US2500587A - Platen rotating mechanism for stenographic typewriters - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1950 H. M. voN DUYKE PLATEN ROTATING MECHANISM FOR sTENoGRAPHIc Twp-:WRITERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1947 INVENTOR. ,Er/figaro WLVozarZu'yZz,

March '14, 1950 H. M. voN DUYKE PLATEN ROTATING MECHANISM FOR sTENoGRAPHIc TYPEWRITERS 2 ShsetS-Sheet 2 Filed June 3, 1947 Patented Mar. 14, 1950 UNITED PLATEN ROTATING MEUHANISM FOR STENOGRAPHIC TYPEWRITERS Harrison M. Von Duyke, Wilmington, Del.

Application June 3, 1947, Serial No. 752,215

(Cl. IS7- 9) '7 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriter platen mechanism, and it relates more particularly to mechanism for rotating the platen of a stenographic typewriter, with a step by step movement, so constructed and arranged that each rotative movement of the platen follows the actuation of one or more of the key levers.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved mechanism for operating the platen of a stenographic typewriter which will be simple and efficient in 'its operation.

A further lobject of the invention is to provide mechanism, of the character aforesaid, which will be positive in its action, yet practically noiseless.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism, of the character aforesaid, which will require a minimum of effort, on the part of the operator, in its actuation.

A further object of the invention lis to provide mechanism, of the character aforesaid, the various parts of which are readily accessible, and which is so constructed and arranged that it may be quickly and easily taken apart and reassembled for the purpose of repair and replacement of worn or damaged parts.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily under stood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan View of a stenographic typewriter, certain parts being removed and omitted for the purpose of illustrating platen operating mechanism embodying the main features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof enlarged;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view,

It should, of course, be understood that the y description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes lmay be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit -of the `invention.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of the invention therein shown, l0 and Il are side plates comprising portions of the frame work of the machine. Extending across between the frames l0 and l I, and projecting beyond the outer faces thereof, on each side, is a pivot pin l2 upon which the key levers i3 of the typewriter are pivoted. This pivot pin I2 also serves as a means for mounting pivoted bracket arms lil and i5, the forward ends of which are secured to and serve -to support a channel bar it. The bar It extends across the machine below the key levers and supports a strip of felt il' against which the bottom edges of the lkey levers bear. For the purpose of holding the felt member Il against the lower edges of the key levers i3 there are provided, on each side of the machine, lcoil springs I 8. The lower end of each of said coil springs i' is secured to lthe respective bracket arms Ill or l5, and the upper end of each of said coil springs is secured to a pin member i9 which is mounted in one of the side plates of the machine.

The bracket arm Id on one side of the machine is provided with a projecting arm 2B having a tooth 2l at the outer end thereof. The tooth 2l engages a recess `22 in a member 23 which is also pivotally mounted, by means of a pin 24, von the side plate lll of the machine.- The member 23 is provided with a rearwardly extending portion in which a series of gear teeth 25 are provided.

The platen 2t is mounted on a suitable shaft 21 which is journaled in bearing bushings 23 which are seated in the side frames lll and Il. The bearing bushings are held in place on the platen shaft 21 by means of snap washers 29 normally positioned in grooves in the projecting end portions of the platen shaft 2l.

A rotatable member is journale-d on the platen shaft 2l and is normally held in place thereon by means of a snap washer 3! which vis seated in a suitable groove in the shaft 2'?. The rotatable member 3@ has a portion provided with a plurality of gear teeth 32 which are engaged by the gear teeth 25 of the member 23, the arrangement being such that when .the member 2t lis actuated, themotion thereof will be transmitted to the member all, which as before stated, is journaled on the platen shaft 2l.

The member Sli is also provided with a radially extending pin 33 to the free end of which one end of a coil spring 34 is connected. The other end of the coil spring 34 is connected to a pin 35 secured in the side wall il) of the frame. The tension of the spring 34 normally tends to reatodos? turn the member 30 to its initial position after the key lever or levers is released.

The rotatable member 3i] is also provided with a downwardly extending pin member 36, which is so positioned that the lower end thereof will, when the member 30 is rotated too far, encounter the pin 35 to which the coil spring 34 is connected. This arrangement is provided to limit the movement of the rotatable member 30, and is particularly desirable for such purpose when the platen is rapidly rotated or spun by the operator i in the removal of a completed transcript from the l machine.

The rotatable member 3B is also provided with of wedge shaped pockets, in each of which a ball 4I is mounted.

The foregoing arrangement is such that when the member 30 is rotated in one direction, the

balls 4I will abut against the substantially radial y faces 40 of the member 30, and will then permit the member to rotate freely, but upon the reversal of the direction of rotation, after a depressed lever or levers have been released, at

least one of the balls 4I will be wedged in one of the pockets and will constrain the ratchet like member 38, and thereby the platen shaft 21, to be rotated. Y -K Y A cover member 42 is provided having a collar portion 43 which overlaps the collar portion 31 of the member 30. This cover member 42 is maintained in position to protect and position the individual parts of the friction ratchet mechanism above described by means of a snap washer 44 which is mounted in a groove on the end of the platen shaft 21.

The operation of the mechanism above dei scribed will now be readily understood. When- 1 ever one or more of the key levers I3 is depressed,

the movement thereof will be communicated to the pivoted bracket arms I4 and I5 through the felt strip I1 and channel bar I6 which are supported at the front ends of said bracket arms I4 and I5. Said movement of the bracket arm I4 wil1 then be communicated by the extension 20 thereof to the tooth 2| at the end thereof and thence to the pivoted member 23.

The movement of the pivoted member 23 will in turn be transmitted by the gear teeth '25 thereof to the rotatable member 30 by means of the gear teeth 32 carried thereby. The member 30 will thus be caused to rotate on the platen shaft 21, such movement being permitted by reason of the balls 4| being carried to the radial faces of the ratchet like member 38. Said balls being thus brought to the larger ends of the respective pockets in which said balls are positioned, there will be no movement of the platen when the key lever is depressed.

However, upon the release of the key lever or levers, as the case may be, one or more of the balls 4 I will be wedged in the tapered pockets provided between the working surfaces 39 of the y ratchet like member 38 and the collar portion 31 of the member 30. The platen shaft 21 will then be rotated a short distance through the 4 tension of the spring 34, as well as the springs I8 which tend to return the bracket arms I4 and I5 to their initial positions.

The coil spring 34 not only assists the bracket arm springs I8, but it has been found in practice that the provision of an additional spring at this particular location, acting directly on the rotatable member 30, results in a more balanced operation of the parts, and enhances the freedom of operation of the machine.

I claim:

l. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen ladapted tobe advanced upon the release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising a bar extending across the machine beneath the key levers and adapted to be depressed when one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by a part of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member` having a plurality of gear yteeth on an extending portion thereof, ya rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a ratchet like member mounted on a projecting end portion of the platen shaft; said ratchet like member having surfaces shaped to provide, in conjunction with a portion of the rotatable member, a pluralty of `wedge shaped pockets, balls in saidpockets adapted when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in one direction to be positioned in the wideportions of said pockets andv when the memberfon the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to wedge in said pockets to frictionally couple said rotatable member and said ratchet like member, and springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal raised positions and thereby actuating the platen.

2. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted to be advanced upon the release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising a bar extendingl across the machine beneath the key levers and adapted to be depressed when one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion'provided with a tooth, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by said tooth of the extendingportion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on lan extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a ratchet like member mounted on a projecting end portion of the platen shaft, said ratchet like member having surfaces shaped to provide, in conjunction with a portion of the rotatable member, a plurality of wedge shaped pockets, balls in said pockets adapted when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in one direction to be positioned in the wide portions of said pockets and when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to wedge in said pockets to frictionally couple said rotatable member and said ratchet like member, and springs for returning .5 the bracket armste their normal raised positions and for simultaneously actuating the platen.

'3. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of .which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted to be advanced upon therrelease of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprisingwa bar extending across the machine beneath the keylevers and adapted to be depressed when one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion provided with a tooth, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by said tooth of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on an extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid member, a ratchet like member mounted on a projecting end portion of the platen shaft, said ratchet like member having surfaces shaped to provide, in conjunction with a portion of the rotatable member, a plurality of wedge shaped pockets, balls in said pockets adapted when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in one direction to be positioned in the wide portions of said pockets and when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to wedge in said pockets to frictionally couple said rotatable member and said ratchet like member, coil springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal positions, and a separate spring connected directly to the rotatable member on the platen shaft tending to return the same to its initial position.

4. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted to be advanced upon the release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising a bar extending across the machine beneath the key levers and adapted to be actuated When one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supportingT said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion provided with a tooth, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by said tooth of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on an extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a ratchet like member mounted on a projecting end portion of the platen shaft, said ratchet like member having surfaces shaped to provide, in conjunction with a portion of the rotatable member, a plurality of wedge shaped pockets, balls in said pockets adapted when the member on the platen shaft it rotated in one direction to be positioned in the wide portions of said pockets and when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to wedge in said pockets to frictionally couple said rotatable member and said ratchet like member, coil springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal raised positions, a separate spring connected directly to the rotatable member on the platen shaft tending to return the same to its initial position, -and means for limiting the movement of said rotatable member.

5. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key'iev'ers 'maybe operated separately, or of whichv two or more'may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted te be advanced upon the 'release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising 'a bar extending across the machine beneath the key levers and 'adapted te be depressed when one or more of said key 'levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket 'arms' having an extending portion provided with' a tooth,` a pivoted member having a recess k engaged said tooth of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on an extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a frictional ratchet device adapted to permit the member on the platen shaft to be freely rotated in one direction and when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to couple said rotatable member to the platen shaft and springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal raised positions.

6. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted to be advanced upon the release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising a bar extending across the machine beneath the key levers and adapted to be actuated when one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion provided with a tooth, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by said tooth of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on an extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a frictional ratchet device adapted to permit the member on the platen shaft to be freely rotated in one direction and when the member on the platen is rotated in the other direction to couple said rotatable member to the platen shaft, springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal raised positions, and a separate spring connected directly to the rotatable member on the platen shaft tending to return the same to its initial position and thereby actuate the platen.

7. In a typewriter of the character described having a plurality of key levers which may be operated separately, or of which two or more may be operated simultaneously, and having a platen adapted to be advanced upon the release of depressed key levers, means for actuating said platen comprising a bar extending across the machine beneath the key levers and adapted to be actuated when one or more of said key levers is depressed, pivoted bracket arms for supporting said bar, one of said bracket arms having an extending portion provided with a tooth, a pivoted member having a recess engaged by said tooth of the extending portion of said one bracket arm, said pivoted member having a plurality of gear teeth on an extending portion thereof, a rotatable member mounted on the platen shaft having a series of gear teeth engaged by the gear teeth of the aforesaid pivoted member, a fric- 7 tional ratchet device adapted to permit the member on the platen shaft to be freely rotated in one direction and when the member on the platen shaft is rotated in the other direction to couple said rotatable member to the platen shaft, coil springs for returning the bracket arms to their normal raised positions, a separate spring connected directly to the rotatable member on the platen shaft tending to return the same to its initial position and thereby actuate the platen, and means for limiting the movement of said rotatable member.

HARRISON M. VON DUYKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in `the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number l Name Date 1,318,323 Ireland Oct. 7, 1919 1,933,833 Westlund et al. Nov. 7, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS l Number Country Date 557,904 France of 1923

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