US2346323A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

April 11, 1944- I M. w. NEWBERRY 2,346,323

TYPEWRITING MACHINE' Filed March 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR M6765 l1! Win 558?) BY K ATTORNEY TYPEWRI'IING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR M4765 Y W NEWEEEQY ATTORNEY April 1 M. w. NEWBERRY ,346,323

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fo STENCIL I I INVENTOR M6765 If! WEWEI??? BY =1". v :)TTORNEY Patented A t. 11, 1944 U N [TE D STAT ES OF F l CE TYPEWRITING lv'lcigs W. Newberry, South W infl si'; Gonna-assignor to Underwood ElliottEisherflompfihy;

New York, N. .Y., a corporation of Delaware Application Mere 3'0, 1942', serainessi 12 Claims. (01. rat-i5 7) Thisinvention relates to devices, in typewritirrg machines and the like, for the selective control of the bi-chrome ribbon-vibrator mechanism, providing'for ribbon color-band selection/and for rendering the'vibrator inactive for stencil typing.

Selective control devices of ribbon-vibrator mebhanism's'u'sually have a single control element such as a finger knob or pointer movable alon a dial on which indicia for black, fred and stencil, arranged in sequence, represent the several settings for the control element. The se'lec'tionof'the desired one of these three settings is made 'by moving the knob or pointer in a lineal path along the dial to the desired indiia, from whichever position the knob may be. The more often-used setting is the change from "black to red or vice versa, thestencil setting being only infrequently used. However, their;- clus'ion of the stencil-setting position within the range of regula r movementof the selecting element, often in' the middle position of the series', makes for an occasional wrongful setting at 'stencil wl1en,:in fact, one of the color settings is desired. Although this erroneous setting is avoidable with care, the usual tendency is to operate the control element in a carefree manher, as by a flip of the finger.

Inview ofthe foregoing, the presentinvention is directed: toproVi'de an improved control: mechanism which virtually eliminates the chance of unintentionally setting the control "element :for stenciling by having this setting made with a substantially 'difierent manipulation than the settings for the often-used bichriome color-band selection.

The invention is further directed to provide a 'ribbon-controlselection which'does not require careful manipulation and which so readily distingliishes'the differentsettings,particularly that for s'tencilin'g, as to'be settabl'e accurately just by feel, or without observing any dial: indicia.

Another objeet is to provide a simple and-"re liably operative mechanism for selecting and controlling thethrow fof the 'ribloon-vibrator, and in wlhich the selection of ribboni'cgil0ribands; i determined by variously positioning "the j control member in the same setting pane-meme selection for stenciling isdetermined by setting the control'memberput" of 'said plane,

'More specifically, lth e j invention "provides .an improved ribbon-vibrating mechanism and its control devica'so organized-that th j tingelemenu of the control device, .1n}maling j.a e org band selection, ma'y'h'e rotated on its 'afiisto either time ,coloriidetermining positions and rehuirefsfrnovement axially," that is; a substanti'a fly different manipulation; for setting to the stemil nejp sitiofia ,Further objects will be apparent as the specificationlproceeds,

iIn the drawings) r z Figurefl is a rronteelevati n'al view of the selectively controlled r ibbo vibrator mechanism of thelinveritionlem bodied n .a typewriter, the control device: being set ior black with the vibrator mechanism quiescent, I

v.Ei'glirfie.2.i'sla side elevatibn of the mechanism, as viewedon .line 2- -2 o f; l, I

FigureB is a fragmentary s ide el evational view similari'.to ,l 'igurel2 but showing the control device se t lor stencilf A I ieu e 1 a-i qn 11 1 1 1 Figure l andwith the control device set ior black, but showing the .vibrator o rnechanism actuated incident to a type-key operatidny e Figure 5 is-afragmentaryiront-elevation showing the control mechanism set for" black? as viewed from .in front of its setting elementor k ob partly broken :away to facilitate illustration,

Figure "6 is 2'8," view .;similar :to: Figure .4 'butfhavingzthercontrol device set forred; and

Figure? is a' view similar to Figure "5' but showing themechanisin 'setfor red.

The ribbon vibratdrmechanism embodying the invention is'ractuated"incident: to the' operation of any type-lkeyle'verf the usual manner, the key lever movinga universal bar whieh is operatively connected to a vertieally -reciprocatory ribbon guide or vibrator; Thus"; upon" the operation of any 'typejkey 'lever, the ribbon is caused to be raised to the typingfline as the-type-bar' approaches the platen fthe' ribbon then -receding to its? uies entosmos below" the typing line as een "f ,12 P i ivtes i n'i im A o'nt el e ic P 1Y i, ne;t va us "r 1. ..Q' ns b ingmeiranisin'inactive, "for typing stencil .or Mimeograr'ahsheets. I

is shown in Figures 1 and 2" a ;1 e lever :8, typical of allftl'ie'itype keyile' ofltheft ypea is' fulcruine'cl' n a bar 9 and arranged to engage and" actuate a" universal bar 'mmoimteq togrock' on trunnionsll l. ,A" link 12 operativ'ely connects the tiiniversal 1115i" 10 to a lever, l3;ialso,pivotedfatffigandfleiiibly;connected to i avertica11yIreciprotatory aetiiator' M, a spring 15' ae'tingto restore the'univers'al bar'and'asso ciated mechanism to quiescent position. The actuator 4 reaches upwardly from its connection to the lever l3 and has its upper end slidably engaging a control shaft Hi, the actuator presenting a slot H, the sides of which are arranged to ride on the shaft between groove-forming collars |8 thereon.

When the control mechanism is set for one or the other color band, as shown; in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator I4 is in position to coact with a driven member or lever 26 which is operatively connected to a ribbon guide or vibrator 2| to actuate same. This operative connection includes spring 46 anchored at 41 and acting on a detent a shaft 22 on which the lever is secured, the i shaft being journaled in a bearing bracket 23 and having a second lever 24-s'ecured-thereon.

The mounting for the ribbon-guide-ZI includes a two equalizing levers 26 and 21 flexibly'joined' at 28 and pivotally mounted at 39, 3|,- respectively, on a member 32 of the typewriter main frame, each lever 26, 21 being articulated intermediate its ends to the ribbon guide 2| at points 33, 34. To obtain the equalizing effect, the corre sponding portions of each lever' 26, 21 are proportional in lengthythat is, expressed algebraically, length -3315 to 33-48 as 3|34 is to 3428. Thus, as lever 21 is ac'tuate'd,the point 34 of the ribbon guide is raised and, due to the equalizingeffect of the combined levers 26, 21, point 33 of the ribbon guide is raised an equal amount, thus causing the ribbon guide'2l to as-'- sume an upward rectilinear movement.

To provide for adjustment of the ribbon guide 2| laterally of the machine so that the guide may be aligned accuratelywith the printing point as established by the usual type guide, the pivot 3| for lever 21 is adjustable laterally of the machine, being carried on a bracket 35 so secured-on the frame member 32 that its position may be varied. To accommodate this adjustment at the other end of the system, lever 26 presents an elongated slot engaging pivot 30. I

The operative connection between the driven member or lever 20 and theribbon guide 2|, includes an arm 36 on lever 21, connected by a link 37 to the lever 24. A spring 38 restores the vibrating mechanism to quiescent position in which the guide 2| is receded to reveal the typing line, the mechanism being at rest withza bendable tongue 39 on link 31 engaged against a side member of the machine frame, as shown in Figure l. Adjustment of the quiescent position of vibrator 2| may be made by bending the tongue 39.

-Upon the operation of any type-key lever 8, with the control device set for either color band, the ribbon-vibrating mechanism raises the ribbon guide 2| a certain extent and thus brings the selected color band to the typing line. When the control device is set for black, the ribbon guide is raised a minor degree and the upper, black band is put at the typing line; whereas, when the device is set for red, the ribbon guide is projected a major degree to put the lower, red band at the typing line. This variation in me stroke of the ribbon guide 2| is dependent upon the lateral position of the actuator M in relation to the lever 26. Lever 20 has two drive pins 49, 4| thereon projecting into the plane of the actuator M for coaction selectively with either of two open slots in the actuator. The two driving positions of the actuator l4 are determined by the rotative position of shaft I6 which has an oif:et portion or crank 42 intermediate its ends en which the aforesaid collars I8 are arranged. The shaft I6 is rotatably and slidably member 48 loosely pivoted at 49 on the bracket 43 and having an aperture 50 in which the crank 42 of the shaft is engaged. The spring 46 urges the detent member 48 upwardly, with the effect that, as the shaft is rotated to engage either side of slot 45, Figures 5 and 7, the shaft is yieldably held in that position.

The actuator 4, incident to the operation of any type key, reciprocates down and up a constantly uniform stroke each time the universal bar H] is actuated. It will be observed, however, that the pin 40 is a greater distance from the axis of shaft 22 than is the pin 4|. Therefore, the lever 29 will be swung a lesser degree when the stroke of the actuator is applied to the pin 40 and a greater degree when this stroke is applied to pin 4|. In other words, when the actuator I4 is in the leftward position, in cooperation with pin 49, the vibrating mechanism is actuated a minor degree and raises the black band of the ribbon to the typing line, see Figure 4; and when the actuator 4 is in its rightward position, cooperating with pin 4|, the vibrating mechanism is actuated the major degree to bring the red color band of the ribbon to the typing line, see Figure 6.

It may be here noted that the lever 20 is angularly adjustable in relation to the lever arm 24 and the associated vibrating mechanism so that the elevated positions of the ribbon guide 2| may on shaft 22, clamping the lever 20 to said arm.

The control shaft [6 projects forwardly through a front panel of the typewriter and carries an operating knob 55 having a pointer thereon, see Figures 5 and 7, cooperative with indicia on the front panel indicating the two color-band settings of the control device for either black or red typing. The knob 55 is rotated either to the left or to the right to set the control device to the desired color-band selection.

To set the control device for stencil, the knob 55 is pulled forwardly so that the shaft |6 is caused to move axially in its bearings. When the shaft is so moved, as shown in Figure 3, the actuator I4, being carried forward with the shaft by collars I8, is now in position free of the pins 4|], 4 I. Thus, when the control device is set for stenciling, no ribbon impressions being desired, the ribbon-vibrating mechanism is rendered ineffective in that the actuator H is clear of the pins 40, 4|, reciprocating idly at each type-key operation, without actuating the lever 20 and associated vibrating mechanism,

The detent element 48, under influence of spring 46, also acts to detent the shaft at its rearward axial position, Figure 2, and its forward axial position, Figure 3. The offset p0rtionf42 of the shaft presents twooppositely facing, tapered annular shoulders 56 and 5'! with which the detent aperture 50 coactsin such manner that, under the for-tie of 's'pr'ing'lB, the shaft-l6 is yildablyheld in either axial position. The apertu're ill is amply large to permit the free passage oi theshaft moving from one to-the oth'er position. The forward collar -8 engages the detent member N -when the shaft is shifted forwardly and the rear collar P8=engages lever'20' when the shaft is shifted rearwardly.

' It will be observed that the lever 2-8 actually comprises two lovers or arms: a low'er arm 'carryir'ig-the two pins 40,41 and anu 'er ar'inffifi, the two being connected I at their outer ends to reenror-ce each other. The control shaft $6 is disposed betweenthese arms eirtending throng-h the aperture bounded thereby, the upper arm stradling the shaft and cooperating therewith to accomplish several functions.

One of these 'function's'is' that of arresting the movement of 1'ever'20, and the associated'vibrating-mechanismext'endin' to the ribbon vibrator, at the desired limit of stroke-forputtingsthe black ribbon'band atthe typing line.. This stroke, being of a lesser degreethan that for thered band; can be limited best only by arresting. means that is effective only when the mechanism-is se'tfor the black band selection and is, therefore, rendered ineffective when the'mechanism is'set for the red band'selection.

As seen moreclearlyinFigure l, theupper arm 58 provides a stop shoulder 60 so arranged, in relation to the axis of swing 22 of 'said arm, that said shoulder engages the crank 42 of shaft l6 when the latter is positionedifor black band selection. Shoulder 60 thus arrests the vibrating mechanism when the black ribbon band is at the typing =line, Figure 4,. preventing overthrow of the ribbon guide 2| and thus avoiding type imprints that are partly red. When the control shaft I6 is set for the read band, its crank -is out of the-path of shoulder 60 and this arresting means is therefore ineffective, see Figure 6.

The maximum stroke of the vibratingmechanism, had-in raising the redband of the ribbon to the typing line, is arrestedby the engagement of "lever 21 with a stop 6| secured to the member 32.

Another function of arm 58,. incooperation with the control shaft 16-, is that of locking the ribbon. vibrator 2i down in its quiescent-position when the control mechanism is set for stenciling. While making this setting, thementioned parts will also cause the vibrator 2.! to be brought to quiescentposition, should said vibrator have remained in any raised position instead of. fully returning to its inactive position, due to faulty operation. As shown in Figures 2 and 3', the portion of the control shaft it between the crank 42 and theback end of shaft l6, forms an offset or cam 62. When'the control shaft I6 is shifted axially, forwardly, in setting fOr stenciling, said cam 62 cooperates with the arm 58 of lever 20 in such manner as to wedge the ribbon vibrator 2| into its retracted or quiescent position. As shown in Figure 3, when shaft I5 is shifted to the stenciling position, lever 20 is engaged by the concentric shaft portion so that said lever is locked at its uppermost position, corresponding to the quiescent position of the ribbon vibrator 2 l. The lever arm 58 is so shaped that this wedging action is had whether the control shaft I6 is in one angular position or the other for either color-band selection. When positioned for selection of the black band, the cam 62 coacts with the stop shoulder 60; and when the control shaft is set for the red band selection, the cam 62 coacts with that portion of arm 58 nearer the axis 22.

From the foregoing, it"wi'-ll be seen that the invention provides a selectively settable' ribbonvibrating mechani'sm,'the control device of which may be'opera-ted in 'a; carefree mann r, merel'y'fby feel or without observing any dial indicia. Intha't asubstantially diiferent'rnanipulationof the-control element is required to set the device for st'enciling than is necessary to select either "color band, unintentional setting at fs'te'ncil is obviated, The more frequently usedsetting to either color band may-be made instan-taneously -by' a quick twist or the control knob, and whensten: oiling is desired this knobm'a'y be so set, either color-band position, by m rely pullifngthe knob forwardly. "Thecolor=band"selection previously used can be quickly restored merely by a momentary push of the knob in that the detest mechanism of the control devicen'iaintains the" same color selection whether the mechanism is set foroolor'typingor'stenciling.

What isclaimed is:

1. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism rortypewriters, a ribbon vibrator; variable actuating means therefor including' 'a' control device having a setta'ble' member, said actuating'means having provision formovingthevibrator "different 'eX- tents t0 present dlfielllfififibbfi COI'OI BandSTGI' the type im ression upo'n setting the control memberto selective*colo'r-bahd deterrnihingip' i'- tions all in a plane transverse or the typewriter, and said actuating means having" further provision' for beingdisab'ledupon moving said control member in a direction foreand' aft of the typewriter to a position out of s'aid plane.

2. In a ribbon-vibratingmechanism for typewriters, "a ribbon vibrator, variable actuating means therefor including a' control device having a rotatablea'nd axial lyshiftablemember, saw actuating means having provision for movingth'e vibrator different extents to present different ribbon color bands forthe type impression upon rotating the control member tose'lect'ive color-band'- determining positions, and" said actuating means having further provision for being disabled'upon shifting said control memberaxi'auy.

3. In' 'a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for type.- writers, a ribbon vibrator, an operating lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said operating lever having actu 'ator-en-gageable 'poi'nts'at different distances from the lever axis, and said actuator beingsliiftable in a planeto engage sele'otivel 'y 'oiie' or another of said points and being movable iii a direction transverse to said plane to a position out of-engag'ement with said points.

4. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an operating, lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said operating lever having actuator-engageable points at different distances from the lever axis, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to engage selectively one or another of said points and being movable in a direction transverse to said plane to a position out of engagement with said points, and a single means for so shifting and so moving said actuator.

5. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an operating lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said operating lever having actuator-engageable points at different distances from the lever axis, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to engage selectively one or another of said points and being movable in a direction transverse to said plane to a position out of engagement with said points, and means manipulatable at the outside of the typewriter for so shifting and so moving said actuator. a

6. In a ribbon-vibratin mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an operating lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said operating lever having actuator-engageable points at difierent distances from the lever axis, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to'engage selectively one or another of said points, and a control member having a crank articulated to said actuator, said control member being rotatable to shift the actuator for engagement selectively with the lever points, and said crank being axially movable to move said actuator to a position out of engagement with the lever points.

7. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an operatin lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said operating lever having actuator-engageable points at different distances from the lever axis, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to engage selectively one or the other of said points, a control member having a crank articulated to said actuator, said control member being rotatable between two positions to shift the actuator for engagement selectively with the lever points, and said crank being axiall movable to move said actuator to a position out of engagement with the lever points, and a single detent means cooperating with said control member to yieldably hold said member in the two rotative positions and against axial movement.

8. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, actuating means therefor including a pivoted lever arm and having points thereon at different distances from the arm pivot, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, in a plane parallel to said lever arm and shiftable in said plane for cooperation selectively with one or another of said arm points, said actuator being positionable in a direction substantially at right angles to said plane, in which position said actuator is clear of said arm points and renders th vibrating mechanism inactive.

9. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an actuating lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said lever having actuator-engageable points at different distances from the lever axis, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to cooperate selectively with one or another of said lever points, a control member engaging said actuator and shiftable to different positions to move said actuator for cooperation selectively with the lever points, said control member being movable in a direction transverse to the plane of shift of said actuator, to move saidactuator to a position out of engagement with the lever points; and'means on said control member, eilective when the said control member is moved to position to disengage the actuator and lever, to lock said actuating lever against movement. I

10. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an actuating lever therefor, an actuator operable by the typing in-, strumentalities, said lever having actuator-engageable points at different distances from the lever axis, said actuator bein shiftable in a plane to cooperate selectively with any of said lever points, a rotatable control member having an offset portion engaging said actuator, rotation of said member efiecting the shift of the actuator for cooperation selectively with the lever points, said control member being movable axially to operatively engage or disengage said actuator and lever, and cam means on said control member, engageable with said lever and effective during the movement of said member to disengage the actuator and lever, to cam said lever into quiescent position.

11. In a bichrome ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, an actuating lever operatively connected to said vibrator, selectively controllable means to swing said lever different extents to put one or the other ribbon color at the typing line, including an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, two actuator-engageable points on said lever, said actuator being shiftable in a plane to cooperate selectively with one or the other of said lever points, and a control member engaging said actuator and shiftable in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of shift of said actuator to position said actuator for cooperation selectively with the lever points, said actuating lever presenting a shoulder engageable with said con trol member, in at least one shifted position of said member, to limit the swing of said lever.

12. In a ribbon-vibrating mechanism for typewriters, a ribbon vibrator, a pivoted lever arm operatively connected to said vibrator, an actuator operable by the typing instrumentalities, said lever arm having points at different distances from the arm pivot, said actuator being shiftable in a plane substantiall parallel to said lever arm to establish alternate driving connec tions with said arm in cooperation selectively with one or the other of said arm points, and said actuator and lever arm being relatively adjustable to positions in engagement with or disengaged from each other to establish or disable the driving connections at said points.

MEIGS W. NEWBERRY.

Images