US429576A - Telegeaph - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. T. MoGOY.

PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

Patented June 3, 1890.

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(No Modei.) I 3 Sheets-Shet 2.-

A. T. MoGOY. PRINTING TELEGRAPH.

No. 429,576. Patented June 3, 1890 hmnmmulm (No Model.) 3-Sheets-Sheet 3.

' A. T. MoCOY.

PRINTINGTBLEGRAPH.

No. 429,576. Patented June 3,1890.

Fig. 7.

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THE uunms FETEIS cm, mom-mum, wpsmusmn D c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREXV T. MCCOY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO. JOHN ANDERSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PRINTING-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,576, dated June 3, 1890. Application filed October 17, 188'7. Serial No. 252,638. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW T.'MGCOY, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Printing-Telegraphs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in transmitters for printing-telegraphs, particularly to those of the class employed in stockreporting.

In the operation of v printing-telegraphs in common use it is necessary to depress the keys corresponding to the required letters according to a certain order or at certain times, determined by the automatic action of other parts of the transmitter. To do this, and to send a message most rapidly by causing each letter or character to be printed in the shortest possible space of time after printing the preceding letter or character,

' requires very close attention and great skill on the part of the operator.

It is the object of my invention to provide means whereby the transmitting machine may automatically insure the appropriate contact for printing each required letter or character, and the most rapid succession of contacts for the several impressions of the message, while the operator'depresses the required keys at will and without paying any attention to the action of the balance of the transmitter, so that any one, though having no knowledge of the electrical or mechanical action of the telegraph, may, by simply depressing the proper keys of the keyboard in their required order, send a correct message. This I accomplish by interposing between a key-board and a sunflower or other equivalent device employed in a transmitter, to cooperate with a like device in the receiver for securing unison of action in transmitter and receiver, certain devices and combinations thereof, hereinafterdescribed, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, three sheets, Figure 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a front view, and Fig. 5 a side view, of as much of an apparatus embodying my invention as is sufficient for illustration of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view of the swinging arm. Fig. 4 illustrates the position, with reference to a pin-plate or pin-holder, of the springs for pressing in the pins. Fig. 6 shows a face view of springs for restoring the pins to their normal positions in a pin plate or 'holder and for making electric contacts with the metallic rings of said plate. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show details drawn 011 a larger scale.

I The keys a b, forming two banks, and the two long keys, 0 and d, may be located with reference to each other to form the keyboard, as shown. Each of the lower keys at is fixed on a horizontal arm of a lever A, which is pivoted on a rod 6, supported by a suitable frame B. Each of the keysb is similarly fixed on a lever O, pivoted on a rod f, supported by said frame. The key 0 is in like manner supported bya horizontal arm g of a three-armed lever D, and the key cl by a two-armed lever E. The levers D and E are pivoted on a rod h.

On a shaft F, having bearings in the front and back of the frame B, are fixed two circular plates G and H. Each of these plates has several concentric insulated metallic rings 1'. The plate G has as many rings as there are keys I), together with the keys 0 and cl, the plate H as many rings as there are keys a. There are several radial rows of pinsj in each plate. Each pin extends through a plate and a ring and is fitted to slide therein. It is longer than the thickness of the plate and has an electric cont-act with the ring. Only four rows of pins are shown in the drawings in a plate, but practically there will be as many rows as may be conveniently operated and in proportion to the number of teeth in the ratchet-wheel I, by means of which the pinplates are revolved. This ratchet-wheel is fixed on the shaft F. Apawl is, pivoted on a lever J, engages with the teeth of this ratchetwheel. For convenience the lever J is in the form of a rectangle, and is pivoted at the sides to the frame B. The pawl his pivoted to one cross-bar of the lever, and each key has a foot-piece, which may press on the other crossbar Z. The extent of motion of the ratchetwheel I by a single action thereon of the pawl is such that the plates G and H are moved a distance equal to that between two radial rows of pins in a plate. The direction of motion of ratchet-wheel I, formed as shown, and hence of the pin-plates, is that of the hands of a watch. T

On the shaft F to swing thereon is an arm K, from which project at each side thereof spring-pieces m, so located with reference to the pins j that one or two of these pieces may come into contact with the side or sides of a pin projecting a sufficient distance from a pinplate. The arm K is counterbalanced on the shaft by means of an adjustable weight L. Fixed to the arm K to revolve therewith on the shaft F is a ratchet-wheel M.

Fastened on the inner side of the plate II is an electro-magnet N, the armature a of which is pivoted to the plate 11 or to stands fixed thereon at o. Pivoted to an arm to move with the armature is a pawl 19 to engage with the ratcl1et-wheel M to revolve this wheel, and hence swing the arm K on the shaft F. This motion of the arm K is independent of the motion of the shaft, and hence of the pinplates, and is in the opposite direction-that is, in this case opposite to that of the hands of a watch. There is another pawl q to prevent any movement of the arm K with reference to the shaft F, except by the action of the pawl p. By means of the friction of the pawl g on the ratchet-wheel M, together with the friction of the arm K on the shaft F, the arm K will be moved by the shaft F, and hence moved with the pin-plates.

There are several arms O-one for each of the keys beach fastened on a rod P. Each of these rods may slide endwise, having bearings in cross-bars or supports fastened to the frame 13. Each arm 0 is of suitable length and so located that the outer end will be opposite a pin of a radial row of pins in the plate G when such row is vertical, as shown in Fig. 4.

There are several arms Q, one for each of the keys a, similarly located with reference to the plate H and the pins therein, and on rods R, guided in said cross'bars or supports. A spring R acts to restore each arm 0 to its normal position; also, each key I). A short arm 8 on each rod P will, by meeting a stop, prevent the rod from turning and the arm 0 thereon from getting out of place. There is a like spring and short arm on each rod R.

A brush or flat spring S is fastened on a stationary cross-piece T an d presses on a ring 2'. There are as many of these brushes or springs, insulated from each other, as there are rings 1', one for each ring. Each serves the double purpose of making an electric contactwith its ring and pressing on thepins projecting inward to slide them outward, so that their inner ends will be flush with the side of the pin-plate.

The lower end of the vertical arm of each lever C may, by means of a key Z), press on the end of a rod P, so as to press inward a pin j in the plate G by means of an arm 0. The lower end of the vertical arm of each lever A is pivoted to a connecting-rod U, which is pivoted at the othercnd to a pivoted lever V. The other arm of each lever V may press on the end of a rod B, so as to slide the same; hence, by means of a key a an arm Q may be moved so as to press a pinj inward in the plate II.

There are three hanging levers t, u, and o, pivoted to a fixed stand, one t of these being pivoted at w and the other two at W'hen each row of pins in the plate G is brought into a vertical line, the lower end of the lever tis in position with reference to the upper pin, which pin has a head or flange to pull the same outward, the lever to to press the second pin inward, and the lever r to press the upper pin inward. One of the three arms of the lever D may swing the lever u, and another of these arms may swing the levert by means of a connecting-link y. A vertical arm of the lever E may swing the lever c by bearing against the lower end thereof. Thus by means of the key 0 a pin j may be pressed inward in a pin-plate and another pin pulled outward, and by means of the key (Z one of these pins pressed inward.

For the purposes of the present application it will be sufficient to point out the path and office of the electric current or impulses as follows, and as indicatedin Fig. 1. From one pole of a battery \V or other source of electricity a connection may be made with one end of the coils of the electro-magnet N, and a connection of the other end of these coils with the arm K, and hence with all the springpieces m. These connections may be completed by means of an insulated ring on the hub of the pin-plate II and a brush bearing thereon, and by means of the shaft F. An electric connection may be made of each of the brushes or flat springs S with a division of a sunflower X or other device for curing unison with the printing-machine. These electric connections are illustrated in Fig. 1. From a brush Y, which is brought in contact with the divisions on the sun tlowcr successively, a connection extends to line, or to local devices for conveying impulses to line, which, returning, is connected with the other pole of the battery.

1 In operation the normal position of the pins is such that their inner ends are flush with the inner face of their pin-plate and one radial row of pins in each plate is in a vertical line. On depressing any one of the keys a pin in one or the other of the pin-plates will be pressed inward, so that it will project from the inner face of the piirplate; also, when any key is depressed the pawl K will be raised. 011 the return of the key to its normal position this pawl will engage with the ratchetwheel I and move the same. Thus the pinplates will be revolved sufficiently to bring the next radial row of pins in each plate into the vertical line, so that any one of the pins therein may be pressed inward by a key. Thus the operator may continue to press in the pins in the successive rowsone pin for each row-as rapidly as he chooses and as irregularly with respect to time as he may.

The normal position of the arm K with reference to the pin-plates and pins therein is such that the spring-pieces m are opposite a row of pins in each plate. If, however, a pin projects inward in either of these rows, a contact will be made between this pin and one or more of the spring-pieces, and when by the action of the sunflower the circuit of which this pin is a part is closed an electric current will pass through the coils of the magnet N, causing a movement of its armature.

The current will pass to the brush of the sun-- I flower X through that division of the sunflower which is connectedto that one of the brushes or flat springs S,which presses against that one of the rings '1; in which is the pin, the

connection of the brush or spring S, ring a,

and the pin j being suitable for the passage of an electric current as hereinbefore described. This current may therefore cause the letter or character to be printed corresponding to thekey by which the pin has been pressed in. Since the current may pass through that division only of the sunflower at the receiving-stat ion corresponding to the division of the sunflower X, the brushes of the two sunflowers moving in unison, as hereinbefore stated, and the sunflower at the receiving-station being suitably connected with mechanism for printing by means well known in the art, the movementof the armature will, by means of the pawl p and ratchetwheel M, occasion a swinging of the arm K a suflicient distance with reference to the pinplatesto bringthe spring-pieces 121 into position to come in contact with a projecting pin in the next row in either pin-plate when another appropriate letter or character will be printed on completing the circuit, as above stated, and the arm K swung another step, and so on. The sunflowers of transmitter and receiver and the printing mechanism of receiver may be such as are well known. There being such unison devices and printing mechanism, the appropriate letter or character will be printed, since the electric current will be taken up by the rapidly-revolving arm of the sunflower shown from that point of contact on this sunflower corresponding to the key depressed,

and hence corresponding to that pin which is pressed in. For perspicuity the arm K is shown in a horizontal position, and there are shown only four rows of pins in each pinplate. The arm K will never, unless accidentally displaced, be farther to the right of the lower vertical row of pins in each plate than opposite the next row. This next row will, in the working device, be only a short distance from the vertical row, and hence the arm opposite the same will be only slightly inclined from the vertical. There being, however, but four rows of pins shown in the draw-' ings in arplate, the movement resulting from one action of the pawl on the ratchet-wheel, I maybe regarded as sufficient to bring the horizontal rows of pins and the arm K opposite them to a verticalposition. The position of the keys and arm being as shown in the drawings, on depression of a key, though a pin is pressed in, no contact thereof with the spring-pieces on arm K will occur, since that pin will not be in a row opposite the arm K; but on the rise of the key to its normal position the pin-plates and the arm K will be swung so as to bring the arm and the rows of pins opposite the same into a vertical position. Then if the same or any other key be depressed there will be contact of a pin with spring-pieces on arm K, and the arm will be swung by the action of the magnetN, pawl 10, and ratchet-wheel M back to a position opposite the next row of pins in the plate. When the key rises, the arm and rows of pins opposite the same will be brought to the vvertical position to have the circuit completed 7 when another key is depressed and a pin pressed in,'and so on. It will be seen that if the successive depressions of keys occur not faster than the arm K can swing by the action of the magnet N this arm will never I be carried to the left of the vertical; but if the keys be operated more rapidly the arm K will be carried by the action of the pawl 70 and ratchet-wheel I to a distance from a vertical line. stantly moving backward step by step, and there will natu rally occur, occasionally, longer intervals between the movements of the keys, the arm K will never swing to an undesirable distance to the left. It now appears that, howeverirregularly with respect to intervals of time the keys are manipulated, the appropriate letters or characters will be printed in their regular order, since, though the con- Since, however, the arm K is con- Y ITO joint movements of the arm K and the pinv plates may be very irregular, the independent movement of the arm with reference to the pin-plates is controlled by the electric impulses through the printing-circuit, said impulses being regulated by the unison devices in transmitter and printing-machine.

Certain of the keys of the key-board and circuits completed by pins in the pin-plates corresponding to these keys may be employed for other purposes than causing or timing the impressions of the printer. By means of the key 0 it has been seen that not only apin is pressed in, but also another pin pulled out. I find that it is desirable for certain purposes to thus withdraw a pin before it can be brought into contact with the arm K or spring-pieces thereon, which may be done when the arm K has been swung to the left at a distance from a vertical line.

I claim as my invention- 7 1. In a printing-telegraph, the combination of one or more -revoluble plates or pin-holders, pins movable in said plates or pin-holders, a circuit-closer to co-operate with either of said pins, a key-board, and levers or like connections to move said pins in the plates or pin-holders by means of the keys of the key-board, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In aprbiting-telegraph, the combination of a revoluble plate or pin-holder, pins movable in said plate or pin-holder, a circuitcloser to cooperate with either of said pins, a ratchet-wheel fixed to said plate or pinholder, and levers operated by the keysof a key-board for moving said pins in the plate or pin-holder and for revolving said ratchetwheel and plate, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

3. In a printingtelegraph, the combination of the keys of a key-board, a plate or holder which may revolve, concentric insulated rings in said plate, rows of pins, each pin adapted to move in said plate and a ring, a circuitclosing device which co-operates with either of said pins when moved from its normal position in said plate or holder, and levers for moving the appropriate pin on the depression of a key, substantially as specified.

l. In a ptinting-telegraph, and in combination with keys to be acted on by the operator, a plate or holder which may be revolved and containing pins to be moved therein by means of said keys, and an arm for making contact with said pins, said arm adapted to be revolved with reference to said plate by an electro-magnet and armature operated by electric current-s passing through contacts made by means of said arm and pins, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. Thecombination of a plate or holdercontaining movable pins and fixed 011 a shaft, an electro-magnet fixed to revolve with said shaft and plate, a ratchet-wheel, and an arm joined rigidly together and located on said shaft to revolve freely thereon and independently thereof, said ratchet-wheel adapted to be revolved by means of a pawl operated by said magnet, and said arm bearing pieces for making contact with said pins, substantially asset forth. 7 6. In combination with a revolnble plate or holder G containing movable pins, a key I) of a key-board, a lever O, pivoted to the frame of the machine and operated by said key, and a rod P, moved by said lever and bearing an arm 0 in position to move a certain one of said pins when brought by said plate or holder opposite thereto,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In combination with arevoluble plate or holder I-I containing movable pins, a key a of a key-board, a lever A, operated by said key and pivoted to theframe of the machine, a lever 'V, pivoted to the frame of the machine, a rod U, connecting said levers, and a rod R, bearing an arm Q and moved by the lever V, said arm Q being in position to move a certain one of said pins when brought opposite the same on revolution of theplate or holder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. The combination of a plate or holder, which may revolveand is provided with insulated rings containing movable pins, with brushes or spring-pieces S, serving a double purpose of making electric contact with said rings and moving said pins, substantially as specified.

9. In a printing-telegraph, a vplate which may revolve and is provided with movable pins, in combination with a circuit-closerand levers, substan tiallv as specified, whereby said pins may be moved by means of the keys of a key-board, and thus put into position to make electric contacts with said circuit-closer 011 the revolution of said plates, substantially as set forth.

10. In aprinting-telegraph, and in combination with a plate adapted to revolve and provided with radial rows of movable pins, a circuit-closing device which co-operates with the pins when moved from their normal position in said plate, a series of arms 0, fixed on rods P, and levers for moving said rods and pins, for the purpose and by the means substantially as specified.

ANDREW 'r. McooY.

\Vitnesses:

EDW. DUMMER, CHAUNCEY B. McGEE.

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