US3915277A - Typing machine key action - Google Patents

Typing machine key action Download PDF

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Publication number
US3915277A
US3915277A US501124A US50112474A US3915277A US 3915277 A US3915277 A US 3915277A US 501124 A US501124 A US 501124A US 50112474 A US50112474 A US 50112474A US 3915277 A US3915277 A US 3915277A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
horizontal
interposer
key lever
bell crank
typing machine
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
US501124A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Samuel D Cappotto
Charles M Curley
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.)
Smith Corona Corp
Original Assignee
SCM Corp
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 SCM Corp filed Critical SCM Corp
Priority to US501124A priority Critical patent/US3915277A/en
Priority to CA233,855A priority patent/CA1015300A/en
Priority to JP50103540A priority patent/JPS5152020A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3915277A publication Critical patent/US3915277A/en
Assigned to SMITH CORONA CORPORATION, 65 LOCUST AVENUE, NEW CANAAN, CT 06840 A DE. CORP. reassignment SMITH CORONA CORPORATION, 65 LOCUST AVENUE, NEW CANAAN, CT 06840 A DE. CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SCM CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • B41J5/28—Multiple-action keys, e.g. keys depressed by two or more amounts or movable in two or more directions to effect different functions or selections
    • 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
    • B41J23/00—Power drives for actions or mechanisms
    • B41J23/02—Mechanical power drives
    • B41J23/04—Mechanical power drives with driven mechanism arranged to be clutched to continuously- operating power source

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A key lever is pivotally connected to a horizontal arm [73] Assignee: SCM Corporation, New York, NY.
  • a bendable tab that limits downward movement of the key lever can be bent out of the way so that the key lever can be depressed further into a repeat position thus enabling the same parts to be used for both single-action and repeat key actions.
  • a longitudinal slot is formed in the horizontal 197/ 17 arm of the bell crank to compensate for key levers having different lengths.
  • the bell crank permits the use of a horizon- 77 111 l/ 77 99 ll.
  • This invention relates to key actions for power driven typing machines and more particularly to the activation arrangement for a horizontal interposer during depression of a key lever.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a key action that reduces the vertical height required thus enabling a typing machine to have an aesthetically pleasing low silhouette.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a key action of simple construction employing a horizontal interposer that acts in a horizontal direction.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a rapidly responsive key action thereby permitting the attainment of increased typing speeds.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a key action that may be employed in conjunction with any key and still perform with substantially the same characteristics without requiring additional compensating components other than key levers no matter what location the key action occupies in a typing machine.
  • a still further object of the invention is to provide a key action that can function in the single-action and repeat typing modes without the necessity of modification or additional elements.
  • a key lever is pivotally connected to a horizontal arm of a bell crank in a typing machine key action, and a coil tension spring is connected between a vertical arm of the bell crank and a vertical arm of a horizontal interposer. Depression of the key lever pivots the bell crank to stretch the coil tension spring. When the descending key lever pushes the horizontal interposer off a ledge, the coil tension spring snaps the horizontal interposer to the rear against a pawl that engages a power roll to initiate a typing operation.
  • a bendable tab that limits downward movement of the key lever can be bent out of the way so that the key lever can be depressed further into a repeat position thus enabling the same parts to be used for both single-action and repeat key actions.
  • a longitudinal slot is formed in the horizontal arm of the bell crank to compensate for key levers having different lengths while also enabling the same parts to be used. Since most of the parts can be stamped from sheet metal, the parts are inexpensive.
  • the bell crank enables a horizontal interposer to be used thus enabling the typing machine to have an aesthetically pleasing low silhouette. Since the coil tension spring snaps the interposer against the pawl, the pawl rapidly engages the power roll without chattering against teeth on the power roll.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with the key action in rest position;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 just before tripping of the key action with the key partially depressed;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 just after tripping of the key action
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 with the typebar actuated by the key action;
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 after further depression of the key to a repeat position
  • FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 with the key action partially restored toward the rest position;
  • FIG. 8 is a partial left side elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 just prior to tripping of the key action.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the area of'the key lever guide comb at the front of the typing machine.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawing an embodiment of the invention is shown incorporated in a key action of a typing machine represented by portions thereof selected for their relevance to the invention.
  • the term typing machine as applied herein can be any one of many different kinds of machines such as typewriters, ball printers, printers for computers, teletypewriters, adding machines, calculators, cash registers, and the like.
  • the key action includes a key 12 mounted on a key lever 14 that is pivotally connected to a horizontal arm 16 of a bell crank 18 by a pivot pin 20 and vertically guided by a key lever guide comb 22.
  • the bell crank 18 in turn is pivotally connected to a support 24 by a pivot pin 26.
  • a bent projection 28 on the key lever 14 engages a vertical arm 30 of a horizontal interposer 32 that is mounted in an interposer guide comb 34.
  • the vertical arm 30 of the horizontal interposer 32 is biased against a finger 36 on a vertical arm 38 of the bell crank 18 by a coil tension spring 40 connected between the vertical arms 30 and 38.
  • the horizontal interposer 32 is in front of an actuating means or pawl 42 that is positioned to engage one of multiple teeth 44 on a power roll 46.
  • the pawl 42 is pivotally connected to an actuator 48 that in turn is pivotally connected to an actuator support comb 50.
  • a coil tension spring 52 connected between the pawl 42 and the actuator 48 biases the pawl 42 counterclockwise against a bent ear 54 on the actuator 48, while a coil tension spring 56 connected between the bell crank 18 and the actuator 48 biases the bell crank 18 against the interposer guide comb 34 and the actuator 48 against a stop 58 on the actuator support comb 50.
  • the stop 58 is composed of vinyl plastic or other suitable material.
  • a link 60 pivotally connects the actuator 48 to a typebar 62 that inturn is pivotally connected to a typebar segment 64 mounted on a bracket 66.
  • the typebar 62 is normally disposed against a typebar rest 68.
  • the typebar 62 (guided by a typebar guide 70 mounted on the typebar segment 64) strikes a platen 72.
  • the support 24, interposer guide comb 34, key lever guide comb 22, actuator support comb 50, and typebar segment 64 help guide and prevent lateral movement of the key action.
  • FIGS. 2 to 7 represent successive steps in a repeat typing operation. Other typing machine operations are also possible using the invention such as spacing, case shifting, and so forth.
  • FIG. 2 shows the key action in rest position as in FIG. 1.
  • initial depression of the key lever 14 to a position just prior to tripping of the horizontal interposer 32 causes the bent projection 28 on the key lever 14 to depress the horizontal interposer 32.
  • the vertical arm 30 of the horizontal interposer 32 engages a ledge 74 on the interposer guide comb 34, and the bell crank 18 pivots clockwise to stretch the coil tension spring 40 between the bell crank 18 and the horizontal interposer 32.
  • the tubular stop 76 is composed of an elastic material such as vinyl plastic. Depression of the key lever 14 is limited by a bendable tab 78 on the key lever guide comb 22. The bendable tab 78 is engaged by a lower arm 80 on the key lever 14.
  • the coil tension spring 40 between the bell crank 18 and the horizontal interposer 32 snaps the horizontal interposer 32 to the rear (to the left) against the pawl 42 and drives the pawl 42 clockwise against the bent ear 54 on the actuator 48 and against the power roll 46.
  • Rearward movement of the horizontal interposer 32 is limited by the finger 36 which engages the vertical arm 30 of the horizontal interposer 32. Since the movement of the horizontal interposer 32 is substantially perpendicular to the key lever 14, no irritating jolt can be transmitted back to the key 12 on the key lever 14.
  • Still further depression of the key lever 14 to a repeat position is permitted by having the bendable tab 78 on the key lever guide comb 22 bent downward into a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 6.
  • a repeat capability is desirable for symbols that are often repeated in clusters such as xs, periods, underlines, and hyphens.
  • the vertical arm 38 of the bell crank 18 compresses the tubular stop 76.
  • the tubular stop 76 increases the resistance as the key lever 14 moves from the single-action position to the repeat position, but downward movement of the key lever 14 is ultimately limited by the key lever guide comb 22 which is engaged by an upper arm 82 on the key lever 14.
  • a cam surface 84 on the top of the horizontal interposer 32 engages a guide 86 on the interposer guide comb 34 to depress the horizontal interposer 32 below the pawl 42.
  • the guide 86 is composed of vinyl plastic or other suitable material. Rearward movement of the horizontal interposer 32 is limited by the ledge 74 which is engaged by a tail 88 on the horizontal interposer 32.
  • the horizontal interposer 32 moves far enough to the rear, however, so that the horizontal interposer 32 will pivot the pawl 42 clockwise against the bent ear 54 on the actuator 48 and against the power roll 46 to initiate a typing operation each time the pawl 42 strikes the horizontal interposer 32 upon return from a preceding typing operation.
  • the key action begins to return to the rest position as shown in FIG. 7.
  • the coil tension spring 40 between the bell crank 18 and the horizontal interposer 32 pulls the finger 36 on the vertical arm 38 of the bell crank 18 against the vertical arm 30 of the horizontal interposer 32.
  • the finger 36 will cam the vertical arm 30 of the horizontal interposer 32 back onto the ledge 74.
  • the coil tension spring 56 between the actuator 48 and the bell crank 18 pivots the actuator 48 forward (to the right) and the bell crank 18 counterclockwise.
  • a repeat typing operation is impossible while the key lever 14 is in the single-action position because the horizontal interposer 32 is beneath the returning pawl 42 and far enough forward (to the right) to avoid pivoting the pawl 42 clockwise against the bent ear 54 on the actuator 48 and against the power roll 46.
  • FIGS. 8-to Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-to 10. Wherever possible, the parts are identified by the same reference numerals as before, buy distinguished by as.
  • the embodiment of the invention introduced in FIG. 8 is similar to the other embodiment with the following exceptions.
  • the key lever 14a is pivotally connected to a rear key lever guide comb 90 by a pivot pin 92, the pivot that pivotally connects the key lever 14a to the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a is a bent projection 20a on the key lever 14a engaging a longitudinal slot 94 in the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a, the bent projection 28a that engages the horizontal interposer 32a is on the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a, the tubular stop 76a is relocated at the key lever guide comb 22a at the front of the typing machine, and a stop 96 on the support 24a limits upward movement of the horizontal interposer 32a.
  • the stop 96 is composed of vinyl plastic or other suitable material, and the longitudinal slot 94 enables bent projections 20b, 20c, and 20d on key levers 14b, 14c, and 14d of different lengths to trip and restore horizontal interposers at the same time without requiring any other different parts. Except for the key levers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, the same key action can be used for all of the keys 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.
  • the bendable tab 78a on the key lever guide comb 22a at the front of the typing machine limits downward movement of the key lever 14a as the bendable tab 78a is engaged by the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a, and the finger 36a on the vertical arm 38a of the bell crank 18a limits rearward (leftward) movement of the horizontal interposer 32a as the finger 36a is engaged by the vertical arm 30a of the horizontal interposer 32a.
  • the bendable tab 78a on the key lever guide comb 22a at the front of the typing machine limits downward movement of the key lever 14a as the bendable tab 78a is engaged by the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a
  • the finger 36a on the vertical arm 38a of the bell crank 18a limits rearward (leftward) movement of the horizontal interposer 32a as the finger 36a is engaged by the vertical arm 30a of the horizontal interposer 32a.
  • the bendable tab 78a on the key lever guide comb 22a at the front of the typing machine is bent out of the way to permit the key lever 14a to be further depressed to the repeat position.
  • the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a compresses the tubular stop.
  • the top of the support 24a limits downward movement of the key lever 14a as the top of the support 24a is engaged by the horizontal arm 16a of the bell crank 18a
  • the front of the support 24a limits rearward (leftward) movement of the horizontal interposer 32a as the front of the support 24 a is engaged by the tail 88a on the horizontal interposer 32a.
  • a typing machine of the kind having means for actuating a typing machine operation, a power roll rotatably mounted in the typing machine for engagement by the actuating means to actuate the typing machine operation, a substantially horizontal interposer near the actuating means, means for holding the horizontal interposer away from the actuating means, a key lever movably mounted in the typing machine, means for releasing the horizontal interposer from the holding means upon depression of the key lever, and a support, in combination, the improvement comprising:
  • a bell crank pivotally connected to the support, the bell crank having a substantially horizontal arm, and a substantially vertical arm located to the rear of the vertical arm of the horizontal interposer;
  • a tension spring connected between the vertical arm of the horizontal interposer and the vertical arm of the bell crank which stretches the tension spring upon depression of the key lever until the releasing means releases the horizontal interposer from the holding means whereupon the tension spring causes the horizontal interposer to engage the actuating means and the actuating means to engage the power roll to actuate the typing machine operation.
  • the releasing means includes a projection for engaging the horizontal interposer.
  • a cam surface on the horizontal interposer engaging a guide to alter the motion of the horizontal interposer to perform repeat typing machine operations.
  • a tubular stop composed of an elastic material, the tubular stop deformed radially and elastically as the key lever is depressed from a single-action position to a repeat position.
  • a bendable tab for stopping downward movement of the key lever at a single-action position, the bendable tab capable of being bent out of the way so that the key lever can be further depressed to a repeat position.

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  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
US501124A 1974-08-28 1974-08-28 Typing machine key action Expired - Lifetime US3915277A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US501124A US3915277A (en) 1974-08-28 1974-08-28 Typing machine key action
CA233,855A CA1015300A (en) 1974-08-28 1975-08-21 Typing machine key action
JP50103540A JPS5152020A (en) 1974-08-28 1975-08-28 Injikikaino kiisadobubun

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US501124A US3915277A (en) 1974-08-28 1974-08-28 Typing machine key action

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US3915277A true US3915277A (en) 1975-10-28

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US501124A Expired - Lifetime US3915277A (en) 1974-08-28 1974-08-28 Typing machine key action

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US (1) US3915277A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5152020A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1015300A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4269521A (en) * 1978-10-11 1981-05-26 Scm Corporation Key mechanism having a snap action
US4316674A (en) * 1980-03-31 1982-02-23 International Business Machines Corporation Keylever pawl tube spring and keyboard utilizing a keylever pawl tube spring

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714948A (en) * 1951-07-25 1955-08-09 Sperry Rand Corp Repeat key action for power operated typewriters
US2723740A (en) * 1952-12-26 1955-11-15 Ibm Type bar action
US2798584A (en) * 1955-07-08 1957-07-09 Smith Corona Inc Power actuated typing mechanisms for business machines
US3001625A (en) * 1960-06-06 1961-09-26 Royal Mcbee Corp Type action
US3342295A (en) * 1965-03-15 1967-09-19 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat action mechanism for power operated typewriters
US3419123A (en) * 1966-04-06 1968-12-31 Willy Feiler Zahlund Rechenwer Portable electric typewriter
US3623587A (en) * 1968-04-20 1971-11-30 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Type action drive
US3638775A (en) * 1969-01-08 1972-02-01 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat action mechanism for power-operated typewriters
US3706366A (en) * 1969-12-16 1972-12-19 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat typing mechanism for power operated typewriters
US3738470A (en) * 1970-07-02 1973-06-12 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Power driven type action in electric typewriter

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714948A (en) * 1951-07-25 1955-08-09 Sperry Rand Corp Repeat key action for power operated typewriters
US2723740A (en) * 1952-12-26 1955-11-15 Ibm Type bar action
US2798584A (en) * 1955-07-08 1957-07-09 Smith Corona Inc Power actuated typing mechanisms for business machines
US3001625A (en) * 1960-06-06 1961-09-26 Royal Mcbee Corp Type action
US3342295A (en) * 1965-03-15 1967-09-19 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat action mechanism for power operated typewriters
US3419123A (en) * 1966-04-06 1968-12-31 Willy Feiler Zahlund Rechenwer Portable electric typewriter
US3623587A (en) * 1968-04-20 1971-11-30 Triumph Werke Nuernberg Ag Type action drive
US3638775A (en) * 1969-01-08 1972-02-01 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat action mechanism for power-operated typewriters
US3706366A (en) * 1969-12-16 1972-12-19 Brother Ind Ltd Repeat typing mechanism for power operated typewriters
US3738470A (en) * 1970-07-02 1973-06-12 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Power driven type action in electric typewriter

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4269521A (en) * 1978-10-11 1981-05-26 Scm Corporation Key mechanism having a snap action
US4316674A (en) * 1980-03-31 1982-02-23 International Business Machines Corporation Keylever pawl tube spring and keyboard utilizing a keylever pawl tube spring
EP0036922A3 (en) * 1980-03-31 1983-01-05 International Business Machines Corporation Typewriter keyboard with a keylever pawl tube spring

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5152020A (en) 1976-05-08
CA1015300A (en) 1977-08-09
JPS555433B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-02-06

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SMITH CORONA CORPORATION, 65 LOCUST AVENUE, NEW CA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SCM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004810/0544

Effective date: 19870804