US3892303A - Type font changing mechanism and controls - Google Patents

Type font changing mechanism and controls Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3892303A
US3892303A US347456A US34745673A US3892303A US 3892303 A US3892303 A US 3892303A US 347456 A US347456 A US 347456A US 34745673 A US34745673 A US 34745673A US 3892303 A US3892303 A US 3892303A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
carriage
font
font unit
unit
printing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US347456A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Frederick P Willcox
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US347456A priority Critical patent/US3892303A/en
Priority to CA195,573A priority patent/CA991577A/en
Priority to GB1458574A priority patent/GB1465193A/en
Priority to JP49037011A priority patent/JPS5927715B2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3892303A publication Critical patent/US3892303A/en
Assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION reassignment INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WILLCOX, FREDERICK, P.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/24—Case-shift mechanisms; Fount-change arrangements

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Type font changing in a teleprinter having a type font supporting carriage which positions the font unit along a writing line is facilitated by employing carriage movement in one direction to remove the presently installed type font unit from its character selection driving member and place it in a storage receptacle, and carriage movement in the opposite direction to retrieve a different font unit from a stored position and install it on the driving member.
  • Font units can be changed automatically in response to a single coded signal defining the desired font unit.
  • Automatic tabular position memory is provided to record the carriage position at the time of initiation of font unit change so that after font unit removal and change the carriage can be automatically returned to the original position along the writing line and printing resumed.
  • Code-signal control of the font changing is essential to maintaining maximum machine speed.
  • This invention provides this and also provides a control structure for the complex font changing operation that requires only one input signal which defines the stored location of the type font element that is wanted. Inasmuch as the font units are stored in respective locations, this defining of the stored unit thus defines the font unit itself.
  • FIG. I is an isometric view of a printer mechanism incorporating automatic font unit changing and storage
  • FIG. 2 is a partial front view of a vertically mounted type font unit showing method of type font removal and storage;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial top view of FIG. 2'
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of a printer incorporating a type font unit changing mechanism and an internally located storage drum;
  • FIG. 5 shows a top view of the storage drum and a portion of the changing mechanism
  • FIG. 6 shows a top view of a sliding storage box and a portion of the font changing mechanism and also shows power positioning devices for font changing and selecting.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a printer incorporating font unit changing, carriage position memory, and code-signal-responsive controls.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 7 incorporating the type of carriage position memory shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 1 to 6 incorporate a type font unit or element of the type shown in detail in Cross-Ref. C.
  • This type font unit has a plurality of type-face bearing chips which are stowed in a drum. Any one of the chips may be selected, extracted, used to print with, and then restowed in the drum.
  • This font unit shown and described in Cross-Ref. B could easily be substituted in the mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6.
  • This font unit is spool-shaped and has the type faces located on the ends of small arms which are stowed parallel to the spool axis. The selected arm, and type face, is swung out from its stored position, and, after printing is swung back to storage.
  • the type font unit is removable from the character selection driving means and readily replaceable with a different font unit having a different type style, size, or character make-up.
  • Both references also show various means of supporting the front unit and its positioning along the writing line by a carriage or carrier.
  • type font unit supporting structure and method of removal as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be readily applied to type font unit structures of the unitary element variety such as spherical-surfaced or cylindrical surfaced one-piece moldings which have a plurality of type faces on the surface thereof.
  • FIG. 1 shows the basic elements of a serial printer incorporating a simple type font unit changing mechanism and the basic controls for automatic code-signalresponsive operation.
  • a type front drum 10 is slidably supported or mounted on a drive member or shaft 12 and is rotatably positioned on a selected character by a front drive [4. Character to is effected by printer controls l6 in response to an input command.
  • the character selection part of controls 16 compares the input signal with the present font position signal received from shaft position encoder 18 which is mounted on font drive 14. Controls 16 are connected to certain elements of the printer including drive 14 and encoder 18 by a cable means generally designated 17.
  • chip ejector magnet 20 is actuated by controls 16 over leads 21 pushing a type-face bearing chip, (not shown), into printing arm 22. Arm 22 is then rotated to printing position as indicated by the dotted line position 24 by print actuator 26 which is also energised by controls 16 over leads 27.
  • a recording material such as a pressure sensitive paper, is indicated generally at 28, and is supported by a platen or roller 30.
  • Font drum 10 is moved along shaft 12 by a carriage indicated generally by 32.
  • Carriage side plates 34 and 36 straddle drum l and respectively support actuator 26 and magnet 20.
  • a chip retaining disc 38 is fixed to side plate 34 and is cut away to clear arm 22.
  • Shaft 12 is slidably and rotatably journaled in a boss (not shown) on side plate 34. Suitable structures for this dual bearing are shown in Cross-Refs. B and C.
  • Side plate 36 has an aperture which closely surrounds shaft 12 but does not touch it.
  • Carriage 32 is slidably mounted on guide ways, (not shown), for positioning along the writing line.
  • a cable 40 is anchored to carriage 32 and is wrapped around cable drum 42 and idler sheave 43. Cable drum 42 is fastened on one end of motor shaft 44.
  • Carriage motor 46 incrementally positions carriage 32 and font drum along the writing line. Motor 46 has a feedback commutator 48.
  • a belt pulley 50 is fastened on the other end of shaft 44.
  • a carriage tabular position memory indicated generally by 52, comprises a magnetic drum 54 and a magnetic write, read, erase, transducer head 56 which is connected to controls 16, Drum 54 is connected to a belt pulley 58 and is driven by belt 60 in synchronism with the positioning of carriage 32.
  • the ratio of pulleys 50 and 58 is nominally selected to give almost one rev olution of the magnetic drum 54 for the maximum travel distance of carriage 32.
  • Belt 60 may be of the toothed timing variety.
  • a type font unit transfer member or receiver is shown generally at 62 and is mounted on shaft 64 for rotation about its axis.
  • Receiver 62 is shown with four type font unit receiving positions. Inasmuch as receiver 62 is somewhat skeletonized, the receiving positions are located at the ends of respective arms 66, 68, 70, and 72. Arms 66, 68, and 70 are shown with type font units stowed or retained thereby.
  • Four detent positions are provided for receiver 62.
  • a non-rotating guide plate 74 supported by the machine frame, is closely positioned to transfer member or receiver 62 and to the faces of the spare font drums retained by receiver 62 to keep the type chips from falling out of their respective drums when the receiver 62 is rotated to transfer a font drum from one position to the next.
  • Arm 72 is shown in position to receive drum 10 should the printer operator decide to use a different font.
  • Member 62 is held in receiving position by the head end of shaft support 76.
  • This support 76 is slidably journalled in a boss 78 on the machine frame and is urged into engagement with the outboard end of shaft 12 by spring 79.
  • the head end of support 76 encloses a bearing which, when engaged, journals a reduced diameter projection on the end of shaft 12.
  • the forked ends of arms 66-72 may be slightly resilient to aid in drum retention and, further, that the receiving positions in receiver 62 could be apertures or cavities with each having a radial cut away portion to permit the passage of carriage side plate 34.
  • printer controls 16 Upon receipt of a font change signal, printer controls 16 effects rotation of drum 10 to a character position which also represents the removal alignment position of drum 10. This brings pin 80 on drum 10 into alignment for entering hole 82 in arm 72. Printing with this character chip which has been selected is inhibited by the font change signal and, when drum 10 has been aligned or indexed to font change position, carriage motor 46 is energized by controls 16 and carriage 32 moves toward the transfer member and receiver 62.
  • controls 16 sends a write signal pulse to transducer head 56 to record the position of carriage 32 at the time font change was initiated.
  • the write pulse would be sent to head 56 after one or two or more incremental positioning pulses had been sent to carriage motor 46 so that after font unit change and the carriage is returned to the recorded position, the recorded position would be read out” by head 56 in advance of the final stopping position to provide time for decelerating and stopping carriage 32.
  • a limit switch 86 supported by the machine frame to engage a portion of carriage 32 at its limit of travel, effects termination of carriage motion by sending a signal to controls 16 over leads 87 when actuated by the carriage.
  • guard plate 74 is cut out at 88 so as to clear chip retaining disc 38 which, at the end of carriage travel or motion, comes into alignment with the guard plate. It will be noted that the external dimensions and configuration of side plate 36 are such that the plate can freely pass through the forked end of arm 72.
  • transfer member or receiver 62 can be rotated by actuator 90 affixed to shaft 64 to transfer font drum 10 from its position between side plates 34 and 36 and bring the next desired font unit or drum into position for installation on shaft 12.
  • Actuator 90 may be nothing more than a manually operated knob or, as shown, a selection device actuated by controls 16 over leads 92 in response to an input signal calling for a specific font unit or drum, generally identified by its location in receiver 62.
  • the spare font drums as indicated at 63, 65, and 67, previously placed in storage and retained by the arms of receiver 62, just clear guard plate 74 when the receiver is rotated.
  • font selection drive 14 and carriage motor 46 are assumed to be stepping motors.
  • Carriage movement in one direction, can be spring-powered with suitable stopping and detent means. Further, mechanical limit stops and interlocks can be used.
  • the font drum or element is transported from its position along the writing line and is removed from its driving means and stored by one single motion;
  • the new font drum or element is installed on the driving means simultaneously with its extraction from its stowed position and is transported back to printing position by a final single motion in a direction reverse to the first motion.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the application of the same type of transfer member or receiver as shown in FIG. 1 but horizontally mounted so as to receive and exchange font elements or drums that are supported on a vertical axis.
  • font drum 100 is retained on a short slidable drive member 102 which is rotated through spiral gears by an off-carriage font drive motors as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Drive member 102 passes through carriage 104 which is slidably mounted for movement and positioning along the writing line.
  • Carriage 104 also supports the chip ejection and printing means, as shown for example in FIGS. 4 & 5 of Cross- Ref. C.
  • a font transfer and storage member on font receiver is generally indicated at 106 and is mounted principally on a hollow tubular shaft 108 journalled in support 110, and is rotated by knob 112.
  • Member 106 has four font drum storage arms which are generally like those of receiver 62, except that the ends of the arms are bifurcated by a long slot 114 as shown in FIG. 3 so as to be slightly springy to retain a font drum and, also, to guide the drum indexing or alignment pin 116.
  • knob 112 can be rotated to remove drum 100 from its confinement on carriage 104 and to bring a new font drum or element into installing position. Inasmuch as the springy ends of the arms of member 106 tend to retain the hub of the drum, it is necessary for member 102 to engage the hub of the newly selected drum before carriage return to the original position is initiated. This is accomplished by pushing font restore button 134 on plunger 136.
  • a font restore switch 138 can be so positioned as to be actuated by the motion of plunger 136 so as to initiate carriage return to the desired printing position. This desired printing position may have been previously recorded as a temporary tabulaion position as described in relation to FIG. 1.
  • Drum 100 is shown as having similar construction to drum 10 of FIG. 1 to facilitate illustration.
  • a font drum for vertical support as in FIG. 2 may well be hub-less and the upper end of member 102 may well be a disc, slightly larger in diameter than the hub shown and fitted with driving pins or the like. The disc would retract into a cavity in the top of carriage 104.
  • the font drum 100 is held in its installed position on the driving member by an overarm plate 105 which is essentially part of the carriage structure.
  • the font drums are retained in a similar manner in member 106 by fixed overarm plate 107.
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view of a printer similar to that previously illustrated but incorporating a separate and larger capacity font storage magazine or bin which is wholly contained within the normal confines of the printer case.
  • the printer case is indicated generally by 140, and the keyboard is indicated at 142.
  • a type font drum is confined by side plates 152 and 154 of carriage 156 and is rotated for character selection or removal alignment by shaft 158.
  • the chip ejection, printing, and restowing mechanism is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of Cross-Ref. C.
  • Printing arm 160 accepts a type chip ejected from drum 150 by solenoid 162 and is swung up into printing position as shown by the dotted lines.
  • Impression paper is indicated at 164 and is supported by platen 166.
  • Carriage 156 is incrementally positioned along guide bar 168 by means of a cable 170 which is looped or wound around cable drum 172 affixed on the output shaft of carriage motor 174.
  • a motor commutator or feedback pulse generator is indicated at 176.
  • a carriage travel limit switch is indicated at 178.
  • a bracket fixed to guide bar 168 supports a font drum receiver or transfer arm 182 which is fixed to a shaft 184 pivoted in bracket 180.
  • Arm 182 is normally 7 retained in its upper, or solid line position by a springloaded shaft support such as support 76 in FIG. 1.
  • Arm 182 receives the font drum or element to be changed in exactly the same manner as previously de scribed in relation to FIG. 1. However, in this structure, arm 182 is used to transfer the font unit or drum to be changed from confinement between carriage side plates 152 and 154 to a font bin or magazine 186.
  • This magazine 186 shown in top view in FIG. 5, has six font storage positions or cavities and is supported by shaft 188 journalled in boss 190 and may be rotated by the font selecting knob 192 which is adjacent the keyboard keys.
  • the hub ofdrum 150 enters the forked end of arm 182 and the drum index pin 194 enters slot 196 in arm 182.
  • a font retaining lever 198 is pivotted at 200 in a long slot that separates most of the length of arm 182 and is pulled into a spring-loaded position by spring 202.
  • the upper end of lever 198 is curved so as to press the font drum hub into the forked end of arm 182. As the drum hub enters the forked end of arm 182, lever 198 is rotated slightly outward by the normally bevelled end of the drum hub.
  • arm 182 is rotated downward by a knob 204, shown in FIG. 5, and the font drum is positioned in the empty storage cavity or receptacle of magazine 186 where it is retained by the spring pressure of rim finger 206 which is nominally an integral part of the magazine structure as shown.
  • retaining lever is disengaged from the hub of the juststored font drum by the lower end of lever 198 riding up on cam surface 208 which is part of bracket 180. Magazine 186 can now be rotated to bring a selected and desired font drum into position for transfer up to the installation position.
  • Arm 182 is now rotated clockwise to pick up the newly selected font drum and carry it up to confinement between side plates 152 and 154.
  • lever 198 leaves the active cam surface 208 and firmly forces the hub into the forked end of arm 182 so that it will be in exact position for sliding on to shaft 158.
  • Font restoring i.e., carriage return to printing position
  • FIG. 4 the structure of FIG. 4 can be fitted with the temporary carriage position recording means also previously described. It should be noted that when arm 182 is in its upper position, the elbow of the arm 182 partially projects into the empty storage cavity and keeps the magazine 186 from being inadvertently rotated.
  • FIG. 5 shows a top view of magazine 186 and with arm 182 in the upward or ready position. This figure shows the structural detail of the magazine which would normally be molded of a suitable plastic material. The cranked lower end of lever 198 is shown. Both arm 182 and lever 198 have been sectioned through a point just above the pivot pin 200 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 shows an alternate front storage bin structure for the printer of FIG. 4.
  • the magazine is a box-like structure 210 which can also be contained within the normal confines of the printer case 140.
  • Box 210 is slidably supported on guides 211 for to and fro positioning as indicated by the double ended arrow.
  • Box 210 has a rack 212 on its backside which engages a gear 214 which is rotated by a pinion 216 on the output shaft of font selector 218, which, in turn, is actuated by signals from the printer controls over leads 220.
  • font unit transfer actuator 222 which is also connected to printer controls by leads 224.
  • Font selector 218 and actuator 222 may be stepping motors, solenoids, or the like.
  • Stored font units 226, 227, 228, and 229 are shown in place in box 210.
  • FIG. 4 a stored or stowed font unit 187 is shown in place in magazine 186.
  • this same font unit 187 is shown in the same relative location as in the side view of FIG. 4.
  • Other spare font units are indicated at 189, 191, 193, and 195.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a code-signal-responsive electrically controlled printer incorporating automatic font unit changing, carriage position memory, and font selection control. It shows the essential details of complete control of printer structures such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and is applicable to other printer structures as well.
  • An input control 250 receives input command signal from either a keyboard 252 or external coded signal input sources 254.
  • the external sources 254 may be a computer, a tape reader, or a remote source which sends its input command signals via radio or telephone links.
  • the input control 250 may include a serial-toparallel converter and may control or signal the external source. Methods of handling serial or parallel coded input signals are shown, for example, in Cross-Ref. A.
  • Coded input signals are entered in command register 256 and presented to character selection control 258, and to non-printing function decoder 260. If the input command signal does not call for a non-printing function, a not non-printing function signal WF, serves as a start signal, through OR gate 262, to energize selection control 258 which compares the command signal C with the present font position signal P from font drive shaft position encoder 264 which is mounted on the font drive motor 266. If the signals C and P are not equal, C P, the font motor 266 is energized to rotate the font unit or element to the selected character. During the rotation or bringing the font unit to the selected character, the signals C and P are continuously compared for equality.
  • print control 268 puts out a reset signal over one lead and a letter space signal over another lead.
  • the letter space signal pulse initiates letter spacing by print carriage controls 272 which, in turn, effects carriage movement through carriage motor 274.
  • a feedback commutator 276 is connected to one output shaft of motor 274 to provide for accurate stepping of the motor.
  • the input command signal is for a non-printing function involving line feeding
  • line feed controls and drive 278 is energized to carry out the command.
  • the input command signal is for a particular carriage operation such as return, tabulating, spacing, etc.
  • the carriage positioning controls 272 is appropriately energized.
  • other non-printing functions such as bell, etc., would be appropriately effected.
  • a reset signal pulse is put out by line feed controls and drive 278 at the completion of each operation such as line feed, vertical tabulating, and the like.
  • Print carriage positioning controls 272 also puts out a reset pulse after all operations which it effects except letter space.
  • Other types of interlock circuits can, of course, be used.
  • R the source of the reset pulse
  • the decoded command for a specific font unit location in storage is sent over a respective lead from function decoder 260 to a font selection set-up unit generally designated 280.
  • This unit contains a limited memory 282 which may be a small group of flip-flops, a code generator 284 which may be no more than a single-shot followed by a limited array of diodes, and certain control circuits for putting out signal pulses.
  • the set-up unit 280 When the specific font unit location signal, such as might designate one of six possible locations of font unit storage in the magazine, is received by the set-up unit 280, the appropriate memory cell latches up. Following this set-up unit 280 puts out a dump signal to reset register 256 and remove the command. Following this dump signal by a brief delay to insure resetting of register 256, code generator 284 puts out a parallel-by bit coded signal to register 256 which accepts this as a new command signal.
  • the specific font unit location signal such as might designate one of six possible locations of font unit storage in the magazine
  • the coded signal put out by generator 284 is the code for a particular character location in the font unit which also represents the removal alignment position of the font unit as previously described. Although this new command is seen" by the selector control 258 as a character to be selected, the selection operation can not be initiated because function decoder 260 has not been reset and hence cannot put out a W signal to start selection. However, after generator 284 has put out its coded signal, set-up unit 280 puts out a combined start, print inhibit, and record signal. This signal goes out over lead 286 to OR gate 262 to effect start of character selection to the font removal alignment position, to AND gate 268, and to print inhibit circuit 290. Print inhibit circuit 290 holds off any printing operation by print control 268 until the system receives a reset pulse.
  • Position memory 292 records the instant incremental position of the carriage on receipt of this signal.
  • the application of the run out signal to controls 272 effects the start of high speed carriage movement to its limit stop position, as previously described for FIGS. 1 and 4, and also inhibits any margin or tabulation stopping of the carriage during this travel.
  • the high speed run out travel to the limit stop is terminated by a stop signal from limit switch 294. This run out of the carriage removes the font unit from its drive means and positions it for transfer to storage.
  • Position memory 292 is composed of appropriate switching and control circuits and a memory system which may be a code-controlled tabular memory as disclosed in Cross-Ref. D. Memory 292 may also be composed of a magnetic transducer and a magnetic recording drum as shown in FIG. 1 and switched as shown in FIG. 7. Further, memory 292 can comprise any one of the following: a pin cam mechanical memory; reversable optochemical recording means; an up-down counter; an up'down shift register; or the like.
  • memory 292 includes an up-down counter (to facilitate operational function description)
  • carriage positioning controls 272 responds to the run out signal, it operates motor 274, (nominally a stepping motor), by putting out a series of incrementing pulses. When operating in the run out direction these pulses are also applied to the memory 292 as up count pulses.
  • the incremental drive pulses are supplied to the memory as down count pulses, and when the count returns to zero, the memory 292 puts out a stop pulse to controls 272.
  • memory 272 may be arranged to put out the stop pulse one or more counts before the count gets down to zero. This early stop pulse provides time for the carriage to be slowed down and stopped without overshoot on the part of motor 274.
  • Selection control and drive 300 in response to the select signal, moves the magazine to the location previously commanded and held for reference in the set-up memory 282 and, when that location has been reached, drive 300 stops and puts out an un-stow signal to transfer control and drive 298. Drive 298 then un-stows the selected font unit from the magazine and transfers it into position for installing on the driving means.
  • drive 298 puts out a run back signal to carriage positioning controls 272 to effect return of the carriage to the position recorded by memory 292. Installation of the font unit takes place during the first part of the carriage return motion.
  • positioning controls 272 puts out a reset pulse which resets the system including set-up 280, decoder 260, register 256, and input control 250.
  • control system of FIG. 7 can be simplified in the interests of economy by the deletion of the carriage position memory 292 and drives 298 and 300 can be actuated by specific command signals sent to the system.
  • drives 298 and 300 can also be eliminated and font unit transfer effected by manual operation as shown in FIG. 5, and font selection effected as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the system of FIG. 7 is also provided with a system power supply indicated at 310.
  • FIG. 8 shows a block diagram similar to that of FIG. 7, but provides for the use of separate command signals to initiate font changing and font return after manual font selection and incorporates the control detail for a recording memory which may be the magnetic type shown in FIG. I.
  • This control system may be applied to a structure such as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 and is, of course, particularly applicable to the structure of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 wherein the font receiver or storage means is manually rotated to effect font unit selection.
  • the control system of FIG. 8 has a system power supply 340 and the following means, similarly numbered and named as those in FIG. 7, which perform the same functions as described for FIG. 7: input control 350, keyboard 352, external input sources 354, input command register 356, selection control 358, function decoder 360, OR gate 362, font drive motor 366, shaft position encoder 364, print control 368, printing drive 370, print carriage positioning controls 372, carriage motor 374, feedback commutator 376, and line feed controls and drive 378.
  • Character selection and printing and line feeding and carriage positioning are similar to that described for FIG. 7.
  • the first input command signal which calls for a font change, is decoded by decoder 360 and sent to font change circuit 380 which puts out a multi-purpose signal which serves as a start signal to selection control 358 to bring the font unit to removal alignment orientation or position, as an inhibit signal to print inhibit circuit 390 to hold off printing until font change has been effected, and as a record signal to AND gate 382.
  • the coded input command signal calling for a font change is coded in such a manner that except for a difference in higher order bits or bit, it is also the code for the particular character which represents the font unit removal alignment position, (assuming that the font unit does indeed have to be aligned for removal in some printers the font unit may have a normal home position thus obviating the need for this alignment procedure).
  • non-printing function decoder and switch 360 sees the signal as a nonprinting function and hence does not put out a NPF or start signal to selection control 358. In this type of operation the higher order bit, or bits as required, are not presented to control 358 by register 356.
  • the signal from AND gate 382 also serves to set margin and tabulation inhibit circuit 386 which latches up and puts out a continuous inhibit signal to positioning controls 372.
  • the signal from AND 382 further serves to initiate run out of the carriage by controls 372 as described for FIG. 7.
  • carriage motor 374 responds to the incrementing pulses from controls 372, its feedback commutator 376 puts out what amounts to an increment completed pulse back to controls 372 to effect presentation of the next incrementing pulse.
  • feedback pulses are also presented to counter 388 which is arranged to put out a pulse after a given input count. In this case taken as three increments, so as to delay the recording of the carriage position at the time of initiation of font change by that number of increments so as to provide an early readout of the recorded position to provide stopping time for carriage motion when it is returned to the recorded position.
  • the output pulse from counter 388 goes to the single shot circuit 394 which then puts out a pulse of proper length to write amplifier 396 which, in turn, puts out a recording signal through switch 384 to transducer or recording head 398 which records the pulse on a memory such as a magnetic drum as shown in FIG. I.
  • the transducer or recording head 398 is nominally of the write, read, and erase type.
  • limit switch 400 When the carriage reaches its limit of travel or a few increments prior thereto, it actuates limit switch 400.
  • the output of switch 400 serves to effect stopping of carriage motion to the run out limit through OR gate 402 as shown.
  • the output of switch 400 also goes to recording head switch 384 to effect setting of switch 384 to its position 3 which is the read position.
  • the font unit After the carriage has reached the run out limit position, the font unit has been removed from its driving means and the exchange of the just removed font unit for a desired font unit is effected by manual operation as previously described.
  • a font return key is depressed on the keyboard to initiate the return of the carriage to the previously recorded position so that printing can be resumed.
  • the newly selected font unit or element is installed on the driving means by motion of the carriage. This latter action of installation by carriage motion, or unit removal for that matter, would not be necessary if the font element is manually or otherwise removed from its driving means.
  • the controls 372 puts out a reset signal which conditions the input control 350, register 356, and decoder 360 to receive a font restore signal from the keyboard 352.
  • This restore or return signal is decoded by decoder 360 and sent to font return circuit 404 which then puts out a run back signal to positioning controls 372.
  • This run back signal initiates carriage return to the previously recorded position.
  • the magnetic memory drum or other memory means responds in synchronism.
  • head 308 reads out the recorded pulse, it puts out a signal through switch 384 to read amplifier 404 which then puts out a multi-purpose signal which serves to effect stopping of carriage movement by controls 372.
  • the signal passes through OR gate 402.
  • This same output from read amplifier 404 also goes through a time delay 406 which delays the signal by a sufficient amount to assure that the carriage has been stopped, and is used to effect reset of margin and tabulation inhibit 386 and to effect setting of head switch 384 to position 2.
  • time delay 406 When head switch is in position 2, erase amplifier 406 is connected to head 398. This erase signal is left on and present until the head switch is conditioned to pass a write pulse. The system is reset by the output pulse from the controls 272. With the new font in place, printing is resumed.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 that other carriage positioning signals such as space, tabulation, etc. are sent to the print carriage positioning controls over respective leads or cables from the decoder and switcher to the positioning controls.
  • the temporary tab position recording sub-system including memory types and method of control as described herein to record carriage position at the time of initiation of font changing can also be used for other tabulation applications.
  • the various font storage means shown all have a cavity or aperture of some type to hold the stored font element.
  • the receiver shown in FIG. 1 could equally well have been fitted with stub shafts for retaining removed font units.
  • FIGS. 1 and 4 show the use of a long, transverse font unit drive shaft which necessitates positioning the carriage or transporter at either the left or right extreme of travel for font unit, element, or spool exchange.
  • the long shaft is dispensed with and either a horizontal or vertical stub shaft driving arrangement is used, the home position of the carriage can be at any location where it is mechanically convenient to place the exchange mechanisms. If the font unit changing mechanisms are manually operated, the right side location, when facing the printer, is preferred in order to satisfy human engineering requirements.
  • the font unit character selection motion that is, rotation
  • the font unit or element has no home" position and therefore, rotational alignment or indexing is necessary before removal. If character selection is effected by back-and-forth rotation about a home" position, as in some single element typewriters, this alignment procedure is generally unnecessary.
  • a printer for producing printing along a writing line on a recording material and of the type having a changeable type font unit normally installed in operational position therein which can be removed therefrom and exchanged with a second font unit having a different set of characters, and having signal responsive means for effecting and controlling character selection, printing and non-printing functions such as spacing, tabulation, line feeding the recording material, and the like, the combination comprising:
  • a. character selection means having driving means for positioning an installed type font unit to bring a selected character into position for the printing thereof;
  • carriage means movable parallel to said writing line and along the length thereof, for supporting a type font unit in installed position in engagement with said driving means for character selection and in position for printing and spacing;
  • carriage positioning means for moving and incrementally positioning the carriage means to printing positions along the writing line, and also to a limit of travel in one direction which is at least one positioning increment beyond the end of the writing line whereat type font units can be exchanged; and d.
  • said means comprising said carriage means which does said removing as it approaches said limit of travel and, after said ex change, does said installing as it leaves said limit of travel, e. said last-named means further comprising l. means receiving a type font unit from the carriage means as it approaches the limit of travel, and holding said font unit when it is disengaged,
  • a. positionable storage means generally adjacent said limit of travel, for receiving and holding a plurality of type font units including the installed font unit when it is removed from installed position;
  • type font unit selection means for positioning the storage means after said just removed font unit has been stowed therein to bring said second font unit into position for the un-stowing and subsequent installation thereof.
  • carriage means further comprises said means for stowing and un-stowing, whereby the carriage means stows a font unit in the storage means during the removing thereof, and, after the storage means has been positioned to bring a second font unit into position for un-stowing, un-stows said second font unit from the storage means during the installing thereof.
  • a. movable transfer means cooperative with said carriage means and said storage means, and supported adjacent said limit of travel for:
  • said signal responsive means further comprises control means responsive to type font unit changing signals for:
  • a printer for producing printing along a writing line on a recording material and of the type having a changeable type font unit normally installed in operational position therein which can be removed therefrom and exchanged with a second font unit having a different set of characters, and having signal responsive means for effecting and controlling character selection, printing, and non-printing functions such as spacing, tabulation, line feeding the recording material, and the like, the combination comprising:
  • a. character selection means having driving means for positioning an installed type font unit to bring a selected character into position for the printing thereof;
  • carriage means movable parallel to said writing line and along the length thereof, for supporting an installed type font unit in engagement with said driving means for character selection and in position for printing and spacing;
  • carriage positioning means for moving and incrementally positioning the carriage means to printing positions along the writing line, and also to a limit of travel in one direction which is at least one positioning increment beyond the end of the writing line whereat type font units can be exchanged;
  • a printer for producing printing along a writing line on a recording material and of the type having a changeable type font unit normally installed in operational position therein which can be removed therefrom and exchanged with a second font unit having a different set of characters, and having signal responsive means for effecting and controlling character selection, printing, and non-printing functions such as spacing, tabulation, line feeding the recording material, and the like, the combination comprising:
  • a. carriage means movable parallel to said writing line and along the length thereof, for supporting an installed type font unit in operational position for character selection, printing, and spacing;
  • carriage positioning means for moving and incrementally positioning the carriage means to printing positions along the writing line, and to a limit of travel in one direction whereat type font units can be exchanged;
  • type font unit changing means for removing a type font unit from said operational position, for exchanging said font unit with a second font unit, and for installing said second font unit in said operational position;
  • carriage position memory and signalling means cooperative with said signal responsive means and said carriage positioning means, for temporarily recording the instant incremental position of the carriage means whenever carriage movement to said limit of travel for font unit changing is initiated, and, after font unit changing has occured and carriage movement away from said limit of travel has been initiated, for putting out a signal to effect stopping of the carriage means at said temporarily recorded position.
  • said carriage position memory and signalling means comprises a magnetic recording and control means having a magnetic recording medium and a cooperating electromagnetic transducer means for temporarily recording, reading out, and then erasing a record of said instant incremental position of the carriage means, and wherein said recording medium and said transducer means are supported for relative motion therebetween and in synchronism with the positioning of the carriage means.
  • said carriage position memory and signalling means comprises a reversible counting means for temporarily recording said instant position by counting in incremental synchronism with the movement of the carriage means whenever it is moved to and from said limit of travel, and wherein said stopping signal is put out when a counting sequence has returned to either the start of count, or to one or more increments therebefore to provide an adequate time interval for stopping the carriage means at the exact position represented by the start of count.
  • a printer for producing printing along a writing line on a recording material and of the type having a changeable type font unit normally installed in operational position therein which can be removed therefrom and exchanged with a second font unit having a different set of characters, and having signal responsive means for effecting and controlling character selection, printing, and non-printing functions such as spacing, tubulation, line feeding the recording material, and the like, the combination comprising:
  • a. character selection means having driving means for positioning an installed type font unit to bring a selected character into position for the printing thereof;
  • carriage means movable parallel to said writing line and along the length thereof, for supporting a type font unit in installed position in engagement with said driving means for character selection and in position for printing and spacing;
  • carriage positioning means for moving and incrementally positioning the carriage means to printing positions along the writing line, and to a limit of travel in one direction whereat type font units can be exchanged;
  • type font unit changing means generally adjacent said limit of travel, for removing a type font unit from said installed position, for exchanging said font unit for a second font unit, and for installing said second font unit in said installed position;
  • control means cooperative with said signal responsive means and responsive to signals calling for type font unit changing, for:

Landscapes

  • Character Spaces And Line Spaces In Printers (AREA)
  • Automatic Tool Replacement In Machine Tools (AREA)
US347456A 1973-04-03 1973-04-03 Type font changing mechanism and controls Expired - Lifetime US3892303A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US347456A US3892303A (en) 1973-04-03 1973-04-03 Type font changing mechanism and controls
CA195,573A CA991577A (en) 1973-04-03 1974-03-20 Type font changing mechanism and controls
GB1458574A GB1465193A (en) 1973-04-03 1974-04-02 Printers having type font changing mechanism and controls
JP49037011A JPS5927715B2 (ja) 1973-04-03 1974-04-03 活字フオントユニツト交換および貯蔵装置

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US347456A US3892303A (en) 1973-04-03 1973-04-03 Type font changing mechanism and controls

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3892303A true US3892303A (en) 1975-07-01

Family

ID=23363776

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US347456A Expired - Lifetime US3892303A (en) 1973-04-03 1973-04-03 Type font changing mechanism and controls

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3892303A (ja)
JP (1) JPS5927715B2 (ja)
CA (1) CA991577A (ja)
GB (1) GB1465193A (ja)

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4026403A (en) * 1975-02-14 1977-05-31 Hitachi, Ltd. Automatic printer with plurality of replaceable printing members
US4088217A (en) * 1977-02-03 1978-05-09 Bucknam Ralph E Typewriter attachment
US4091911A (en) * 1976-05-03 1978-05-30 Xerox Corporation Control apparatus for serial printer
US4124312A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-07 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with print wheel cartridge
US4127335A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-28 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with cartridge print wheel
FR2419171A1 (fr) * 1978-03-06 1979-10-05 Ibm Systeme de traitement de texte avec changement de type de caracteres
FR2419167A1 (fr) * 1978-03-06 1979-10-05 Ibm Systeme de traitement de texte avec mode d'impression de controle
US4197022A (en) * 1978-11-29 1980-04-08 International Business Machines Corporation Multiple spoked wheel printer
US4202639A (en) * 1977-09-14 1980-05-13 Exxon Research & Engineering Co. Daisy loading apparatus
US4204779A (en) * 1978-04-07 1980-05-27 Qume Corporation High character capacity impact printer
US4208140A (en) * 1978-05-05 1980-06-17 Bucknam Ralph E Automated typewriter attachment
US4208142A (en) * 1978-11-30 1980-06-17 Burroughs Corporation Print head locating utilizing sonic techniques
US4209262A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-06-24 Xerox Corporation Print wheel loading apparatus
US4220417A (en) * 1978-06-08 1980-09-02 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus for producing preliminary character printout of text and instruction codes of word processing apparatus
US4281938A (en) * 1980-01-14 1981-08-04 Phillips Stephen R Automatic print wheel element changing mechanism for a serial printer
US4289412A (en) * 1979-11-28 1981-09-15 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic typefont loader
US4307968A (en) * 1979-11-28 1981-12-29 International Business Machines Corp. Font changing apparatus for daisy wheel printer
US4310255A (en) * 1978-09-18 1982-01-12 Ricoh Co., Ltd. Printer with cartridge type wheel
US4332489A (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-06-01 International Business Machines Corporation Print hammer actuating device
EP0052725A1 (en) * 1980-11-20 1982-06-02 International Business Machines Corporation Method of reducing the print element changes in a text processing system
US4448555A (en) * 1981-03-20 1984-05-15 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Impact printing apparatus with interchangeable rotary type wheels
US4457637A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-07-03 Willcox Frederick P Squeeze printing mechanism
US4466753A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-08-21 Willcox Frederick P Carriage guiding system and frame for a printer
US4480932A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-11-06 Willcox Frederick P Keyboard having rotationally positionable indicia for indicating type font in use
EP0129005A2 (en) * 1983-06-16 1984-12-27 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive display terminal including an impact printer with interchangeable typing elements of different pitches
US4501508A (en) * 1981-10-09 1985-02-26 Iquad Company Incorporated Apparatus for use in automatic typing machine
US4502804A (en) * 1982-09-24 1985-03-05 Willcox Frederick P Paper feeding and guiding system
USRE32053E (en) * 1976-04-01 1985-12-24 Articulated ribbon-guiding structure
US4569608A (en) * 1983-07-15 1986-02-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Printing apparatus with automatically interchangeable ribbon cartridges
US4624591A (en) * 1983-06-16 1986-11-25 International Business Machines Corporation Impact printer with type font elements having mid-line pitch change capability
US4627751A (en) * 1981-08-07 1986-12-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Control apparatus for hammer type impact printer
US4739701A (en) * 1986-03-05 1988-04-26 Frama Ag Franking machine with printing plate changing apparatus
US5810489A (en) * 1994-10-07 1998-09-22 Seiko Precision Inc. Printing type printer

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2822313C2 (de) * 1978-05-22 1985-07-04 Olympia Werke Ag, 2940 Wilhelmshaven Typenradkassette für Schreib- oder ähnliche Büromaschinen

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2830820A (en) * 1955-01-17 1958-04-15 Bessie F Murchison Type setting machine
US3291292A (en) * 1964-10-28 1966-12-13 Mohr Lino Saw Company Tape controlled saw positioning means for linecasting machines
US3307672A (en) * 1964-02-11 1967-03-07 Sam H Young Hovering printer having magnetically held type elements
US3334721A (en) * 1965-06-30 1967-08-08 Ibm Printing structure having plural type wheels
US3403386A (en) * 1966-01-24 1968-09-24 Burroughs Corp Format control
US3534847A (en) * 1966-09-21 1970-10-20 Frederick P Willcox High speed teleprinter
US3645372A (en) * 1969-12-31 1972-02-29 Ibm Automatic type element changing mechanism for single element typewriter
US3657627A (en) * 1969-07-23 1972-04-18 Fujitsu Ltd Tool selection system
US3731778A (en) * 1970-07-15 1973-05-08 F Willcox Printer having individual character chips

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2830820A (en) * 1955-01-17 1958-04-15 Bessie F Murchison Type setting machine
US3307672A (en) * 1964-02-11 1967-03-07 Sam H Young Hovering printer having magnetically held type elements
US3291292A (en) * 1964-10-28 1966-12-13 Mohr Lino Saw Company Tape controlled saw positioning means for linecasting machines
US3334721A (en) * 1965-06-30 1967-08-08 Ibm Printing structure having plural type wheels
US3403386A (en) * 1966-01-24 1968-09-24 Burroughs Corp Format control
US3534847A (en) * 1966-09-21 1970-10-20 Frederick P Willcox High speed teleprinter
US3657627A (en) * 1969-07-23 1972-04-18 Fujitsu Ltd Tool selection system
US3645372A (en) * 1969-12-31 1972-02-29 Ibm Automatic type element changing mechanism for single element typewriter
US3731778A (en) * 1970-07-15 1973-05-08 F Willcox Printer having individual character chips

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4026403A (en) * 1975-02-14 1977-05-31 Hitachi, Ltd. Automatic printer with plurality of replaceable printing members
USRE32053E (en) * 1976-04-01 1985-12-24 Articulated ribbon-guiding structure
US4091911A (en) * 1976-05-03 1978-05-30 Xerox Corporation Control apparatus for serial printer
US4088217A (en) * 1977-02-03 1978-05-09 Bucknam Ralph E Typewriter attachment
US4124312A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-07 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with print wheel cartridge
US4127335A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-28 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with cartridge print wheel
US4202639A (en) * 1977-09-14 1980-05-13 Exxon Research & Engineering Co. Daisy loading apparatus
FR2419167A1 (fr) * 1978-03-06 1979-10-05 Ibm Systeme de traitement de texte avec mode d'impression de controle
US4205922A (en) * 1978-03-06 1980-06-03 International Business Machines Corporation Font and column format control system
FR2419171A1 (fr) * 1978-03-06 1979-10-05 Ibm Systeme de traitement de texte avec changement de type de caracteres
US4204779A (en) * 1978-04-07 1980-05-27 Qume Corporation High character capacity impact printer
US4208140A (en) * 1978-05-05 1980-06-17 Bucknam Ralph E Automated typewriter attachment
US4220417A (en) * 1978-06-08 1980-09-02 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus for producing preliminary character printout of text and instruction codes of word processing apparatus
US4310255A (en) * 1978-09-18 1982-01-12 Ricoh Co., Ltd. Printer with cartridge type wheel
US4209262A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-06-24 Xerox Corporation Print wheel loading apparatus
US4197022A (en) * 1978-11-29 1980-04-08 International Business Machines Corporation Multiple spoked wheel printer
US4208142A (en) * 1978-11-30 1980-06-17 Burroughs Corporation Print head locating utilizing sonic techniques
US4289412A (en) * 1979-11-28 1981-09-15 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic typefont loader
US4307968A (en) * 1979-11-28 1981-12-29 International Business Machines Corp. Font changing apparatus for daisy wheel printer
US4281938A (en) * 1980-01-14 1981-08-04 Phillips Stephen R Automatic print wheel element changing mechanism for a serial printer
EP0052725A1 (en) * 1980-11-20 1982-06-02 International Business Machines Corporation Method of reducing the print element changes in a text processing system
EP0053682A2 (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-06-16 International Business Machines Corporation Print hammer actuating device for a type chip cartridge printer
EP0053682A3 (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-08-04 International Business Machines Corporation Print hammer actuating device for a type chip cartridge printer
US4332489A (en) * 1980-11-24 1982-06-01 International Business Machines Corporation Print hammer actuating device
US4448555A (en) * 1981-03-20 1984-05-15 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Impact printing apparatus with interchangeable rotary type wheels
US4824267A (en) * 1981-08-07 1989-04-25 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Control apparatus for hammer type impact printer
US4627751A (en) * 1981-08-07 1986-12-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Control apparatus for hammer type impact printer
US4501508A (en) * 1981-10-09 1985-02-26 Iquad Company Incorporated Apparatus for use in automatic typing machine
US4480932A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-11-06 Willcox Frederick P Keyboard having rotationally positionable indicia for indicating type font in use
US4502804A (en) * 1982-09-24 1985-03-05 Willcox Frederick P Paper feeding and guiding system
US4466753A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-08-21 Willcox Frederick P Carriage guiding system and frame for a printer
US4457637A (en) * 1982-09-24 1984-07-03 Willcox Frederick P Squeeze printing mechanism
EP0129005A2 (en) * 1983-06-16 1984-12-27 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive display terminal including an impact printer with interchangeable typing elements of different pitches
US4624591A (en) * 1983-06-16 1986-11-25 International Business Machines Corporation Impact printer with type font elements having mid-line pitch change capability
EP0129005A3 (en) * 1983-06-16 1988-01-13 International Business Machines Corporation Interactive display terminal including an impact printer with interchangeable typing elements of different pitches
US4569608A (en) * 1983-07-15 1986-02-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Printing apparatus with automatically interchangeable ribbon cartridges
US4739701A (en) * 1986-03-05 1988-04-26 Frama Ag Franking machine with printing plate changing apparatus
US5810489A (en) * 1994-10-07 1998-09-22 Seiko Precision Inc. Printing type printer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1465193A (en) 1977-02-23
JPS5927715B2 (ja) 1984-07-07
CA991577A (en) 1976-06-22
JPS49127724A (ja) 1974-12-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3892303A (en) Type font changing mechanism and controls
US2831424A (en) Traveling type carriage in high speed printers
US3260340A (en) Revision system for data recording and printing apparatus
US4516137A (en) Thermal print head for heat or non-heat-sensitive paper
US3789969A (en) High speed printer
US3833891A (en) High speed matrix printer
US4205351A (en) Digital data recorder
US3209681A (en) Rotary print head with selective character forming dies
US4289412A (en) Automatic typefont loader
US2863549A (en) Subcycle control for serial-parallel printer
US3872959A (en) Positioning typewriter
US3526309A (en) Ink transfer roller with ink supply interrupter for a type wheel
US4375923A (en) Rotatable print head for a multiple print station printing apparatus
US3561581A (en) Signal-controlled printer
US2845019A (en) Medium speed printer
US4669897A (en) Dot matrix printer capable of varying character size
US3731778A (en) Printer having individual character chips
US2865487A (en) Record controlled printing or writing machines
US3769906A (en) Installations for printing codes on articles
US3275995A (en) Data handling system
US3304858A (en) Electromechanical printing system for digital systems
US3754631A (en) Positioning typewriter
US2343414A (en) Punching machine
GB688383A (en) Improvements in or relating to record-card-controlled machines
US3957148A (en) Logical solution for mechanical clutch start/stop wear

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, ARMON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WILLCOX, FREDERICK, P.;REEL/FRAME:004912/0869

Effective date: 19880707

Owner name: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION,NEW YO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WILLCOX, FREDERICK, P.;REEL/FRAME:004912/0869

Effective date: 19880707