US2208037A - Keyboard perforator transmitter - Google Patents

Description

R. A. LAKE KEYBOARD PERFORATOR TRANSMITTER Original Filed Oct. 4, 1937 July 16, 1940.

ww Ev mm mm INVENTOR R O S S A. L A K E v Patented July 16, 1940 KEYBOARD PERFORATOR TRANSMITTER Ross A. Lake, Oak Park, 111., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application October 4, 1937, Serial No. 167,139. Divided and this application July 1, 1939, Serial No. 282,359

8 Claims. (Cl. 178-80) This invention pertains to printing telegraph apparatus and particularly to a keyboard actuated mechanism for the preparation of a signal controlstrip.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 167,139 filed October 4, 1937, which eventuated into U. S. Patent No. 2,190,291, dated Feb. 13, 1940.

.The primary object of the invention is to provide an efficient and easily operable keyboard apparatus for the production of signal control strips.

Another object is to render the key action of such keyboard apparatus smoother and lighter to the touch. I

A further object is to provide a means eliec tive under certain conditions for removing from the key lever action the pressure imparted by certain of its functional elements.

The present invention contemplates for the attainment of the above and other objects of the invention, a keyboard mechanism arranged with a plurality of keys operatively associated with pairs of vertically movable permutation bars through which interponent bars of a perforating mechanism are moved selectively to control the operation of punch pins allotted thereto and to perforate a tape correspondingly.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contacts for controlling the character counter have been more efiectively located from the standpoint of enhancing the key action. Since the function of the counter control contacts is to route an electrical circuit through 35 either a registering magnet or a release magnet in the counter of the type; for example, in accordance with U. S. Patent No. 2,018,368, it is necessary to condition the counter control contact springs before the punch operating contact is closed. Due to the inherent structure of prior designs of such apparatus, it was necessary to close the punch operating contact near the extreme end of the key stroke, making the touch, or key movement, undesirably deep. In the specific embodiment shown, both the depth of the stroke and the key pressure required to operate the perforator-transmitter have been reduced.

vertical contact-operating arms, through the instrumentality of which the operation of the counter control contacts is accomplished early in the stroke of the keys. The small camming levers are so arranged that they will be pushed completely to one side by the key lever during the first half of the key stroke. During the last half of the key stroke, there is no further displacement of the camming levers. The camming levers are articluated to horizontal bars so that the vertical motion of the key lever is transferred to a horizontal motion by means of which the counter control contact levers are enabled to actuate the counter control contacts. This construction precludes any unnecessary movement of the counter control contact springs when the key is depressed to its maximum displacement. counter control contacts are also completely operative before the code selection is set up so that there is ample margin-between the routing operation of the counter control contacts and the operation of the punch magnet contact.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for holding the universal hail depressed or out of engagement with the key levers while the keyboard device is being operated to perforate a tape only. The specific form according to the present invention involves a flat spring used to disengage the trip pawl. The spring possesses the advantage of permitting the trip pawl to be freed from the intermediate bell crank lever, which it normally engages, before the universal bail draws the trip pawl forward.

The spring, therefore, performs the desired dis-- engagement of the trip pawl from said bell crank lever relatively early and provides a yield during the latter part of the travel of the tape-keyboard switch lever, By means of this feature, the load or effort of operating the universal bail has been removed from the key levers when the perforator transmitter is being used as a perforator only.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing,

wherein: V

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the keyboard mechanism according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the counter control contact assembly;

Fig 3 is a simplified wiring diagram of an electrical control circuit that may be employed in connection with the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view to illustrate the control of the clutch mechanism by the tape-keyboard switch lever.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference characters are used to designate similar parts throughout the several figures, there is shown in Fig. 1 a keyboard ll supported by a base casting l2. Positioned to the rear of the base casting l2 and suitably journaled thereto is a pivot rod l3. To the pivot rod I3 a plurality of key levers 14 are rotatably mounted which are normally biased to horizontal position by individual springs (not shown), and which are provided, as is the usual practice, at their forward ends with keytops l5 arranged in banks.

Beneath the key levers Hi, and extending transversely thereof, are a plurality of pairs of code bars I6. Each pair of code bars Iii comprises a bar H and a bar It, and these bars are all provided at each end with vertical slots or notches I9 and 2] respectively, which fit over guide combs 22 and 23. The bars Ill and iii are thus held against longitudinal movement, but are free to be shifted vertically in response to the operation of key levers Hi.

Pivotally mounted on rods 24 and 25 are pairs of rocker arms 26 and 21 interposed between code bars I! and H3. The rockerarms 26 and 21 are substantially T-shaped, with their free ends formed with oppositely off-set lugs. lugs are disposed on opposite sides of the pivot rods 25 and 25 and are spaced some distance therefrom. One of the lugs of each rocker arm projects forwardly into'a notch on the lower edge of the corresponding code bar ll, and its companion lug projects rearwardly beneath the companion code bar l8. With this arrangement, the depression of either code bar of the pair of bars l6 rocks the arms 26 and 2? and lifts the companion, code bar. To the depending portion of the T-shaped rocker arms 26 and'2'l is articulated a longitudinally movable permutation bar 28. Thus, when the code bars I! and I8 are moved vertically in accordance with the depression of a key lever M, the permutation bar 28 individual to a pair of bars H and I8 is moved longitudinally.

Each of the key levers It is arranged, when operated, to engage and depress one of the permutation bars of each pair'of code bars l6 and to set these code bars in accordance with a character code combination. To achieve this object, the upper edges of'the code bars ll and I8 are notched to provide high and low portions in accordance with the respective codes. Also, the bars of each pair of code bars are complementary; that is, the notches of one bar are opposite the projections of its companion bar. The interconnection between the bars of each pair of bars [6 by means of the rocker arms 26 and 2'! {prevents the simultaneous depression of two key levers. If an attempt is made to operate more than one key lever at a time, the key levers can only be depressed for a short distance, when they will be blocked by the high portions of the code bars. By such construction, the simultaneous depression of two key levers and the transmission of an incorrect signal is prevented.

The key lever and permutation bar construction and arrangement are the same as disclosed in Patent No. 1,884,753 of October 25, 1932, issued to H. L. Krum, and for further details thereof reference should be made to the cited patent.

The perforator comprises a set of code punches 29 movable through an opening in upper and lower guide plates 3! and 32 and cooperative with a die plate 33 to perforate a tape 33. The plates 3| and 33 are spaced apart to form a tape guide.

Said

Intermediate the guide plates 3| and 32 is a stripper plate 35 which cooperates with shoulders on the punches, and due to the action of springs 36 operates to remove the punches clear of the tape following the operation of a punch hammer 31. The code punches 29 are selectively operated by the actuation of the punch hammer 3? on a set of punch interponent bars 38 corresponding in number to the punches 29. Operatively associated with each of the bars 38 is a pivoted arm 39 which is connected to the permutation bar 28 by means of a link 4|. The interponent bar 48 for the feed-hole punch pin is immovable and is fixed at its right-hand end (Fig. 1) to an arm 40 secured to the perforator frame 50.

The hammer 31' rocks about its pivot 62 and 'forms the armature of an electromagnet 43.

The hammer 31 comprises a comb portion 44 for guiding the interponent members 38 and 48. In accordance with the disclosure in copending application Serial No. 151,364, filed July 1, 1937 by C. W. Burcky, the hammer surface of portion M comprises two intersecting planes 45 and 1'6 and a raised rib ll on one of said planes. The code punch interponent bars 38 are adapted to slide on the plane surfaces 45 and 46, while the feed-hole punch interponent bar 48 cooperates with the raised rib 31. Thus at all times the upper surface of the feed punch interponent bar #18 is higher than the corresponding upper surfaces of interponent bars 38. The function of the two intersecting planes and the raised rib is to compensate for the rocking motion of the punch hammer 3'5 to maintain substantially the same relation between interponents 38 and 48 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise positions of the hammer 31. When a punch hammer such as hammer 31, having two planes and a raised rib for the feed hole punch interference bar 48 is used, it is desirable to adjust the lateral position of the interference bar 48 (rightward or leftward position, as viewed in Fig. 1) under the feed hole punch. Accordingly, the arm 40 on which bar 48 is mounted is made adjustable by providing for the insertion of shims 49.

Pivotally carried at one end of punch hammer 3? is a pawl member 55 which cooperates with ratchet teeth 56 of a spacing roller 57 which is provided with feed pins 58 adapted to mesh with the feed holes which are invariably perforated in the tape 34. Thus, when the magnet 43 is energized and the hammer 3'l is rocked to its clockwise position, pawl 55 is raised to engage a tooth 56 on the spacing roller 51. Then, upon deenergization of magnet 43, spring 53 actuates the hammer 3? to its counterclockwise position and draws pawl 55 downwardly, which movement causes the spacing roller 57 to be rotated counterclockwise one angular step to effect the spacing of the tape 34 one unit distance.

In addition to the live pairs of code bars l6 there is provided, as disclosed in Patent No. 1,965,602, a universal bar (not shown), associated with a rocker assembly the bar 28 of which is connected by a link ll to a contact operating lever (not shown) associated with a pair of contacts 52 (Figs. 1 and 3) for controlling the operation of the punch magnet &3. Upon operation of any key lever l6, contacts 52 are closed and an energizing circuit for perforating magnet '43 is completed, causing magnet 43 to operate, whereupon hammer 3'! will be rocked to its clockwise the tape 34 in accordance with code-combinations. Upon the deenergization of magnet 43 the punches 29 are withdrawn and the tape 34 is advanced one step under the influence of spring To indicate to the operator the number of code signals perforated in the tape so that he may be be apprised when a predetermined number of character code combinations have been perforated in the tape, or a number sufiicient to fill a line of printing, a counter, the electrical control elements of which are indicated in Fig. 3 by reference numeral H), is positioned to the right of the main machine, and may be of the construction shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,018,368. Consequently, by observing the position of a pointer with respect to the scale of the counter ID, as fully disclosed in said patent, the operator can constantly note the number of character code combinations perforated in the tape from the beginning to the end of the line, and can determine the position at which the carriage and/or counter return key should be depressed for correspondingly perforating the tape to control a receiving printer. In order to operate the counter Hi to indicate the condition referred to, an electromagnet 5| is provided (Fig. 3), which functions for each key operation (unless its circuit is opened as noted hereinafter) to cause the advancement of an indicating pointer (not shown) a predetermined amount. The circuit for electromagnet 5|, as indicated in Fig. 3, extends through the contact springs BI and $2 of contact bank 5|], and the contact springs 52. In other words, the contact springs 6| and 62 are normally closed and are so related to the contacts 52 that when the latter contacts are closed for causing energization of the punch electromagnet 43, a circuit is likewise completed through the electromagnet 5|. Upon the completion of the circuit for the electromagnet 5|, it is actuated and causes the associated pointer to move over the scale for indicating the number of character code combinations perforated in the tape as disclosed in Patent No. 2,018,368. When a predetermined number of character code combinations have been perforated in the tape, or a number sufiicient to fill a line of printing, a mechanism on the counter H is operated to cause the closure of contact 54. The closure of this contact completes the circuit for a lamp 59, which signals the operator of the approach of the end of the line.

The operator in noting this signal operates the carriage return key and in so doing, an energizing circuit is completed for an electromagnet 18, in a manner which will presently appear, to control the restoration of the pointer of the counter ill to its normal or zero position.

P It is desired in connection with certain of the function key levers, such for example as shift and unshift, line feed and carriage return, to prevent the operation of the counting mechanism or counter I0. Upon the depression of these particular key levers, actuation of counter I0 is 65, 61, 58 are provided at their upper ends with cam portions which cooperate with the function key levers of the series of key levers I4. Each of the camming levers is provided with a vertical projection H to prevent the accidental disengagement of said levers from cooperative relation with their associated key levers l4. Camming levers 65, 66, and 61- are, in the present embodiment, disposed to the rear of bracket 69 and their lower ends are pivotally articulated to a horizontal bar 72. At the left-hand end of bar 12 is fixed a vertically directed contact operating member 13.

Gaming lever 68 is mounted on the forward face of bracket 59 and is pivotally articulated to a horizontal bar M. Bar 14 is also pivotally connected by means of a link 15 to bracket 69 so that bar It is movable with respect to bracket 59 in a parallel motion manner. There is also fixed to the left-hand end of bar 14 a contact operating member 16, corresponding to member 73.

Contact operating members 13 and 16 cooperate with contact springs 6|, 62, and 63 of contact bank 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is carried on a bracket 17 mounted on base casting I2. When those key levers M allotted to the shift, unshift, and line feed functions are operated, they are caused, through the cam portions of their associated camming levers 65, 65, or 61, to actuate said camming levers clockwise (as viewed in Fig. l) to move bar 12 l-eftwardly to actuate contact operating member 13 correspondingly, which movement causes contact spring 62 to be separated from contact spring 6|, thus breaking the circuit to the counter operating magnet 5|. It is understood that the punch operating contacts 52 are invariably operated upon the depression of a key lever M through the instrumentality of a universal bar previously alluded to, but the circuit for the punch operating magnets is independent of the circuit for the counter or stepping magnet ,5I, said circuits being in parallel.

The depression of the'carriage return key lever will actuate camming lever 68, through the cam portion thereon, in a counterclockwise direction, which movement imparts rightward motion to bar it to actuate contact operating member 16 in a corresponding direction. This movement of member it causes the disengagement of springs 52 and 5| and the engagement of contact springs 6| and 63 to complete an energizing circuit for an electromagnet 18 in the counter |0 which controls the restoration of the pointer of the counter iii to its normal or zero position in the manner disclosed in Patent No. 2,018,368. The energizing circuits for the electromagnets 5| and 18 may be traced over the conductors clearly disclosed in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the camming levers are so arranged that they will be pushed completely to one side by their associated key levers during the first half of the stroke of said key levers. During the last half of the key stroke, there is no further displacement of the camming levers.

When the perforator mechanism, according to the present invention, is employed in combination with a keyboard transmitter, the permutation bars 28 are each provided with a forked member 8| (Fig. 1). Articulated to member 8| is a depending arm of a locking latch 82 pivoted on a common shaft 83. In this manner, locking latches 82 are articulated to the permutation bars 28 and are adapted to be rockedabout pivot shaft 63 to either of two positions. Associated with latches 82 is a corresponding series of contact levers M for making and breaking individual contacts 85. Contact levers 84 cooperate with individual contact cams on cam drum 86 mounted on the transmitting shaft 81 provided with a clutch mechanism 88 (Fig. 4) controlled by a trip member 89, as set forth in U. S. Patent No. 1,965,602. U. S. Patent No. 1,595,472 of August 10, 1925, discloses the cam drum assembly 86 and reference may be had to such patent for further details thereon. Trip member 89'cooperates with a T-lever 9| pivoted to bracket 92. The depending arm of T-lever 9! is pointed as at 93 and is in the path of a shoulder 94 formed in a slidable member 95. The member 95 is secured to a universal bail 96 which is rotatably mounted on studs 9 (Fig. 1), and which is rotated upon the depression of any of the keys of the keyboard. The universal bail 96 and the member 95 are normally urged upwardly and rightwardly, respectively, by a spring 93. When the universal ball 96 is depressed, the member 95 will be moved to the left against the action of spring 98 and the shoulder M'Will engage the pointed end 93 of the T-shaped lever 91 and cause said lever M to be rotated clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 4) which action will cause trip member 89 to be rotated out of engagement with portion 9i! of clutch 88 thus permitting the clutch 88 to operate through'one complete cycle in well-known manner. The universal bail 961s returned to its normal position by spring 98 so that the member 85 will likewise be urged to its normal position.

In the operation of the transmitting unit, the depression of a key lever Hi moves the bars l! and I8 permutably in accordance with a predetermined code combination, the setting of which,

through permutation bars 28, determines the positions of the locking latches 82. The rotation of cam-drum 36 is initiated substantially simultaneously with the setting of the locking latches 82, through the instrumentality of trip member 89 which releases the clutch 88 for rota-' tion as previously described, and the locking loop 99, controlled'by a cam it! carried on a cam assembly freely mounted on shaft ti, is permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. l)

to lock the latches 82 in their selected positions.

The setting of latches 82 determines whether the contact levers 84 shall or shall not be affected by their associated cams on cam drum 86 to transmit, through contacts 85,0ver a signal line to the receiving station, a predetermined code combination of signaling impulses. The respective notches in the cams on cam drum 86 are arranged in a-helical progression so that upon the rotation-of the cam assembly, the contacts 85 controlled by levers M will be operated successystem.

With the apparatusaccording to the present invention,'itis' desired, in some instances, to

transmit directly to a line circuit, code combinations of impulses representative of the character keys operated, while in other instances it may be more practical first to perforate a tape in accordance with the key operated, and then to transmit subsequently the signal corresponding thereto by means of a tape transmitter. To provide for the several possible conditions of operation, a switch is arranged in the keyboardapparatus to control the transmission of impulses directly to the line circuit, theperforationof a tape only, or the operation of the transmitting distributor and the perforator simultaneously. The control of these various conditions of operation is fully disclosed depending arm iii. is integral to lever I09. function of stud I I2 is to control for adjustment purposes the angular relationship between levers acoaose in U. S. Patent No. 1,965,602. However, according to the present invention, the aforementioned switch has been modified to improve the operation of the apparatus in effecting a transition from transmitting only, or transmitting and per- 5 forating, to perforating. only.

As set forth in said patent, to control these various operations, a switch lever or member N12. is provided which is pivoted at I53, and which assumes three positions; namely, an upper posi- 1 tion it'd (Figs. 1 and 4), a middle position I05, and a' lower position we, and is held in these representative positions through the cooperation of a bracket I81. As shown in Fig. 4, switch member N32 is provided with a bifurcated end 1 which cooperates with a group of contacts, not here shown, but which is fully described in Patent No. 1,965,602. That-position of the switch member 1&2 indicated N34 is referred to as the keyboard position and is a position wherein direct keyboard transmission of signals to the line is effected; that is, each time a key lever is operated, the transmitting cam drum to is rotated a single cycle to transmit a code combination of signals through contacts 85 to the line. The position of switch member I82 indicated as I05 is known as the tape and'keyboard position, and is that position wherein the perforator and transmitting mechanisms are conditioned to operate simultaneously. 3

The position of the switch member I62 indicated as tilt is known as the tape position, and in this position the transmitting cam drum is not initiated into rotation; that is, the perforator may be operated without operating the keyboard 3 transmitter. In moving the switch member N12 to this particular position, the member 95 is moved through the instrumentality of a fiat spring member let, which is secured to switch member H372, to a position where its shoulder 94 is out of alignment with the pointed end 93 of the T-shaped lever 9|. Consequently, when the universal bail 95 is operated, the member 95 will not operate the clutch release lever 34, and hence the clutch 88 will not be released for rotation. Under these conditions, impulses will not be transmitted to the line circuit, as previously described, upon the depression of the character keys. The-spring #03 possesses the advantage of permitting the member 35 to be freed from point 93 of the T-shaped lever 91, which it normally before the universal bail 96 draws member 95 forwardly. The spring I68, therefore, performs the desired disengagement of the member 95 from the lever 9| relatively early and yields during the latter part of the travel of the switch member I02.

Carried also on pivot Hi3 and adjacent to switch member I62 is a lever arm Hi9. Mounted on lever Hi9 at Hlis an eccentric stud H2. The The that upon the depression of the switch member I52 to its lowest position, indicated H36 in Fig. 1, switch member 592 engages stud H2, and

through arm H3 causes the depression of uni- 7 versal' bail S5 in'which depressed position the universal b'ail 9E isretained so long as switch member I62 remains-in said lowermost position.

Thus, upon'the depression of switch member I02 to its, lowermost position, two operations occur 7 simultaneously; that is, the freeing of shoulder 94 from point 93 by means of spring H13, and the depression and retention of universal bail 96. By means of this feature, the load or effort of operating the universal bail 96 has been removed from key levers It when the apparatus according to the present invention is being used as a perforator only. However, each time a key lever M is operated, the universal bar previously alluded to for operating the punch magnet control contacts 52 will be actuated, closing contacts 52 to complete a circuit to effect the operation of the perforator magnet 43.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a particular structure, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hence, all forms coming Within the scope of equivalency of the appended claims are intended to be covered by the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a stop engaging said distributor to prevent its rotation, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail adapted to be controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for releasing said stop to enable said distributor to complete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of co operation with said key levers, and means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said bail by said last mentioned means to render said release means inefiective.

2. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a stop engaging said distributor to prevent its rotation, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail adapted to be controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for releasing said stop to enable said distributor to complete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and spring means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said bail by said last mentioned means to render said release means ineffective.

3. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a stop means engaging said distributor to prevent its rotation, trip means for said stop means, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail adapted to be controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for actuating said trip means to release said stop means to enable said distributor to complete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said bail by said last mentioned means to render said trip means ineffective.

4. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a stop means engaging said distributor to prevent its rotation, trip means for said stop means, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail adapted to be controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for actuating said trip means to release said stop means to enable said distributor tocomplete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and spring means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said ball by said last mentioned means to render said trip means ineffective.

5. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a single-revolution clutch mechanism for controlling the rotation of said distributor, control means for said mechanism, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for actuating said control means to release said mechanism to complete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said bail by said last mentioned means to render said control means ineffective.

6. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary distributor, a single-revolution clutch mechanism for controlling the rotation of said distributor, control means for said mechanism, a plurality of key levers, a universal bail controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for actuating said control means to release said mechanism to complete one cycle, means'to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and spring means controlled by said last mentioned means effective concurrently with the depression of said bail by said last mentioned means to render said control means ineffective.

7. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary member, a stop engaging said member to prevent its rotation, a plurality of key levers, a bail controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for releasing said stop to enable said member to'complete one cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and means controlled by said last mentioned efiective concurrently with the depression of said ball by said. last mentioned means to render said release means ineflfective.

8. In a telegraph keyboard unit, a rotary memher, a single-revolution clutch mechanism for controlling the rotation of said member, control means for said mechanism, a plurality of key levers, a bail controlled by said key levers, means operated by said bail for actuating said control means to release said clutch mechanism to completeone cycle, means to hold said bail out of cooperation with said key levers, and means controlled by said last mentioned means efiective concurrently with the depression of said ball by said last mentioned means to render said control means ineffective.

ROSS A. LAKE.

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