US2419782A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1.947. R A l LAKE 2,419,782

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 20, 1941 3 She-zecs-SheegI 1 k ll y a mvENToR ROSS A. LAKE FIG.I

ATTORNEY April 29, 1947. R. A. LAKE 2,419,782

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS original Filed sept. 20, 1941 s'sheets-sneet 2` INVENToR ROSS A. LAKE BY JM i l ATTORNEY R. A. LAKE 2,419,782

PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 20, 41941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 momommmm mmrza April 29, 1947.

LAKE

ATTORNEY INVENTOR ROSS A.

w ma www www QNX -y/ Patented Apr. 29, 1947 PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Ross A. Lake, Oak Park, Ill., assigner to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware original application september zo. 1941, 'serial No. 411,660. Divided and this application January 18, 1944, Serial No. 518,710

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, led September 20, 1941, which has matured into U. S. 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 characters 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.

A further object of this invention is to provide animproved strip controlled apparatus operable to render a switching mechanism selectively responsive to a control strip.

\ In communication systems, particularly those in which messages may originate in any of a number of substaticns to be transmitted to certain of the remaining substations, it is frequently the practice to transmit the message to a central ofce for rerouting or retransmission to the desired substation. In such a system, the message is generally stored as it is received, preferably in a record tape, until the necessary retransmission channelsare selected and conditioned. The retransmission channels are generally conditioned manually through plugs and jacks or semi-automatically through relay circuits. After the message channels are established, the stored message is applied thereto and transmitted directly to the desired substation, if a through connection is available, or to a further central office for relaying to the desired substation. At each message relaying point or central oftice, there is provided a message receiving and storing mechanism, such as a reperforator, manually or relay operated switching mechanism for establishing message channels, and a message redistributor, such as a tape transmitter, adapted to be associated with the determined channels.

This invention features a telegraph apparatus which, may be utilized in communication systems to facilitate and expedite message transmission 1eetween substations and which includes within one compact unit a printing reperforator, a transmitter and entirely automatic switching mechanism. Telegraph signal combinations received by this 'apparatus are recorded in a control tape and a sensing device senses the tape and condi- 6 Claims. (Cl. 178%17) tions a retransmitting' distributor in accordance with the received signal combinations to retransmit the message. The switching mechanism of this apparatus also operates under the control of the tape and the sensing device in response to switching signal combinations received fromithe originating substation ahead of the message signal combinations to establish the necessary communication channels to direct the message to' the desired substation. v f `This invention also features a device included in the telegraph apparatus to render the switching mechanism selectively operable; that is, to enable the'switching mechanism when switching signal combinations are Vbeing sensed by the sensing device, and to disable 'the switching mechanism when message signal combinations are being sensed. f

Communication systems employing apparatus` Y which 'embody features of this invention may operate rapidly and automatically to relay a mes sage from an originating ,substation to the vdesired substation. vFor such automatic operation a series of switching signalcombinations `is transmitted from the originating substation to establish the necessary communication channels to the desired substation through the operation ofthe automatic switching mechanism. Thereafter,- message signal combinations from the originating substation are directed over the established channels to the desired substations.

The apparatus for accomplishing the aboveenumerated objects of this invention includes 1a printing reperforator, a sen-sing or transmitting device, a transmitting distributor and an automatic switching device. Code signal combinations received by this apparatus condition the printing reperiorator to store the received signal combinations and print the character represented thereby on a control strip. The printing reperorator includes a pre-punch unit to prepare feed `holes in the strip and this pre-punch unit is operated concomitantly with the vcode perforating unit from a cam sleeve mechanically released for` a single revolution by the printing unit operating sensing device has been conditioned in accord-V ance 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 initial 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 n the contacts of the distributor so thatthe signal is retransmitted by the distributor while thesensing 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. The automatic switch mechanisms include a plurality of switching function levers having code notches which in response to the permutable setting of the code vanes permit selective operation of the switching mechanisms. In order to restrict the operation of the switching mech# anisms to only those settings of the code vanes that represent a switching signal combination, a device comprising a plurality of control bars serves to hold the switching function levers normally nonresponsive to the settings of the code vanes. When a switching operation is to be performed, a predetermined sequence of signal combinatio'ns is set up in the code vanes by the control strip and this sequential'conditioning of the code vanes is effective to operate the blocking device and render the switching function levers responsive to subsequent settings of the code levers. After the desired switching functions have been accomplished, the control tape establishes a predetermined condition in the code vanes that restores the device into blocking relation with. respect to the switching function levers rendering them nonresponsive to the subsequent settings ofthe code vanes that relay the message signals over the determined communication channels through the agency of the transmitting distributor. Y

The sensing cr transmitting device has a tape out pin that is operated cyclically with the code sensing pins to interrupt the operation of the transmitter at a predetermined point in message signaling, as determined by a special perforation in the tape, or when the tape supply is broken or exhausted. The transmitter is also equipped with a' tape feed'suppression device operable to arrest the tape feed through the transmitter so that a given signal combination may be transmitted several times in succession.

The pivoted transmitter is movable with the tape and when there is a predetermined length of tape intermediate the transmitter and reperforator a locking device, which serves to form this length of tape into a depending loop, locks the transmitter rendering it immovable with respect to the reperforator. Under the continuous operation of the transmitter, this length of-tape will eventually be shortened and finally the tape will engage the locking device and move it out of engagement with the transmitter permitting the transmitter to approach the reperforator to sense every code combination in the tape.

VIn the-back-spacing operation of this apparatus, the transmitter is drawn by the tape toward the reperforator. A disabling lever carried on the pivoted transmitter engages and disables the back-spacing mechanism as the transmitter approaches abutting relationship with the reperforator so that further operations of the backspacing mechanism are ineffective on the tape. Disabling the back-spacing mechanism prevents tearing of the tape by continued back-spacing operations after the transmitter has reached the vlimit of its travel.

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

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on section lines 3-'3 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the tape feed suppression mechanism of the transmitter;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the cognizance device; and l Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the cognizance device.

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 driving mechanisms; a printing reperforator unit I6, a tape sensing unit l1, a transmitting distributor IB, and an automatic switching device I9. The several units are supported by a base casting2l.

The printing reperforator I6 included in the apparatus under consideration is substantially the same as that printing reperforator which is the subject of a copending application led in the name of Ross A. Lake, Serial No. 274,796, filed May 20, 1939, now Patent No. 2,255,794, and lor a more complete understanding of the structure and mode of operation of this unit, reference may be had to the aforementioned patent which is incorporated herein by reference.

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 reperforator to control functions to be hereinafter indicated and described. In order to take full advantage of line time, the sensing or transmitting unit employed with the printing reperforator is of the pivoted or traveling type 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. 'Ihis pivoted transmitter is described in detail in copending application Serial No. 219,770, filed July 18, 1938, by Ross A. Lake and reference may be had to that copending application for the details both in structure and mode of operation of the pivoted transmitter. 'Ihe 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.

Unit |1 has a base casting |5|, Fig. 1, which is removably mounted upon the base casting 2| of the apparatus. The casting |5| consists of a pair of parallel vertical wall sections |52 interconnected by a relatively flat web portion |53, Fig. 4. The leftward extremity of portion |53 is formed into a vertical portion |54 which is channeled to serve as a journal for a shaft |56 and slotted to provide a comb |51 which serves to guide the vertical oscillations of the members which support and operate the sensing elements. The rightward portion of wall sections |52, as viewed in Fig. 1, supports pivot studs |58 upon which the movable .or pivoted portion of the sensing unit is secured. Specifically, the frame members |59 and |66 are secured to the pivots |58. A plate |5I is carried by the pivoted frame members and carries a hinge post |62, Fig. 2, upon which is hingedly supported a tape gate |63 which in conjunction with the plate |6I de- :lines the passageway for the perforated tape through the transmitter. A spring latch |64 holdsthe tape gate in cooperating relation with the plate I6l. This structure of the transmitter is substantially identical with that disclosed in the above-identified copending application, and reference may be had to that application and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, for a more detailed disclosure of the mechanical details of the transmitter frame Both plate |6| and the tape gate I 63 are provided with a plurality of apertures which are in alignment when the tape gate is in cooperative relation Ywith plate I6I Apertures in plate |61 receive the reduced portions of sensing pins |65, Fig. 4. There is provided a sensing pin or finger for each of the possible perforations appearing in a transverse row of perforations in the tape, plus an additional pin 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 ls contemplated to utilize a five-unit code.

A slidably movable feed member |66, Fig. 5, which is formed with a cam groove |61 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 copending application Serial No. 219,770 and illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 thereof. In View of the detailed description of this tape feeding mechanism, in the latter copending application, the apparatus description and the mode of operation will be set out herein only briefly, and reference should be had to the afore-mentioned application fora more complete understanding of both the structural details and the precise mode of operation of this rectilinearly operable feed mechanism. Member |66 carries on its upper extremity pins |68 which enter and normally engage the feed perforations in a tape to advance the tape or advance the transmitter, depending on` which of the two is held immovable and cooperating with cam groove |61 in lever I 66 is a pin |69 secured to the free end of a cam operated lever |1|.

As will be described hereinafter, members |66 and I1| are operated in timed relation, and as lever I1I is drawn downwardly in slot |61, the pin |69 due to the particular shape of cam groove |61 will oscillate member |66 in acounterclockwise direction to effect relative movement between the pivoted frame of sensing unit I1 and the tape. Following this operation, lever |66 is moved downwardly to withdraw pins |68 from engaging with the feed perforations in the tape after which arm I1| is moved upwardly and under the influence of the cam groove, member |66 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, and the member |66 is thereafter elevated to cause the pins |68 to engage other feed perforations in the tape to achieve on a subsequent cycle, a relative movement between the sensing unit l1 and the perforated tape.

On the shaft |56 which is supported by the channel |54, Fig. 4, formed in the base casting of the sensing unit are pivotally supported a plurality of Y-levers |12 aswell as other levers including those required to control the operation of the members |66 and |1| of the tape feeding mechanism. The Y-levers are individual to the sensing lingers and those fingers are pivotally secured to one arm of the Y-levers on a centerline substantially coincident with the pivots |58. The leftward portions of the Y-levers are supported in a member |13 secured by screws |14, Fig. 1, to the vertical wall sections of the base casting of the sensing unit, and member |13 is suitably slotted to provide a comb guide structure to guide the vertical operation of the Y- levers about the shaft |56. Depending from the rightward extremities of the Y-levers, as viewed in Fig. 4, are guide fingers |15 which when the Y-levers are rotated in 'a clockwise direction about shaft |56 are vreceived in horizontal slots |16 of the casting 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 |56 as viewed in Fig. 4, with an upstanding projection |18 to which is secured a spring |19 the other end of which is anchored to a spring post |11 carried by member |13, and springs |19 tend normally to rotate the Y-levers |12 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft |56, and elevate the sensing fingers |65 vertically to sense the perforations in a tape presented to the transmitter.

It is preferred that the sensing fingers |65 be securedto the Y-levers in the same manner in which the sensing elements |25 of the aboveidentied copending application Serial No. 219,770 are secured to their operating bell cranks Mil-I 52; that is, each sensing finger is provided near its lower extremity with an aperture arranged to be engaged by a pin secured near the end of the horizontally extending arm of the Y- levers. Areed spring riveted to the horizontal arm of the Y-lever serves to retain the lower end of the sensing :linger and prevents accidental displacements. This described preferred asso--I ciation of the sensing lingers and Y-levers is not illustrated in the drawing but is adequately illustrated in Fig. 2 of the latter ycopending application.

Also pivotally supported by shaft |56 is a lever |61' Fig. 1, which is cam controlled to effect the verticalreciprocation of feed member I 66, Va lever |32 which controls the operation of lever HI, and the resulting oscillation of member 66 about its pivot, and a lever |83 which operates a pair of contacts I 64, see Fig. 2, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.y l V 7 v Acam drum |86, Fig. 2, carries a plurality of cams which operate, as followers, the several levers pivotally supported by shaft |55, and located on this cam drum are a plurality of cams |81, 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 |88 to control the operation of contacts |84, a transfer cam |89 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, a cam |90 for controlling the operation of feed lever |66 through lever ISI, cam |9| for controlling the operation oi feed lever |1| through lever |82, and cam |92 for controlling the operation of a bail to be identified hereinafter. In Fig. 2, the cam drum has been illustrated and the elements of the structure which would obscure the view of the cam drumv have been omitted for the purpose of giving a clear showing of the drum.

The power for driving'cam drurn |86 is derived from motor 29 through a grab clutch. Gear |93, Fig. 1, which is continuously rotated by shaft |09` meshes with a gear |94 secured to shaft |96 which is journalled in suitable bearings |191 depending from the horizontal portion of base casting 2|. Grab clutch driving element |98 is driven continuously from shaft |96. The driven element |99 of the clutch is loosely supported on shaft |95, and normally held out of engagement with driving element |98, by means of a clutch throwout lever which normally is in engagement with a clutch throwout cam formed on the periphery of driven element |99, similar to the con.- struction of driven element 2 of the aforedescribedpositive clutch'. A compression spring 202 normally urges the clutch elements into engagement with one another and by means of a splined connection driven element |99 of the clutch imparts rotation to the cam drum |86 when the clutch elements have been engaged. L

An electromagnet 203.when energized, retracts the clutch throwout lever 20| from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element of the clutch and permits engagement of the driving and driven elements, to rotate the cam drum |85. So long as electromagnet 203 remains, energized the cam drum will rotate continuously and upon de-energization of the electromagnet the clutch is disengaged after cam drum |86 completes its instant cycle of revolution.

'Ihe energization of electromagnet 203 is under the joint control of a manually operated switch (not shown), and a transmitter operated switch 205 so that the operation of the transmitter may be initiated when desired and terminated automatically upon the operation of the transmitter as the transmitter senses the last code signal combination perforated in the tape by the printing reperforator. The manually operated switch may be located within the apparatus or may be external to the apparatus as may be best suited for the installation, but the transmitter controlled switch 205 is located within and is part of the apparatus. Frame member |59 of the transmitter structure carries a rightwardly extending projection 206, Figs. 1 and 4, and when the transmitter in pivoting about pivots |58 has reached its limiting clockwise position, projection 206will have been brought down into engagement with a plunger 201 which is reciprocally mounted within an aperture in the base casting 2| and normally rests upon a contact of switch 205 so that as the projection 205 bears against and depresses plunger 201, the plunger in turn depresses and operates the switch 205 to break the circuit to the Aelec- ,tromagnet 203, vand shut down the' operationA of cam sleeve |06. n

Cams |81 are arranged on cam drum |86 with their respective cam recesses in axial alignment so that a cam recess is presented to Aeach of the Y-levers |12 and to the operator of the sixth sensing 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 tapeover an individual finger into its restrained or its extreme counterclockwise position. The recesses of cams |81 are of sufficient length circumferentially of the cam sleeve |86 to retain the fingers |65 intape probing position until the operation of a transfer mechanism, to be hereinafter described, has been completed and thereafter the cams rotate the lingers simultaneously in a clockwise direction, retracting them from probing relation with the tape preparatory to advancing the tape through the transmitter. Cams |90 and |9| are orientated to operate, respectively, followers |8| and |82 in precisely the same manner in which cams 201 and 205 in the above-identified copending application Serial No. 219,770 cooperate, respectively, with their followers |61 and |10, to impart a rectilinear yfeeding movement'to members |66 and |1| of the transmitting device. Furthermore, cams |90 and |9| are orientated'on cam drum |86 with respect to the cams |81, which operate'the sensing fingers, in the same relation as the feed cams are orientated on the cam drum of the latter above-identied copending application with respect to the cam therein which operates the tape sensing fingers. This orientation is important and necessary to assure the proper operation of the feeding mechanism for if the feeding mechanism were permitted to operate in other than the timed relation set forth in the above-mentioned copending application with respect to the operation of the sensing'pins, there would result atearing of the tape andincomplete transmission.

As has already been mentioned, the m'otion imparted to the transmitter, through the operation of the pin |69 carried on lever |1| which is in engagement with cam groove |61, imparts a feeding stroke to the tape to feed the tape through the'transmitter, and so long as there isa 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 tape is taut between the reperforator and the transmitter, the operating movement of the transmitter will be restrained in a counterclockwise direction because of the engagement of the pins |68 in the taut tape and will result in the clockwise movement of the transmitter frame about its pivots |58; This movement of the transmitter will continue so long as the tape remains taut between the transmitter and the reperforator, providing that no stop abutment has been reached and that sleeve is maintainedV in operation. As may be clearly seen in Fig. 4, the sensing unit |1 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 dened in detail above, in order that there may be a substantially straight line feed of the tape from` the reperforator into the transmitter when the trans` mitter has assumed its most clockwise position; that is, in abutmetn with the punch block. The forward or leading'su'rface 69 of the punch block,

Fig. 4, 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 eiect a plane of contact between the two units. With the transmitter in this extreme clockwise position, the tape guideway dened by plate |6| and the tape gate |63 above mentioned, will be in a plane inclined 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 reperforator into the transmitter in this extreme position.

Itis clear from the detailed description of the rectilinear movement of the feeding mechanism of the sensing unit, which has been pointed out above and which is defined in greater detail in the above-identified copending application Serial No. 219,770 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 accumulating tape therebetween, the tape will advance the transmitter in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot |58 until finally the transmitter has reached its extreme counterclockwise position; that is, in abutment with an adjustable limit stop 208, Fig. 4. This adjustable stop is suitably secured to a substantially U-shaped frame member 209 which spans the sensing unit and is secured thereto by means of screws engaging the vertical wall sections |52 thereof, Fig. l.

Frame member 209 has a depending portion centrally thereof, which secures or supports the stop abutment 208, Fig. 2. A pair of tape supporting fingers 2l Figs. 1 and 4, are carried by the web portion of the frame 209 and extend forwardly of the transmitter unit toward the perforator unit, extending, when the transmitter is in its extreme counterclockwise position against the stop 208, between the spaces which intervene the rst and second, and fifth and sixth tape sensing fingers. Fingers 2| may project between any desired sensing elements of unit |1. 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 preventing bending of the tape over plate |6| of the transmitter. Should the tape be supported by the sensing ngers and the edge of plate |6| and there be a substantially large tape loop intermediate 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 |6| 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. 4 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 1ingers could be deected 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. f y i 'Ihe tape |80 as it leaves the sensing unit1|`1 is supported upon a tape guide |85, Fig. 4, 'and directed thereover out of the apparatus. The guide supported by base casting 2|, extends across the transfer mechanism and code vanes, to be described hereinafter, and has been omitted from the remaining gures of the drawings for the sake of disclosing elements of the apparatus which would be obscured by the guide. Y I

Briey the operation of the transmitting or sensing unit is as follows: L

Assume the local switch to be manually closed and that the transmitter |1 is in its extreme clockwise position against the perforator code punch block. In this condition projection 206 secured to frame member |59 of the transmitter, will have depressed plunger 201 and opened switch 205, de-energizing the electromagnet 203 anddisabling the power drive tothe cam drum |86 by reason of the engagement of clutch throwout lever 20| and the throwout cam on the periphery of the clutch driven element |99. 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 tape and advanced from the reperforator tothe transmitter, and this advancing movement of the tape, because of the fact that the pins |68 of feed member |66 are in engagement with feed perforations in the tape, will rock the pivoted transmitter in a counterclokwise direction for a distance corresponding to the tape feed, and this movement is suicient to withdraw projection 206 from engagement with plunger 201 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 20| from the path of the throwout cam o'n the clutch driven element |99,` permitting the engagement under the iniiuence of spring 202 of the elements |98 and |99 of the clutch and connecting the power drive from motor 29 through to the cam drum |86. As cam drum |86 rotates, cams |81 simultaneously lpresent cam depressions to the plurality of Y-levers |12 to elevate the sensing ngers |65 into tape probing position under the influence of biasing springs |19 individual to each Y-lever. If a given Y-lever finds a perforation in a tape, its associated spring |19 will be permitted to rotate the Y-lever to its extreme counterclockwise position about shaft |56, posi,- tioning the leftward extremity of the Y-lever in the lowermost position in its guide comb |13 f but if a sensing linger |65 does not nd a code perforation in the tape, the counterclockwise rotation of its associated Y-lever is restrained so that its spring |19 can rotate the Y-lever |12 to a Very limited extent about shaft |56 resulting in a positioning of the Y-lever in an upper position in the guide comb |13. The relative position of the Y-levers, that is, whether the Y-levers remain in a relatively high portion of the guide comb |13, 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 drum |86 continues its cycle of rotation, cams |81 retract fingers |64 from probing engagement with the tape, cams |90 and |9|, controlling the operation of levers |66 and |1| in a manner above described, effect la rectilinear feed of member |66 and advance the transmitter again to its extreme clockwise position to cause projection 206 to open switch 205 and interrupt the operation Vof .the transmitting cam shaft at the completion of the cycle of operation of the sensing unit.

If during the operation of the sensing unit, a second advancement is given to the tape and consequently to the sensing unit by the operation of feed wheel in the printing reperforator, 'the movement of the transmitter frame at the completion of the instant cycle of Voperation -o-f cam drum |186 will not cause the switch 205 to open and the sensing unit will continue to operate. If -the printing reperforator continues to operate at a greater rate than the sensing unit, a tape loop will rform intermediate the units and the tape deflector 2|2, described in the parent application aforesaid, will be effective to latch the sensing unit against its counterclockwise stop 208 until the deflector is cammed out of engagement with the sensing unit by the tape resulting from a subsequent operation of the transmitter vat a greater rate than that Aof the printing reperforator. With the deflector 2|2 cammed 'out of the path of the transmitter, the continued operation `of the transmitter and its rectilinearly operated feed .member I|||5 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 int'o a position to `sense the last code perforation in the tape.

Tape feed suppression unit, the unit will sense one code combination in the tape a plurality of times. In Fig. 5, the details `of the tape suppression device are illustrated. The device comprises a tape suppression magnet 2 I8 which may be energized by anylocal, manually closed circuit Yor relay operated circuit, 'not shown, a pivoted armature 2|9 provided with a laterally extending blocking `projection220 and projections 22| and 222 provided on follower levers |8| and F82, respectively, of the tape feeding mechanism. A spring 223 extending between the base casting 2| of the apparatus 'and armature2|9 normally holds the armature in 'its counterclockwise Vposition about its pivot 224 out of 'engagement with projections 22| and 222.

When it is desired to operate thetape suppression device, the circuit to magnet 2|8 is manually conditioned, Aenergizing the magnet which `attracts its armature, rocking the armature in a clockwise direction about pivot '224 introducing the blocking projection 220 of arma-- ture 210 into blocking relation with respect to projections 22| and 222 on feed levers |-8| and |82, respectively, holding the membersl |81 and l|82 of the feed mechanism from responding to the influence of their respective biasing springs when a depression in their cams A|00 and |9|, respectively, is presented to the cam followers secured tolevers |8| and |02. Accordingly, as 'cam drum I-'86 continues this cycle vof revolution, the cams |90 Vand |91 are ineffective V`uponfthe feed levers `|66 andl |1| since their operating levers |3| and |82, respectively, are held nonresponsive to the control of said cams. 'Iherefore, as cam drum |86 Vis rotated through a plurality of revolutions it causes the sensing elements |65 under the control of cams |81 to sense the same code combination of the tape a plurality of times.

Transfer mechanism and transmitting distributor .The sensing unit, in the manner described above senses the successive code perforationsV in the tape as the .tape passes from the printing reperforator to the sensing unit, and-in each sensing operation positions the Y-levers |12 in guide comb |13 in accordance with the code combination sensed; that is, the Y-levers are permutably positioned inthe upper or lower portions of the guide slots in comb |13 in accordance with the extent of the counterclockwise rotation -of the Y-levers under theV influence of their biasing springs |19 as controlled by the perforations in the tape. The permutable setting of the Y--levers |12 is transferred through a transfer mechanism to control the contacts of a cam type transmitter distributor |-8, Figs. 2 and 3, which redistributes `or retransmits the received and recorded code signal combinations.

The transfer .mechanism is supported by a pair of `depending structural elements depending from .base casting 2|. These elements 226 and 221, Figs. 1 and 4, `are provided with pivot studs 22B to which is pivotally articulated a yoke frame which carries the Ytransfer levers and which .comprises a pair of vertical arms 229 and 23| interconnected by a horizontally .disposed member 232. A horizontally disposed pivot shaft 233, Fig. 4, extends between the upper portions `of vertical frame members 2-29 and 23| of the transfer frame and there is mounted Von 'the .shaft a plurality of transfer levers 234 which are substantially T shaped and suitably spaced horizontally along shaft '-233 by means of spacing discs 235. The upper and lower extremities of the vertical sections of T--levers 234 lface the fork elements of the Y-levers |12, Fig. 4, and when vthe Y-levers are positioned in the upper portion of the slide groove of -comb |13, the lupper tines of the Y- levers are in substantial alignment with the upper extremitiesof the T-levers and, conversely, when the Y-levers are positioned in the lower portion of -the comb, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the lower tines are in substantial alignment Awith the lower extremities Aof the T-levers.

In order to -transfer the permutable setting Vof the Y-levers to the transfer levers, the frame .of the transfer mechanism is pivotally supported as described'above, and cam |89, Figs.f2 and 4, which is included in cam drum 186, operates upon a cam follower 236, Figs. land 4, formed as .a projectiononthe member 2129 ofthe Vframe of the transfer mechanism. A biasing spring (not shown) operates normally to hold the transfer iframe in its 'counterclockwise position, -but v.the voperation of cam |69 on cam follower 23B .is sufficient to overcome this spring bias and rotate the .transfer frame andthe T-levers 234 into la clockwise position in which the terminals of the T-leverscome into abutting relation with `the tines of .the Y- levers in accordance with the permutable 'setting of the 'Y-levers, and this Ven'gagen'lent ofthe T- levers with the Y-levers vrocks the T-levers in :a clockwise or counterclockivise direction about shaft 233 'and transfers, `in "this manner, ath setting of the Y-levers to the T-levers.

More particularly, if a Y-lever is assumed to be in its lower position in comb |73, in response to its associated sensing finger |65 entering a code perforation in the tape under the influence of its biasing spring |79, when the cam |89 operates the transfer mechanism in timed relation to the probing of the tape under the control of cams |87, it will bring the T-lever associated with the particular Y-lever toward the Y-lever, the lower tine of which will engage 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 |73 due to the failure of its linger |65 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 ofthe vertical section of the T-lever and in this engagement rock the T-lever in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 233. The transfer 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 |86 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 carns |31 retracting the fingers |65 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 fromthe Y-levers and during this transmission, cam drum |66 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 24|, Figs. 1 and 4, and this association is through a member 242 4affixed to each code vane and provided at its rightward extremity as viewed inl Fig. 4, witha bifurcation to which is slidably articulated the leftward extremity of the associated T-lever. Each code vane 24| is pivotally supported at each of its extremities upon pivot post 243, Fig. 2, mounted in a vertically extending support plate 244 carried upon the base casting 2| of the apparatus. There are as many pivoted code vanes provided as there are T-levers, one van@ being associated with one T-lever in the above-described manner. In this particular embodiment of the invention, wherein it is contemplated to employ a five-unit code, there are provided live Y-levers, ve T-levers and five pivoted code vanes mutually associated with one another. The code vanes 24| (Fig. 2) extend from the front to the rear and at one side of the printing telegraph apparatus to provide a compact Vunitary structure, and at its leftward extremity, Fig. 2, each code Vane is provided with a blocking lever 246 to control the transmitting contacts of cam type distributor |8.

, Cam type distributor I8, Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a cam drum 247 upon which are mounted thevve code impulse controlling cams and the start-stop controlling cam, as is well known in the'art, and described with particularity in Pat- 14' ent No, 1,595,472 to Krum. Cam drum,247 is loosely mounted on shaft 248 which receives its' driving power from shaft |06, Fig. '4, which carries gear 249 meshing with a gear 25| secured to shaft 248. A grab or positive clutch comprising; a driving element 252, Fig. 2, secured to shaft 248 and a driven portion 253 rotatably mounted upon shaft 248 and controlled by clutch throwout lever 254 is provided to connect the power from shaft 248, through the grab clutch, to cam drum 247 when magnet256 is energized, retracting the clutch throwout lever 254 from engagement with the cam on the peripheral portion of clutch element 253 permitting engagement of the elements ofthe 4grab clutch in a manner referred to hereinbefore in connection with another similar grab clutch construction. Shaft 248 is suitably journaled on supports provided intheA base casting 2|, one `of which is illustratedi Associated with the cam drum 247 are auplurality of levers 258, Fig, 3, pivoted on a shaft 259 and operated by cams oncam drum 247 when permitted to move by the blocking levers 246 to..

that the horizontally extending portionof each' I lever 258 comprises a cam following element 258 and a vertically extending blocking projection 26|. A spring (not shown) individual to each lever 258 tends normally to rotate each lever in: WhenY a clockwise direction about pivot 259. cam drum 247 is permitted to rotate due to the energization of magnet 256, the code impulse controlling cams, successively present cam depressions to the cam followers 258 and in response thereto, the biasing springs rotate the levers in' a clockwise direction to close the associated Contact 268 if the blocking lever 246 associated with the particular lever 258 is inv its counterclockwise position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, due to the counterclockwise position of its respective code vane, under the control of the T-levers. If a code vane has been conditioned in its clockwise position by its T-lever, the blocking lever 24'6 carried by that code vane will be positioned in its clockwise position or into abutting relation with the blocking projection 26| of the lever 258 associated therewith, and when the cam recess is presented to the cam follower 250 of that lever, the clockwise rotation of the lever is restrained through the engagement of the blocking lever 246 with the blocking extension 26|, preventing the closure of the cam operated contacts 260 associated with that particular lever.

The energization of electromagnet 256 is under the control of cam |88 on cam sleeve |86 of'` the sensing unit which, through the orientation of cam |88 on the sleeve, releases the distributor shaft 248 to drive the cam sleeve 247 in timed relation to the sensing and transfer of the code combination in the tape. Cam |88 operates a bell crank |83, Fig. 1, pivoted on shaft |56 to closek The grab clutch driving the distributor camV drum 247 may be mechanically released, rather than electromagnetically, if such release is desired. The mechanlsm for this operation ofthe clutch s indicated in dotted construction in Fig. 3 and comprises a sixth pivoted code vane which wouldbe operated by bell crank |83 under the control of cam |88 to move a pivoted bell crank 262, secured to the sixth code vane, in a clockwise direction to engage a cam section 263 provided on the horizontally extending portion of clutch throwout lever 254, and vpivot the cluth throwout lever 254 in a counterclockwise direction, removing the lever from engagement with the throwout cam on the driven element of the grab clutch.

The operation of the transfer mechanism and the transmitting distributor briefly is as follows:

In timed relation to the setting of the Y-levers |12, cam |89 operates to move the transfer mechanism including the transfer T-levers 234 4to their clockwise position and permutably set the T- levers in their clockwise or counterclockwise position about shaft 233 in accordance with the engagement of the T and Y levers; lthat is, by engagement with the lower extremities of the T-levers, the levers are rotated in a clockwise direction in response to a marking impulse indicated in the perforated tape and, conversely, are rotated in a counterclockwise direction inv response to the spacing impulse indicated in the tape. Through their association with the connecting links 242 the code vanes will be correspondingly conditioned in a permutable setting corresponding to that setting which has been transferred to the T-lcvers from the Y-levers and in this setting the T-levers which have been rotated in a clockwise direction, rotate their associated pivoted code vanes in a counterclockwise direction and, conversely, those T-levers which are positioned in a counterclockwise direction condition their code vanes in a clockwise position. Correspondingly, the blocking levers 246 are moved respectively out of and into engagement with the blocking projections 26| on the levers 258. Those code vanes 24| which have been positioned in a counterclockwise direction in response to a marking impulse rotate their blocking levers out of engagement with the blocking projection 25| on their associated levers 258 permitting the contacts controlled by those levers to be closed under the control of the cam drum 241, to initiate a marking impulse. Conversely, the pivoted code vanes 24| which have been moved in a clockwise direction in response to spacing impulses, position the blocking levers 246 into blocking relation with their levers 258, to prevent the closure of the contacts 260 associated with those levers and thus initiate a spacing impulse. In this manner, the code combination, sensed by the sensing unit and transferred to the code vanes by the transfer mechanism, is set up in the transmitting distributor and retransmitted.

Automatic switching mechanism In order to effect automatic switching or any of the various functions which it may be desired to control from the perforated tape, there is provided an automatic switching mechanism i9 including a plurality of function bell cranks 256, Figs. 2 and 4, pivotally supportedupon a shaft 261 which is suitably carriedby the base casting; one of its supports is indicated 268 in Fig. 2. The bell cranks are properly positioned along shaft 261 by means of spacers269 interposed between successive bell cranks. For the purpose of effecting switching operations, contacts 21| associated with communication channels are suitably supsetting of the code vanes 24|.

16 ported in a position to be operated by the vertical arms of bell cranks 266 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Each function bell crank 266 is provided with a biasing spring 212 tending to rock the bell crank about its pivoted shaft 261 in a clockwise direction to operate the contact pair associated therewith.

Each function bell crank is provided with code notches 213 which respond to the permutable setting of the code vanes 24| to enable selective operation of the bell cranks in response to received code signal combinations. That is, for a given permutable setting of code vanes 24|, there would respond for operation a selected bell crank 266, that selected bell crank being the one which carries on its coded surface the code corresponding to the permutable setting of the code vanes 24|. When a bell crank is thus selected, its biasing spring 212 is effective to rotate the bell crank in a clockwise direction and operate through its vertical arrn the associated contacts 21|.

A selected function bell crank 266, selected in response to the setting of vanes 24|, is restored to its counterclockwise position against the tension of its biasing spring by a cam |92 on cam drum |86 at the completion of the instant cycle of operation which is ample time to accomplish the selected switching operation. For this purpose, a shaft 3|6, Fig. 1, is provided extending parallel to vanes 24| and suitably supported beneath the horizontal portion of main casting 2|. A bail 3H extending transversely of and beneath function bell cranks 266 is pivotally supported by shaft 3|6 and has a cam following projection 3|8, Fig. 4, operated by cam |92. Near the completion of each cycle of cam drum |86, cain |92 operates follower 3|8, rocking bail 3|1 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, and moves all bell cranks 266 to an extreme counterclockwise position, away from vanes 24|, freeing the vanes for the next permutational setting. In the following cycle of operation, after cam drum |86 has caused a succeeding permutational setting to be transferred to vanes 24|. cam |92 permits a restoring spring 3|9 to rotate bail 3|1 in a counterclockwise direction freeing all of the bell cranks 266 to rock on shaft 261 and probe the new setting .of the vanes 24| resulting in a selected operation of the bell cranks and associated switching contacts.

A cognizance device, illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7, is provided to render the function levers 266 responsive to the code setting of the code vanes 24| only when it is desired to perform switching or other functions and to render the switching function levers nonresponsive to the permutable setting of the code vanes at all other times. The cognizance device comprises a plurality of selectively operable control bars which must be properly conditioned to render the function bell cranks 266 responsive to the permutable Referring more particularly to Fig. 6, the control bars 214 and 216, are supported by a frame member 211, which in turn is supported in any suitable manner (not shown)Y to the base casting 2|. The control bars 214 and 216 are slidably supported upon pins 218, 219, and 28D which are mounted in the frame member 211 projecting through slotted apertures 28| in the control bars. Code bars 214 and 216 extend transversely of and beneath the function bell cranks 266 and normally present blocking projections 282 to each of the function bell cranks which prevent the clockwise rotation of the bell cranks under the control of ltheir springs 212 Vin response to 'the permutable setting o! the code vanes 24|. However, each control bar 214 and 216 is provided with notches 283 which, when the control bars have been operated in a predetermined manner, will be positioned beneath the function bell cranks 266 rendering the bell cranks responsive to subsequent operations of the code vanes 24|.

Pivotally supported on pin 218 is a bell crank 26d one arm of which is provided with a bifurcation to engage a pin 285 secured to code bar 214. Similarly, bell crank 286 is pivotally supported on f pin 219 and one arm of the bell crank engages a pin 281 in code bar 216. A third bell crank 288 is pivotally supported on pin 280 and one of its arms engages a pin 289 which extends from control bar 214 through control bar 216. A plurality of control function levers indicated 29|, 292, and 293 is provided for operating the bell cranks 284, 286, and 288 to eect the responsiveness of the switching function levers 266 to the permutable setting of the code vanes 24|. Although any particular function levers of the group indicated 266 may be employed to condition the control bars 214 and 216, specific ones to be identitled presently have been selected in this embodiment of the invention. Control function lever 29| is the Fig function lever, control function lever 292 is the shift I-I function lever and control function lever 293 is the letters function lever.

When the function levers 266 are held from responding to the permutable setting of the code vanes 24|, control bars 214 and 216 are positioned in their leftward position as viewed in Fig. '7, presenting a blocking tooth 282 beneath each of the function control levers exclusive of the Figs function lever 29| and letters function lever 293. In this condition of the cognizance device, control function lever 292, the shift H function lever, has a blocking projection 282 on the control bar 214 positioned beneath it. When it is desired to perform a switching or other function through the agency of the function bell cranks 266, the signal combination to select the Figs function lever is set up from the perforated tape in the code vanes 24| in response to which control function lever 29| is selected and operated about pivot 261 into its extreme clockwise position, as viewed in Fig. 4, since there is a notch in the control bars 214 and 216, beneath this particular bell crank. In assuming its most clockwise position. lever 29| depresses bell crank 284 rocking it in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig, 1, about pin 218, and accordingly, the bifurcated portion of the bell crank through its engagement with pin 285 shifts rightwardly the first control bar 214. This positionment of control bar 214, presents a notch under control function lever 292, as indicated in Fig. '1, so that control function lever 292 may be operated, but the path of the remaining function levers 266, other than the control function levers 29|, 292, and 293, are blocked due to the leftward position of control bar 216.

Following this step in preparing the operation of the function levers 266, the shift H function lever code combination is set up in the code vanes 24| by control exercised from the perforated tape which selects the control function lever 292 which may operate because of the shifted position of the rst control bar 214, In selecting and operating control function lever 292, bell crank 286 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, and through the engagement of the bell crank 286 with pin 281 the second code bar 216 is shifted in a rightward direction which removes the remaining blocking projections 282 from beneath the function levers 266 and in this condition the cognizance device permits selective operation of the control or switching function levers 266 in response to subsequent code signal combinations set up in the control vanes by the perforated tape,

When the required switching or other functions have been accomplished through the code combinations set up in vanes 24| subsequent to the final conditioning of the cognizance device, the letters selection combination is set up in the code vanes which operates the control function lever 293. In operating, control function lever 293 rotates bell crank 288 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, and through its engagement with pin 289 which extends between both control bars slides both the control bars in a leftward direction disabling the function levers 266 from responsiveness to the subsequent permutable settings of the code vanes, until the cognizance device has again been operated in the abovedescribed predetermined sequence.

Although there has been disclosed a cognizance device including only two control bars, it is to be understood that the system is very flexible and may be enlarged to accommodate any switching requirement by merely adding more control bars to the cognizance device, and having each controlled through the permutable setting of the others, in a manner similar to the one in which control bar 216 is controlled through the setting of the first control bar 214. The number of control bars required in the cognizance device will be determined, of course, by the complexity of the system in which the particular apparatus is employed.

In order to utilize the automatic switching mechanism, the substation at which a message is to be originated, transmits in sequence, the "Figs. signal combination and the shift I-I signal combination followed immediately by switching signal combinations. Following the switching signal combinations, the letters function signal combination is transmitted after which the message signal combinations may be transmitted. At the receiving station these signals are received, recorded, and stored in a tape, transferred to the transmitting distributor and automatic switching mechanism to first condition the switching mechanism for operation, selectively operate it, and disable it in sequence. The

switching signals preceding the message signals may set up any desired switching combinations for signal distribution.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the drawings and described in the specification, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiment but may be modified and rearranged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination in a unitary structure, a sensing mechanism including a plurality of sensing elements to sense control indicia in a tape, a corresponding plurality of pivotally supported control vanes, mechanical means articulated to said vanes and operatively related to said elements to store and subsequently transfer a permutable setting of said sensing elements determined by said tape to said code vanes, and a 19 plurality of function levers selectively responsive to the permutable setting of said vanes.

2. In combination in a telegraph apparatus, a mechanism including a plurality of sensing elements to sense control indicia on a tape, a plurality of pivoted code vanes to be conditioned permutably in accordance with control indicia on a tape, a plurality of function leversoperable selectively in response to the conditioned position of said vanes, a transmitting distributor, projections on said code vanes to control the operation of said distributor, and means to transfer to said code vanes a setting of said sensing elements whereby a particular function lever is selected and the transmitting distributor is conditioned in accordance with the setting of said vanes.

3. A telegraph transmitter vcomprising a sensing mechanism including aplurality of sensing elements to sense control indicia on a tape, a plurality of ypivoted code vanes, a transmitting distributor controlled by said vanes, vmeans lto operate said sensing mechanism to sense a tape, means to store and subsequently transfer the setting of said sensing elements to said code vanes, and means to operate said distributor to transmit sequentially the combination set up in said vanes by the tape.

4. A telegraph apparatus comprising a sensing mechanism including a plurality of sensing elements to sense control indicia on a tape, a plurality of pivoted code vanes, a `plurality of function levers selectively operated by the setting of said vanes, means to transfer a setting of said sensing elements determined by a control tape Yto said codevanes, and means to selectively render -said function levers responsive-to ther setting of said code vanes, said last named means comprising a plurality of control members normally Vblocking the operation of said function levers and shiftable by a predetermined operation of said code vanes to an unblocking position.

5. A switching apparatus comprising a plurality of switching levers, a set of permutably operable code vanes effective under certain operating conditions to enable selectively the operation of said switching levers, means to condition said permutably operable vanes in various permutations in accordance with desired switching functions, blocking means normally restraining the operation of said switching levers, and means controlled by a predetermined sequential operation of said set of permutably operable vanes REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,318,168 Lang May 4, 1943 .2,348,214 Gublisch May 9, 1944 2,344,792 Swezey Mar. 21, 1944 1,912,183 Dirkes et al. May 30, 1933 2,338,131 Potts 1 Jan. 4, 1944 1,848,320 Connery Mar. 8, 1932 1,721,952 Hallden July 23, 1929

Images