US1604817A - Line-space-tabulating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

H. A. FOOTHORAP LINE SPACE TABULATING MECHANISM Filed April 50, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 jig/Z Oct. 26 1926.

H. A. FOOTHORAP LINE) SPACE TABULATING MECHANISM Filed April 50, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VEN T 0R -1ttomey Oct. 26, 1926. 1,601.81 7

H., A. FOOTHORAP LINE SPACE TABULATING MECHANISM Filed April 30, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fill-111111 3] 1.4411110 m mmuemeuaw Patented Uct. 26, 1926.

- rattan unrrso stares Parent @FFICE.

i 1 HARRY AJFOQTHORAP, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 ELLIOTT- FISHER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELQWARE.

LINE-SPACE-TABULATING MECEANXQM.

Application filed April 30, 1923. Serial Ito, 685,6M.

This invention relates to line space-tabulating mechanism for typewriting and simrlar machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a series of key controlled stops for variably determining the location of lines of writing in a manner generally similar to the determination of column or other positions by what is known as letter-space tabulating mechanism.

A subordinate object is to provide for the bodily adjustment of the entire series of stops to accommodate variations of the work sheets as for instance, variations of the line locations on piinted forms.

Another subordinate object is to providefor the retention in operative position of any stop operated and to accomplish the release and restoration of said stop to its normal in operative position upon the movement of anotherstop to its active or arresting position.

Other subordinate objects will appear as the necessity for their accomplishment develops.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a flat platen typewriter equipment with line space tabulating mechanism in accordance with my invention. v

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through the tabulator.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line H of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is an elevation of one end of the tabulator with the cover plate removed.

Figures 6 and 7 are detail perspective views of the stops.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the sto locking blade an its mounting.

in igure 9 is a perspective view or the tabulator black.

Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the line space frame is gibbed to the platen frame.

Figures 11 and 12 are detail perspective views of the tabulator supporting brackets.

Figure 13 is a detail perspective View of the traveling stop.

As premised, my line space tabulator is designed, more particularly, for flat platen typewriters and is therefore shown applied to the Elliott-Fisher machine of commerce. It is not original with me to equip a machine having both letter and line spacing movements with line space tabulating mechanism in addition to the usual letter space tabulating mechanism. This broad conception is shown in Patent No. 856,344; dated June 11, 1907, to J. Halle.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a flat platen provided, as usual, with a platen frame, the side members of which constitute rails 2 having toothed upper edges 3 which engage the unions [of a line spacing mechanism carried by the line space frame 4 which travels longitudinally of the platen 1. and supports a carriage movable transversely of the platen to letter space the writing, and equi ped with printing mechanism and the usua ancillary mechanisms of the flat platen typewriter including letter space tabulating mechanism which arrests the carriage at predetermined positions in a manner Well understood in the art. It is to facilitate the tabulating or positioning of the frame 4 longitudinally ot theplaten and the consequent 9 carries a series of tabulator stops 10 equidistantly spaced'longitudinally of the platen and surmounted by keys 10 in staggered arrangement and bearing consecutive numbers or other designations leading forwardly from the rear end of the series. The whole series of stops -10 is designed to have slight adjustment as a unit longitudinally of the platen.- This adjustment is desirable to accommodate variations in the work sheets, as for instance, in the location of the printed lines on a series of forms. This adjustment is effected by the rotation of a knurled head 7* screwed ,upon the trunnion 7 and bearin against the bracket 5, it being understoo of course, that the interval between the brackets 5 and 6 is sufficient toaccommodat-e the adjustment of the block 9 to position the stops as stated. The trunnions 7 and 8 are provided with flattened portions 7 a and 8 for engagement with looking screws 5 and 6 carried by the brackets 5. The stops 10 are in the form of angular plates (see Figs. 6 and 7) and are accommodated in ides 9' formed in the outer side and top of the block 9. The horizontal upper portions 10 of the stops are normally held in elevated or inactive positions by springs 11 for which seats 9 are formed in the block 9. The upper ends of the springs 11 preferably engage projections 10 on the stops as shown in Fig. 4 and the upward movement of the stops under the impulse of the springs 11 is limited by projections 10 formed at the lower ends of the stops and engaging an under face 9 of the block 9. As best shown in Fig. 9 the outer side face of the block 9 is formed with a longitudinal recess.

or pocket 9* for the accommodation of a stop looking blade 12 having terminal openings 12 ad] acent to its upper edge to receive pins or trunnions 12" extendin from blocks 12 screwed to the inner wall of the recess 9".

The stop blade 12 constitutes, ineft'ect, a pawl common to all of the stops 10 each of which has two teeth 13 and 13 toward which the locking blade is yieldingly urged by spring pressed plungers 12 set in plunger sockets 9 in the block. Any appropriate means for confining the stops 10 in their guides may be provided, but by preference, a cover plate 14 is suitably secured to the outer face of the block 9. In the normal or elevated positions of the stops 10, the locking blade 12 engages the lower teeth of the stops, and under these conditions the lower horizontal end 15 of a traveling stop 15 carried by the line space frame 4 (see Fig. 4) will move freely within a guideway 9 formed in the inner face of'the block 9 below the normally located effective portions 10 of the stops. the stop keys 1O is depressed, the effective portion 10 of the attached stop will be depressed (see dotted lines in Fig. 4) into interfering or obstructing relation to the traveling stop 15 and will be locked in its effective position by the engagement of the locking blade 12 w1th the upper tooth 13 of the depress d stop. If noivthe line space carriage is advanced it will be arrested at the proper point by the engagement of the traveling stop 15 with the operated tabulator stop.

Attention is now directed to the fact that if a stop is set the line space frame may he moved to bring it intoengagement with the stop. .The necessity for holding the stop down during this manipulation of the ma- If, however, one of mortal! chine is ;avoided by the provision for lochinw sition. Such release is automatically fected by the operation of the neat tahulaim stop. That is to say when a stop is "e pressed it not only moves into efiective tion, but automatically efi'ects the relea a stop previously operated and locked.

interaction of the stops will be clearly derstood by reference to Fig. 4. It we seen that operating in the manner of a paw the stop looking blade 12 normally enga the lower tooth 13 will be cammed each as the stop moves downward, until it can swing into engagement with the upper teeth to lock the step down. Obviously, when the next stop is depressed the blade 12 will be swung back in exactly the same manner, and

as soon as it has moved out of engagement with the stop previously locked by it, said last named stop will obviously be retracted to normal position. In other wordspthe ole ression of any stop will cam the locking lade out of. engagement with the previously operated stop so that when any stop is moved to its operative position itrwill automatically release'any other stop and permit its retraction.

It is thought that from the foregoing, the construction, operation and advantages of my line space tabulating mechanism will be fully understood, but I reserve the right to effect such variations of the illustrated structure as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen'and printingmechanism, relatively movable in a direction to line spacea record printed on a work element carried by the platen. of means for selecting the desired line position and forarresting relative movement of the platen and printcupying progressive line positions and in Lilli? Mil lid

dividually movable into -active* position to I e tlect line selection, and means coactingwith the active stop to arrest relative movement of the platen and printingmechanism with the printing point located at the selected line.

eoasi'r 3. In a typewriting machine, the com bination with a fiat platen and printing mechanism, relatively movableto line space a record printed on a work element carried by the platen, and line selecting mechanism including coacting stops associated with the printing mechanism and platen, re spectively, certain of said stops being egrtended along the laten in successive line space positions and individually movable to select theline at which the printing point will be located when relative movement of the platen and printing mechanism is arrested.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and printing mechanism movable thereover in a direction to space the lines of a record printed on a Worlrclement carried by the platen, of line selecting mechanism including a series oi line selecting stops spaced along one side edge of the platen and individually movable to select a inc position and to arrest the movement of the printing mechanism when such line position is reached. j i.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with, a flat platen and printing mechanism, relatively movable in a direction to line space the printed record, of a series of line selecting keys associated with the laten, and a series of line selecting stops in ividually movable by the keys into position to arrest the relative movement of the platen and printing mechanism at a selected line.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a stationary flat, platen and printing mechanism movable thereover to line space the rinted record, of a series of line selecting reys located outside oi the printing area of the-platen, and a series of line selecting stops ccupying progressive line positions and individually movable, into position to arrest the printing mechanihm, upon the depression of a key to select aline.

7. In a typewriting machine, the conibihation of'a platen and printing mechanism, relatively movable to space the printed record of a series of line selecting eys associated with the platen, stops operated by the keys to arrest the relative movement of the platen and printing mechanism at the line selected by the particular key depressed, meansfoi' retracting the selected stop; and means whereby the operation of a ey to select a new line will cause the retraction of the pre viously operated stop.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and printing mechanism,

relatively movable to line space the record,

of a series of normally aligned stops, and a group of line selecting keys, arranged in staggered formation, and each operative to move one of the aligned stops into position to arrest the relative movement oi the platen relatively moval'ile to line space the record, of a series of normally aligned stops, a

group, of line selecting keys arranged in staggered formation and each operative to move one of the aligned stops into position to arrest the relative movement of the platen and printing mechanism at the line selected by thedcprcssion of a key, and means whereby the depression of a key will effect the locking thereof in depressed position and the retraction of the key previously operated.

10. In 'atypewriting machine, the combination with a platen and printing mechanism, relatively movable to line space the printed record, of a series of line selecting stops occupying, progressive line positions and disposed along one side of the platen, keys for moving said stops individually into active position to select the line and to cause the retraction of a previously operated stop, and means for adjusting the series of stops as a unit to secure the accurate line location thereof.

11. The combination with a stationary platen and a movable frame, of a stop movable with the frame, and a bodily adjustable normally stationary series of stops individw ally movable into interfering relation with the stop first named.

12. The combination with a platen and printing mechanism relatively movable in the direction of line spacing, of line space tabulating mechanism including a series'of vieldingly urged to its active position, said lade being movable to an inoperative position by any one of the series of stops :to release any sto previouslyo erated.

M. In a tabu sting mechanism, the combination with a series of stops yieldingly retaihed in normal inactive position and each havin a tooth aligned- With the teeth of all the ot ier stops, and a movable locking blade tinnwith a platen and printing mechanism,

arranged to hold any stop in its operated position by engagement with its tooth and movable to release said stop by the next stop moved to operative position.

15. In a line space tabulating mechanism, the combination with a series of line selecting tabulator stops movable individually to operative position, of means for edecting the "bofiily adjustment of said series of stops, means for automatically looking any operated stop, and means for efiecting the automaticrelease of said stop upon the subse- 6 quent operation of another of said line solecting stops..

16. In a line space tabulating mechanism, the combination with a; block having transmommy verse stop guities and a lon 'ituoimtl room;

of, stops mounted in the. guides and filming ratchet teeth, and a stop Koo-king 'bhdo mounted in the longitudinal rocoss and disposed to engage the teeth of oil the stays,

In testimony whereof I hereunto ofim my signature. HARRY A. FGQTHU RW;

Images