US2019855A - Tape puller for projectors - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 5, 1935. E. w. HEWITT ET AL V TAPE FULLER FOR PROJECTORS Filed March 29, 1934 INVENTORS E.W. HEWITT 6.1. ROBERTS I iORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES TAPE runnua Fon. ritomorons Ernest W. Hewitt, Stamford, Conn, and George I.

Roberts, New York, N. 2., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 718,045

\ 12 Claims. (Cl. 17s-- 42) This invention relates to telegraph printing and projecting systems in which information, such as stock quotations, printed upon a tape are projected upon a screen for observation. More ii particularly the invention relates to means for controlling the movement of thetape' through the field oi the projector.

- I One of the fundamental requirements of ticker tape projectors, in order to enable the projected quotations easily readable, is that movement, of the tape through the field of the projector be smooth and uniform. The usual printers employed for printing stock quotations, however, eject the tape intermittently, as each character is printed, and in order to. absorb'this intermittent motion of the tape it has been usual to permit a loop of tape to accumulate between the ticker and the projector, with the tape puller disposed at the opposite side of the projector to draw the tape more or less continuously through the projector, the tape being stopped only when the loop decreases to a predetermined minimum size. While this method of operation, if properlyconducted, results in a smooth movement of the siderable lag "between the printing of a quotation and its appearance on the screen, due to an appreciable length of tape in the loop between the printer and the projector. If the transmis- 80 sion of quotations is interrupted at any time, the tape puller may continue to, operate until the loop is somewhat decreased in size but there is always a number of quotations on the tape which canas not be projecteduntil the ticker again resumes ing these quotations upon the screen may be very considerable. In the transmission of stock quotations, the quotations are perforated in the tape at the, transmitting station and transmitted automatically over the tickerlines by means of standard forms of tape transmitters. If the market is active, the perforating proceeds substantially continuously and the corresponding signals are. transmitted at a uniform rate over the lines with but few interruptions. Ina slow market, while v there may be more frequent interruptions in the transmission, the signals; are ordinarily transmitted in 'groups, each group comprising a num- 50 her of whole quotations. The rate of transmission of the signals of each group, however, proceeds at a uniform rate, usually about five hundred characters per minute, independentlyv of the lengthor number at qlwtaflonsin the group. If the perforating operator becomes even with the tape, it has the disadvantage of producing a conoperation. In some cases the 'delay in presentmarket or for any other reason stops perforating for a short interval,the procedure is to conclude the transmitted signals to control the movement of the tape through the projector in a novel man- 10 ner, one of the objects beingto entirely eliminate the use of a tape loop and thereby avoid the time lag between the printing and the projecting of the quotations, incident to the use of such a loop.

Another'object is to provide an even and uniform movement of the tape across the field to the projector.

Another object is to enable the last quotation preceding an interruption in the transmission of signals to be projected without delay. t 20 A still further object-is to provide a device capable of distinguishing between the short interruptions in the operation of the printer occurring in the normal operation of the tape transmitter and the longer intervals produced by the 25 perforating operator between successive groups or strings of quotations.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

In accordance withour invention we start the movement of the tape when the first character of a string of quotations is received and maintain the movement thereof continuous as long as the successive characters are received without interruption, the tape passing directly from the ticker to the projector without an intermediate loop. By placing the outlet of the ticker close to the inlet of the projector there will be but a short'length of tape therebetween and each quotation will appear on the screen with negligible 40 delay. The elimination of the tape loop without the resulting jumpiness of the projected images is made possible by feeding the ,tape in a continuous manner from the printer, printing being efiected on the fly in place of the usual practice in which the tape stops during the printing stroke. For this purpose the usual tape feed is entirely 3 eliminated from the printer and the tape drawn past the type wheel' bya tape feed mechanism disposed at the oppositeside of the projector from the printer.-

i The movement of, the tape is made imii'on'n and continuous as long. the pri.nter continues to operate in 1a group or string of quotations. If the of the printer is in-' aoraeus terrupted momentarily in the middle of a quotav A pair of contacts 60 are arranged to be ention, which occurs only occasionally, the tape is stopped until printing is resumed, but upon cessation of signals for a longer period, due to the perforating operator ceasing to perforate the tape for a more or less extended period and preceding which figure do't signals are perforated in the tape, the mechanism responds to these signals to continuously advance the last quotation into the field of the projector, after which the tape is stopped until the printer again resumes operation. 7

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view ofa tape printing apparatus 'and tape pulling mechanism embodying the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the timing device used in the apparatus of Figure 1.

The type of tape' printer with which the invention is shown is that ordinarily known as a high speed stock ticker having a commercial designation Ticker 5A", the details of construction of which are" shown in United States patent to Morton, et al No. 1,821,110, granted Septembar 1, 1931. Only such parts of the printer mechanism are shown as are necessary for an understanding of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the printer employs two parallel shafts II and II, the former carrying the selecting cam drum (not shown) and an operating cam l2, having an external cam face It. The shaft ll carries thetyp wheel l5 and surrounding this shaft is a series of five notched code disks I 8, one only of which is shown, with which an annular group of type wheel stop bars I! cooperate; The stop bars are normally held in ancutward position by the periphery of the disks it but in each combination in which disks may be set the notches of all of the disks will be alined opposite one of the stop bars to permit the stop bar to move readily inward. These stop bars determine the printing position of the type wheel. 7

Adjacent one of the stop bars H, which corresponds to the figures dot selection, are contacts BI and 52 controlled thereby, the former contact being closed when the stop bar i1 is in its outward or unselected position and contact 62 being closed only upon the selection and inward movement of the stop bar 11'.

The disks '5 are selectively positioned by means of transfer levers l9 cooperating with individual selecting levers 20, positioned in the various code combinations by the selector cam (not shown) positioned on the shaft Ill.

The tape T is drawn from a reel (not shown) located at the right of the type wheel 15 and thence between the type wheel and the platen 23. From this point it passes from the printer and across a support 24 where it may be directly observed or projected on to a suitable screen. From the support 24, the tape passes over a. guide roller 25 and under the tape feeding roller 25 which is driven through the gears 64 and 65 by a suitable motor, only the shaft 53 of which is shown. A pressure roller 28, carried by a lever 29 pivoted at point 30, is urged into contact with the roller 26 by means of a spring 3|, but is adapted to be held out of contact therewithby an electro-magnet 32,. A pair of J-springs 33 and 34 maintain the tape taut across'the support 24 and prevent move ment thereof by the feed roller 26, when the roller 28 isnot in engagement therewith.

gaged by a pin 5| projecting from the face of the operating cam l2 so as to be closed whenever the cam is in the stop position, as shown in .Fig-

urel. 5

Still other contacts 54 and 55 are arranged to be operated by the shift lever 55 of the printer,

the contact 54being closed when the shift lever is in the letters shift position as shown, and contact 55 being closed when the shift lever is in group, through one of the transfer levers l9.

A clutch 86 having a driving element 61 rotating with the feed wheel 25 and a driven element 68, serves to time the feeding out of the tape whenever a figures dot is received. For this purpose the driven element 58 has a. cylindrical extension 69 from which a radial stop element I0 projects. The clutch faces are normally disengaged and the stop 10 held against an abutment II by a spring 12. The spring 12 partially encircles the drum 69 and is secured thereto by a screw I3. The opposite end of the spring 12 is secured to a bracket 14 and is disposed so as to exert both a tangential and an axial force on the drum thereby tending to rotate it counter clockwise and at the same time to hold the faces of the clutch 66 disengaged.

The clutch faces may be brought into engagement by a lever 15 pivoted at Hi, which is adapted tolbe attracted by an electro-magnet 11 against the action of a spring 18, to engage the outer end 19 of the cylinder 69 to force the same axially inward against the tension of spring I2 to bring the faces of clutch GE into frictional engagement. When this occurs the cylinder 69 is rotated through substantially a full revolution agains tension of spring 12 to bring the stop Ill in-position to close a pair of contacts 80. The amount of rotation of the stop Ill from the abutment H into engagement with contacts Bil is just sufficientto enable the last quotation printed on" the tape to be advanced on to the support 24 and hence into the field of the projector.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

With the printer at rest and a selection other than that corresponding to the stop bar 11' setup in the disks I6, contacts 60 and SI will be closed and contacts and 80 will be open. Either contact 54 or will be closed depending upon whether the last selection was a letter or figure character. Battery is therefore supplied from a source 8| through the contacts BI and 55 60, in series, and conductor 82 to the electromagnet 32 to energize the same and thereby hold the pressure roller 28 out of contact with the feed roller 26. Consequently the tape remains at net 11 causing energization thereof and consequent engagement of the clutch 66 thereby permitting the stop element 10 to be rotated-into engagement with the contacts. Bil to close the same. The closure of contacts establish a circuit from the source of potential 83 through 7 contacts 80 to the winding of the feed magnet 32 to thereby energize the same and cause the movement of the tape to be arrested. As'stated, the movement of the stop member ll into position to close the contacts III at this time corresponds to that required to feed the last printed character on to the support 24 and thus into the field of the projector.

The stop bar l'l' in addition to controlling the figures dot also, controls the stopping oi the type wheel in position to print a character from the letters row of the type wheel. When the letter character is-selected by the stop bar il' it is not desired to 'feed out the tape since the letter character may occur at times other than at the end of agroup of quotations. When the stop bar I1 is selected the letter shift position of the printer cont ts M will be cloud, due to the shift lever 58 being in the letters shift position and consequently the closing of contact 62 by selection of the stop barll' instead of energizing the clutch magnet 11 of the timing mechanism completes 'a circuit from the source of potential ll through contacts 82 and It in series and conductor "directly to the winding oi the feed magnet 32 to thereby energize the same and arrest the movement of the tape.

Therefore, if an interruption in the, signals curs other than at the end of a group of quotations, that is any time other than after the reception of the figures dot selection, contact 60 will be closed and also either contact 8| or contacts '82 and 54.

cause the circuit to magnet I! to be closed immediately to bring the tape to rest so that when signalsare resumed there will be no abnormal- I a tape pulling mechanism foradvancing the tape from the recording position of said recorder to and across said support, means responsive to a predetermined selective operation of said recorder, preceding an interruption in the operation thereof, for controlling said pulling mechanism to advance the last recorded character onto saidsupport, metering means comprising a rotary element, means for moving the said element from a normal position to-a tape arresting position, over a period of time not less than the period required for the tape pulling mechanism to' advance the tape from recording position onto said support, and means controlled by said element in its tape arresting position for rendering the tape pulling mechanism ineffective to advance the tape.

2. In combination, a tape recorder, a support, a tape pulling mechanism for, advancing the tape from the recording position of said recorder to and across said support, means responsive to a predetermined selective operation of said recorder, preceding an interruption in the operation thereof, for controlling said pulling mechanism to advance the last recorded character onto said support, metering means comprising motor driven meansfor moving said element from a normal to a tape arresting position, over a period of time substantially 'equal to the period required for the tape pulling mechanism to advance the tape from recording position onto said support,

some

Either of these conditions, as stated,

. andmeans controlled time element, in its tape arresting position, for rendering the tape pulling m ineffective to advance the tape.

8. In combination. a tape recorder, a support, a tape pulling mechanism'for advancing the tape from the. recording position oi said recorder to and across said support, means responsive to a predetermined selective operation of said recorder, preceding an interrruption in the operation thereof, for controlling said -pulling mechanism to, advance the last recorded character onto said support, timing means comprising a rotary element,- means for moving the said element from a normal position to anoperated position and a contact closed by said element in its operated position, is

the period of movement of said rotary element from its normal to its operated. position being substantially equal to the period required to advance the tape from recording position onto said support and electro-magnetic means controlled by :0 said contact upon the'closure thereof for rendering said tape pulling mechanism ineflective to advance the tape.

4. In combination, a tape recorder, a support,

a tapepulling mechanism for advancing the as tape from the recording position of said recorder to and aeross said support, means responsive to all interruptions in the operation of the recorder excepting those following a predetermined selective operationthereoi', for rendering the tape pulling mechanism ineiiective to advance the tape during'such idle period ofthe recordenand timing means controlled by said predetermined selective operation of said recorder, said timing means comprising a rotary element, means forss moving said element from a normal position to a tape arresting-position, over a period of time not less than the period required to advancethe tape from recording positiononto said support. said element in the tape arresting position acting to 40 interruptions in the operation of the recorder ex ceptingthose following apredetermined selective operation thereof, for rendering the tape pulling mechanism ineflective to advance the tape during such idle period of the recorder, and timing means operativeupon said predetermined lili- 7 selective operation of said recorder, said timing means comprising a rotary element, means for moving said element from a normal to an operated position, a contact closed by saldelement in its operated position, the period of rotation thereof from normal to operated position being substantially equal to'the period required to advance the tape from recording position onto said support, electromagnetic means controlled by said contact upon the closure thereof for rendering said tape pulling mechanism ineffective to further advance the tape, and means operative on a subsequent diflerent selective operation of said rccorderior returning said element to normal position.

7 6. In combination, "a recorder, a tape feeding device for advancing tape beyond said recmder for observation in a continuous and uniform movement during the printing of successive char- 1g acters, means for arresting the movement of the tape upon all interruptions of operation of the recorder excepting those following a predetermined selective operation thereof, and rotary motor driven means responsive to said predetermined selective operation of said recorder for arresting the movement of the tape after the last printed character has been advanced a predetermined distance beyond said recorder.

'1. In combination, a recorder, a tape feeding \device for advancing the tape beyond said recorder for observation in a continuous and uniform movement during the printing of successive characters, means for arresting the movement of the tape upon interruption of operation of the recorder excepting that following a predetermined selective operation thereof, timing means driven independently of said recorder, meansresponsive to said predetermined selective operation of said recorder for setting said timing means into operation and means controlled by said timing means after. a predetermined period of time for interrupting the movement of the tape.

8. In combination, a recorder forstock quotations, a support, a tape pulling mechanism for advancing the tape across said support, means for normally stopping the movement of said tape across said support upon interruption of the operation of said recorder, a normally inactive. timing mechanism "driven independently of said recorder and means responsive to predetermined selective operation of said recorder for setting said timing mechanism into operation, said timing mechanism serving a) delay the stopping of the tape until the last quotation recorded prior to said interruption has been advanced onto said support.

9. In combination, a support, a data recording device located at one side of the support, a tape pulling device located at the opposite side of the support and serving to draw the tape in a continuous movement through said data recording device and across said support, when said data recording device is printing successive characters,

means for normally stopping the movement oi the tape immediately upon interrupting of the operation of the recording device, said means being inefiective to stop the tape upon interruption of the operation of the recording device following the reception of a predetermined selective condition, and means controlled by said recording device upon reception of said predetermined selective condition and driven by said tape pulling mechanism for effecting stopping of the tape after the last printed character has been advanced onto said support.

10. In combination, a tape recorder, a support, a tape pulling mechanism for advancing the tape across said support, electromagnetic op- '5 erating means for'efi'ecting stopping of the tape, contact means operated by said recorder for normally energizing said electromagnetic means substantially immediately upon interruption of the operation of the recorder, said contact means 10 being ineffective to cause energization of said electromagnetic device upon reception of a predetermined selective condition by the recorder and separate contact means driven by said tape pulling mechanism and operating a predeteris mined time after the-reception of said last predetermined selective condition for energizing said electromagnetic means to effect stoppingof the tape.

11. In combination, a tape recorder, a support, a tape pulling mechanism for advancing the tape across said support, means for effecting stopping of the tape, control means operated by said recorder for normally operating said first means immediately upon each interruption of 25 the operation of the recorder, said control means being ineffective to operate said first means upon interruption of the recorder following the reception of a predetermined selective condition by the recorder and separate control means 80 driven by said tape pulling mechanism and operating a predetermined time after the reception of said last predetermined selective condition for operating said first means to eifect stopping of the tape.

12. In combination a tape recorder, a support, a tape pulling mechanism for advancing the tape across said support, means for eflecting stopping of the' tape, control means operated by said recorder for normally operating said first 40 means immediately upon each interruption -of the operation of the recorder, said control means being ineffective to operate said first means upon reception of a predetermined selective condition by the recorder and a second control means op-- erating from a normal position to a second position on each reception of said predetermined selective condition and returnable to said normal position upon the reception of the first selection of a different kind following said predetermined to selective operation, said second control means when operated to its second position serving to operate said first means to effect stoppingof the tape. 5

ERNEST W. HEWI'I'I. GEORGE 1. ROBERTS.

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