US856265A - Keyboard-transmitter. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 856,265. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

J. U. KUNKLE.

KEYBOARD TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR J /m C. A mz/e ATTORNEYS No. 856,265. I PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

. J. G. KUNKLE.

KEYBOARD TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IEfLi I 5 W a; L P I j /v v a I 9 J &

JAN 6. fink/e ATTOR/VEY6 T UNITED sTArns PATENT OFFICE.

KEYBOARD-TRANSMITTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed June 21,1905. Serial No. 266,215.

To all whmn, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. KUNKLn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, with post-office address 195 Broadway, New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Keyboard- Transmitters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of telegraph transmitters known as keyboard transmitters and has for its object to simplify and improve the construction and operation of such instruments.

One part of my invention consists substantially in mounting the type or character bars so as to rock on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar and providing for a mechanical connection of such bars with the driving power by the operation of the key, the connection being preserved until the transmission has been effected, after which the bars are freed and, under the action of a spring, rock into position such that they may return to normal position without engagement with the driving power.

Another object of my invention is to avoid the expense and complication of apparatus incurred, when, as heretofore, the transmitting devices are combined with a typewriter as a complete machine for the purpose of making a typographical record of the transmissions and for the purpose of permitting the operator to take down a received message in typewriting. To secure this result, I propose to organize the transmitter as a separate instrument having proper keys and to combine the same with a typewriter by simply placing it under the typewriter with the keys of the transmitter adjusted or arranged in proper relation to the key levers of the typewriter so that pressure on the latter will actuate the keys of the transmitter and effect the desired transmissions. By a suitable coupling device the transmitting part of the combination may be thrown out of action allowing the instrument to be used simply as a typewriter.

By my invention, operators who have typewriters and are compelled by the requirements of business to use them for receiving messages are not obliged to go to the expense of replacing them with special machines organized in themselves to both typewrite and transmit, but can, by merely purchasing the transmitter and by placing it under his typewriter be possessed of an apparatus fulfilling all of the requirements of his service. l

In carrying out my invention, I employ a series of type or character bars, each adapted to produce any desired transmission or sequence of transmissions, that is to say, transmit a single letter or any combination of letters by mechanically actuating a suitable contact device to which all of said character bars bear the same mechanical relation. For operating saidbars to effect the transmissions, I employ a suitable driving power and keys that act on suitable devicesggby which the type bar appropriated to the desired transmission may be geared up to the driving power. Means are employed for automatically uncoupling each bar from the driving power at the conclusion of a transmission.

My invention further consists in the combinations of a jockey roller contact, a controlling lever therefor, a series of type bars adapted to act on said lever, and keys for coupling said type bars at will to the driving pdwer.

My invention further consists in the novel combinations of apparatus and details of construction more fully hereinafter described and then specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same showing a series of type bars. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a part of the apparatus on the line :10 a: Fig. 1 to show the canted position of the type bar. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the type bar bar in engagement with the driving power. Fig. 5 shows a modification of a detail. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a shifting key arranged so that two letters might be used on the one type bar. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing how the type bar may be coupled to the driving power by means of an electromagnet. Fig. 8 is a plan of part of an ordinary typewriter keyboard showing the coupling device which may be placed between the typewriter keyboard and the transmitter, so that by its insertion the typewriter is coupled to the transmitter and by withdrawing it the typewriter may be used alone.

rights C.

of the arrow 1.

Fig. .1 is a iront elevation showing one of the bars of the coupling device, Fig. 8.

A. indicates the base oi the transmitter port-ion of the apparatus: B, B etc. indicate the type or character bars of which there may be as many as desired. Each is provided with one or more groups of teeth b ar-- ranged in the desired order or relation to transmit the desired character or characters by acting mechanically and directly or indirectly upon the contact maker of the apparatus. Each type or character bar B is adapted to slide in suitable bearings formed by the uprights C or otherwise and in effecting the transmission moves in the direction The return of the type bar to normal position may be effected by any desired means, as for instance, by a spring D, coiled on the bar and compressed by the forward motion of the bar against one of the up- A suitable driving power is employed for producing a forward motion in the direction of the arrow 1. This driving power, which may be of any desired character and may be connected to the bars in any desired way, is typified by constantly rotating shaft E having a pinion e keyed to it and arranged to gear with the racks F of the respective type bars. Normally, the bars stand in position to be disconnected from the driving power. For the purpose of connecting and disconnecting them, I prefer to so arrange the parts that they may rock upon their longitudinal axes as well as have a sliding motion in the direction of the axis. Normally, the bars stand in canted position as shown in Fig. 3 so that the racks and pinions F, e are disconnected. By turning the bar on its axis, so as to occupy the position shown in Fig. 4 its rack F will become coupled to the pinion e and being retained in the appropriate position will move in the direction of the arrow 1. \Vhen the transmission has been efleeted it is permitted to resume its normal canted position and will then return under the action of the spring I) to such normal position. By means of a suitable spring, a bias is given to the bar which tends to keep it in canted position. The spring D may obviously be used for this purpose as well as for moving the bar back in the direction of its longitudinal axis, after the transmission. Any desired means may be employed under the control of each key whereby, on the pressing of the key, the type bar will become. coupled to the driving power and be actuated thereby. This coupling of the bar and power may be effected by mechanical or by electromagnetic means. Thus, for instance, the lower end of the stem or rod which carries the key G may engage the side of its appropriate bar B so as to rock it in obvious manner and bring the rack and pinion into gear. Each key and stem may be mounted in any desired way, as for instance, in guides extending from the side of the post and each may be provided with a spring by which it will be restored to nori'nal position.

Instead of operating upon its type bar by directly engaging the same mechanically, each key may operate through the intervention of an electromagnet as indicated in Fig. 7, where 1' indicates a circuit closer adapted to close the circuit of an electromagnet It when the key is depressed. In this modification the key is shown as consisting of the key lever of a typewriter. The pole of the electromagnet is arranged opposite the side of the rocking character bar as shown, so that when the magnet is excited, the bar will be rocked into gear with the driving shaft. In this case, it will be understood that the power of the magnet is applied so as to exert a pull on a line below or to one side of the axial line around which the bar rocks, although said bar being in this instance will naturally tend to assume a position in which the forces acting at opposite sides of its axial line of rotation will he neutralized. or in other words, it will assume a position of magnetic equilibrium in the magnetic field and hence will tend to rock from the inclined position shown to an upright position.

As will be obvious, each key lever of the typewriter would have its own circuit closer 1" and the latter would stand normally in open circuit position. By using the circuit closer and by having the key lever of the typewriter act directly upon the same, it is obvious that the downward stroke of the key lever is made shorter than would be necessary in the organization shown in Fig. 1 and that it is possible for the operator to ef feet the transmissions by a finger movement instead of by a whole arm stroke. This modification also enables the. operator to place his sending machine at any point he may wish, and reduces the amount of mechanism under the type writer.

The same source of electrical energy which supplies the several electromagnets R may be also utilized to run a motor which will act as the driving power for turning shaft E, either directly or by winding up a spring. In the case of the modification shown in Fig. 7, it is obvio'js that the bar B should be of some magnetic material. It not of magnetic material, an armature would be attached to the. same at apoint opposite the pole of the elec tromagnet R. vTo keep the bar engaged with the driving power until the transmission has been completed, a sitable spring latch H on a fixed support and a co-operating pin or big it on the type bar are employed. WVhen the type bar is rocked by the action of the push button, the leg h swings under the spring latch H and becomes engaged with the side of the latch H and the bar is held geared to the pinion 2 until the log it reaches the step or off set, set at i. The bar is there- ICC by permitted to turn and the lug l1 swings out of engagement with the guide or latch H and brings up against a return ghide bar K. 'hen the bar swings it becomes disconnected from the driving power and the spring l) reti rns it to its normal position, the end of the 11g or pin it at s. ch time riding under the spring latch 11 and in engagement with the edge of the sapplemental guide K which acts as a stop to limit the swing of the type bar away from the position of engagement of rack andpinion c, F. A suitable stop Z.- on the bar limits the backward move ment thereof and the lug comes to rest in position shown in Fig. 1 with the end of spring latch 11 pressing down on the hg. When the type bar swings the 11 g h from under the spring latch H, the latter will spring down behind the l" g and hold the bar engaged with the driving power, as shown in Fig. 2.

The type bar characters or teeth I) operate upon a contact maker common to the bars B. In the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, I rse an arm common to said bars and mounted on a lever L. Said lever might, if desired, itself operate as a contact lever, although, in practice 1 prefer to use it as the means for controlling the position of a supplemental contact maker L, which itself makes and breaks the circr-it and has associated with it a roller M, spring mounted, and engaging with the end of the lever L to hold it in either open or closed position as in the well known jockey roller contact device. The lever L rocks on suitable bearings at Z and is provided at its end underneath the type bars with the cross arm N arranged transversely to the character bars, so as to be engaged by the character teeth or projections b on all said bars. .In practice the lever L could be constructed as a doi ble elbow lever, the two sides of which wo'dd be connected by the bar orarm N, while said levers would themselves be attached at the elbow to a rock shaft. The upright arm of one lever would engage the end of lever L. Normally the arm N stands in raised position by the action of a spring 0. 1n this position of bar or arm N, the lever L stands in the position shown. WVlien the arm or bar X is depressed, the upright arm of the lever L frees the lever L and the jockey roller M forces the lever L over so as to close contact. Upon the bar or arm N being freed at the space between the teeth of the type bar said arm rises and the upright arm of the lever li forces the contact lever L back to position shown.

The arm or bar X may be mounted and be operatively connected with the contact device in other ways without departing from my invention; this for instance, and as illustrated in Fig. 5, said arm instead of being attached to a lever, may itself be pivotally mounted on a rock shaft n and may engage directly with the contact lever L.

The keys G are arranged in proper position to be engaged respectively by the dill'ercnt typewriter key levers P of a typewriter when the transmitter apparatus is placed in position upon a suitable base beneath the typewriter. The depression of the proper typewriter kcy lever causes the depression of the key G beneath the same.

By employing a jockey roller contact device which is common to all type or character bars, it is obviops that I'secure a uniform pressureat the electrical contact for all transmissions and therefore a uniform transmission of the signals.

Most of the present transmitters are a part of the typewriter and are combined with the same in a complete machine.

My device is designed to be used in conjunction with any make of typewriter (or it can be used as a separate instrument) for which purpose it is only necessary to place it under a typewriter and adjust the latter so that the keys of the typewriter will press on the keys of the transmitter. This feature makes it exceedingly valuable as the majority of operators have typewriters, in fact are compelled by the requirements of business to use them and cannot afford to replace them with the machines which are at present on the market.

To enable the operator at will to use his typewriter without actuating the transmitter or to cause the transmitter keys to act when the typewriter levers are'depressed, I propose to employ suitable means for mechanically coupling the typewriter levers and the transmitter keys G when the apparatus is employed for transmitting messages and for uncoupling them when it is desired to use the typewriter simply for recording a received message. Such a mechanical coupling device is conveniently composed of movable coupling bars or rods adapted to be slid into and out of the spaces between the lower edge of the typewriter key levers and the top of the keys G. A device of this character is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 wherein Y indicates the coupling pieces connected to the slide Y operated by knob Y. The coupling'pieces are hinged to the slide so that they may move freely in a vertical direction and thus not interfere with the free movement of the typewriter levers and keys G when the said pieces Y are in position to couple the typewriter and transmitter. By moving the slide Y it is obvious that the parts Y may be transferred to )osition where they will not be in the path of the typewriter key levers, so that the latter will engage the usual stop before they strike the keys G of the transmitter. Under the latter condition, the typewriter may be operated withoutany action of the tIfI-llSlYllttOl while: in the former condiplete word like At, The, etc.

tion, the operator in sending a message bythe transmitter will make a record on his typewriter of the message sent.

The bars carrying the letters can have the letters so combined that they make a 001m ()ne touch of a key will then make a word. It is evident such an arrangement must aid the operator in speed and lessen the labor. In order to meet all requirements of a shift key type writer or to increase the capacity of the transmitter keyboard, one or more of the character bars may be provided with. different or independent groups of projections, each group representing a different character or word. Combined with the arm N are suitable meanswhereby it may be placed in operative relation to either of said groups. The mechanism for shifting the position of the arm to bring it into the desired operative re lation with either group may be under the control of the typewriter shift key. Fig. 6 illustrates a mechanism embodying this part of my invention. As therein shown, the arm N may be attached to collars W slidably mounted upon the horizontal lever arm L so as to permit it to be shifted in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said. lever arm to bring the bar or arm N in position opposite the beginning of the group of projections on the type bar representing the character which it is desired to transmit. The shifting of the I collar WV in one direction may be effected by means of lever V, engaging the arm on one side and opposing springs to engaging the sliding collars on the other. To operate lever V by means of shift key P, a toggle T may be employed. Said toggle has its knee arranged beneath the shift key P so that the depression of the latter will tend to straighten the toggle. The free arm of the toggle is loosely connected with the short arm-of the lever V. In the position of the parts as shown in the drawings, the arm N is in operative relation to the first group of character projections on the character bar B'. To bring it into 0 erative relation to the second group, the shi t key I? is depressed.

It will be understood that the range of movement of the bar B when the parts are in the position shown is not sufiicient to bring the second group of projections into engagement with the arm or bar N.

The operation of the instrument has been indicated in detail in the foregoing descrip tion. Briefly stated, to effect the transmis sion of any desired character or characters, the appropriate key G is depressed, thus gearing up its appropriate type bar to the constantly operating driving power. The type bar then makes a forward motion in the direction of arrow Z and mechanically effects the transmission through the medium of lever L and. jockey roller of contact lever L, during which operation it is held in gear with the power by the stud h. At the end of the transmission it is automatically disengaged from the power and returns to normal position by the action of the spring D. Owing to the simplicity of the mechanism and the manner in which the letters are made to follow quickly the speed will be greatly increased.

I do not limit myself to any particular form of type or character bar, since the aims and purposes of my invention may be secured in any case by suitably mounted the bar or otherwise shaped member having the character teeth to permit it to have the required movements.

I/Vhat I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination of a reciprocating and rocking type or character bar ada ted to rock on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar, means for rocking the same, a driving power, a latch for holding the bar in position to retain connection with the driving power, and means for automatically disengaging the bar and catch to allow the bar to turn on said axis and become disengaged from the driving power, as and for the urpose described.

2. The combination of a reciprocating and rocking ty e or character bar adapted to rock on a l zmgitudinal axis, a driving shaft and gear adapted to be'coupled by rocking the bar and a guide adapted to hold the parts in gear during transmission and provided with 'a step or offset for freeing the bar to permit it to rock and become uncoupled from the driving power.

The combination of a series of type or character bars, a jockey roller contact device common to the same, a bar mounted independently of the jockey roller contact device and arranged transverse to the'character bars and adapted to be engaged by the character teeth or projections of all of them and an arm connected with said bar for engaging an arm of the jockey roller contact device.

4. The combination with a reciprocating and rocking character bar adapted to rock on a longitudinal axis and a contact device actuated thereby, of means for rocking the bar to connect it to a driving mechanism, a spring for returning the bar to normal position, a guide for holding the bar connected to the driving mechanism and means for freeing the bar to permit it to become disengaged from the driving mechanism and to return to normal position under the action of the spring.

5. The combination of a jockey rollercontact, a controlling arm, a series of type bars acting on said arm, rocker bearings for said bar, a series of keys for said type bars mounted independently of said bars and adapted to engage. and rock the same and a driving power constantly operating and adapted to actuate any bar to effect the transmission when said bar is geared thereto by the depression of the appropriate key.

6. A seli'contained keyboard transmitter con'iprising a series of longitudinally reciprocating type or character bars mounted in suitable guides, means for reciprocating said bars to efl'ect the transmissions and a series of controlling devices for said bars, each having its appropriate key, in combination with a self-contained typewriter mounted over the transmitter and means disconnected from the typewriter levers for coupling the keys of the transmitter with the key levers of the typewriter at will, as and f or the purpose described.

7. A keyboard transmitter comprising in combination a series of reciprocating type or character bars,- a common driving shaft normally disconnected from said bars, rocker bearings for said bars arranged in line parallcl to the longitudinal axis of the bars, a series of keys adapted to engage the sides of said bars and rock them into gear with the driving shaft, a spring applied to each bar to give the same a rocking bias which tends to disengage it from the driving shaft, means for retaining the bar in engagement and permitting it to become disengaged after a transmission has been effected, a contact making and breaking device, and across-arm or bar arranged transversely to the series of type bars and controlling the position of the contact device.

8. The combination with a transmitter character bar,having two or more characters, of a transmitter arm adapted to be brought into operative relation with either of said characters, and means for shifting the arm to permit the transmission of the desired character.

9. The combination of a character bar, having two or more groups of character pro jections, a circuit closer, a controlling arm therefor arranged to be engaged by said groups of character projections and means for shifting the arm into operative relation with either of said groups.

10. The combination of a series of character bars, a contact maker, a controlling arm, arranged transverse to said bars, and operatively connected with said contact maker,

and means for shifting the arm in the direction-of the longitudinal axis of the bars to bring it into operative relation with difi'erent groups of characters on one or more of said bars.

11. The combination of a typewriter space key, a transmitter character bar, having two groups of character projections, a contact maker, a controlling arm therefor, adapted to be engaged by the character projections and arranged transversely to the character bar, and a supporting lever for said arm provided with a slidable collar to which the arm is attached.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 15th day of June A. D. 1905.

JOHN C. KUNKLE.

Witnesses O. T. TIsoHNER, Jr., LILLIAN BLoND.

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