 32 respectively restricts any feeding of tape (T) into the length 26 so that the taut length 26 of tape (T) may be very accurately positioned over the strike area 50 of the typewriter 10.

While the operating lever 38 is held in the shifted position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the key on the keyboard of the typewriter 10 is struck so as to produce a strikeover, an the same type 14 which produced the erroneous indicia is again swung through the strike area 50 so that the indicia on the paper (P) is obliterated or covered by the material from the correction tape (T). Although the ink ribbon is moved upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2 during the correcting strikeover, the ink ribbon 15 is ineffective because, at this particular moment, the correction tape (T) is interposed between the ink ribbon l5 and the paper (P).

When the type 14 has'swung back down out of the strike area 50, the operating lever 38 will be released, and the spring 39 will return the operating lever 38 to its normal position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5.

As the operating lever 38 returns to its normal position, the shaft 30 and take-up spool 32 are turned slightly by operation of thelspring 37 and clutch driver sleeve 36 so that the tape (T) is slightly advanced to present a fresh or unused portion of the correction tape (T) adjacent the strike area 50. Subsequently, when the correction tape (T) is to be used again, this fresh portion of the tape (T) will confront the strike area 50 for obliterating the erroneous indicia on the paper (P).

As the spring 39 returns the operating lever 38 to its normal position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the rod 48 pulls the arm 45 and tape guide 44 to return the tape guide 44 to its normal position, and to move it obliquely along the length 26 of the correction tape (T) and in the same direction that the tape (T) is being advanced by operation of the take-up spool 32. The advancing of the tape (T) by the take-up spool 32 tends to first take the slack out of the length 26 of the tape occasioned by the transverse movement of the central portion of the tape (T), and when the slack has all been removed from the length 26 of tape (T), additional tape (T) is pulled off the supply spool 31, against the braking action thereof. It will further be noted that the advancing motion of the correction tape (T) is assisted by the tape (T) guide 44 which is moving in the same direction as the tape (T) is being'advanced.

It will be noted that this invention is readily and easily applicable to an existing typewriter 10 without necessitating any modification whatever to the existing typewriter 10 so that the correction tape (T) is readily and easily presented in the strike area 50, but is well out of the way, from any of the normally operating mechanisms of the typewriter 10 when the correction tape (T) is not needed.

Although the drawing has illustrated the attachment 25 set up so that the operating lever 38 is at the lefthand side of the typewriter 10, with the correction tape (T) moving from rigt to left as it advances, it may be desirable under certain circumstances to reverse the attachment 25 so that the operating arm 38 is at the right-hand side of the typewriter 10, whereupon the clutch mechanism and the tape lifting arm 45 will also be shifted to the right-hand side of the mechanism. This reversal may be desirable, depending upon the space limitations within the case of the typewriter 10, or may be desirable, depending upon the arrangement of the keyboard of the typewriter 10.

What is claimed is:

l. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter of the type characterized by a movable carriage mounting a roller platen, a stationary frame having a plurality of upright mounting portions longitudinally spaced along the length of and positioned in close confronting proximity with said roller platen, a plurality of types, an ink ribbon operatively spanning a strike area adjacent said roller platen, wherein said types are individually operable to produce indicia upon a paper carried by said roller platen by quickly pressing said ink ribbon through said strike area against the paper, said tape attachment comprising:

a. an elongate frame plate means for mounting the tape attachment on said typewriter, said frame plate means beingof stiff sheet material configured for directly mounting to said plurality of upright mounting portions and shaped to extend when so mounted in a generally vertical plane, longitudinally parallel with and adjacent said roller platen and substantially between said roller platen and said plurality of upright mounting portions of said stationary frame, said frame plate means having offset end portions on opposite sides of said strike area disposed forward of said generally vertical plane of said elongate frame means in the direction away from said roller platen;

correction tape guiding means having a plurality of tape guide mechanisms mounted in spaced relationship to one another on said offset end portions of said frame plate means for normally carrying a length of correction tape therebetween in a generally vertical plane adjacent said strike area, be tween said roller platen and said ink ribbon and slightly forward of said vertical plane of said frame plate means;

0. means connected to said frame plate means for continuously supplying said length of correction tape between said tape guide mechanisms and for applying longitudinal tension along said length of correction tape between said separate tape guide mechanisms; and

d. correction tape handling means separate from said correction tape guiding means mounted to said frame plate means for lifting said length of correction tape transversely into said strike area and in said generally vertical plane of said length of correction tape, said tape handling means controllingly slidably engaging said length of correction tape at a location intermediate said strike area and only one of the ends of said length of correction tape.

2. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction tape handling means comprises:

a. a tape guide arm having one end operatively movably secured to said frame plate means, and hading an unsecured end slidably supportingly engaging said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and intermediate said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape, said tape guide arm being operable as movably secured to said frame plate means to raise and lower said length of correction tape in said vertical plane of the correction tape such that a portion of said length of correction tape is respectively raised and lowered into and out of said strike area and between said ink ribbon, as operatively positioned in said strike area, and said roller platen; and

b. activating means operatively connected with said tape guide arm for operatively moving said tape guide arm as movably secured to said frame plate means to cause said tape guide arm to raise and lower said length of correction tape into and out of said strike area.

3. A correction tape attachment .for a typewriter as recited in claim 2, wherein said activating means comprises:

a. an operating leverpivotally mounted to said frame plate means adjacent one end of said frame plate means, manually operable in said generally vertical plane of said frame plate means about its pivotal mounting point, between first and second positions;

b. spring means operatively connected with said operating lever for normally biasing said operating lever toward its said first position, and for yieldingly allowing said operating lever to be pivotally moved between its said first and second positions; and

c. linkage means operatively connecting said operat ing lever with said tape guide arm for operatively moving said tape guide arm in response to movement of said operating lever between its said first and second positions, said linkage means operatively causing said tape guide arm to raise a portion of said length of correction tape into said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its first to its second positions, and said linkage means operatively causing said tape guide arm to lower said length of correction tape out of said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its second to its first positions.

4. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction tape handling means comprises:

a. a tape guide arm having an upper generally forkshaped end for slidably supportingly engaging said length of correction tape, and having a lower end for mounting said tape guide arm to said frame plate means;

b. means for movably mounting said lower end of said tape guide arm to said frame plate means such that said upper end of said tape guide arm supportingly engages said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and intermediate said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape, and such that said tape guide arm as mounted to said frame plate means is obliquely movable to slide along said length of correction tape for raising and lowering said length of correction tape in the generally vertical plane of said correction tape, respectively into and out of said strike area and between said ink ribbon and said roller platen; and

c. manually operable activating means mounted on said frame plate means adjacent one end of said roller platen, operatively connected with said tape guide arm for moving said tape guide arm in said oblique manner about its mounted lower end to cause said tape guide arm to raise and lower said length of correction tape into and out of said strike area in response to direct manual operation of said activating means.

5. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters ofthe kind having a stationary frame, a movable carriage mounting a roller platen, a plurality of movable types selectively operable to produce indicia upon a paper held or carried by the roller platen by rapidly pressing an ink ribbon through a strike area adjacent the roller platen against the paper; said correction tape attachment being of the type characterized by attachable frame means for mounting the tape attachment to the stationary frame of the typewriter, correction tape supply means and tape take-up means mounted on said attachable frame means for securing a span of continuous correction tape therebetween, said tape supply means providing unused portions of said correction tape to said span and said tape take-up means collecting used portions of said correction tape, means for periodically advancing said correction tape in one direction from said tape supply means to said tape take-up means, and means cooperative with said tape supply means and said tape take-up means for providing longitudinal tension to said correction tape between said tape supply means and said tape take-up means, the invention being characterized by:

a, said attachable frame means being configured for mounting said correction tape attachment to existing portions of said stationary frame of said typewriter without requiring modification to any extent of said typewriter for accomodating said tape attachment;

b. a pair of tape guide mechanisms mounted to said attachable frame means and positioned near opposite end of said roller platen for carrying a length of said correction tape therebetween, said length of correction tape being a portion of said correction tape continuously extending between said tape supply means and said tape take-up means, wherein said pair of tape guide mechanisms orient siad length of correction tape in a generally vertical plane adjacent said strike area and between said ink ribbon and said roller platen;

c, a tape positioning and manipulating guide element having upper and lower portions, said lower portion of said guide element being configured for mounting to said attachable frame means and said upper portion of said guide element being configured to supportingly slidably engage said length of correction tape;

d. means for movably mounting said lower portion of said guide element to said attachable frame means to restrict movement of said upper portions of said guide element in said generally vertical plane of said length of correction tape and to cause said upper portion of said guide element to slidably engage said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and between said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape; and

e. activating means mounted to said attachable frame means and operatively connected with said tape positioning and manipulating guide element for producing movement of said guide element relative to said attachable frame means to cause said upper portion of said guide element to selectively raise and lower a portion of said length of correction tape respectively transversely into and out of said strike area, said upper portion of said guide element when raising and lowering said length of correction tape, slidably moving along said correction tape and obliquely in said vertical plane of said length of correction tape.

6. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters according to claim 5, wherein said activating means comprises:

a. a manually operable operating lever pivotally mounted to said attachable frame means directly adjacent said roller platen, said operating lever being pivotally movable in a generally vertical plane between first and second positions;

b. means operatively connected with said operating lever for normally urging said operating lever toward a resting position in its said first position and for yieldingly allowing said operating lever to be manually moved between its said first and said second positions; and

. means operatively connecting said operating lever with said tape positioning and manipulating guide element for coordinating said oblique movement of said guide element with movement of said operating lever between its said first and second positions, said movement coordinating means operatively causing said upper portion of said guide element to slidably obliquely move along said correction tape in a direction opposite to said one direction while raising said length of correction tape into said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its said first to said second positions and said movement coordinating means causing said upper portion of said guide element to slidably obliquely return along said correction tape in said one direction while lowering said length of correction tape out of said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its said second to said first positions.

7. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters according to claim 6, wherein said lower portion of said tape positioning and manipulating guide element defines a cam follower slot therein; wherein said means for movably attaching said guide element to said attachable frame means includes cam means having cam surfaces sized to ride within said cam follower slot of said guide element for movably mounting said guide element to said frame means, said cam means and said cam follower slot cpoperatively restricting movement of said guide element in said oblique manner in a generally vertical plane; and wherein said movement coordinating means includes a push-rod extendable between said operating lever and said guide element for causing said guide element to obliquely move as defined by said cam means and said cam follower slot in response to movement of said operating lever.

8. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters according to claim 5, wherein said upper portion of said tape positioning and manipulating guide element includes a plurality of correction tape engaging and directing elements cooperatively slidably confining the correction tape at a location on said length of correction tape between said strike area and one end of the length of correction tape, said engaging and directing elements being spaced in close longitudinal relationship to one another along said tape to prevent operative access to the correction tape therebetween.

Claims

1. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter of the type characterized by a movable carriage mounting a roller platen, a stationary frame having a plurality of upright mounting portions longitudinally spaced along the length of and positioned in close confronting proximity with said roller platen, a plurality of types, an ink ribbon operatively spanning a strike area adjacent said roller platen, wherein said types are individually operable to produce indicia upon a paper carried by said roller platen by quickly pressing said ink ribbon through said strike area against the paper, said tape attachment comprising: a. an elongate frame plate means for mounting the tape attachment on said typewriter, said frame plate means being of stiff sheet material configured for directly mounting to said plurality of upright mounting portions and shaped to extend when so mounted in a generally vertical plane, longitudinally parallel with and adjacent said roller platen and substantially between said roller platen and said plurality of upright mounting portions of said stationary frame, said frame plate means having offset end portions on opposite sides of said strike area disposed forward of said generally vertical plane of said elongate frame means in the direction away from said roller platen; b. correction tape guiding means having a plurality of tape guide mechanisms mounted in spaced relationship to one another on said offset end portions of said frame plate means for normally carrying a length of correction tape therebetween in a generally vertical plane adjacent said strike area, between said roller platen and said ink ribbon and slightly forward of said vertical plane of said frame plate means; c. means connected to said frame plate means for continuously supplying said length of correction tape between said tape guide mechanisms and for applying longitudinal tension along said length of correction tape between said separate tape guide mechanisms; and d. correction tape handling means separate from said correction tape guiding means mounted to said frame plate means for lifting said length of correction tape transversely into said strike area and in said generally vertical plane of said length of correction tape, said tape handling means controllingly slidably engaging said length of correction tape at a location intermediate said strike area and only one of the ends of said length of correction tape.

2. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction tape handling means comprises: a. a tape guide arm having one end operatively movably secured to said frame plate means, and hading an unsecured end slidably supportingly engaging said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and intermediate said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape, said tape guide arm being operable as movably secured to said frame plate means to raise and lower said length of correction tape in said vertical plane of the correction tape such that a portion of said length of correction tape is respectively raised and lowered into and out of said strike area and between said ink ribbon, as operatively positioned in said strike area, and said roller platen; and b. activating means operatively connected with said tape guide arm for operatively moving said tape guide arm as movably secured to said frame plate means to cause said tape guide arm to raise and lower said length of correction tape into and out of said strike area.

3. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter as recited in claim 2, wherein said activating means comprises: a. an operating leverpivotally mounted to said frame plate means adjacent one end of said frame plate means, manually operable in said generally vertical plane of said frame plate means about its pivotal mounting point, between first and second positions; b. spring means operatively connected with said operating lever for normally biasing said operating lever toward its said first position, and for yieldingly allowing said operating lever to be pivotally moved between its said first and second positions; and c. linkage means operatively connecting said operating lever with said tape guide arm for operatively moving said tape guide arm in response to movement of said operating lever between its said first and second positions, said linkage means operatively causing said tape guide arm to raise a portion of said length of correction tape into said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its first to its second positions, and said linkage means operatively causing said tape guide arm to lower said length of correction tape out of said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its second to its first positions.

4. A correction tape attachment for a typewriter as recited in claim 1, wherein said correction tape handling means comprises: a. a tape guide arm having an upper generally fork-shaped end for slidably supportingly engaging said length of correction tape, and having a lower end for mounting said tape guide arm to said frame plate means; b. means for movably mounting said lower end of said tape guide arm to said frame plate means such that said upper end of said tape guide arm supportingly engages said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and intermediate said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape, and such that said tape guide arm as mounted to said frame plate means is obliquely movable to slide along said length of correction tape for raising and lowering said length of correction tape in the generally vertical plane of said correction tape, respectively into and out of said strike area and between said ink ribbon and said roller platen; and c. manually operable activating means mounted on said frame plate means adjacent one end of said roller platen, operatively connected with said tape guide arm for moving said tape guide arm in said oblique manner about its mounted lower end to cause said tape guide arm to raise and lower said length of correction tape into and out of said strike area in response to direct manual operation of said activating means.

5. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters of the kind having a stationary frame, a movable carriage mounting a roller platen, a plurality of movable types selectively operable to produce indicia upon a paper held or carried by the roller platen by rapidly pressing an ink ribbon through a strike area adjacent the roller platen against the paper; said correction tape attachment being of the type characterized by attachable frame means for mounting the tape attachment to the stationary frame of the typewriter, correctioN tape supply means and tape take-up means mounted on said attachable frame means for securing a span of continuous correction tape therebetween, said tape supply means providing unused portions of said correction tape to said span and said tape take-up means collecting used portions of said correction tape, means for periodically advancing said correction tape in one direction from said tape supply means to said tape take-up means, and means cooperative with said tape supply means and said tape take-up means for providing longitudinal tension to said correction tape between said tape supply means and said tape take-up means, the invention being characterized by: a. said attachable frame means being configured for mounting said correction tape attachment to existing portions of said stationary frame of said typewriter without requiring modification to any extent of said typewriter for accomodating said tape attachment; b. a pair of tape guide mechanisms mounted to said attachable frame means and positioned near opposite end of said roller platen for carrying a length of said correction tape therebetween, said length of correction tape being a portion of said correction tape continuously extending between said tape supply means and said tape take-up means, wherein said pair of tape guide mechanisms orient siad length of correction tape in a generally vertical plane adjacent said strike area and between said ink ribbon and said roller platen; c. a tape positioning and manipulating guide element having upper and lower portions, said lower portion of said guide element being configured for mounting to said attachable frame means and said upper portion of said guide element being configured to supportingly slidably engage said length of correction tape; d. means for movably mounting said lower portion of said guide element to said attachable frame means to restrict movement of said upper portions of said guide element in said generally vertical plane of said length of correction tape and to cause said upper portion of said guide element to slidably engage said length of correction tape at a location remote from said strike area and between said strike area and only one end of said length of correction tape; and e. activating means mounted to said attachable frame means and operatively connected with said tape positioning and manipulating guide element for producing movement of said guide element relative to said attachable frame means to cause said upper portion of said guide element to selectively raise and lower a portion of said length of correction tape respectively transversely into and out of said strike area, said upper portion of said guide element when raising and lowering said length of correction tape, slidably moving along said correction tape and obliquely in said vertical plane of said length of correction tape.

6. An improved correction tape attachment for typewriters according to claim 5, wherein said activating means comprises: a. a manually operable operating lever pivotally mounted to said attachable frame means directly adjacent said roller platen, said operating lever being pivotally movable in a generally vertical plane between first and second positions; b. means operatively connected with said operating lever for normally urging said operating lever toward a resting position in its said first position and for yieldingly allowing said operating lever to be manually moved between its said first and said second positions; and c. means operatively connecting said operating lever with said tape positioning and manipulating guide element for coordinating said oblique movement of said guide element with movement of said operating lever between its said first and second positions, said movement coordinating means operatively causing said upper portion of said guide element to slidably obliquely move along said correction tape in a direction opposite to said one direction while raising said length of correction tape into sAid strike area when said operating lever is moved from its said first to said second positions and said movement coordinating means causing said upper portion of said guide element to slidably obliquely return along said correction tape in said one direction while lowering said length of correction tape out of said strike area when said operating lever is moved from its said second to said first positions.