US2904157A - Stenographic machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1:), 1959 H. B. SMITH 2,904,157

STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES Filed March 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1 9 H. B. SMITH I 2,904,157

. STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES Y Filed March 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Awe/2751'.- //owara Sept. 15, 1959 L H. B. SMITH STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2'7, 1957 United States Patent STENOGRAPHIC MACHINES Howard B. Smith, Washington, D.C.

. Application March 27, 1957, Serial No. 648,915 14 Claims. (Cl. 191-9 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stenographic machines or so-called stenotype or stenograph machines used for typing shorthand.

Such machines usually employ a set of type bars movable toward and away from a platen, an inking ribbon being interposed between the platen and the type bars so that an impression is made upon paper passing over the platen when the type bars are actuated. The ribbon is in the form of a relatively short, endless band which passes partly around a combined ribbon inking and driving spool, the latter containing an ink supply which is transmitted to the ribbon at the same time as the ribbon is driven by the spool.

The principal object of the present invention is to substantially improve the ribbon mechanism in general, and particularly from the standpoint of increasing the supply of ink, so that the machine may be operated for prolonged periods without the necessity for reinking.

The above object is attained by providing themachine with two ribbon inking spools inplace of the one conventionally used, whereby the ink supply in the improved machine is literally doubled.

As a result of utilizing two spools, the length of the ribbon is increased, so that the longer ribbon is subjected to less wear than the conventional shorter ribbon, in the performance of a given amount of work.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for urging the ribbon into engagement with the two spools selectively, whereby ink may be transferred to the ribbon from one spool when the supply of ink in the other spool is exhausted, or whereby ink may be transferred to the ribbon simultaneously from both spools, of an extra heavy impression is to be made by the type bars.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved driving means for the ribbon spools, which do not employ expensive gearing conventionally utilized for this purpose. 7 Another object of the invention is to provide improved spring means for biasing the type bars away from the platen after the type bars are actuated. 1 Another object of the invention is to provide'improved means for actuating the shifter mechanism of the type bars 2,904,157] Patented Sept. 15, 1959 ice . spool driving means;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail, showing the means for urging the ribbon into engagement with the spools;

Figure 4 is a group perspective view of the bracket and pawl of driving means;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail, showing pawl means for preventing reverse rotation of the spools;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pawl per se, shown in Fig.5; I

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the machine showing the improved spring means for biasing the type bars;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 8--8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a group perspective view of the biasing spring and its support means;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail, on a slightly enlarged scale as compared to Figure 7, and illustrating main and auxiliary biasing springs;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the auxiliary biasing 7 spring;

shifter strap.

for bringingthe upper and lower cases-of type thereon selectively in alignment with the platen. a I Some of the advantages resulting from the above outlined improvements reside in a greater efficiency and dura embodying the improved ribbon mecha Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine showing the improved shifter mechanism;

.Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

' Figure 14 is a fragmentary rear end view of the same;

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional detail on an enlarged scale, taken substantially in the plane of the line 1515 in Fig. 12;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a bottom stop bracket used in the improved shifter mechanism;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a top stop bracket used therein, and i Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of th Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly to Figures 1-6 inclusive, it should be understood that the same illustrate only the operating components of the machine with which the invention is concerned, the arrangement of all other components being conventional and well known in the art, so that a detailed explanation and illustration thereof herein is unnecessary.

As such, the frame of the machine is designated by the numeral 15, the same carrying a set of type bars 16 which are slidably movable toward and away from a platen 17. An endless inking ribbon 18 passes between the platen and the type bars, its positon and movement being guided by conventional guides 19, 20, carried by the frame.

In conventional machines the ribbon 18 passes around a single spool located centrally of the frame, but in accordance with the instant invention, two such spools 21 and 22 are provided. These spools, per se, are conventional in structure, each having a core of absorbent ma-' terial 23 which is impregnated'with ink so that the ink is transferred to the ribbon when the latter passes around the spool, it being understood that the absorbent cores of the spools may be re-inked through openings 24 wit which the tops of the spools are usually formed. The two spools 21, 22 are mounted side-by-side at the top' of the frame 15 by removable pins 25 and the ribbon 18 passes around the spools as shown. The ribbon is relatively slack, but means are provided for urging the ribbon into engagement selectively with the two spools, as will be presently explained. As is best 'shownin Figure 3,..a-icurved' arm 26 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on an upstanding stud 27 provided on' the frame 15, while the other end'of this arm carries a rotatable 15 and the arm 26, and a coil spring 31 is positioned on this spacer, one end of the spring being suitably anchored to the frame, while its other end engages the arm so as to urge the same toward the spool 21. As this occurs, the roller 28 causes the ribbon 18 to engage the ink impregnated core of the spool so that ink from the core is transferred to the ribbon while at the sarne tir'ne the ribbon is 'Jdriven by rotation of the spool, as will be hereinfter described.

A locking pin 32;:biasedby a spring 33, is provided intermediate the ends of the arm 26 and has the lower end portion thereof receivable in a locking aperture 34 formed in the frame 15 at such point that when the lockingpin is in the aperture, the arm 26 is held away from the spool 21 to facilitate convenient changing of the spool or the ribbon; V

similar means are provided for urging the ribbon into engagement with the second spool 22, wherein the corresponding parts are designated by the numerals 26', 27, 28' and 32', The arrangement of these parts is the same as that shown in Figure 3:

The machine may be used with the arm 26' in its inoperative position wherein the roller 28 does not press -the ribbon against the spool 22, so that the ribbon receives its ink supply mainly from the spool 21-. When the supply of ink in the spool 21 is exhausted, the arm 26 may be released from its inoperative position so that the roller 28' presses the ribbon against the spool 22 to transrnit ink from that s'pobl to the ribbon. If desired, both arms 26, 26 maybe placed in their operative positions to transfer ink to the ribbon simultaneously from both spools, when an extra heavy impression is to be made by, the type bars 16; Moreover, both arms may be locked in their inoperative positions when either the ribbon or the spools are to be changed:

For purposes of driving the ribbon, only one of the two spools needs to be positiveiy driven, such drive means being taken from a crank 35 secured to a rock shaft 36 at one side of the frame ;15 in accordance with conventional practice. The crank 35 is subjected to oscillatory movement when any of the keys 37 actuating ,the type. bars 16 is depressed, and in conventional ma chines drive from the crank 35 to the spool is taken through the medium of a complex ratchet mechanism and ar s- However, in the instant invention a simple friction drive is provided, the same involvin the provision of a friction disc 38 of suitable material such as hard rubber, or the like, which underlies the spool 21 so that when the disc is rotated-,the spool, r'otates therewith. The disc 38 projects beyond the peripheryof the spool and the peripheral edge portionof the disc is operatively enlgaged by the freeend of a pawl 39. The other end of thispawl is curved to form a bearing 40 for a pivot pin 41 whereby the pawl is hingedly attached to a yoke 42 formed integrally with a bracket 43 which; in turn, is rigidly secured to the crank 35 by suitable screws 44. A tension spring 45 extends from the pawl 39 to a suit able anchor pin 46 on the frame 15 whereby to urge the pawl into driving engagement with the disc 38, it being apparent from the foregoing that when the crank 35 i s oscillated, the pawl will impart an intermittent unidirectional rotation to the disc and to the associated spool 21, as indicated by the arrow 47.

Reverse rotation 'of the spool is prevented by a second pawl 48 which also engages the periphery of the disc 38 and is provided with, a bearing .49 to receive a mount ing post or pin 59 onthe frame 15. A suitable tension 51 urges the pawl 48 into contact with the disc '38, as will be clearly apparent. V

7 It will be notedthat by providing two spools in place o f the usual one, the inking capacity is literally doubled. Moreover, the provision of the two spools results in the us e of a somewhat longer ribbon, whereby the ribbon is subjected to lesser wear in performing a given amount oiworh, i

Referring now to Figures 7-11 of the accompanying drawings which also illustrate only the operating components of the machine with which the invention is concerned, the type bars 16 are operatively connected to the actuating keys 37 by a set of bell cranks 55 which are rockably mounted on a cross shaft 56 in the frame 15 and are in engagement with the inner ends of the key bars 57 supported by a cross shaft 58. When any one of the keys 37 is depressed, the r'nbvem'ent of the associated key bar 57 rocks the associated crank 55 in the direction of the arrow 59 and the associated type bar 16 is thereby slid toward the platen i7. In their undepressed position, the key bars 57 abut the topside of a bank bar 60 and resilient means are provided for urging the type bars 16 away from the platen. In conventional machines such means consist of a set of individual tension springs, one for each of the type bars, such springs being attached at one end to the pivotal connections 61 between the re spec'tive type bars and the respective bell cranks, and being anchored at their other end to anchoring pins provided on the frame. As such, the conventional construction requires the use of several springs, the assembly of which is a tedious task.

In accordance with the present invention, such indi-' vidual tension springs are eliminated and a single combshape'd spring '62 is used. This spring is best shown in Figure 9, wherein it will be noted that the spring includes a transverse b'ack portion 62a and a set of transversely spaced, projecting, resilient fingers 62b. The back portion 62a of the spring is clamped between a pair of holder straps 63', 64 by a plurality of screws '65 disposed in registering apertures 66 with which the parts 62a, '63 and 64 are formed.

The ends of the strap 63 are provided with apertured ears 67 which are secured to the frame 15 by screws 68 so that the entire spring assembly is disposed adjacent the bell cranks 55, as shown. The spring fingers 62b bear upon lobes 69 formed on the cranks 55 and individually bias the respective cranks so that the type bars 16 are individually urged to their retracted or inoperative positions; This arrangement not only eliminates the use of the conventional set of tension s rings, but also produces a lighter and a more 'eflicient touch on the keys 37 when the machine is operated.

The keys 37 of the machine are usually arranged in banks so that the key bars 57 are of difi'erent lengths and consequently do not have the same mechanical advantage with respect to their fulcrum 58 in operating the bell cranks and type bars; As a result, the pressure required to depress the keys varies with the different keys and the operating touch in a conventional machine is not uniform. An effort has been made in the past the eliminatethis disadvantage by using individual tension springs of diflerent resiliencies, but such a remedy not only still required a set of individual springs, but also made it possible for errors to occur when installing the springs in position 'so that a spring of the appropriate tension became associated with the ball crank of the particular type bar with which such a spring was intended to be used.

The instant invention avoids all the disadvantages above outlined by the provision of an auxiliary spring 70, best shown in Figure 11. This spring is similar to the aforementioned spring 62 and includes a back portion 70a and a plurality of resilient fingers 70b. However, the fingers 70b are provided only for bell cranks associated with key bars which are relatively light to depress, rather than'be'ing provided for each bell crank, as are the fingers 62b. The spring 70 is superposed on the spring 62 between the holder straps 63, 64 so that the fingers 70b, where provided, are in register with the fingers62b. Gonsequently, some 'of the bell cranks are biased *by two superposed spring fingers while others are biased by the single finger 62b only, and the resulting diiference in resiliency 'efiectively compensates for different mechanical advantages of the different key bars, s5

that virtually uniform touch is all of the keys.

If desired, more than one auxiliary spring 70 may be superposed on the spring 62, so that some of the bell cranks are biased by three or more spring fingers, thus effecting a fine degree of compensation by resiliency for the diiferent mechanical advantages of the different key bars. It is to be understood that the fingers 70b may be provided on the auxiliary spring or springs 70 at whatever points required, so as to affect the bell cranks for any desired key bars in the set.

By omitting the conventional individual tension springs of the type bars 16, a bar to which such springs are anchored is alsoomitted. As a result, the lower horizontal arms of the bell cranks 55 may be lengthened as shown in Figure 7 beyond the point where they are contacted by the key bars 57 and the power of the springs 62, 70 at the contactpoints 69 is greatly increased.

In accordance with conventional practice, the type bars 16 are'prov-ided with upper and lower cases of type 71, 72, respectively, and are swingable in vertical planes about their pivots 61 so that the upper and lower type cases may selectively be brought into a alignment with the platen 17. e type bars rest upon a cross bar 73 which, in turn, is supported by a strap 74, one end portion of the latter projecting outwardly through an opening 75 in one side of the frame 15. The cross bar 73 is also supported at the ends thereof by crank means (not shown) pivoted coaxially with the pivots 61 of the type bars, the arrangement being such that when the strap 74 and the crank means are in their initial position, the upper type cases 71 are in alignment with the platen. On the other hand, when upward force is applied to the outwardly projecting end of the strap 74, the crank means and all the type bars 16 are swung upwardly about the pivots 61, so thatthe lower type cases 72 are in alignment with the platen.

' The above outlined arrangement is quite conventional in the art, the improvement in accordance with the invention being concerned with the operative connection between the projecting end of the strap 74 and the shifter arms 76"at opposite sides of the frame, by which the shifter mechanism is actuated. These shifter arms are fulcrurned, on the afo rementioned cross shaft 58 and carry at their keyboard endsa transverse shifter bar 77 which is disposed adjacent the keys 37.

A, substantially upright link78, having an arcuate upper end 78a, is rigidly fastened to one of the shifter arms 76 adjacent the projecting end portion of the strap 74 and the latter is provided with a forward extension 74a, as is best shown in Figure 18. The arcuate upper end 78a of the link 78 engages the underside of this extension and the link is secured to the arm 76 by a plurality of screws 79, so that when the shifter bar 77 is depressed, the link 78 forces the strap 74 upwardly and correspondingly shifts the type bars 16 from the upper to the lower case position. The link 78 is formed with a vertical slot 80 to receive the screws 79 whereby the link may be vertically adjusted with respect to the associated shifter arm 76 in order to give the appropriate amount of movement to the type bars. This adjustment is simple and may be easily effected without the necessity of bending or twisting any of the parts. Moreover, the shifter arm 76 is provided with sets of apertures 81 to receive the screws 79, whereby the link 78 may be secured to the shifter arm at various distances from the fulcrum 58 in order to adjust the amount of pressure or touch required for depression of the shifter bar 77. The extension 74a of the strap 74 is sufficiently long to permit engagement of the link 78 therewith, regardless of the position of the link on the shifter arm 76.

Stop means are provided for the arm 76 in the upper case position of the type bars 16, these stop means comprising an angle bracket 82 which is secured to the frame 15 by a plurality of screws 83 and abuts the underside required for depressing of the arm 76. The bracket 82 is formed with a vertical slotf84'to receive the screws 83, whereby the position of thebracket may be adjusted so that in the initial position 'of the shifter bar 77, the upper case 71 of the type bars is aligned with the platen 16. The lower edge portion of the arm 76 is preferably outturned as indicated at 85 to abut the outturned poriton 82a of the stop bracket, as shown. A suitable tension spring 86 extends from an apertured ear 87 on the strap extension 74a to an anchor pin 88'on'the frame 15, whereby the entire type bar supporting means 73, 74 and actuating means 76, 78 are urged to the initial position wherein the arm 76 contacts the stop 82.

Stop means are also provided for the arm 76 in the lower case position of the type bars 16, these stop means comprising a bracket 89 which is secured by a plurality of screws 90 to the frame 15 and is provided with an outturned portion 91 which abuts the upper surface of the strap-74 when the latter is shifted upwardly by the link 78 to the lower case position of the type bars. For purposesof adjustment, the bracket 89 is formed with a vertica1-slot 92 in which the screws 90 are disposed, as will be clearly apparent. Suitable pads 82b and 91a are provided on the portions 82a and 91 of the respective brackets '82 and 89, these pads being of suitable resilient material so as to avoid a metal-to-metal contact with the portion of the bar member is upwardly ofiset as indicated at 9311, so that it does not interfere with other parts under the frame of the machine. It is necessary to provide the actuating link 78 on the shifter arm 76 only at one side of the machine, but

- if desired, the same may be duplicated on the opposite side by also extending the strap 74 from the frame of the machine at that side and providing another link 78 on the arm 76 on that side of the machine.

While in the foregoing there has been described and shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, variousmodifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure, and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a stenographic machine including a frame, a platen and a set of type bars carried by said frame, the combination of an endless inking ribbon movable between said platen and said type bars, a pair of ribbon inking spools rotatable on said frame, means for urging said ribbon into engagement selectively with said spools, and means for driving one of the spools.

2. In a stenographic machine including a frame, a platen and a set of type bars carried by said frame, the combination of an endless inking ribbon movable between said platen and said type bars, a pair of ribbon inking spools rotatable on said frame, means for driving one of said spools, and means for urging said ribbon mto engagement with at least one of the spools, said last mentioned means comprising an arm pivoted to said frame for movement toward and away from the associated spool, a roller carried by said arm, and resilient means for urging said arm toward the associated spool whereby said roller may engage said ribbon.

3. The combination is defined in claim 2 together with means for locking said arm in an inoperative positron wherein said roller is out of engagement with said ribbon.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3 whereii'1 said last mentioned means comprise a spring-pressed loeki ng pin carried by said arm receivable in a locking aperture formed in said frame. I s s v 5. In a stenographic machine including aframe, a platen and a set of type bars 'eairied said frame, and a crank provided at one side of the frame and adapted for oscillatory movement in a vertical plane when said type bars are actuated, the combination of endless inking ribbon movable between said platen and said type bars, a ribbon inking spool mounted at the top 'of the frame for rotation in a horizontal plane and having said ribbon in engagement therewith, and means for driving said spool, said last mentioned means comprising a friction drive disc underlying and rotatable with said spool, abracket secured to said crank-,a pawl pivotedto said bracket and resilient means for urging said pawl into frictional driving engagement with the periphery of said disc.

6. The coinbihationals defined in claim 5 together with means for preventing reverse rotation of said disc. 7. In a stenographic machine, the combination "of a frame, a platen mounted thereon, a set of type bars movable toward and away from said platen, a set of individual actuating cranks for the respective type bars in the set, and resilient means for urging the type bars away from the platen, said means comprising at least two superposed unitary comb-shaped springs mounted in said frame, one of said. springs including a set of individually movable resilient fingers engaging the respective cranks and the other spring including a plurality of individually movable resilient fingers superposed on and coacting with only certain predetermined fingers of the first spring, whereby certain predetermined cranks are each biased by atleasttwo superposed coacting spring fingers and the remaining cranks are each biased by one spring finger only.

7 8. Ina'stenographic machine, the combination of a set of type bars shiftable vertically between upper and lower type case positions, a tranverse strap for sup"- porting and shifting said type bars, said strap having an end portion projecting laterally outwardly through anopening in the frame of the machine, a shifter arm pivotally attached to the machine frame for movement in a vertical plane, and a link rigidly secured to said shifter arm and engaging the underside of the projecting patron of said snap, whereby to ap-aaavay connect said strap to said arm. v I

9. The combination as d'efin e'difi claim 8 together with stop means provided on the machine frame and engageable with said arm in the 'upper case position of said type bars, and means for adjusting said stop means.

10. The combination as defined in claim 8 together with stop means provided on'th'e machine frame and engage able with said arm in the upper case position of said type bars, means for adjusting saidst'op rneans, and resilient means for urging said arm 'agaihst the stop means.

11. The combinationas defined in claim 8 together with stop means provided onthe machine frame and engageable with said strap ,in the lower case position of said type bars, and means for adjusting said stop means.

12. The combination as defined in claim 8 together with means for adjusting said link in a vertical direction relative to said arm.

13. The combination as defined claim 10 together with means for adjusting said link longitudinally of said arm.

l4. In a stenographic machine, the combination of a frame, a platen mounted thereon, a set of type bars movable toward and away from said platen, a set of keys, sets of links op'eratively connecting the respective keys to the respective type bars for moving the latter toward the platen, and resilient means for urging the type bars away from the platen, said resilient mean s comprising at least two superposed unitary comb-shaped springs mounted in said frame, one of said springs including a set of individually movable resilient fingers engaging the respective sets of linksand the other spring including a plurality of individually movable resilient fingers superposed on and coacting with only certain predetermined fingers of the first spring, whereby certain predetermined sets of links are each biased by at least two superposed coacting spring fingers and the remaining sets of links are each biased by one spring finger only.

References Cited n the are of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS 482,317 Petit Sept. 6, 1892 2,024,622 Bates Dec. 17, 1935 2,319,273 Sterling May 18, 1943 2,343,905 Henz'e et al Mar. 14, 1944

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