US2865486A - Printing mechanism for typewriting machines - Google Patents

Description

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed Jan. 10, 1955 Dec. 23, 1958 N. EAPELLARO 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J/VI/E/VTOR ci? l my@ 3% i nu; n@ fl Dec. 23, 1958 N. CAPELLARO 2,855,486

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed Jan. l0, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 23, 1958 N. CAPELLARO PRINTING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed Jan. 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nited State 2,365,436 .PING MacHANisi/r non Tvrnwnrrnsc MACHINES Natale Capellaro, Ivrea, Italy, assigner to Ing. C. 'Ilivetti & C., S. p. A., Ivrea, Italy, a corporation of .iitaiy Appiication January 10, 1955, Serial No. 459,941 Claims priority, application Italy January 11, 1954 23 claims. (ci. la7-is) The present invention relates to typewriters, teletypewriters and typ-ewriting machines in general and is more specifically concerned with a printing mechanism for said machines.

Various printing mechanisms are known in the art. In these mechanisms the types are generally mounted either separately on individual type bars or altogether on a common type carrier, usually a type wheel. The type actions of the printing mechanisms of the first class are operable at high speeds, but their manufacture is Very expensive, since the elements of each type action vary from type bar to type bar. On the other hand the printing mechanisms of the second class are cheaper to manufacture, but due to the high inertia of the comparatively heavy type wheel their operation is much slower. Y

It is furthermore known to mechanically combine a typewriter with a computing machine, the two machines employing a common transversely movable platen. If the typewriter is of the usual type bar class, the printing point of the typewriter is necessarily very far, in the direction of the axis of the platen, from the printing section of the computing machine.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide a printing mechanism which is of cheap manufacture and reliable and fast operation.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a printing mechanism which is made of a very lownumber of parts. n

Ano-ther object of the invention is to provide a printing mechanism in which the printing point may be fixed at will along the axis of a transversely movable platen.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rinting mechanism in which the relative location of the keys of the keyboard may be changed at will without changing the relative location of the types.

In accordance with the invention I provide a printing mechanism with a set of separateV type carriers. Each type carrier carries a plurality of types and is individually movable according to a first coordinate. The set of type carriers is supported by a common support which is movable according to a second coordinate, a selected one of said types being located at the printing point by the combination of a variable movement of the type carrier carrying said type according to said first coordinate with a variable mov-ement of said commonsupport according to said second coordinate.

In a particular form of an embodiment of the invention said common support is rotatably mounted on a vertical axis and said type carriers are individually movable' in vertical planes, the selected type being located at the printing point by the combination of a variable rotation of the common support with a variable individual movement of the corresponding type carrier in its own plane.

According to a modified form of the invention said common support is mounted for transverse movement and 2,865,486 Patented Dec. z3, s

said type carriers are individually movable in vertical planes, the selected type being located at the printing point by the combination of a variable transverse movement of the common support with a variable individual Tlc-vement of the corresponding type carrier in its own plane.

Furher objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like numerals refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a left-hand longitudinal view through the printing mechanism of the invention according to a first form of an embodiment thereof, showing one type carrier only; n A

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view taken on line II-II of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse View taken on line III-III of Fig. 1, showing the parts during operation;

Fig. 4 is a left-hand longitudinal view thro-ugh the printing mechanism of the invention according to a modified form, showing one type carrier only;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of`a detail of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partialV left-hand longitudinal view through a detail of the printing mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

With reference to Fig. l, the numeral 1 designates a key of the keyboard which is provided in the present embodiment with forty keys arranged in four rows. Each key 1 is fixed on a stem 1 projecting from a longitudinal frame 2 which is movable, through two slots 3, on two stationary pins 4. The position of the stems 1 on the frame 2 corresponds to the row where the key is to be located. The frames 2 are aligned side by side, as seen in Fig. 3, where only some of the frames 2 are shown. v

Under the frames 2 there is provided a set of ten stop bars 5 (Fig. 1) and a set of four stop bars 6, two stop bars 6 being located on the forward side and two stop bars o being located on the rearward side of the set of stopv bars 5. j s

All of the stop bars 5 and 6 extend transversely for the whole width of the keyboard, so as to be engageable by all the frames 2 v(Fig. 3), as described hereinafter. It will thus be apparent that every frame 2 may be fixed in any position along the aforesaid bars.

Each frame 2 is formed with two variable projections 7 and 8 (Fig. 1). The projection 7 is adapted to engage one of the stop bars 5, and the projection 8 is adapted to engage one of the stop bars 6. The stop bars 6 are, inturn, adapted to differentially arrest a set of four slides 9 (Figs. 1 and 3), which are longitudinally movable through a slot 1t) on a common pin 11. It will be noted that the number of slides 9 is the same as that of the stop bars 6. Each slide is formed with four projections 12, each one corresponding to a particular stop bar 6. Each slide 9 is furthermore pin-and-slotA connected to a lever 1'3., fulcrumed at 14. The vlever 13 is connected to a link 15, whoseA upper end is pivoted' l at 16 on a lever 17, fulcrumed on a shaft 18.

The shaft 18 is secured at each end to a side plate 19, the two side plates 19 being connected by two crossm- embers 36 and 37 to form a cage, which is rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft as hereinafter described'. In' this connection it should be remarked that the pivot connection 16 is formed with a considerable clearance, so as to permit the lever 17 to rotateY togethervwith said cage.

On each lever 17 there is p ivoted avertical rack 20,.

engaging withjapinion 21 which is integral with a type wheel 22. Each type wheel Z2 carries ten types. Since; one type wheel is provided for' each slide 9, the total.'

- ik 2,865,4ss`, m, f Af ,t

3 number of types is forty, as many as are the keys of Vthe keyboard. Y

As it will be described hereinafter, each key 1 selects one of the four type Wheels 22 by means of a stop bar 6, and by means of a stop bar 5 it selects one of the ten types on the selected type wheel.

Each type wheel 22 is pivotally mounted on a lever 23 which is tulcrumed on a shaft 24 secured at each end to one of the side plates 19. An appendage 25, secured to an upper arm 23 of each lever 23, keeps the vertical rack in constant engagement with the corresponding pinion 21. i

Each lever 23 is formed with a lower arm 26 which is adapted to be engaged by a bent over lug 28 carried by an upward arm of the lever 17. This lever is urged clockwise by a spring 29. `The upper arm 23 ofthe lever 23 is provided with a hook 31. A latch plate 32 (Figs. l and 2) fulcrumed by means of a bent over lug 33 on each one of the two side plates 1 9, and urged clockwise by a spring 34, normally latches all the hooks 31. The latch plate 32 is further provided with aforward appendage 35, Figs. l and 2. f

As remarked above, the two-side plates 19 are bodily connected to each other by means of the cross-members 36 and 37, so as to form a cage. The cross-members 36 and 37 are rotatably mounted on two stationary vertical pivots 38 (Figs. 1 and 2).

On a horizontal shaft 39 is pivoted alever 40 (Fig. l), the forward arm of which carries a universal bar 41 provided with two vanes 42 and 43. The vane 42 is engageable by any one of the frames 2` upon depression thereof; the vane 43 is capable of cooperating with a tooth 44 carried by each frame 2.

The reference numeral 46 designates a main operating shaft, which at each machine cycle makes one complete revolution in a manner known in the art. On the main shaft 46 is fixed a cam 47, the edge 47 of which is formed with a step 48 cooperating with a roller 49 mounted on the lever 40. Another cam 59, secured to the main shaft 46, cooperates with a roller 51 mounted on an arm 52 of a lever 53 secured to a shaft 54. A downward extension of the arm 52 carries a universal bar 55 which normally engages an appendage of each one of the levers 13. The lever 53 is formed with an arm 56, whose upper inclined end cooperates with the appendage 35 of the latch plate 32. A third arm 57 of the lever 53 engages a universal bar 58 carried at each end by an arm 59 rotatably mounted on the shaft 24. The universal bar 58 is adapted to engage al1 the four arms 26. Adjacent to the four slides 9 is a slide 60 (Figs. 2 and 3), which is located as Well under the stop bars 6. The slide 60 is formed with two projections 61, which are similar to the projections 12 of the slides 9 and which-cooperate each one with either two stop bars 6. It will be apparent from Fig. 2 that the four stop bars 6 are thus adapted to selectively arrest the slide 6i) in four different positions. The rearward end of the slide 60 (Fig. 2) is hinged to an appendage 62 of the crossmember 36. Therefore, the cage 19, 36, 37 may be selectivelyl rotated through a variable angular distance corresponding to the travel of the slide 60, a spring 63 urging the cage clockwise.

A link 65 (Figs. l and 2) is hinged to an appendage 6,4 projecting laterally from the cross-member 37. Normally the link 65 is arrested by a stud sliding in a slot. 66 of the link 65 and carried by an arm 68 secured tothe shaft 54.

Figure 3 represents the mechanism of the stop bars 5 and 6. Themotion of eachone of the bars 5 and 6 is guided by a four-bar linkage as the ylinkage 69-fll 72-70 shown in Fig. 3 for the stop vbar 6. In, said four-bar linkage the stop bar 6 forms the connecting rod, which is mounted for parallel movement on two like cranks 73 and 74 fulcrumed on the machine frame at 69 and 70 respectively. A spring 75 tensioned between an arm of the crank 73 and the stop bar 6 urges the latter upwards. Unlike the stop bars 5, each stop bar 6 is formed with a variable notch 76 (Fig. 3) located in correspondence with one of the slides 9. Therefore, upon depression of a stop bar 6 all the slides 9 are arrested but one.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the bars 5 and 6 may be depressed in like kinematic and dynamic conditions, irrespective of the transverse position of the frame 2 depressing the selected stop bar.

Furthermore, it is clear that the set of frames 2 may be placed in whatever position along the stop bars 5 and 6 with respect to the slides 9 and 60, thus permitting to arrange the keyboard in the most suitable transverse position with respect to the printing mechanism.

The mode of operation of the mechanism will now be described.

Upon depression of a key 1 the corresponding frame 2 is depressed. The projection 7 depresses a stop bar 5 and the tooth S depresses a stop bar 6 (position shown in Fig. 3 for the stop bar 6). At the same time the frame 2 engages the vane 42 and lowers the universal bar 41, rocking the lever clockwise. The vane 43 is thus placed beneath the tooth 44 of the frame 2 of each one o-f the non-depressed keys 1 and above the tooth 44 of the frame 2 of the depressed key.

Upon the clockwise rotation of the lever 40 the roller 49 disengages the cam 47 and by means of a one-revolution clutch known per se and here not described the main shaft 46 is started for rotation. The edge 47 of the cam 47 keeps the roller 49 raised, Wherebythe vane 43 locks all the frames 2 in their actual position. Furthermore the cam enables the lever 53 to be gradually rotated clockwise by its spring 53. The universal bar S5 moves rearwards, releasing thus the slides 9 and 60. However, as explained abo-ve, the depressed stop bar 6 stops all the slides 9 but one, which latter is moved rearwards by the spring 29 until its second forward projection 12 is arrested by the stop bar 5 depressed by the key 1. In moving rearwards the slide 9 causes the rack 20 to be raised, thus rotating the typewheel 22 through an angle corresponding to the amount of travel made by the slide 9.

At the same time the actuated type wheel 22 is selected among the four type wheels 22 by rotating the cage'19, 36, 37 about the pivots 38. Normally the cage 1,9, 36, 37 is so located as to place the iirst right hand type Wheel 22 in printing position (Fig. 2).

Since the shaft 54 rotates bodily with the lever 53, the stud 67 moves forwards, thus permitting the cage 19, 36, 37 to rotate clockwise under the urge of the spring 63 (Fig. 2). The cage 19, 36, 37 rotates until one of the projections 61 of the slide 60 is arrested by the depressed stop bar 6. The type wheels 22, excepting the first right hand type wheel, are slightly cone-shaped, so as to assure a uniform typing tor all the wheels.

The levers 23 are normally latched by the latch plate 32 (Fig. l). Due to the rotation o-f the shaft 54 the arm 57 disengages the universal bar 58. Furthermore, due to the rotation of the lever 17 corresponding to the selected type wheel 22, the bent over lug 28 disengages the arm v26 of the corresponding lever 23. After the selected type wheel 22 has been actuated as described above, the arm 56 of the lever 53 urges the appendage 35 of the latch plate 32 upwards. The latch plate 32 rotates counterclockwise and unlatches the hooks 31 of the levers 23. Thus the selected lever 23 is permitted to lbe rocked counterclockwise by the spring 27, to print the selected type on the platen 77 (position shown in broken lines Vin Fig. 2 for the first right hand type wheel).

The other levers 23 are prevented from movingj by the bent over lugs 28l 0f the corresponding levers 17.

In the secondA part of the cycle the variousV members are returned to normal. The cam r50 rocks the lever 53` counterclockwise. The universal bar 55 restores the slides 9 and 60 with the mechanisms connected thereto.

Slmultlneously the arm 57` ofthe lever 53 depresses the universal bar 58, allowing the bent over lug 28 to reengage the arm 26, while the arm 56 disengages the appendage 35, allowing the latch plate 32 to be rocked clockwise by the spring 34 and to latch the hooks 31 of the levers 23. i

Finally the cam 47 allows the lever 40 to be'rotaed counterclockwise by the spring 45'. The rrller 49 locks again the step 48 of the cam 47, while the universal bar 41 is moved upwards, releasing the keyboard and returning to normal the frame 2, and thus the depressed key 1. Thereupon the springs 75 (Fig. 3) may restore the depressed stop bars 5 and 6.

In summarizing the operation of the above describe-d form of an embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that a selected type will be located at the common printing point by the ccmbintion of a variable rotatizn of the type wheel 22 carrying said type with a variable rotation of the common support 19, 36, 37 about the vertical pivots 38.

A modified form of an will no-w be described.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the numeral 80 designates a key secured to a notch 81 of a slide 82. The slide 82 is movable through two slots 83, 84 cn two shafts 85 and 86, respectively.

The slide 82 is provided with an abutment 87 cooperating with the forward end 88 of a beam 89 guided by a comb plate 90. The beam 89 is formed with an aperture 91 through which passes a bar 92. A spring 93 normlly keeps the beam 89 in the position shown in Fig. l, in which the ffrward end 88 contacts the abutment 87, an abutment 94 of the team 89 contacts the comb plate 90 and the lower edge of the aperture 91 contacts the bar 92. Y

The lower edge 95 of the abutment 88 cooperates with a universal bar 96 secured to a lever 97 ful'rumed at 98. A spring 99 keeps the univers^l bar 96 in conact with the edge 95. The opposite end of the lever 97 cooperates with a bent over lug 1K0 of a lever 101 fulcrumed at 102. The lever 101 supports -a bail 103 cooperating with a projection 184 cf the beam 89.

On the lever 101 is fulcrumd a m^tor bar 105 which, when shifted forwards, i. e. to the right as seen in Fig. 4, clutches the main operating shaft, designaed here by the numeral 106, for one cfmplete revr-lutin to the motor of the machine. The motor bar 105 operates by known means, here not described.

The beam 89 is furthermore provided wih a pin 107 cooperating with a lever 108 fulcrurred at 109 and normally urged by a spring 192 to ccntact a cc-mb plate 110. Each lever 108 is formed with a tooth 111 cooperating with a projection 112 cf a disc 113` secured to a grooved shaft 114. The discs 113 may be mounted on the shaft 114 in a variable anguar position, depending upon the character of the cit-responding key. The number of said positions is equalkto the number cf types carried by each type wheel 115, hereinafter described in detail.

It will be apparent from the forego-ing description that the members 82, 89, 108 and 113 are equal for all the keys 80 thus permitting manufacture of the machine at a lower cost.

Pivo-ted on -a shaft 116 are f:ur sets o-f levers 117, 118, 119 and 120. Each set of levers corresponds to a particular type wheel 115 and it comprises a number of levers which is equal to the number of types carried by said type wheel.

The lower arm of each one of the levers 117, 118,

embodiment of the invention 1:19, and 120, which is the same for all the levers, is formed with a bent vover lug' 121 cooperating with the rearward end 122 of a corresponding beam 89. The upper arm o-f the levers of each set cooperates with a corresponding universal bar 123, 124, 125 and 126, each of which s secured to a lever 127, 128, 129 and 130, respectivly, which is pivoted on the shaft 116. To make the drawing less intricate Fig. 4 shows completely the lever 127 only. However, the lower arm of each cne of the other levers 128, 129 and 130 is identical to the lower arm 131 of the lever 127 and it cooperates wi h the same elements asv those which will nowA be described for the arm 131.

The arm 131 is pin-and-slot connected to a slide 132, movable through a slot 133 on ay pin 134 and guided by a comb plate 135. Furthermore, the slide 132 is provided with a circular slot 136 in which rides a pin 137 secured to a link 138 pivoted on a toothed Sector 139. The latter is fulcrumed at 140 on a slide 141. The sector 139 constantly meshes with a pinion 142 which is integral with the type Wheel 115, rotatably mounted on the slide 141.

As explained above, there are four type wheels 115 and, therefore, four slides 141. The slides 141 are mounted on a common support made of two side plates 142 (see also Fig. 5), which are rigidly connected by a comb plate 143 and by a base plate 144. The common support 142', 143, 144 is transversely slidablc on two shafts 145 and 146. Secured to the side plates 142 is a shaft 147. The four slides 141 are longitudinally movable on the shafts 145 and 147.

Fulcrumed on the shaft 146 is a lever 148 carrying a printing hammer 149 which is adapted to strike a selected one of the four slides 141 to push it rearwards. The type wheel 115 may thereby imprint the platen roller 150 with the corresponding type. To this end the lever 148 carries a roller 151 which is urged by a spring 152 against a cam 153 secured to the main shaft 106.

Secured to the base plate 144 is a bent over lug 154 cooperating with two symmetrically shaped levers 155 and 156 (Fig. 5) fulcrumed on a common -pivet 157. The lower ends 155 and 156 of the two levers 155 and 156, respectively, are adapted to cooperate with a lug 158 of a selected one of the four slides 132. Secured to the levers 155 and 156 are two pins 159 and 160, respectively, which ride in corresponding slcts of a lever 161 pivoted at 162 on a vertical slide 163. The latter is fulcrumed on a lever 164 (Fig. 4) which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 165.

The lever 164 is formed with two arms 166 and 167 carrying rollers 168 and 169, respectively. The two ` rollers 168 and 169 cooperate wth a complementally shaped cam 170 secured to the shaft 106. The lever 164 is further provided with a bent over lug 171 normally arresting an edge of an arm 181 of a bail 182 rotatably mounted o-n the shaft 165 and urged clockwise by a spring 172 ten;ioned between the arm 181 and the lever 164. The arm 181 carries a universal bar 183 which is adapted to engage a hook 184 of a selected one of the links 138 to act as an actuator for said link and thus for the correspo-n-ding type wheel 115. A further arm 185 (Fig. 6) of the bail 182 is formed with a toothed sector 186 which is constantly in mesh with a pinion 187 secured to the grooved shaft 114.

The mode of operati-on of the mechanism will now be described.

Upon depression of a key 80 the abutment 87 of the corresponding slide S2 depresses the forward end 88 of the beam 89 cooperating therewith. Under the urge of the spring 93 the abutment 94 is moved beneath the comb plate 90. The beam 89 is thus latched in set positiin and the key 88 may be immedlately released. The slide 82 is thereupon returned to normal by a spring 188.

When acted upon in the manner explained above the beam 89 pivots abo-ut the bar 92, whereby its rearward projection 104 is raised into the path of the universal bar 103. At the same time the' loweredge95 of its forward end 88 depresses the universal vbar 96. The lever 97 is thus rocked clockwise, releasing the bent over lug 100 of the lever 101. The latter is rocked counterclockwise by a spring 189, shifting the motor bar 105 forwards. As mentioned hereinabove, `the main shaft 106 isthus clutched for one complete revolution to the motor of the machine. At the same time the universal bar 103 engages Vthe projection 104 and shifts the beam 89 rearwards. The forward abutment 94 Vis thus released from the comb plate 90. Moreover, the pin 107 rocks the lever 108 clockwise, whereby its tooth 111 is moved into the path of the projection112 of the corresponding disc 113.

Finally, the rearward end 122 of the beam 89 engages a selected one of the levers of one of the sets of levers from 117 to 120. Suppose now that said lever is one of the levers 117. Under the action of` the end 122 the lever 117 is rocked clockwise, thus rocking the universal bar 123 with the corresponding lever 127. The arm 131 of the lever 127 shifts the corresponding slide 132 rearwards, whereby the hook 184 of the link 138 connected thereto engages the universal bar 183. `At the same time the lug 158 of the slide 132 is moved into the path of the lower ends 155' and 156 of the levers 155 and 156, respectively.

The selected type wheel 115 is then actuated by the actuator 183. To this end the lever 164 is rst rocked clockwise by the cam 170. The bail 182 is urged by the spring 172 to follow the rotation of the lever 164, thus Vrotating the grooved shaft 114 counterclockwise (Fig. 6). During said rotation of the bail 182 the universal bar 183 moves the link 138 downwards, thereby rotating the type wheel 115. The link 138 is guided by the slot 136 in order to be constantly kept in engagement with the universal bar 183. The bail 182 is permitted to follow the rotation of the lever 164 until the projection 112 of the disc 113 is arrested by the tooth 11,1 of the selected lever 108. The type wheel 115 is thus arrested in an angular position in which the selected type is located in front of the platen 150, whereas the lever 164 completes its movement against the tension of the spring 172.

At the same time the common support 142', 143, 144

is shifted transversely in order to locate the selected type wheel 115 at the printing point and to put the correspending slide 141 into the path of the printing hammer 149. To this end the lever 164 raises the slide 163 which in turn raises the lever' 161 (Fig. 5). The lever 161 moves the pins 159 and 160 upwards, thus rotating the levers 155 `and 156 according to the arrows shown in F1g.'5. The opposing lower ends 155 and 156 of said levers are thus closed scissors-like on the lug 158 pre viously shifted into their path. Similarly, the opposing upper ends of the levers 155 and 156 are closed on the lug 154. In this connection it should be noted that the slide 163 acts as ari operating member having a constant stroke for rotating the two levers 155 and 156 about the common pivot 157 in opposed directions through a total angular distance which is constant. Therefore, when either the end 155 or the end 156 is arrested by one face of the selected lug 158, the opposing end completes the stroke Vthrough a complementary movement until it is arrested by the opposing face of theV lug 158. The diametrically opposed ends 155 and 156 engage thus the lug 154 and shift the common support 142', 143, 144 to a position corresponding to the iinal position assumed by the ends 155 and 156' upon completion of said stroke according to the selected lug 158.

Upon completion of the actuation of the selected type wheel 115 and of the transverse movement of the common support, Athe cam 153 enables the lever 148 to be urged co-unterclockwise by the spring 152, whereby the printing hammer 149 strikes the selected slide 141 and lil) the type located at the printing point isprinted on the platen 150.

Upon completion of the printing operation the cam 153 restores the lever 148, and the cam 170 restores the lever 164, thus returning the bail 182 with the depending parts to normal. The upper pair of ends of the levers 155 and 156 is opened, leaving the support 142', 143, 144 in the previously assumed position. Upon completion of the machine cycle the motor bar 105 is returned rearwards by known means, thus returning the lever 101 to normal. The spring 192 restores the lever 103 and under the urge of the spring 99 the lever 97 reengages the bent over lug 100 of the lever 101.

If a key 80 is depressed before termination of a machine cycle, the universal bar 103 is still in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 4. The beam 89 is thus rocked clockwise about the point of contact between its projection 104 and the universal bar 103 and its abutment 94 is moved beneath the comb plate 90. The beam 89 is thus latched in set position, At the end of the machine cycle the universal bar 103 is returned to normal, thereby releasing the projection 104 of said beam 89. Since the lower edge 95 of the forward end 88 of said beam has rocked the lever 97 clockwise, the lug 100 is not arrested by the lever 97 and a new machine cycle is immediately started. The universal bar 103 may now engage the proiection 104 and shift the beam 89 rearwards.

From the foregoing description it will be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes maybe made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

l. In a printing mechanism having a common printing point, the combination of a set of separate type carriers, each type carrier carrying a plurality of selectable types and being movable according to a first coordinate, an individual actuator for each type carrier, a common support for said set of type carriers, said support being movable according to a second coordinate, an actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising means for selecting o-ne of said individual actuators and for conditioning said actuating devices to variably move the common support, and means for conditioning the selected actuator to variably move the correspending type carrier, whereby a selected type will be located at the printing point by the combination of the variable movement of said corresponding type carrier with the variable movement of said common support.

2. ln a printing mechanism having a common printing point, the combination of a set of separate type carriers, each type carrier carrying a plurality of selectable types and being movable according to a`lirst coordinate, an individual spring urged actuator for each type carrier, a common support for said set of type carriers, said support being movable according to a second coordinate, a spring urged actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising means for selectively locking all the individual actuators but one in inoperative position and for diiiereutially arresting said actuating dev vice according to the type carrier carrying a selected type, and means for differentially arresting the non locked individual actuator according to said selected type, whereby the selected type will be located at the printing point by the combination of the variable movement of the last named type carrier with the variable movement of said common support.

3. ln a printing mechanism having a common printing point, the combination of a set of separate type carriers, each type carrier carrying a plurality of selectable types and being movable according to a lirst coordinate, an individual spring urged actuator for each type carrier,

a common support-for saids'et' of ty'p'e'carriers, said sup'-` port being movable according'to a second coordinate, 'a spring urged actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising two sets of stop bars which are selectively settable accordingto a selected type, a set stop bar of one set being capable of locking all the individual actuators but one in inoperative position and of differentially arresting said actuating device according to the type carrier carrying said Selected type, a set stop bar of the o-ther set being capable of differentially arresting the non locked individual actuator according to said selected type, whereby the selected type will be located at the printing point by the combination of the variable movement ofthe last named type carrier with the variable movementof said common support.

4. In a printing mechanism according to claim 3, a set of setting means forselectively setting said stop bars, and means for mounting each one of said stop bars for parallel movement unclerthe actionof said settingrneans, whereby said setting means may be located in any position alongsaid stop bars.

5. In a printing mechanism having' a comm'onprinting point, the combination of a set of type wheels, a set of mounting means for mounting each one of said type wheels for rotation in a vertical plane, a common support for said set of mounting means, said support being rotatable about a vertical axis, an individual actuatcr for each type wheel, an actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising means for selecting one of said individual actuators, means for conditioning the selected actuatorto variably rotate the corresponding type wheel, and means for conditioning said actuating device to variably rotate the common support, whereby a selected type will be located at the printing point by the combination of a variable rotation of said corresponding type wheel with a variable rotation of said common support.

6. In a printing mechanism according to claim a platen, a set of members for carrying said set of mounting means, each one of said members being movably mounted on said co-mmon support to enable the corresponding type wheel to be moved towards said platen to effect printing, a spring for moving each one of said members, and releasing means controlled by said selecting means for enabling said spring to move the member carrying the mounting means of said corresponding type wheel towards said platen.

7. In a printing mechanism having a set of individu'- ally movable type carriers, each type carrier carrying a plurality of selectable types, the combination of a common actuator for said type carriers, yieldable power means for moving said actuator, means for selectively engaging one of said type carriers with said actuator, a set of selectable stop means, and a set of differentially positioned counterstops selectivey cooperating with a selected one of said stop means for differentially arresting said actuator according to a selected type.

8. In a printing mechanism having'aset of individually movable type carriers, each` type carrier carrying a plurality of selectable types, the combination of a common actuator for said type carriers, yieldable power means for moving said actuator, means for selectively engaging one of said type carriers with said actuator, a set of Selectable stop means, a set of counterstops selectively cooperating with a selected one of vsaid stop means for-differentially `arresting said actuator according to a selected type,.said counterstops being removably arranged in variable angular position on a cornmon shaft, and means for transmitting. motion .from said actuator to said shaft.

9. In a printing mechanism having a common printing point, the combination of a setl of selectablel type carriers, a movablecommonsupport forsaid set of type carriers, an actuating device torsaid common support, said actuating device comprising a pair of complementar'ily movableactuatng elements 'and operating means i for imparting to said 'pair of actuating elements 'a constant" total stroke, said pair of actuating elements being' capable of variably moving said common support 'according to the final position assumed by said elements upon completion of said stroke, and a set of selectable stop means for variably yarrestin-g said pair of actuating elements according to a Selected one of said type carriers.

10. In a printing mechanism having a common printing point7 the combination of a set of selectable type carriers, a movable common support for said set of type carriers, a set of selectable stop means, and an actuating device for said common support, said'actuating device comprising a pair of substantially symmetrical levers pivoted on a common fulcrum and operating means for rotating said two levers about said pivot in opposed directions through a constant total angular distance, a tirst pair of opposing portions of said levers being adapted to move said commo-n support, a second pair of opposing portions of said levers being adapted to be arrested by a selected one of said stop means in a variable final position according to a selected type carrier, said seco-nd pair of opposing portions being substantially diametrically opposed to said first pair of opposing portions, whereby said common support is movable to a final position which is substantially diametrically opposed to the position of said selected stop.

ll. In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a co-mmon actuator for said type carriers, an operable actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising means for selectively engaging one of said type carriers with said common actuator substantially before operation of said actuating device, and for conditioning said actuating device to variably move the common support, and means for conditioning the common actuator to variably move the engaged type carrier.

l2. In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a selected type being located at the printing p-oint by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a common actuator for said type carriers, yieldable power means for moving said common actuator, an actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising means for selectively engaging one of said type carriers with said common actuator and for conditioning said actuating device to variably move the common support, and means for diterentially arresting said common actuator according to a selected type.

13. In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably m-ovable common support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a common actuator for said type carriers, yieldable power means for moving said common actuator, an actuating device for said common support, and a selecting mechanism comprising a set of selectively settable members, means controlled by said members for selectively engaging one of said type carriers with said common actuator and for conditioning said actuating device to variably move the .common supportVandfurther means controlled by said members for differentially arresting said common actuator according to a selectedtype.

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14. In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the typ-e carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of `a cycling main operating mechanism, a selecting mechanism operable to select one of said types, a keyboard having a number of keys, each one corresponding to one of said types, a normally latclied element adapted when rcieased to start said main operating mechanism for a cycle, said element being adapted to be relatched upon completion of. sa,id cycle, a number of members associated with said keys, each onev of saidV members being movable according to a first coordinate for releasing said element and according to a second coordinate for operatingsaid selecting mechanism, means operable by one of said keys to move the corresponding member according to said first coordinate, a universal bar operable by said element when so released toadditionallyV move said corresponding member according to said second coordinate, and means for latching said member when moved according to said first coordinate until so additionally moved upon the next following operation of said universal bar.

l5. In a printing mechanism of Athe type wherein a set of separate individually variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of individually selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a single selected type being located at the printing point by the ,combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of power means, a first device operable by said power means for individually actuating said type carrier carrying the selected type, and a second device operable by said power means for actuating said support substantially concurrently with said rst device.

16. ln a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate individually variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of individually selectable types is supported by a variably movable common sup-v port, a single selected type being located at the printing point by tne combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of tirst selectively settable means for individually controlling the extent of movement of said type carrier carrying the selected type, second selectively settable means for controlling the extent of movement of said support, means for setting said tirst and second settable means, power means controlled by said setting means, and devices operable by said power means for substantially concurrently moving said last-named type carrier and said support through said extents.

17. ln a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a lirst actuating device for said type carrier carrying the selected type, first driving means for said first actuating device, a second actuating device for said common support, second driving means for said second actuating device, first selectively settable means for controlling the movement of said first .actuating device, second selectively settable means for controlling the movement of said second actuating device, means for setting said first and second settable means, and means controlled by said setting means for substantially concurrently starting said first and second Vdriving means.

located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a normally inoperative main operating mechanism, a first device controlled by said main operating mechanism for actuating said type carrier carrying the selected type, first selectively settable means for controlling the movement of Vsaidfirst device, a second device controlled by said main operating mechanism for actuating said common support substantially concurrently with said first device, second electively settable means for controlling the movement of said second device, means for setting said first and second settable means, and means controlled by said setting means for starting said main operating mechanism for operation.

19. in a printing mechanism as claimed in claim 18, a platen, a set of mounting means for mounting each one of said type carriers for rotation in a vertical plane, a set of members for carrying said set of mounting means, each one of said members being movably mounted on said common support to enable the corresponding type carrier to be individually moved towards said platen to effect printing, and means controlled by said main operating mechanism for so moving the type carrier carrying the selected type upon completion of said combined movement.

20. In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a. set of separate individually variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of individually selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a single selected type being located at the printingv point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying theV selected type and of the common support, the combination of first selectively settable means for individually controlling the extent of movement of said type carrier carrying the selected type, second selectively settable means, means operable upon setting said second means for controlling the extent of movement of said support, further means operable upon setting said second means for concurrently individually conditioning said last-named type carrier foi' operation, means for setting said first and second means, and means for throwing the type carrier so conditioned towards said printingpoint to etiectimpression. n

2l. in a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers each one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable common support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination ,of first selectively `settable means for controlling the extent of movement of said type carrier carrying the selected type, second selectively settable means for controlling the extent of movement of said support, a keyboard having the keys arranged in a set of rows, each key being variably mounted upon a slidable key-stem common to said set of rows, and a pair of setting elements controlled by each one of said key-stems, one element of said pair being adapted to selectively set said first settable means, the other element of said pair being adapted to selectively set said second settable means.

22.In a printing mechanism of the type wherein a set of separate variably movable type carriers cach one carrying a plurality of selectable types is supported by a variably movable ccmmon'support, a selected type being located at the printing point by the combined movement of the type carrier carrying the selected type and of the common support, the combination of a machine frame, a keyboard having a number of keys, a mechanism for variably arresting said type carriers, said mechanism comprising a set of selectable stop means for said type carriers, a number of elements controlled by said keysA for selectively setting said stop means, and a set of counter stop elements adapted toV abut against the set stop means, the elements of one of said sets of elements being variably located from element to element and removably mounted on said frame to change the relationship between said keys and said type carriers.

23. In a printing mechanism as claimed in claim 22, a number of selectively settable members controlled by said keys for controlling the extent of movement of said support and for conditioning said type carrier carrying the selected type for operation, said members being variable frorn member to member and removably mounted on :said frame, whereby by varying said removable ele- References 'Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 475,085 Jones May 17, 1892 2,613,795 Yutang Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,055,816 France Oct. 21, 1953

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