US2384194A - Tape distribution system - Google Patents

Description

L. M. POTTS TAPE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Sept. 4, 1945.

Filed July 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 4, 1945- l. M. PoTTs TAPE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 4, 1945. L. M. PoT'rs TAPE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed July 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet Z5 y." 7, 2221/627202" azz z5 M @0175 Sept. 4, 1945. M- P01-T5 2,384,194

TAPE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheat 4 Filed July 20, 1942 Patented Sept. 4, 1945 TAPE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Louis M. Potts, Evanston, Ill.,

type Corporation, Chicago, Ill.,

of Delaware assignor to Telea corporation Application July 20. 1942, Serial No. 451,516

(Cl. 1TB-17) 20 Claims.

The present invention relates to message handling apparatus and more particularly to a system of devices for packaging and distributing perforated or otherwise prepared control forms.

In its fundamental conception, the present invention contemplates apparatus at a central of tice exchange comprising a plurality of control form preparing machines each responsive to incoming line signals for preparing on storage forms messages usually of predetermined maximum lengths. Included thereon in addition to the message matter may be such other and collateral information as the address of a destination station, the address of the transmitting station, the time of day when the message was received, etc. The messages ai'ter being printed and/or periorated upon lengths of tape, are wound into coils within cylindrical containers and in a reverse order to that in which the message was received so that the start of the message is left outermost of the container. Following this, pluralities of said containers, each having a charge consisting of a message from a predetermined one of said plurality of perforatlng machines, are placed into a selective hopper device, transferred to predetermined compartments in a conveyor belt depending upon the station of destination, and thereafter discharged from the conveyor belt into a routing hopper from which the containers are directed to individual transmitting apparatus whence the messages are retransmitted to their ultimate destination station.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is the provision of automatic tape or control form coiling and routing apparatus for distributing message bearing forms from any one of a plurality of various receiving and tape preparing stations to any one oi a plurality of various tape transmitting stations where the stored messages are retransmitted over a line to a destination receiving apparatus.

Among the various features of the mechanisms embodying the present invention, there is provided with each one of a plurality of tape perforating machines a device which contains a supply of empty spools and directs them individual- 1y into position to receive a tape as said tape emerges from the preparing machine. The prepared tape or control form is first permitted to accumulate outside the winding machine until there is attained the end of a. message, whereupon by special supervisory signal the winding apparatus is initiated into operation and seizing the tail end of the control form first, it proceeds to wind the message within an awaiting container.

When the message bearing tape is fully coiled and positioned within the container, the mechanism acts further to retract the leading end of the form and to dispose it in position Vso as to display for ready observation the collateral information contained on the message; viz., the address, time, etc. Following this, the Winding arbor is withdrawn. the charged spool or container is released from the ceiling machine and deposited into a proper division ofv a distribution apparatus, and a succeeding empty container is advanced into position in the ceiling machine to receive the next message.

In the supervision of the routing and distributing apparatus, a controlled circuit has been provided in which a bank of control switches is associated with each tape preparing station and similarly a. bank of control relays provided at each discharge hopper. The supervisory control circuit is timed to complete its control supervision for each particular conveyor belt compartment in timed relation with the progress o said particular compartment, so that when the conveyor belt is brought into position opposite the discharge hopper associated with the destination transmitter to which its message hap'- pens to be routed, there will be effected a discharge of its contents into the right channel for achieving the ultimate object of retransmitting the message t0 its. addressee.

Collateral features of the present invention, for example, such as pertain to the container devices, include the provision of certain ward or barrier markings and keying indicia to prevent the improper insertion or positioning of the spool into the hoppers associated with winding machines or those associated with the transmitters. The spools or containers are directed automatically during distribution until they reach their ultimate goal; namely, the signal retransmission apparatus.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and to the following detailed specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout and wherein,

Fig. l is a plan view of a control form winding and loading apparatus associated with a tape perforating machine which is shown in fragmentary detail;

Fig. 2 is a side view partially in section of the apparatus featured in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view from the same viewpoint as Fig. 2 but featuring the power distributing and control mechanism of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the conveyor belt apparatus including exemplary loading and discharge station apparatus:

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a message container magazine:

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 'l is an enlarged sectional View taken approximately on line 'I-l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation with parts broken away featuring the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating the relative effective periods of operation of various parts of the control form ceiling and container loading machine:

Fig. 10 is a detailed illustration of a portion of the apparatus obscured by the foreground portions of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of one of the message containers or spools without its charge of control form:

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view through one of the tape coil containers such as that featured in Fig. 1l including the winding arbor applied thereinto as during the process of form winding;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l2

featuring the position of the coiled form within the spool after the winding shaft has been withdrawn;

Fig. i4 is a side elevation of a spool or container such as that featured in Fig. ll illustrating the relative positions of the aligning grooves which are located on the outer surfaces of the spool discs;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic detail illustration of a modified tape preperforating mechanism such as may be employed in conjunction with the present invention for the purpose of rapidly perforating feed holes during tape feed-out control;

Fig. 16 is a detail view of a portion of a control form perforated in accordance with the practice taught in U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794, granted Sept. 16, 1941;

Fig. 17 is a simplified circuit diagram of the principal electrical elements illustrated in connection with the foregoing preferred embodiment, and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the cutoff and punch unit.

Referring more particularly now to the drawings, attention is directed to the reference characters il and l2, Fig. 4, which denote the pivotal axes oi' a pair of conveyor supporting wheels il and il over and around which there travels an endless conveyor belt generally indicated I5. Effectively, conveyor roller il may be an idler upon shaft H but conveyor roller I4 is preferably power driven on or by shaft I2 which carries a driving gear IB for imparting rotation to a distributor brush arm I1 in timed relation to the progress made by the conveyor belt i5. A definite relationship is maintained between distributor brush il and the conveyor belt l5 in any suitable manner as by providing engagement notch and lug attributes between the belt and the roller Il which in turn is geared to the shaft I2. These attributes will, of necessity, fit one into the other and thereby exclude the possibility of slippage.

The reference character IB denotes one of a plurality of spool carrying magazines and comprises a definite number of composite chutes i9 each one of which is adapted to receive spools destined for a predetermined transmitting station as will later be explained.

In accordance with a simplified practice of the present invention the spools may be placed into the chute I9 manually by distribution clerks who, by reading the destination address on the outer ends of the messages as they are exposed in accordance with the construction of the spools, will determine into which one of the chutes I9 of any particular magazine I8 the spools are to be placed. The release of the spools from their respective chutes i9 is controlled by an automatic supervisory circuit which forms the subject matter of another application. As each spool is discharged into a particular conveyor belt chamber, which includes the space between two consecutive partitioning walls 2i, Fig. 8, it may be carried in the direction of the conveyor belt as indicated by the arrow 22, until the particular chamber becomes aligned with one of the discharge hoppers 23 which, as a destination, is particularly related to one of the chutes i3.

Referring now to Figs. l1 to 14, particular attention will be given to the details of construction of the message containing spools. Each spool is composed of two circular discs indicated 2l and 25, the former of which is preferably somewhat thicker than the latter although otherwise of the same conguration and both provided with a concentric opening 26. At four equally spaced points near the periphery of the side walls 24 and 25 the two discs are joined together by transverse studs 21 which may be suitably anchored into the sides as by riveting.

0f the two discs which comprise each spool, the thicker one 24, foremost in Fig. 11, is provided on its outermost surface with a comparatively shallow groove 23, flared and widened at one end but comparatively narrow at the other end as may be easily observed from this illustration. The opposite side wall 25 is also provided on its outermost surface with a shallow groove 29 which groove is generally similar in shape and proportion to the groove 28 of disc 2l, but differs therefrom in one respect; namely, that it is angularly displaced therefrom as may be best seen from the side elevational view, Fig. 14.

The variation in thickness between the sides 24 and 25 and the provision of the shallow grooves 28 and 29 are means for assuring that the spools are inserted properly into the message ceiling and loading as well as the transmitting machines. as will be more fully described later.

Integrally associated with each disc 24 and 25 are two longer arcuate ribs 3| and 32 and one short rib 33. These elements project but a y small distance above the inner surfaces of the discs and are for confining the roll of tape in the manner shown in Fig. 13 after it has been released from the winding spindle or mandrel shown in Fig. 12. Thus, while the expanded coil of Fig. 13, where the Winding mandrel or arbor is shown withdrawn, is almost completely embraced by the symmetrical and opposite shallow rib elements 3|, 32, and 33, the surface of the outermost convolution of the tape coil is almost entirely visible to an observer who is handling the container. The containers, Fig. 11, as-

sume a stationary condition in the winding machine, Fig. 1, during the process when a message tape is inserted and coiled. They function to shelter and confine the messages during transit from the perforator apparatus to the transmitter.

Observing now Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it will be noted that each tape coiling unit comprises an upright magazine tube 24 shaped of rectangular cross-section to closely define the outline of each spool. as may be seen in Fig. 1. In order to pass the spool in a certain relative position, this magazine 34 is provided with a ward or barrier block of such width and so disposed with respect to the magazine tube 34 as to assure that the thicker disc 24 will invariably be inserted lowermost, as viewed in Fig. 1, and the thinner 25 correspondingly uppermost therein. In addition to these, there is also provided a projecting rib 36 which. when inserted anywhere within the flare of shallow groove 20, will direct said disc 26 by camming the latter rotationally in one direction or the other when said projection 36 engages the side edges of said groove 2! until the position shown in Fig. 14 is attained.

Near the lowermost extremity of magazine tube 34 there is intermittently presentable the winding mandrel or arbor 31 which consists essentially of a split shaft whose transverse slot is flared as at 30 so as to give ready admittance to the end of the perforated tape 3l as it emerges fromthe printing and/or perforating unit 4|.

The perforating unit 4| shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be a device such as that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,255,794, granted September 16, 1941, or Bulletin No. 165, issued in March, 1941, by the Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, and copyrighted May 3, 1941. In this type of apparatus wherein the message is cut into the tape as shown in Fig. 16, and in addition is printed on the surface of the tape, a feed' sprocket 42 which is rotated counterclockwise in a step-by-step manner, Fig. 2, by means of a pawi 200 engaging a ratchet 20| and operating in a manner well known in the art, causes said tape I! to be fed leftwardly traversing first the location of a tape severing blade 43, then an end-ofmessage perforating punch 44. the longitudinal slot 45 of winding arbor 31, and nally the pair of feed rollers 46 and 41 continuing over the dis charge platform 40.

As the tape emerges from the form preparing unit 4|, its course is uninterrupted through the several above-described elements and as it overruns the extremity of supporting table 40, it is permitted to accumulate in any suitable manner until the end of the message is attained. During all of this time, the coiling mechanism has no function to perform and is disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 so as to permit the tape 39 to continue along its course uninterruptediy. When a message is completely perforated by the unit 4|, there is prepared an energizing circuit for releasing for operation the tape coil winding apparatus. This is obtained when a start impulse is communicated to the winding of magnet 40, Fig. 3, the energizing circuit of which is in Fig. 17 and which may be completed upon the closure of a contact pair 202 under the control of one of the perforator pull bars specially assigned to the function of an end-of-message designating signal. Whether this signal be an independent lower-case control signal or whether it be a special signal requiring an upper-case shift as a prerequisite, the supervision may be obtained by a contact mechanism such as that disclosed in Fig. 8 of U. S. Patent No. 2,018,368 issued October 22, 1935.

As a result of the energization of magnet 4s, its armature 5| is attracted rotating clockwise about its pivot 62 and withdrawing its stop end from blocking engagement with clutch shoulder I3, Fig. l, permitting the driven portion of clutch assembly 54 to come into engagement with the driving member thereof under impetus of clutch spring 55. As a result, clockwise (Figs. 2 and 3) rotation is imparted to cam shaft 5B on account of driven gear 61 which is constantly rotated in this direction by the driving worm wheel 56 of a power distributing shaft 60 which, in turn, is rotated by a suitable source of power (not shown). Another driving worm 6|, also carried upon powershaft i! and meshing with a driven worm wheel 82 will be noted, on account of the angle of its driving teeth, to be able to impart faster rotation to its driven wheel 62 than the speed at which driving worm 58 drives its wheel 51.

Driven wheel B2 is itself a means for communieating rotation to the shaft 66 which carries the winding mandrel 31 as may be noted in Fig. 3, so that the rotation of the latter member is counterclockwise as viewed in this illustration in contradistinction from the direction of rotation of shaft 56. Wheel 62 meshes with and accordingly imparts rotation to a driven wheel 63, see also Fig. 1, which is supported between a pair of friction discs 64 forming part of a slip clutch assembly generally indicated 65. The shaft which drives mandrel 31 has been indicated lili and its journals 61 and 68.

As a consequence of the release of shaft 5B to rotation, one of its cams 69 which forms a part of an assembly of cams noticeable in the foreground in Fig. 1, presents its brief apex portion to the follower projection 1I, Fig. 2, of a bell crank lever 12 pivoted with two other bell crank levers upon the supporting journal projections generally indicated 13 and 14. The opposite arm of bell crank l2 is pivoted at 15 to a push bar 1B which moves Iightwardly inpartlng corresponding similar motion to dislodge a detent arm 11 whose roller 18 normally serves to center a star wheel 19 between teeth and through it to position the tape feed sprocket 42, accurately during its step-by-step progress. The push bar 16 has a pin 203 integral therewith which engages the lower end of the pawl 200 upon any rightward movement of the lever, resulting in the pawl 200 being moved in a counterclockwise direction against the tension of its biasingspring 20| thereby releasing the pawl from engagement with the ratchet 20|.

This operation relieves the sprocket shaft 42 from any restraint b the detent lever 11 and the pawl 200 so that t` ereafter when the tape I! is pulled leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2, no substantial resistance willlbe encountered. The ef fective period of cam 69 during a complete cycle of operation is indicated by the brief rise of curve 68, as illustrated in Fig. 9. At about the same time that cam B9 becomes effective, its adjacent cam 0| whose curve in Fig. 9 is also indicated 0I, withdraws its comparatively long apex from beneath the follower projection 02 of a bell crank B3 permitting pressure roller 46 which is pivotally supported upon the other arm of said bell crank 03 to respond to the urge of its tensioning spring and move toward the driving roller 41 binding between them the tape 39 which, during the operation of the perforator unit 4| and thereafter until the sending of the end-of-message signal, had been moving leftwardly beyond the table 48 and gathering in a suitable receptacle as stated above.

Secured to shaft 56 is a large driving gear 84 whose periphery on both sides of an intermediate mutilated section indicated 86 is studded with quantities of teeth to be engaged separately by the driven gear 91 integral with the driving roller 41. As one of the groups of driving teeth 88 of gear wheel B4 engages the driven pinion 81, it rotates feed roll 41 which is now in engagement with the pressure roller 46, advancing the tape 33 leftwardly a distance corresponding to or slightly greater than that between the perforating punches of the telegraph perforator 4| and the cutoff knife 43 This, it will be understood, leaves a certain amount of blank tape following the perforated area at the end of the message just as has been done at the beginning.

When the afore-described brief feeding of the tape 39 has been completed, another one of the cams designated 89, Figs. l and 2, on the cam shaft 56 encounters with its short apex a follower projection 9| of lever 92 causing it to be rocked counterclockwise about its pivot 93 whereupon its extremity 94 engages one arm 95 of a punch and cutoff knife operating bail 96. The latter member is pivotally supported on shaft 910 and in thus moving it brings the uppermost edge of shearing blade 43 into engagement with a. cooperating edge of a plate 91 at the same time that its arm 95 engages the lowermost extremity of punch 44 forcing the latter member through a die opening in plate 91 and accordingly making a special index perforation in the tape to denote the end of a message.

As with the case o1" the first-described cams, Fig. 9 shows the periodicity and duration curves 04 and 89 denoting the effective periods of gear wheel 94 and that of the cutoff knife operating cam 99 indicated `by identical reference characters. Cutoff blade 43 may be shaped as an end plate with the cutoff edge constituting one of the edges of an internal slot in the blade or plate so that following each cutoff operation, the portion of tape 39 extending from the perforator unit 4| will be guided into the slot by reason of the apertured cutoff blade design. Shortly following their operation, knife 43 and punch pin 44 are returned to the normal position, whereupon the group of teeth 98 of mutilated gear wheel 84 come into engagement with those of driven pinion 81 causing the driving roller 41 to resume its counterclockwise rotation and feeding the tape 39 again in the forward direction until the cutoff end of the tape stops substantially within the slot 45 of winding arbor 3T.

This condition obtains shortly after the 120 position of curve 84, Fig. 9. After the lapse of a brief interval, the apex 99 of a cam 10| encounters the projection |02 of a clutch stop lever |03 pivoted at |04, rocking the latter member in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot so as to withdrawI its holding tooth |06 from engagement with the periphery of a serrated disc |06 which is integrally associated with the driven portion of friction clutch 65.

Since tooth is the sole element for holding driven member of clutch 65 from rotating under the impetus of its driving gear E3. the effect of cam IUI will accordingly, be to release shaft 66 for rotation. The direction of rotation as has been said is clockwise, Fig. 3, causing the winding of the tape as indicated in this illustration beginning with the end-of-message end of the tape innermost. About the same time that the mandrei or arbor 31 through its integral association with shaft 86 enters upon clockwise rotation, the tensioning roller 46 is again retracted from engagement with pulling roller 41 when a brief apex of cam 9| reengages the follower extremity 82 of bail 93. As this occurs, the projection 53 of driven portion of clutch 54, encounters the extremity of an armature |01 pivoted at |00. 'I'his brings shaft 56 to rest as the winding arbor 31 continues rotating in a clockwise direction and winding the cutoff portion of the tape 39 about itself after the manner illustrated in Fig. l2.

Shortly before the cam shaft 56 is brought to rest by reason of the engagement of driven portion of clutch 54 with the armature |01, another one of its cams |09 which is shaped with a continuous apex and but a brief depression in its periphery, assumes a position whereat it presents said depression to the extremity of a follower arm which forms part of a bell crank ||2 also pivoted upon the supporting journals 13 and 14. As a result, bell crank |12 ispermitted to rotate clockwise under the influence of a mild tension spring (not shown) so that its other arm ||3 will bear upon the upper surface of tape 39 in search of the foremost end of the tape when it arrives as the mandrel completes the winding of the entire length of tape about itself.

As best seen in Fig. 1 `the extremity ||3 of the bell crank |I2 overiies a notched portion ||4 in the supporting table 40 of such width as not to yield to the tension of said arm I|3 unless the intermediately traveling tape 39 becomes exhausted as when it is fully wound about the mandrel 31.

Under the circumstance of tape winding completion, when arm 3 drops into the slot ||4 and bell crank ||2 is permitted to rock clockwise about its pivot 14, tension is relieved from the contact spring H5 whereat insulator |||i rests upon arm ||3. As a result said contacter comes into engagement with contact point ||1 and a local circuit is completed for energizing magnet H8. This attracts armature |01 withdrawing its blocking extremity from the lug 53 of separable clutch 54 and shaft 56 is thereby permitted to resume rotation. 'I'he action of the sensing n- `ger ||3 is represented by its similarly indicated curve ||3 in Fig. 9 at which time the clutch throwout ||9 also becomes effective, and as may be observed from curve 8| the brief apex 99 of cam |0I passes beyond the sensing projection |02 and the friction clutch stop lever |03 immediately arrests shaft 66 against further rotation.

After a brief interval, sensing arm II3, which is under the joint control of the tape 39 as well as of the supervisory cam |09 on shaft 58, is restored to its original position as indicated in Fig. 3 by reason of the depression in cam |09 passing beyond the extremity of its feeler projection When this occurs, the contacter ||5||1 is again opened and the energizing circuit for magnet ||8 broken.

On shaft 56 is carried a cam I|9 within whose peripheral cam groove there resides a follower roller carried intermediate the mandrel retraction lever |2I, the latter element being pivotally anchored at |22 and having a pin at its remote end |23 which is confined in an annular groove |24 of the winding mandrel 31. Cam H9 whose function is. accordingly, the retraction of Winding mandrel 31 occupies an eiTective cycle of opera.- tion as indicated by its curve H9 in Fig. 9. During the elevated portion of this curve, mandrel 31 is retracted and does not extend into the spool .then in form receiving position, and by reason of its being suitably splined on shaft 58, mandrel 31 is capable of free longitudinal movement thereon without radial displacement of said shaft.

It is to be understood that as the winding mandrel 31 is extracted from the container, it is also withdrawn from engagement with the innermost end of the tape coil 39 and that when this occurs the winding tension is relieved from the coil of tape which thereupon seeks to assume a maximum diameter condition such as illustrated in Fig. 13. Also, it is to be noted that since the control of winding is through the end of tape sensing arm ||3 which is disposed in a definite relationship with respect to the spool or container, the amount of tape extending outside of the confines established by the arcuate guards 3|, 32, and 33 such as represented in Fig. 13 by the reference numeral |25, will, in all cases, be the same or nearly the same amount. 'Thus is had a manner of assuring that the `address or any other infomation contained upon the foremost end |25 of the tape will be exposed to easy observation and will assume a definite relationship with respect to the fixed characteristics of the spool, namely, the groove 28, so that for purposes of reinsertion into a, transmitting machine, as will be disclosed in' a copending application, the position established by reason of the shape of the spool will, at the same time, assure a definite relationship between the extending end |25 of the tape and the retransmission apparatus.

As a result of the further rotation of cam shaft 55, a secondary and longer apex of cam carried on said shaft engages follower projection |02 for the second time, rocking lever |03 counterclockwise and withdrawing stop tooth from engagement with the teeth of serrated disc |05. While this is going on, another cam |25 whose continuous apex had been supporting lever |21 in a counterclockwise position by engaging its foilower projection i28, now achieves a condition whereat its apex overruns the point of engagement with follower projection |28, leaving lever |21 without support and permitting a spring (not shown) of the latter member to rotate it clockwise about pivot |04 until its extremity |29 is brought into the path of stop tooth |3I, whereupon shaft 88 is again brought to rest but this time at a definite angular position determined by said engagement between extremity |23 and stop tooth |3|. The effective instants of cam |23 are indicated on curve chart, Fig. 9, by the variations of curve |26. As a result of this stopping of shaft 58 in the manner just described, the slot 45 in its associated winding arbor 31 is positioned horizontally as indicated in Fig. 2, and the apparatus is again in condition to receive a leading end of the perforated tape 39 as it emerges from the printing and/or perforating machine 4|.

Meanwhile shaft 58 continues to rotate until its cam |||I again withdraws its apex from the follower |02 permitting said follower lever |03 to resume its position as explained above with stop hook |05 engaging one of the teeth in the disc |00. Shortly following this occurrence, cam |25 again presents its apex to the follower |28 withdrawing the extremity |29 from blocking the stop shoulder however, shaft `6E does not move because it is held arrested by the stop tooth |05 of lever |03.

With the apparatus arrested in this condition, the control remains under shaft 58 and the apparatus is in readiness for a succeeding message coiling and spool loading operation. As shaft 50 proceeds during its final portion of rotation in completing a cycle, another one oi' its cams indicated |32 encounters with its comparatively brief apex the follower projection |33 of a first class lever pivoted at |34. Its opposite extremity |35, engages one arm |38 of a bell crank assembly pivoted on a shaft |31. In consequence, the assembly is rotated clockwise about its pivot |31 carrying its major arm |38 rightward and as a result moving a pin |39 integral with the extremity of said arm |35 rightwardly within an arcuate cutaway portion of the magazine housing 34, Fig. 2. Pin |39 is in direct alignment with the spool centering web 38, Fig. 1, and accordingly, it assumes a position within the narrow neck of the alignment guiding groove 29 of each spool. When the spool is disposed in the position indicated in Fig. 2, its principal support is afforded by a stop pin |4| carried in the lowermost extremity of a trip lever |42; however, pin |39 assists in maintaining the proper vertical alignment of each spool or container in position for loading during the normal condition of bell crank assembly |38|33..

When this assembly is rocked clockwise by cam |32 as afore-descrlbed, however, pin |39 causes the particular spool to be rotated clockwise as viewed in this illustration and since, due to the withdrawal of the winding arbor 31. the tape contained within the spool has been permitted to expand to the position shown in Fig. 13 and thus bind against the confinement segments 3|, 32. and 33, the afore-described clockwise rotation of the spool pulls the trailing end |25 from between the pressure rollers 46 and 41 which were previously drawn apart by the action of cam 8|, permitting said end |25 to trail loosely beyond the short supporting lug 33 after the manner shown in Fig. 13.

At about the time that projection |39 ls assuming a position such as that indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2 and before it has become disassoclated from the surface groove of the spool, a cam |43, Fig. 1, engages the follower extremity of lever |42 rocking the latter member about its pivot |44 in a clockwise direction and withdrawing the stop pin |4| from support of the nethermost spool. This spool is now free to fall from the magazine 34 as an apex of cam |45, Fig. 1, engages the tip |45 of a slidable member |41, shifting the latter rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, and dislodging a stop pin |45 integrally assoelated therewith from the path of a next succeeding spool which thereupon drops into the position occupied by the recently expelled winding spool, the apex of cam |45 passing on beyond the projection |48 and permitting the slide bar |41 in response to a spring (not shown) to resume its normal position which ls that illustrated in Fig. 2.

Thereafter, cam |45 encounters with its apex another lever indicated |49 which is pivoted at I5| and as in the case oi' lever |42 has a follower projection |52, and at its remote end a blocking pin |33. The shifting of pin |53 leftwardly, as viewed inFig. 2, causes a next succeeding winding spool thereat held by reason of said pin |53, to be dropped to a position such as that illustrated in dotted outline which had previously been occupied by the spool recently advanced to the winding position. A final preperation is made after which the apparatus is in readiness to receive the succeeding message fo-r coiiing and loading. This preparation consists in the perfomance by cam I I9 acting upon mandrel retraction lever I2| in the reverse manner to that described above. Accordingly, mandrel 31 is restored to its position whereat it extends within the newly positioned spool after the manner indicated by its curve H9, Fig. 9.

Timing shaft 56 is again brought to rest when the projection 53 of its clutch 54 comes into en- V:agement with the blocking end of armature Thereupon, the mechanism is in readiness to re- :eive a new start (end-of-message) signal from ;he tape preparing unit 4|. It will be recalled hat after a message has been perforated ind a message end signal transmitted to Yhe magnet I9 as afore-described, that the tape ceding sprocket 42 of the unit 4| is relieved by he withdrawal of its detent arm 11 and pawl E00 and that thereafter, the tape 39 is fed rapdly in a leftward direction before being arrested .fithin cutting range of the mandrel 31. In `rder to make this manner of operation practial, it is necessary either to have the tape preerforated, that is, provided with the central row f feed holes, see Fig. 16. before entering the code reparing machine 4|, or to provide an auxiliary evice for rapidly making said feed holes in the roximity of said unit 4|.

The apparatus now to be described is an auxiary mechanism especially adapted to provide perforated tape. such as that shown in Fig. 16, rith its` central row of feed perforation.; under onditions which will permit of the rapid feedig of the tape in response to an end of message .gnal. This apparatus is illustrated detailedly 1 Fig. l5 where the reference character |55 deotes a punch block unit wherein the punch cleient |56 is graphically portrayed and is operted by a striking lever |51 which serves also irough its articulation at |58 as an actuator for ed pawl |59. Motion is imparted to the strikig lever |51 which is pivoted at IBI by means 0f three-armed lever |62. i3 which terminates one arm of lever |62 and spring urged in a clockwise direction about the vot |64 rides the periphery of a continuously tating cam |65.

The shaft |66 which carries the multiple lobed g m |65 may be a tributary of the principal drivg train described above or it may be an indendent source of rotary power driven preferably some phase relationship with the coil winding ait 66 but desirably somewhat faster. When ie of the lobes of cam |55 encounters the folrer projection |63, it rocks the three-armed rer |62 in a counterclockwise direction against e influence of its restoration spring |51, causing e oi the arms IEB to strike against lever |51 tating the latter member in a clockwise direcn about its pivot lil and pushing pawl |59 ward at the same time that punch |56 is opered. Another arm |69 oi' said lever |62 describes arc which may be blocked against return by a end IIi of a, tape slack feeler lever |12 'oted at |13. When enough of the tape 39 has gatheredin e loop |16 to permit the loop sensing arm |12 assume a position, as indicated in Fig. 15, that 1 an extreme counterclockwise position about its ot |13. it will then interpose its blocking end in the path of arm |69 of lever |62 and preit said lever from responding to the urge of return spring |61. On the other hand, when A follower projection Gil the amount of tape in said loop |15 becomes diminished, then the roller at the end of arm |12 will be engaged by said tape, the lever |12 rotating clockwise about lts pivot |15, and the blocking projection I1I will be withdrawn from the extremity of lever arm |69, permitting lever |82 the full freedom of its movement in a clockwise direction about its pivot IGI. In accordance with the particular contemplation of structure, as illustrated in Fig. l5, tape 3! is advanced leftwardly to conform with the showing of apparatus in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The perforations for feeding the tape when thus installed by a punch block may conform with the feed hole apertures as illustrated in Fig. 16, where the partially severed tabs remain attached to the body of the tape or they may, in accordance with a well-known practice, be completely severed.

The complete apparatus lends itself to the preparation of messages and the coiling of the tape containing messages within containers, as indicated in the foregoing description. After the coiling and packaging of the message bearing strips of tape or control form has been completed, the address or destination is determined and the contalners placed in the proper chute at one of the stations I8, Fig. 4. The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 functions to automatically sort and route each container or spool to a transmitter apparatus represented by one oi the several discharge chutes 23.

The operation of the message packaging spool will now be detailedly described. The distribution system illustrated in the drawings contemplates specically ten destination or transmitting stations each having a chute 23 into which spool containers are discharged to the transmitting mechanism. Accordingly, each one of th receiving stations I8 is provided with ten receptacle chutes I9, one corresponding to each of the destination or discharge chutes 25. While the chutes I9 are designated in a certain order, this need not correspond to the order in which the chutes 23 are arranged as will now be explained.

Firstly, lt will be recalled that a distribution apparatus comprising a brush carrier I1 and a segmented distributor |16 are provided which rotate in synchronism with the travel of the distribution belt I5; Moreover, since there are contemplated ten destination stations represented by the chutes 23 there are also provided a number oi' compartments in the belt I5 which is a multiple of ten in order that the sequence of compartments may have a correspondence to that of the chutes |9. Also, the segmented ring of distributor |16 is divided into ten live or conducting segments in similar correspondence to the ten destinations of distribution.

The lower ends of the several chutes I9 are curbed as best indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, in the direction in which the tape or belt I5 travels for the purpose of imparting to the spools or containers a motion in the direction of the belt I5. Let it be assumed that when the belt l5 is in the r position indicated distributor brush I1 is wiping over the live contact segment corresponding to destination No. I. An impulse for releasing any first spool or container from chute I9 corresponding to destination I will then be had, causing the spool to be precipitated to arrive on a horizontal level with the belt at the same time that compartment No. I of said belt arrives, ln its horizontal travel, beneath the particular chute I9. The discharge hoppers 23 will, in all probability, have a different arrangement from the sequence in which the chutes I8 are arranged in each one of the stations I8. Accordingly, as each conveyor compartment passes over its particular discharge chute 23, mechanism is provided for opening certain release devices for permitting the contained cargo which may include one or more of these spools or containers to empty into the proper one of the discharge chutes 23.

The apparatus for releasing the containers into the compartments from their respective chutes l! and that for releasing the containers from the compartments into the discharge chute 28 is under the supervision of release magnets |11 and |18. Of these, the magnets |11 each are associated with an individual amature |88 pivoted at |18. and urged by a spring IBI in a clockwise direction so as to cause to be projected the lowerrmost pair of stop pins |82 into the channel of the particular chute I9 and thereby to arrest the descent of the iowermost one of a series of spools. Upon the energization of any one of the magnets |11, the position of its associated armature |88 is reversed. namely, with the lowermost projecting pins |82 retracted and with a similar pair of projections located at the upper extremity of the amature and designated |83, momentarily introduced into the path of a second oncoming spool to halt the descent oi' succeeding spools as the bottom` one is released for discharge into one of the compartments of the conveyor belt i5.

The period of energization of magnet |11 is but momentary and following this amature |88 is released to resume its normal position as indicated in Fig. 6. Each chute I8 is provided with one such arrangement including a magnet |11 and an armature |88 and on account of the progressively advanced positions of the successive chutes |8, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, the location of said release mechanism |11 and |88 is correspondingly higher as the chutes succeed each other rightwardly.

The conveyor belt i8 consists ci an endless flat section designated |84 having secured thereto a plurality of perpendicular partitioning elements 2|. At various points around the periphery of the conveyor, openings are provided in a channel having a. U-shaped cross section which completely surrounds the path oi' the belt forming a complementary enclosure in cooperation with the belt |84. These openings are located, for example, in association with the container deposit stations I8 as well as in the proximity of each one of the discharge hoppers 28. In Fig. 8, one such opening is designated |88 and directly beneath is the flared intake section |88 of a hopper 28 whose opposite end discharges onto the proximity of a distributor apparatus.

On each side o! the protective enclosure of the belt |84 is mounted an armature |81 plvoted at |88. The pivot shaft |88 is suitably supported by means of ears (not shown) integrally formed with the protective enclosure |89 and the armatures |81 are located opposite the opening |85 so that when magnet |18 is energized as indicated in dotted outline, Fig. '7, the armatures will be attracted at their upper ends against the inuence oi springs |81 and will withdraw the overhanging lips |82 which ordinarily coincide with the peripherai wall of enclosure housing |89. When the support of the over-hanging lips |82 is Withdrawn from beneath a particular one or ones of the containers, then in passing over the opening |85 such containers are permitted to fall into the ilared section |86 of the corresponding hopper 28 following which they are delivered to the destination transmitting apparatus,

It is to be noted that each one of the armatures |81 has integrally formed therewith a. eamming pin |93 which is withdrawn from the compartment chamber during the de-energized condition i' its respective armature but which upon the energization of its armature is moved inwardly so as to engage the side discs of the spools or containers positively and fcam them downwardly through the opening |88 and into the throat |88 below.

In the foregoing description there has been explained and described a tape coiling and message storingapparatus for cooperating with a plurality of tape periorating machines which i may be associated with a central oiiice distribution system. This mechanism places each message originating from a particular one of a plurality of receiving tape periorator machines into an individual container. Following this, the containers are deposited in appropriate chutes of a distribution device located predeterminedly with respect to a routing and distribution belt or conveyor from which they may be automatically released to destination chutes.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood, nevertheless, that numerous changes and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended to be restricted in any manner by the specific language in the foregoing description nor by the details in the accompanying drawings except as indicated in the hereunto annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tape preparing arid coiling apparatus, means for advancing a tape during preparation, means including a. tape puller for advancing said tape during an intermediate operation. and a rotary arbor for coiling said tape including an intereontrol apparatus for suspending the effectiveness of said tape feed means and said tape puller means during the effective period of said arbor.

2. In combination with a tape coiling and packaging machine, an apparatus for preparing a tape with control indicia, feeding means for advancing said tape as each indicia signal is made, means for advancing said tape during a continuous interval in response to an end of message signal in said preparing apparatus, a winding arbor, and means for shifting said winding arbor into position to engage an end of said tape comprising means effective following the response of said continuous tape advancing means for winding said tape into an involute coil within said packaging machine. A 3. In combination, a tape preparing and coiling apparatus, a mechanism responsive to permutation code telegraph signals for making corresponding code perforations in a tape, a tape feed device for advancing a tape after each code perforation operation of said mechanism, a mechanism for advancing said tape in a continuous movement independentlyv of said perfor-ating mechanism, and means responsive to an end-of message signal telegraphically received by said tape preparing apparatus for disengaging from operation said first named feed device and for initiating into operation said continuous motion feed mechanism.

4. In a telegraphically controlled apparatus. means for making character registrations in response to permutation code signals upon a surface of a continuous web, and means responsive to a special signal denoting the end of a message for continuously feeding out an invariable length of tape, making a special end-of-signal index on said tape. and for cutting oil said tape from its supply stock.

5. In a telegraphically controlled apparatus, means for making code signal character indications on a control fonm. means for advancing said form coincident with each character marking made thereonl and apparatus responsive to a special supervisory signal for feeding out by continuous motion a predetermined length of blank form, making a special index designation on said form indicative of the end of a message, and Yfor cutting oil said form from its supply stock.

6. In a tape preparing machine, the combination of mechanism responsive to telegraph signais for making markings in a tape, means responsive to an endof-message signal telegraphically received by said mechanism for continuously feeding out an invariable predetermined length of tape following the end of a message, and apparatus also initiated by said end-of-message signal for cutting off said tape from its supply stock.

7. In a telegraphically controlled apparatus, mechanism for preparing and handling a control form, including means for making supervisory indicia upon a strip of material in response to telegraph signals, means for advancing said form along a horizontal support as each signal is made, a winding mandrel disposed in the path of said form having a longitudinal slot and flared ingress associated with said slot for receiving and firer'ting through said slot said form during its feeding from said preparing machine, apparatus for pulling said form in a continuous movement in response to a special signal, and means for rotating said mandrel to Wind said form with its end-of-message terminal innermost into a, convolute coil comprising a rotary power mechanism initiated in response to said end-of-message signal.

8. In a strip winding machine, a winding arbor having centermost thereof a transverse orice bifurcating said arbor to pass material therethrough, means responsive to a code signal for initiating the rotation of said arbor, an end of tane arm means responsive to the operation of said end of tape arm for arresting the rotation of said arbor after material has been wound, and automatically supervised mechanism for withdrawing said arbor and for thereafter repositioning said arbor to align said orifice with a. subseouent material.

9. In a machine for winding strips of material carrying message matter, a strip material preparing apparatus including a feed mechanism for advancing said material horizontally in the order of the appearance of said message matter, a windinf: mandrel having a central orifice traversed by said material, and means responsive to an endof-message indicating signal under the control of said strip material preparing apparatus for initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning v"ith the portion of said strip material bearing the end of a message innermost and with the strip material bearing the beginning of a message rniermost in a winding convolution.

10. A machine for winding material carrying message matter into involute coils comprising ap,

oaratus for making control indicia on said ma- :erial including a mechanism for advancing said corresponding permutation code Ait) material horizontally as each index is made thereon by said appargtus, a. winding mandrel for coiling said materiali'and means responsive to a signal under the control of said strip material preparing apparatus indicating an end of message for initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning with the message concluding end of said strip material and ending with the message beginning end of said strip material.

11. In a strip winding machine, a bifurcated winding arbor with longitudinal slot to admit the passage of a control strip therethrough, means responsive to a code signal for initiating the rotation of said arbor, means responsive to completion of winding for arresting the rotation of said arbor, and automatically supervised mechanism for withdrawing said arbor and for thereafter repositioning said arbor to align said opening with a subsequently advanced strip.

12. An automatic coil winding mechanism comprising in combination, a rotatable shaft having a bifurcated end, means for feeding a tape transversely of said shaft, means for initiating rotation of said shaft when said tape has been fed to a position whereat its concluding end is within the bifurcated end of said shaft, means for arresting said shaft instantly that a tape coiling operation has been completed, and means for thereafter restarting and again arresting said shaft automatically so as to present its bifurcated end in a predetermined angular position.

13. In combination with a tape coiling and packaging machine, an apparatus for marking a tape, feeding means for advancing said tape as each marking is applied, feeding means for advancing said tape during a continuous interval in response to an end-of-message signal received in said marking apparatus, a winding arbor, means for shifting said Winding arbor into position to engage an end of said tape eiective following the response of said continuous tape advancing means for winding said tape into an involute coil within said packaging device.

14. In combination, a mechanism responsive to permutation code telegraph signals for making corresponding code perforations in a tape, a feed device for advancing said tape after each code perforation is made, a. mechanism for pulling said tape in a continuous movement, and means responsive to a special telegraphlcally received signal for suspending from operation said feed device and for initiating into operation said mechanism.

15. In a tape preparing machine. the combination of mechanism responsive to telegraph signals for making corresponding permutation code markings in a tape, means responsive to an endof -message signal telegraphically received by said mechanism for continuously feeding out an invariable predetermined length of blank tape, and means also responsive to said end-of-message signal for making a special perforation in said tape.

16. In a telegraphically controlled apparatus, means for making character control marks in accordance with permutation code signals upon a continuous web, and means responsive to a special signal for continuously feeding out an invariable length of tape and for cutting oil' said tape from its supply stock.

17. In a telegraphically controlled apparatus, in combination, means for making supervisory indicia upon a form in response to telegraph signais, means for advancing said form as each supervisory indicia is made, a mandrel positioned in the path of the form having a slot therein so disposed in the unoperative condition of said mandrel that the form may pass therethrough during preparation, a second form advancing means under the control of the form preparing apparatus for continuously feeding the form to a predetermined position with respect to said mandrel. and means for rotating said mandrel to wind the i'orm message end innermost into a convolute coil.

i8. In combination, a form preparing apparatus, a form-packaging mechanism, a plurality of containers into which message bearing forms are to be coiled by said mechanism. and means under signal control ot said apparatus for initiating into operation said mechanism after said form is prepared.

19. In an apparatus for winding strips of material carrying message matter, a strip material preparing apparatus including a step-by-step feed mechanism for advancing said material horizontally in the order of appearance of said message matter, means to,impart a continuous feed to said strip, a winding mandrel having a central orifice traversed by said material, said step-bystep feed mechanism and continuous feeding means causing said strip to overrun and accumulate beyond said mandrel, and means responsive to an end-of-message indicating signal under the control oi said strip material preparing apparatus ior initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning with the portion of said strip material bearing the end of the message innermost and with the strip material bearing the beginning of a message outermost in a winding convolution.

20. In an apparatus for winding strips of material carrying message matter, a strip material preparing apparatus including a step-by-step feed mechanism for advancing said material horizontally in the order of appearance of said message matter, means to impart a continuous feed to said strip, a winding mandrel having a central orifice traversed by said material, `said step-by-step feed mechanism and continuous feeding means causing said strip to overrun and accumulate beyond said mandrel, means including said continuous feed means to cause said strip to be arrested with its terminating end aligned with one side of said mandrel, said strip extending through said orifice and past the opposite side of said mandrel, and means responsive to an end of message indicating signal under the control o said strip material preparing apparatus for initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning with the portion of said strip material bearing the end oi the message innermost and with the strip material bearing the beginning of a message outermost in a winding convolution.

LOUIS M. POTIS.

CERTIFICA'IE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,531h19il.

LOUIS H.

september il, 19ir5.

POTTS It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as folli-ms: Page 5, second column,

11m idr, for "inpassing" read imparting-q page a, first eciumn, lines 50 and 51, claim 8, for "an end of tape am" read --en erm reeponsive to passage of the end of the strip,; line 452, strike out "end of tapan; and second column, line 15, claim 11, before "code" insert --permutation-3 and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office signed and sealed dus 29e: day er January, A. o. 191m.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer First Assistant Camissioner of Patente.

the path of the form having a slot therein so disposed in the unoperative condition of said mandrel that the form may pass therethrough during preparation, a second form advancing means under the control of the form preparing apparatus for continuously feeding the form to a predetermined position with respect to said mandrel. and means for rotating said mandrel to wind the i'orm message end innermost into a convolute coil.

i8. In combination, a form preparing apparatus, a form-packaging mechanism, a plurality of containers into which message bearing forms are to be coiled by said mechanism. and means under signal control ot said apparatus for initiating into operation said mechanism after said form is prepared.

19. In an apparatus for winding strips of material carrying message matter, a strip material preparing apparatus including a step-by-step feed mechanism for advancing said material horizontally in the order of appearance of said message matter, means to,impart a continuous feed to said strip, a winding mandrel having a central orifice traversed by said material, said step-bystep feed mechanism and continuous feeding means causing said strip to overrun and accumulate beyond said mandrel, and means responsive to an end-of-message indicating signal under the control oi said strip material preparing apparatus ior initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning with the portion of said strip material bearing the end of the message innermost and with the strip material bearing the beginning of a message outermost in a winding convolution.

20. In an apparatus for winding strips of material carrying message matter, a strip material preparing apparatus including a step-by-step feed mechanism for advancing said material horizontally in the order of appearance of said message matter, means to impart a continuous feed to said strip, a winding mandrel having a central orifice traversed by said material, `said step-by-step feed mechanism and continuous feeding means causing said strip to overrun and accumulate beyond said mandrel, means including said continuous feed means to cause said strip to be arrested with its terminating end aligned with one side of said mandrel, said strip extending through said orifice and past the opposite side of said mandrel, and means responsive to an end of message indicating signal under the control o said strip material preparing apparatus for initiating the winding of said mandrel beginning with the portion of said strip material bearing the end oi the message innermost and with the strip material bearing the beginning of a message outermost in a winding convolution.

LOUIS M. POTIS.

CERTIFICA'IE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,531h19il.

LOUIS H.

september il, 19ir5.

POTTS It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as folli-ms: Page 5, second column,

11m idr, for "inpassing" read imparting-q page a, first eciumn, lines 50 and 51, claim 8, for "an end of tape am" read --en erm reeponsive to passage of the end of the strip,; line 452, strike out "end of tapan; and second column, line 15, claim 11, before "code" insert --permutation-3 and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office signed and sealed dus 29e: day er January, A. o. 191m.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer First Assistant Camissioner of Patente.

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