US2392484A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 8, 1946. R. A. LAKE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mum NNN INVENTOR N ROSS 'A. LAKE BY wow ATTORNEY Jan. 8, 1946. R. A. LAKE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 mo. 5 w. m9 8. n: 8. E1 mm. .5. on 0 NE mm. 0w

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INVENTOR ROSS A. LAKE ATTORNEY mmN Patented Jan. 8, 1946 PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Ross A. Lake, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Teletype I Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 20, 1941, Serial No. 411,660. Divided and this application January 18, 1944, Serial No. 518,709

3 Claims. (01. 178-77) This invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to signal recording and repeating apparatus and switching mechanism controlled thereby.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 411,660, filed September 20, 1941, which has matured into Patent No. 2,355,657, dated August 15, 1944.

An object of this invention is to provide telegraph apparatus which will receive and store telegraph signal combinations, record the chara ters represented thereby, and redistribute the signal combinations to other locations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary machine including a signal responsive printer, a reperforator, a tape sensing device, and transmitting and switching, mechanisms.

The apparatus for accomplishing the aboveenumerated objects of this invention includes a printing reperforator, a sensing or transmitting device, a transmitting distributor and an automatic switching device. Code signal combinations received by this apparatus condition the printing reperforator to store the received signal combinations and print the character represented thereby on a control strip. The printing reperforator includes a pre-punch unit'to prepare feed holes in the strip and this *prepunch unit is operated concomitantly with the code perforating unit from a cam sleeve mechanically released for a single revolution by the printing unit operating bail in each cycle of rotation of a selecting cam drum. The cam sleeve is adapted to be manually released, independently of the printer, for continuous rotation to feed a desired length of the tape or control strip through the operation of the feeding devices of the perforating units. The tape path through the reperforator is disposed at an angle to the code Punches to enable the code punches to perform a shearing operation in perforating the tape. From the reperforator, the control strip passes into the sensing or transmitting device to control that device in accordance with received signal combinations stored in the tape.

The sensing or transmitting device, being of the pivoted type, is movable with respect to the reperforator and may, therefore, probe each signal combination including the last stored in the tape by the code punching unit. When the sensing device has been conditioned in accordance with a signal combination in the control strip, a transfer, device operates to transfer the setting of the sensing device to a plurality of pivoted code vanes and to restore the sensing device to its ln-' itial condition preparatory to another sensing operation. Each code vane is associated with a contact operating lever of a cam type transmitting distributor and the code vanes when they have received a setting of the sensing device, establish the setting on the contacts of the distributor so that the signal is retransmitted by the distributor while the sensing device is performing the next succeeding sensing operation and through this arrangement signal overlap is provided. The code vanes condition automatic switching mechanisms as well as the transmitting distributor to perform switching functions in response to received switching signal combinations.

For a more complete understanding of the foregoing objects and features of this invention, reference'may be had to the following detailed description which is to be interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view partly in section of a portion of a telegraph apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a frontelevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus of Fig. 1 i and Fig. 3 is a sectional view-taken substantially on lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings embodies'the several features of this invention and may be considered as including the following principal units and associated drivingmechanisms; a printing reperiorator unit I6, a tape sensing unit IT, a transmitting distributor l8, and an automatic switching device I9. The several units are supported by a base casting 2|.

Printing reperforator The printing reperforator l6 included in the apparatus under consideration is substantially the same as that printing reperforator which is the subject of a copending application filed in the name of Ross A. Lake, Serial No. 274,796, filed May 20, 1939, which has matured into Patent No. 2,255,794, issued September 16, 1941-, and for a more complete understanding of the structure and mode ofoperation of this unit. reference may be had to the afore-mentioned patent which is incorporated herein by reference. Since the unit under consideration is substantially-the same as that disclosed in the above-identified patent, the description of that mechanism to be set out hereinafter will be of a general nature and will be detailed only in the description of 7 supports in a manner to permit their striking forwardly and downwardly into cooperation with the platen to eifect printing. A plurality of pull bars 26 (on1y one of which is shown) is assembled to the rear of the type bars 24 and is adapted to operate the type bars through a gear and rack connection (not shown). The pullbars are normally urged against a series of notched code bars .21 which are semi-circular in shape and whichmay be conditioned in various permutable settings by means of a selector mechanism 28 (Fig. 1, of the sword and T-lever type, shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,745,633), to bring into alignment; the notches on the code surfaces so that the pull-bars maybe "individually selected for operation. A driving motor 29 carries on its shaft 3| a gear 32 which. meshes with a gear 33 carries on the main shaft 34 of thereperforator to drive the reperforating mechanism; a selecting cam sleeve (not shown) is rotatablysupported upon shaft 34 andis adapted to be driven therefrom through a suitable friction or slip clutch.

A receiving magnet (not be conditioned in response to received lin signals to release the friction clutch and cause the rotation of the selecting camsleeve from drivin shaft 34 in a manner-set out in detail in the afore-mentioned Patent No. 1,745,633. The cam sleeve is thereupon rotated at a speedsubstantially synchronous with the speed of thecodeimpulsing so that the energization' of'the'receivi n magnet in. response to marking and spacing code signals may be efiective through the selector 2,8 to condition the individual code bars 21 ina clockwise vor counterclockwise direction in accordance with areceived code signal combination; The permutable setting of the code bars 2'! results in the selection of one particular pull bar 26, depending upon the alignment of the code notches in code bars 21, and with the selection thus de-- termined the code bars are locked during'the printing operation by means of a locking bar 36, Fig. 1, through its engagement with looking notches 35 provided in each of the code bars. The

locking bar 36 is moved into and out of locking en;

shown) is adapted to cam surfaces 4| are permitted to be actuated gradually toward the code bars 21 by their individual springs. Pull bars 25 are provided with a hook projection 42 which cooperates with the printing bail 31 when a pull bar is permitted by the alignment of notches in the code bars 2? to be operated by its biasing spring into the path of bail 31 which in its upward movement engages hook projection 42 to lift the pull bar, and throughthe rack and pinion engagement with the 'type bar causes the type bar to rotate about its pivot and bring the type face downwardly to impln e upon platen 22. The locking bar 36 is not provided with a hook portion since its function is merely to rock on its pivot into and out of looking engagement with code bars 21 under the control of bail 31 to retain the permutable setting of the code bars during the printing operation. For a more comprehensive and detailed description of the printing operation performed by the printing reperforator, reference may be had to the afore-said Patent No. 1,745.633 which is s'pecifi-L cally directed to a printing mechanism of the type incorporated in the printing reperforator unit.

For the purpose of controlling code punches in the reperforating operation to record the code combination in a tape as well as print the'corresponding character on the tape, there is provided a plurality of hell cranks 46, Figs. 1 and 2, one associated with each code bar and pivotally supported upon a stud 4'! which is mounted in a supporting plate 48 secured tothe frame of the reperforating unit. Each: of the bell cranks 46 is provided with a projecting finger 49 adapted to overlap the locking bar 36 and be operated thereby to position the bell cranks 4-6 in a counterclockwise direction as the bar '36 under the influence of bail 31 is' cammed out of locking engagement with code bars 21 preparatory to condi- 1 bail 31 is'moved'into the locking notch 35 releasagement with code bars 2'lby means of the print- 7 ing bail 31, Figs. 1 and 2, as it is raised and lowered. The printing bail 31 is suitably articulated to a bail operating plunger 38, Fig. 3, slidably mounted within a guide'sleeve 39,, and plunger. 38 is'controlled by means of a cam (not shown) on the main shaft 34. The precise operation of the printing mechanism including bail 3.1 from the main shaft 34 is set out in detail in said aforementioned Patent No. 1,745,633..

When the bail 31 is in its lowermost position under the control of plunger 38, it cooperates with beveled surfaces 4|, Fig. 2, on the plurality of pull bars 26 toho1d the pull bars out of. engagement with code bars 21 so that the code bars may be readily shifted in accordance with the operation of the selector mechanism 28 under the control of received code signal impulses. When the printing bail 31 is operated upwardly to perform the ing the .bell cranks to respond to their clockwise bias. If a code bar is in itscounterclockwise position, as indicated in Fig. l,the shoulder portion 5| of the associated bellcrank 46 will be cl ar of the code bar and when lockin bar 36 responds to the bail 37 and enters locking notch'35 as shown, the bell crank 46 will be permitted to assume its clockwise position. However, in the event that a code bar, is in its extreme clockwise position, looking bar 36 would engage the alternate lockins notch on the particular code bar and that bar would be positioned in the path of its associated bell crank 46 so that when locking; bar tbhas moved into engagement with the alternate looking notch 35 releasing the particular bell crank 46 for rotation, that rotation will be restrained. Accordingly, through the cooperation of the individual code bars 21 and the blocking shoulders 5| of the bell cranks associated with the particular code bars,-the permutable setting of the code bars is transferred to the plurality of bell cranks 46 when those bell cranks are permittedto'sense the position of the code bars as locking bar 35 is moved into a locking notch 35.

v Thefrontward portion of supporting plate 48 as viewed in Fig. 1, is slotted to provide a comblike structure which guides a plurality of vertically disposed pivoted levers 52 which are pivprinting operation, the bars ZBand 36'due to their. pported upon a stud 53, Fig. 2, carried in support member 48. The levers 52 which are guided by the comb portion of member 48 project into. the path of operation of bell cranks 46 and each lever 52 is controlled by one of the bell cranks 46. The lower ends of levers 52 cooperate with and control a series of bell cranks 54 pivoted on a pivot shaft 55 secured to the casting 63. Bell cranks 54, in turn, extend beneath the horizontal portion of a second set of bell cranks 56 pivoted .on shaft 51 supported in the pe'rforator casting 63. The bell cranks 56 are normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of individual springs 68 which springs also serve through the engagementv of bell cranks 56, bell cranks 54, pivoted levers 52, and bell cranks 46,

to impart a clockwise bias on each of the bell cranks 46. Pivotally articulated to the vertical arms of bell cranks 56 are a plurality of punch interponents 58. Interponents 58 are guided by a comb cut in a flanged portion 6| of a cradle member 62 pivotally supported by the casting 63 of the printing reperforator and serving as the punch operator as will appear hereinafter. The pivot for cradle member 62 is in substantial alignment with the pivotal connection between the interponent members 58 and the vertical arms of bell cranks 56. This pivot point is indicated 64. Through the mechanical linkage above described, each permutable' setting of the code bars 21 is transferred when locking bar 36 assumes its locking relation with respect to the code bars, to the interponents 58 to permutably condition the interponents with respect to code punches 66, Fig. 2. g

Locking bar 36, in being retracted from a looking notch 35 preparatory to setting up a signal combination in code bars 21, rocks bell cranks 46 in a counterclockwise direction and through the mechanical linkage described, similarly rocks bell cranks 56 and advances all interponents 58 leftwardly. After the code bars have been set, locking bar 36 releases bell cranks 46 permitting the interponents 58 to be selectively moved from their normal, leftward position. If any of the bell crank levers 46 is held in its counterclockwise position by the engagement of its locking shoulder withits associated code bar 21, the corresponding interponent 58 through the mechanical linkage above described is retained in its leftward position in alignment with its code punch 66. However, if a bell crank 46 is permitted to assume its clockwise position by its associated code bar 21, its spring 60 is effective to shift its associated interponent 58 to its rightward position as illustrated in Fig. 2 and out of alignment with punches 66. The connection between the selector.

mechanism 28 and code bars 21 is such that when a marking impulse is received a code bar is moved to its clockwise position, the associated interponent 58 is retained in alignment with its code punch 66 and conversely, when a code bar is positioned in its counterclockwise position in response to the reception of a space impulse, its associated interponent is shifted from its normal position and moved out of alignment with its as,- sociated code punch.

A punch block 61, Fig. 2, secured to the reperforator casting is suitably apertured to receive in a slidable manner the code punches 66 which project through the punch block and a guide comb 68. The punches 66 are flattened or hammered out at their lower extremities to provide suitable shoulders beneath comb 68 so that as cradle 62'is rocked in a counterclockwise direction,- comb 68 may withdraw punches 68 to their lowermost positions.

A feed wheel 8|, Fig. 2, provided with sprocket teeth to'engage feed perforations in the tape and feed the tape through'the perforating mechanism, is rotatably supported within the punch block on a shaft 82, Fig. 1, and is stepped intermittently by means of a feed pawl 83 which is supported by cradle member 62 and engages a feed ratchet 84 with each operation of the cradle 62 in a well-known manner. See copending application filed by Erwin A. Gubisch, Serial No. 412,829, filed on September 29,1941, now U. S. Patent No. 2,348,214, dated May 9, 1944, and dii-rected in part to the feed wheel located within the punch block. A spring pressed detent 85 is provided to bear against the ratchet and hold the feed wheel immovable between feeding strokes of the pawl 83.

A pre-punch unit is provided to perforate a feed hole in the tape prior to the code perforating operation and comprises a feed punch 9|, Figs. 1 and 2, which is adapted to be reciprocated vertically in a feed hole punch block 92 by means of a bell crank 93 pivoted on stud shaft 94 and provided with a fork shaped extension member 96, the tines of which engage beneath the flared upper end of the punch 9| and confine thehead of the punch between the fork member and the bell crank so that the punch is reciprocated as the bell crank is oscillated about pivot 94. Feed pins 98 are secured to a shaft 91 rotatably supported in the pre-punch unit and provided at one end with milled ratchet teeth 99 to be engaged by a feed pawl I9I to intermittently advance the pins 98 and cause the feed of the tape by the engagement of pins 98 with the feed perforations invariably provided in the tape by the pre-punch 9|. A star wheel I82 and detent I83 are provided for holding the feed shaft intermediate the feeding strokes of pawl I8I. A spring pressed guide I84, Fig. 1, of the general contour of shaft 91 presses the tape against the feed pins to assure positive tape feed from the pre-punch in the direction of the printing platen and code perforating point. I

By providing a pre-punch for perforating feed holes in the tape and independent feeding mechanisms at both the pre-punch and code punching units, it is possible to vary the position of the code holes with respect to the feed holes in the tape. ,That is, with the feed holes already prepared in the tape, the detent 85 associated with feed Wheel 8| may be adjusted so thateach operation of feed pawl 83 positions a feed hole in or out of alignment with code punches 66. Thus the code perforations and feed hole perforations may or may notbe aligned transversely of the tape. r

The code perforating punches and pre-punch are operated from a common operating means which is controlled by a perforating shaft I86 journaled in, suitable bearings I81 and driven by motor 29 through a gear I88 secured to shaft 34 and in engagement with a gear I89 secured to shaft I86. The bearings I81 are carried by supporting members which depend from the base casting 2I and support shaft I86 beneath the horizontal section of the frame casting and transversely of the printing reperforator. Secured to shaft I86 to rotate therewith is the driving element III of a positive or grab clutch which is adapted to be engaged by a driven element 2 to impart driving force to the. perforating unit.

Thedriven element of the clutch is slidabl carried upon shaft I06 and normally urgedinto engagement with driving-element III by means of a compression spring II3 but normally held from engagement with the drivingportion of the clutch by means of a clutch throwout cam II4 formed on the periphery of the driven'element. I I2 of theclutch which is'normally in engagement with a: clutch'throwout lever IIB pivotally suported on a shaft I ll, Clutch throwout lever I I6 is normally held into the path of the clutch throwout cam I I4 by means of a spring H8; Fig. 3, secured tosaspringstud II9 on the throwout lever-and a portion of the frame. A cam sleeve :I2I is adaptedftoibe'drlven through a splined connection from the driven portion of the clutch when the clutch is engagedand a grooved cam I23 is driven or carriedby. the. sleeve HI and through a follower roll I24 operates a pivoted lever I26 pivoted at I21 to the base. casting 2|. Lever l2dhasiarticulated thereto in a pivotal manner a link .I3I, Fig. 2, which is pivotally connected to the'operator, of the pro-punch SI. .Pivoted code punch hammer B2 is urged by means of a spring I30 secured thereto and to a spring post depending from base casting 2| toward the frontward extremity -of pivoted lever I26 and carries an adjustable stop member I28 extending from depe ding portion I29 of hammeriEZ into abutting relation with lever I25. Link I3I is .pivotallyconnectedto three-arm lever ISZwhich carries an'eccentric I 34 on arm I33, andthe eccentric provides an adjustable engagement-between lever I32and the bell crank 93 of the pie-punch; Feed pawl IIiI for the preypunch is adjustably secured to arm I36 of the lever I32 by means ofa'n eccentric so that the feed strokemay be adjusted; Through the engagement of abutment I28 with lever I26and the V linkage from pivoted lever I26 to lever I32, the

code punches and the pre-punch are operated with each oscillation of pivoted lever I26 under the control of grooved cam I23.

As has already been-pointed-out, the selector mechanism 28 which controls the code-bars-27 conditions in this one operation both the printing mechanism through the alignment of the code-notches in the code bars 21 and the'code punches throughthe conditioning of punch interponents 58, and means has been provided for carrying out theprinting and perforating operations concomitantl as follows: A'depending member position by means of'a biasing spring MI and a limiting stop pin I42 carried upon member I3I. Accordingly, as the plunger 3B-is elevated in the courseof the printing cycle, the hook projection of member I39 engages the clutch throwout lever H6 and rocks it in a clockwise direction about pivot II? torelease the driven element II2 of the clutch so that compression spring I I 3 is effective to place clutch elements III and 2mm engagement and cause the rotation of cam sleeve I 2i and-the consequent-operation; of the per- 'forating' mechanisms concomitant with the operation'of the printing unit; i I I A continuous tape guide I43, Fig. 2, extends from the feed pins 98 at the pre-punch unit to the printing platen 22 to serve as a guide for the tape and prevent the tapefrom becoming engaged with the perforating unit mechanism. This guide .for the sake of a better understanding of the perforating mechanism has been omitted from Fig. 1. A similar guide I44 directs the tape from a supply into the pre-punch unit. By providing individual tape feedingmechanisms at both the pre-punch unit and the code punch unit, a tape loop may be maintained between the unitsand supported by guide I43. This tape loop removes the drag of the tape supply reel from the feeding mechanism at thecode perforating unit and consequentlygreatlyreduces the tape load at this point. Furthermore, since the feed pawl at the code punch unit may be secured to the'cradle member I52 111- an adjustable manner similar to the articulation of the feed pawl at the prepunch unit to its operator, there is given a'fiexibility to the printing reperforator not otherwise attainable through the use of a single tape feeding device.

'Tape feed out mechanism Although it is contemplated that the perforating unit operate as an incidentto printing, it may sometimes be desirable .to operate the perforating mechanism independently of the printing mechanism to feed out alength of tape and accordingly, a manual release of the perforating sleeve has been provided. The clutch throwoutlever H6 is provided with a vertically projecting portion I46, Fig. 3, which is substantially L-shaped. A manually operated plunger [41 slidably sup ported in brackets I48 depending from the base casting 2I is in alignment with the projection I46 of the clutch throwout lever I It so that when the plunger I4! is manually operated, the. clutch throwout lever I Itmay'be held away from clutch throwout cam II4 against the tension of its biasing spring H8, and the clutch held or permitted to be engaged so long'as the'plunger I I'Iremains in its operated position. In this manner, the perforating ca'm'sleeve I2| may be released for any desired number of revolutions which will 7 cause the operation of the perforating mechanism and tape feeding pawls only, since the clutch on the main cam shaft which operates theip 'inting mechanism will remain disengaged. This feature enables feeding the tape through the machine.

without operating the printing unit. As distinguished from this continuous operation of the perforating cam shaft, it is obvious that in the normal operation of the printing reperforator as a plunger 33 is elevated, the hook portion'I39 trips the clutch throwout lever III; for a single revolution of the perforating sleeve.

The printing reperforator is provided with pull bar operated contact I49, Fig. 2, which may-be selectively operated by predetermined pull bars to perform any desired circuit functions.

Sensing unit Associated with the hereinbefore. described printing reperforator, is a sensing unit I1 provided to sense the perforated tape as it leaves the printing reperforatorto control functions to be hereinafter indicated-and described. In order to take full advantage of line time, thesensingor which: is adapted to sense every code perforation'recorded in a tape by the printing reperforator, 'without the necessity of stepping the perforated tape a plurality of feeding distances from the .perforating unit into the transmitting or sensing unit. This pivoted transmitter is described in detail in copending application Serial No. 219,770, filed July 18, 1938, by Ross A. Lake, now U.- S. Patent No. 2,255,657, dated August 15, 1944, and reference may be had to that patent for the details both in structure and mode of operation of the pivoted transmitter. The transmitter comprises essentially 'a plurality of sensing elements to sense the perforations in a tape, a member for feeding the tape through the transmitter having imparted to it rectilinear motion, and a cam drum for controlling the operation of the sensing elements and the tape feeding member. I

Unit I1 has a base casting II, Fi 1, which is removably mounted upon the base casting 2| of the apparatus. The casting I5I consists of a pair of parallel vertical wall sections I52 interconnected by a relatively fiat web portion I53, Fig. 2. The leftward extremity of portion I53 is formed into a vertical portion I54 which is channeled to serve as a journal for a shaft I56 and slotted to provide a comb I51 which serves to guide the vertical oscillations of the members which support and operate the sensing elements. rightward portion of wall sections I52, as viewed in Fig. 1, support pivot studs I58 upon which the movable or pivoted portion of the sensing unit is secured. Specifically, the frame members I59 and I60 are secured to the pivots I 58. A plate I6I is carried by the pivoted frame members and carries a hinge post I62, Fig. 1, upon which is hingedly supported a tape gate I63 which in conjunction with the plate I6I defines the passageway for the perforated tape through the transmitter. A spring latch holds the tape gate in cooperating relation with the plate I6I. This structure of the transmitter is substantially identical with that disclosed in the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657, and reference may be had to that patent and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical details of the transmitter frame. Both plate I6I and the tape gate I63 are provided with a plurality of apertures which are in alignment when the tape gate is in cooperative relation with plate I6I.

Apertures in plate I6l receive the reduced portions of sensing pins I65, Fig. 2. There isprovided a sensing pin or finger for each of the possible perforations appearing in a transverse row of perforations in the tape, plus an additional pln to be employed as a tape-out indicator in a manner to be hereinafter described. In the particular apparatus under consideration there are provided six sensing fingers, inasmuch as it is contemplated to utilize a five-unit code.

A slidably movable feed member which is formed with a cam groove is provided to feed the tape through the transmitter in accordance with a rectilinear feeding movement precisely as has been described in great detail in the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 and illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 thereof.

On the shaft I56 which is supported by the channel I54, Fig. 2, formed in the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported a plurality of Y-levers I12 as well as other levers including those required to control the operation of the members I66 and I" of the tape feeding The mechanism. The Y-levers are individual to the sensing fingers I65 and those fingers are pivotally secured to one arm of the Y-levers on a centerline substantially coincident with the pivots I58. The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a member I13 secured by screws I14, Fig. 1, to the vertical wall ections of the base casting of the sensing unit, and member I13 is suitabl slotted to provide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical operation of the Y-levers about the shaft I56. Depending from the rightward extremities of the Y-levers, as viewed in Fig. 2, are guide fingers I15 which when the Y-levers are rotated in a clock wise direction about shaft I56 are received in horizontal slots I16 of the castin of the sensing unit, which in this manner guide the oscillating movements of the Y-levers. Each Y-lever is provided leftwardly of the shaft I56 as viewed in Fig. 2, with an upstanding projection I 18 to which is secured a spring I19 the other end of which is anchored to a spring post I11 carried by member I13, and springs I19 tending normally to rotate the Y-levers I12 in a counterclockwise direction about'shaft I56, and elevate the sensing fingers I65 vertically to sense the perforations in a tape I86 presented to the transmitter.

It is preferred that the sensing fingers I65 'be secured to the Y-levers in the same mannerin which the sensing elements I25 of the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 are secured to their operating bell cranks I46I52; that is, each sensing finger is provided near its lower extremitywith an aperture arranged to be engaged by a pin secured near the end of th horizontally extending arm of the Y-levers. A reed spring riveted to the horizontal arm of the Y-lever serves to retain the lower end of the sensing finger andprevents accidental displacements. This described preferred association of the sensing fingers and Y-leversis not illustrated in the drawings but is adequately illustrated in Fig. 2 of Patent No. 2,255,657. A cam drum I86 carries a plurality of cams which operate, as followers; the several levers pivotally supported by shaft I 56 and located on this camdrum, are a plurality of cams I81, six in number to control the operation .of the Y-levers, and

the operation of the sixth sensing pin which may be carried by a Y-lever or a bell crank lever, a cam I68 to control the operation of contacts I84, a transfer cam I89 for a purpose to be hereinafter. described, a cam I96 for controlling the operation of feed lever I66 through lever I8I, cam I9I for controlling the operation of feed lever I1 I through lever. I82, and cam I92 for controlling the opera-. tion of a bail to be identified hereinafter.

The power for driving cam drum I86 is derived from motor 29 through a grab clutch. Gear I93, Fig. 1, which is continuously rotated by shaft I06 meshes with a gear I94 secured to-shaft I 96 which is journaled in suitable bearings I91 depending from the horizontal portion of base casting 2|,

other and by means of a splinedconnection driven;

element I99 of the clutch imparts rotation to the.

' cam drum I86 when the clutchelements have beenengaged. A11 electromagnet 263, when energized, retracts the clutch throwout lever 26I from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element of the clutch and pe'rmits'engagement of the driving and driven elements, to rotate the cam drum I86. So long as electromagnet 263 remains'energized the cam drum will rotate continuously and upon de-energization of the electro magnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum I86 completes its instant cycle of revolution.

Frame member I56 ofthe transmitter structure carries a rightwardly extending projection 266, Figsgl and 2, and when the transmitter in,

pivoting about pivots I58 has reached its limiting clockwise position, projection 266 will have been brought down into engagement with a plunger 261 which is reciprocally mounted within an aperture in the base casting 2| and normally restsupon' a, contact of switch 265 so that as the projection 266 bears against and depresses plunger 261, the plunger in turn depresses and operates the switch 265 to break the circuit to the electromagnet 263, andshut down the operation of cam sleeve I86.

Cams I81 are arranged'on cam'drum I86 with their respective cam recesses in axial alignment so that a cam recess is presented to each of the Y levers I12 and-to the operator of the sixth sensin finger simultaneously whereby the six sensing fingers are elevated to their'probing positions simultaneously and depending upon the presence or absence of a perforation in the tape over an individual finger into its restrained or' its extreme counterclockwise position. The recesses of cams I81 are of sufficient length circumferentially of the cam sleeve I86 to retain the fingers I65 in tape probing position until the operation of a transfer mechanism, to be hereinafterdescribed, has been completed and thereafter the cams rotate the fingers simultaneously in a clockwise direction, retracting them from probing relation with the tape preparatory to advancing the tape through the transmitter.

Cams I96 and I 9| are orientated. to operate, respectively, followers IN and I82 in precisely the same manner in which cams 261 and 265 in the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 cooperate,

respectively, with their followers I61 and I16, tov

impart a rectilinear feeding movement to members I66 and "I of the transmitting device.

Furthermore, cams I96and I9I are orientated on cam drum I 86 with respect to the cams I 81,

which operate the sensing fingers, in the same relation as the feed cams are orientated on the cam drum of Patent No. 2,255,657 with respect to the cam'therein which operates the tape sensparted to the transmitter, through the operation of the pin I 69 carried on lever "I which is in engagement with cam groove I61, imparts a feeding stroke tothe tape to feed the tape through the transmitter, and so long as there is a tape loop or a tape surplus between the printing reperforator and the tape transmitter, the tape will be advanced in'this manner, but when the tapejis taut between the reperforator and the transmitter, the operating movement of the transmitter willbe restrained in a counterclockwisefdirection because of the engagementof the pins I68 in the taut tape and will result in the clockwise movement of the transmitter frame about its pivots I58; This. movement of .the transmitter will continue so long as the tape remains taut between the transmitter and the re perforator, providing that no stop abutment has been reached and that sleeve I86 is maintained in operation. As may be clearly seen in Fig. 2. the sensingunit I1. is pivoted to oscillate about a vertical center; that is, to either side of a vertical center. This overcenter travel of the transmitter requires the inclined feed of the tape through the perforating punch block, which. has been defined in detail above, in orderthat'there may be a substantially straight line feed of the tape from the reperforator into the transmitter when the transmitter has assumed its most clockwise position; that is, in abutmentwith the punch block. The forward or leading surface 69 of the punch block, Fig. 2, is cut back at an inclined angle, inclined to the vertical, to present a plane which is substantially parallel to the position of the transmitter frame when it has engaged the punch block so that there is in efiect a plane of contact between the two units. With the transmitter in this extreme clockwise position, the, tape guideway defined by plate vI 6| and the tape gate I68 above mentioned, will bein a plane in elined to the vertical necessitating the feed of the tape from the reperforator at a similar angle so that the tape may feed in one continuous line from the reperiorator into the transmitter in this extreme position.

It is clear from the detailed description of the rectilinear movement of the feeding mechanism of the sensin unit, whichhas been pointed out above and which is defined in greater detail in the above-identified Patent No. 2,255,657 that the pins 68 are normally in engagement with the tape, and it follows that if the printing reperforator operates at a greater rate than the operation of the sensing unit'thereby accumulat ing tape therebetween, the tape will advance the transmitter in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I58'until finally the transmitter has reached its extreme counterclockwise position; that is, in abutment with an adjustable limit stop 266, Fig. 2. This adjustable stop is suitably se cured to a substantially U-shaped frame member 269 which spans the sensing unit and is secured thereto by means of screws engaging the vertical wall sections i52 thereof, Fig. 1.

Frame member 269 has a depending portion centrally thereof, which secures or supports the stop abutment 268, Fig, 2. A pair of tape supporting fingers 2| I, Figs. 1 and 2, are carried by the web portion of the frame 269 and extend forwardly of the transmitter unittoward the perforator unit, extending, when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position against the stop 268, between the spaces which intervene the first and second, and fifth and sixth tape sensing fingers. Fingers 2| I may project between. any desired sensing elements of unit I1. The tape supporting fingers by projecting through. the tape sensing unit serve to support the tape and sustain the weight of the tape loop between the tape sensing unit'and the tape reperforator pres venting bending of the tape over plate I6I of the the tape sensing unit and reperforator, it is possible for the weight of the tape to bend or'substantially break the tape at the plate I6I and prevent the feed of the tape through the transmitter. The tape supporting fingers which are provided obviate this danger.

It is to be understood that the tape fingers which are shown in Fig. 2 as being mounted upon the frame 209 may, if desired, be supported by the frame members of the transmitter itself, so that the fingers would travel with the transmitter and support the tape in all positions of the transmitter. However, with such a, construction it would be necessary to movably mount the fingers on the frame so that upon the frames approaching the perforating punch block these fingers could be deflected downwardly or otherwise so as not to impede the movement of the transmitter to its extreme clockwise position against the code punch block which is necessary for the unit to sense the last code combination perforated in the tape.

The tape I80 as it leaves the sensing unit I! is supported upon a tape guide I85, Fig. 2, and directed thereover out of the apparatus. The guide I85 supported by base casting 2|, extends across the transfer mechanism and code vanes, to be described hereinafter, and has been omitted from the remaining figures of the drawings for the sake of disclosing elementsof the apparatus which would be obscured by the guide.

A tape deflector 2| 2, Figs. 1 and 2, is provided intermediate the sensing unit and reperforator and is pivotally secured to the punch block of the perforator, Fig. l, with the rightwardly extending arms of the deflector 2I2 pivotally supported upon shaft 1.6 of the reperforator which also supports the stripper elements 11. From the profile in Fig. 2 of the tape deflector 2|2, it may be seen that the deflector is of substantially Z- shape in cross section and normally tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction under the influence of gravity and, if desired, a biasing spring. Due to the contour of the deflector, tape as it emerges from the reperforating punch block and abuts against the deflector is directed downtwo units, the deflector 2I2 will pivot about it's shaft I6 and come into locking engagement with the transmitter I! which would have been advanced to its extreme counterclockwise position by reason of the movement of the tape with re- ,spect to the transmitter caused by the operation of the reperforator at a greater rate than the operation of the transmitter. Sensing will then be carried out with the sensing unit held by the latching finger 2I3, so long as there remains a sufliciently large tape loop intermediate the two units. However, assuming that the sensing unit should operate at a rate greater than the rate of operation of the reperforator, the tape loop will be shortened as it is fed through the transmitter at a greater rate than incoming tape is fed from the reperforator. If the transmitter continues to operate at the greater rate, the tape loop will become entirely taken up, and in so doing, the tape will engage the depending portion of the tape deflector 2I2, and as the tape becomes taut it will cam the deflector upwardly, and latching finger 2I3 will be lifted out of the path of the transmitter so that under the subsequent operation of the rectilinear feed mechanism of the transmitter, the pivoted transmitter will be permitted to advance toward the reperforating unit without having its movement in this direction impeded in any way by the latching projection 2I3 of the tape deflector. In Fig. 2 there is indicated in dotted construction,the position of the tape deflector when it has been cammed by the tape in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I6 due to the tape loop being taken up.

wardly into a depending loop between the reperforator punch block and the sensing unit. A

storage container may receive the tape as it ace cumulates between the units. The tape deflector is relatively narrow, Fig. 1, and does not extend throughout its entire length, across the full width of the tape, but exposes that portion of the tape on which is printed the code characters and, accordingly, the message printed on the tape intermediate the transmitter and reperforator may nevertheless be read even though the tape deflector is in its operative tape loop forming position. The deflector 212 may, if desired, be rotated over center in a clockwise direction to an inoperative position; that is, out of the path of the tape as it emerges from the perforating code punch block. The deflector may be rendered inoperative in this manner when it is necessary to thread the tape, initially through the transmitter.

Extending forwardly of the deflector is a latching finger 2I3 which serves to engage the plate "SI of the transmitter when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and renders the transmitter immovable with respect to the perforating punch block, so long as there is a sufliciently large tape loop intermediate the transmitter and reperfora tor. If, because the reperforator unit operated at a greater speed than the transmitter, there is a sufliciently large tape loop formed between the Briefly the operation of the transmitting o-r sensing unitis as follows:

Assume switch 204 to be manually closed and that the transmitter I1 is in its extreme clockwiseposition against the perforator code punch block. In this condition projection 206, secured to frame member I59 of the transmitter, will have depressed plunger 201 and opened switch 205, deenergizing the electromagnet 203 and disabling the power drive to the cam drum I86 by reason of the engagement of clutch throwout lever 2M and the throwout cam on the periphery of the clutch driven element I99. Toward the completion of a cycle of operation of the printing reperforator in response to received code signals, a perforated code combination will be made in the tapeand advanced from the reperforator to the transmitter, and this advancing movement of the tape, because of the fact that the pins I68 of feed member I66 are in engagement with feed perforations in the tape, will rock the pivoted transmitter in a counterclockwise direction for a distance corresponding to the tape feed, and this movement is suflicient to Withdraw projection 206 from engagement with plunger 20'! and permit the spring element of the switch 205 to elevate the plunger and close the switch 205 completing the circuit to electromagnet 203 which attracts its armature resulting in the removal of clutch throwout lever 20I from the path of the throwout cam on the clutch driven element I99, permitting theengagement under the influence of spring 202 of the elements I98 and I99 of the clutch and connecting the power drive from motor 29 through to the cam drum I86. As cam drum I86 rotates, cams I81 simultaneously present cam depressions to the plurality of Y-levers I12 to elevate the sensing fingers I65 into tape probing position under the influence of biasin springs I19 individual to each Y-lever. If a given Y-lever finds a perforation in a tap its associated spring I19 will be permitted to rotate the Y-lever to its extreme counterclockwise position about shaft I55, positioning the. leftward extremity of the Y-lever in the lowermost position in its guide comb I13 but if a sensing finger 555 does not find a code perforation in the tape,

the counterclockwise rotation of its associated Y-lever is restrained so that its spring I19 can rotate the Y-lever I12 to a, very limited extent about shaftv I56 resulting in a positioning of the prises a pair of vertical arms 229 and 23! inter- Y -lever in an upper position in the guide comb I13, The relative position of the Y-,-levers, that is, whether the Y-levers remain in a, relatively high portion of the guide comb I13, or are positioned in the lower portion of the guide comb, controlled in accordance with the code perforated in the tape, is utilized in a manner to be hereinafter described, to, control a transmitting distributor and function levers to perform switching. operations in accordance with the permutable setting of the Y-levers. As cam drulm I86 continue its cycle of rotation, cams I81 retract fingers E64 from probing engagement with the tape, cams H90 and IBI, controlling the operation of levers i'66 and HI in a manner above described, effect a rectilinear feedof member I66 and advance thetransmitter again to its extreme clockwise position to cause projection 206 to open switch 2% and interrupt the operation of the transmitting cam shaft at the completion of thecycle of operation of the sensing unit.

If during the operation of the sensing unit, a second advancement is given to thetape and consequently to the sensing unit by the operation of feed Wheel 8| in the printing reperforator, the movement of the transmitter frame at the completion of the instant cycle of operation of cam drum I85 will not cause the switch 205 to open and the sensing unit will continue to operate. If the printing reperforato-r continues to operate at a greater rate than the sensing'unit, a tape loop will form intermediate the units and the tape deflector 2I2 will be effective to latch the sensing. unit against its counterclockwise stop 2G8 until the deflectoris cammed out of engage}- ment with the sensing unit by the tape resulting from a subsequent operation of the transmitter at a greater rate than that of the printing reperforator. With the deflector 2I2 cammed out of the path of the transmitter, the continued operation of the transmitter and its rectilinearly operated feed member I 66 will advance the transmitter toward the printing reperforator and ultimately interrupt the operation of the transmitter by opening switch 205 as the transmitter is moved into a position to sense the last code perforation in the tape.

Transfer mechanism and transmitting distributor The sensing unit, in the manner described above senses the successive code perforations in the tape as the tape passes from the printing reperforator to the sensing unit, and in each sensing operation positions the Y-levers I12 in guide comb I13 in accordance with the code combination sensed; that is, the Y-levers are permutably positioned in the upper or lower portions of the guide slots in comb I13 in accordance with the extent of the counterclockwise rotation of the Y-levers under the influence or their biasing springs I19'as controlled by the perforations in the tape. The pemnntafble setting of the Y-levers H2 i transferred through a transfer mechanism to control the contacts of a cam type transmitter distributor I8 which redistributes or retransmits connected by a horizontally disposed member, 232.. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 233, Fig. 2, extends between the upper portions of vertical frame members 229. and 23I of the transfer frame and there is mounted on the shaft a plurality of transfer levers 234 which are substantially T shaped and suitably spaced horizontally along shaft 233 by means, of spacingv discs'235. The upper and lower extremities of the verticalsections of T-levers 234 facejthe fork element of the Y-levers I12, Fig. 2 and when the Y-levers'are positioned in the upper portion of the slide groove of comb I13, the upper tines of the Y-levers are in substantial alignment with the upper extremities of the T-levers and, conversely, when the Y- levers are positioned in the lower portion of the comb, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the. lower tines are in substantial alignment with the lower extremiw ties of the T-levers. t

In order to transfer the .permutable setting of the Y-levers to the transfer levers, the frame of the transfer mechanism is pivotally supported as described above, and cam I89, Fig, 2, which is included in cam drum I86, operates upon a cam follower 235, Figs. 1 and 2, formed as a projection on the member 229 of the frame of the transfer mechanism. A biasing spring (not shown) operates normally to hold the transfer frame in its counterclockwise position, but the operation of cam I39 on cam follower 236 is sufficient to overcome this spring bias and rotate a I the transfer frame and the T-levers 234 into a clockwise position in which th terminals of the T-levers come into abutting relation with the tines of the Y-levers in accordancewitn the permutable setting of the Y-levers, and this engagement of the T-levers with the II-levers rocks the T-levers ina clockwise or counterclockwise direction about shaft 233 and transfers, in this. manner, the setting of the Y-levers to the T- lever's.

More particularly, if a Y-lever is assumed to be in its lower position in comb I13, in response to its associated sensin finger I65 entering a code the' transfer mechanism in timed relation to the probing of the tape under the control of cams I81, it will bring the T-lever associated with the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower tine of which will engag the lower extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever 234, and through this engagement will rock the T-lever 234 in a clockwise direction about shaft 233. Conversely, when the Y-lever is in its upper position in the comb I13 due to the failure of its finger I65 to enter a perforation in the tape, when the associated T-lever is brought into engagement with the Y-lever, the upper' tine of the Y-lever will engage the upper extremity of the vertical section of the T-lever and in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 233. Thetransfer of the setting of the individual Y-levers to the associated individual T-levers takes place. simultaneously and.

after it has taken place, the return spring on the transfer mechanism is effective under the control of cam I89 to rotate the transfer mechanism, and the T-levers in their permutable relation with respect to one another, to their normal or counterclockwise position and, in this manner, free the plurality of Y-levers which may then be returned to their normal position by cams l8! retracting the fingers I65 from engagement with the perforated tape, preparatory to the sensing of a subsequent code combination. When the transfer mechanism is returned to normal, it maintains control over a transmitting distributor to transmit the signal combination transferred from the Y-levers and during this transmission, cam drum I86 initiates another cycle of the sensing unit, setting the Y-levers in accordance with the following code signal combination recorded in the tape, thereby providing signal overlap, between the sensing unit and transfer mechanism.

There is associated with each T-lever a code vane 2, Figs. 1 and 2, and this association is through a member 242 affixed to each code vane and provided at its rightward extremity as viewed in Fig. 2, with a bifurcation to-which is slidably articulated the leftward extremity of the associated T-lever. Each code vane 24! is pivotally supported at each. There are as many pivoted code vanes provided as there are T-levers, one vane being associated with one T-lever in the above-described manner. bodiment of the invention, wherein it is contemplated to employ a five-unit code there are provided five Y-levers, five T-levers and five pivoted code vanes mutually associated with one another.

The code vanes 24! (Fig. l) extend from the In this particular emselecting mechanism including a printing bail and printing bail operator, a perforating mechanism conditioned by the operation of said selecting mechanism, a cam for operatin said perforating mechanism, a power means to rotate said cam, clutch means associated with said power means, and means carried by said bail operator and operable thereby to control said clutch means to connect said power means to said cam concomitantly with the operation ofsaid printing mechanism.

2. In a recording apparatus, a selector mechanism responsive to received code signal combinations, a printing mechanism controlled by said selector including a printing bail and bail operator, a perforating mechanism controlled by said selector, a perforating cam to operate said perforating mechanism, a power driving means for said cam, a single revolution clutch associated with said cam and said driving means, and means carried by said bail operator and operated thereby in each printing cycle to release said clutch and operate said perforating mechanism through a single cycle.

3. In a recording apparatus, the combination of a selector responsive to received code signals, a printing mechanism controlled by said selector to print characters corresponding to received code signals on a tape, said printing mechanism including a printing bail and bail operator, a perforating mechanism controlled by said selector to perforate received code signals in the tape, a prepunch for perforating feed holes in a tape in advance of the code signal perforations, a feeding mechanism to feed a tape from said prepunch to said perforating mechanism, a feeding mechanism to feed a tape through said perforatin mechanism, a single cam common to said perforating, prepunch and feeding mechanisms,

40 power driving means for said cam, a single actuated in response to the operation of said 59 revolution clutch associated with said cam and said driving means, means to operate said printing mechanism, and means carried by said printing mechanism and operable thereby to control said clutch to operate said perforating mechanism, said prepunch, and said feeding mechanisms concomitantly with the operation of said printing mechanism,

BOSS A. LAKE.

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