US3228507A

US3228507A - Hand operated printer with translatable keyboard

Info

Publication number: US3228507A
Application number: US150410A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam H Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-11-06
Filing date: 1961-11-06
Publication date: 1966-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-11

Description

Jan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

Jan. 11, 1966 5, YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.5

S. H. YOUNG Jan. 11, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 6, 1961 WRITTE Jan. 11, 1966 s. H. YOUNG 3,228,507

HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent C) 3,228,507 HAND OPERATED PRINTER WITH TRANSLATABLE KEYBOARD Sam H. Young, Beaumont, Tex. (3841 Heywood, Fort Worth, Tex.) Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 150,410 18 Claims. (Cl. 197-2) This invention rel-ates to a machine for printing numbers or characters on any firm surface and at any desired location on such surface and more particularly to a platenless printer operated by one hand.

In the preparation of machine drawings and the like various expedients have been resorted to in order to print letters, reference characters and other symbols which are neat and are of uniform appearance. In some cases typewriter carriages have been so designed as to accommodate sheets of drawing paper of substantial size in order that such legends can be applied directly through use of conventional type. However, such machines are not adaptable to special tasks without an undue amount of labor and time-consuming ellort. Since in technical drawing much of the work involves the application of legends and various operations other than line work, it has been found desirable to provide a printing device which may have some of the attributes of the more well-known typewrtter but which can be positioned at any point over a drawing board, clip board or other sheet material and operated to provide clear, concise and uniformly appearing legends. At the same time the device must be capable of being readily moved from one location to another and must be adaptable to various environments in order to be of greatest utility.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a platenless printer which comprises a plurality of rows and columns of type bars forming a grid having ranks and colums. Each rank is mounted for independent lateral movement relative to any other rank. A first linkage extends to the grid for moving a selected rank out of the grid along the line of the rank. A second linkage is provided for actuating a selected key column in the selected rank for imprinting at a selected location a symbol corresponding with the selected rank and column.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a printer which is movable over a work surface stepwise in either of two mutually perpendicular directions and operable under the control of one hand for selecting any symbol in a grid of symbols.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fourprinter of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer;

7 FIG. 3 is a top view of the printer;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the printer;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating linkages in the printer mechanism;

FIG. 6 illustrates a linkage for controlling the spacing for successive symbols;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the type bar array with one row of bars moved to a printing position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the system illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. *9 is a side view showing six ranks of bars with one bar in a printing position;

FIG. 10 illustrates a character selector linkage; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the mechanical linkage for a carriage shift operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a printer unit 10 which is mounted on a guide bar -11, FIG. 1. Guide bar 11 is coupled to a side bar 12. In the application illustrated the side bar 12 is secured 'by brackets 13 and 14 to one edge of a drafting table over which the printer 10 is to be operated for application to a sheet 15 of selected symbols and numerals. The guide bar 11 is terminated at the right hand end thereof as viewed in FIG. 1 in a linkage to a roller 16 which is adapted to darry the weight of the guide bar 11 and the printer 10 as the printer is moved over the surface of the paper 15. The bar 12 extends through a slot in the guide bar 11 where :a mechanism is provided as will hereinafter be described which is adapted to permit movement of the printer 10 to any vertical position on the paper 15 and to any lateral position thereon.

The fourprinter includes a keyboard on which four key 14 appear. The keys are supported at the ends of rods 25-28, respectively. The rods 25-28 are slidable into and out of elements within the frame plate 29 in order to select one of the six ranks of symbols, the nature of which appear on the top plate 30, FIG. 2. It will be noted that the letters A, B, C and D form the top rank along with the

numerals

1, 2, 3 and 4. It will also be noted that there are eight columns where not only are the symbols AD and numerals 1-4 the elements of the first rank but also are the first elements of the eight columns.

In accordance with the present invention the Key 1 serves to control or select the letter or symbol from the two left hand columns headed by symbols A and 1. The Key 2 is provided for selecting the third and fourth columns headed by the letter B and the numeral 2, respectively. Key 3 is provided for selecting the fifth and sixth columns headed by the letter C and the numeral 3, respectively. In a like manner, the Key 4 is provided for selecting the seventh and eighth columns headed by the letter D and the numeral 4, respectively.

By moving the keys as a unit into and out of the printer 10, the rank is selected, the selection being indicated visually by the marker 31. A given key is then depressed to select one of the four pairs of columns. The left hand column in each pair may be selected prior to depressing a key 'by moving the lever 32 to the left. The right hand column of each pair similarly may be selected by actuating the lever 33 to the right.

Levers

32 and 33 extend forward from the frame plate 29 immediately above the Keys 1-4 and may be operated by a slight movement thereof to the left and to the right respectively for the selection of letter or numeral columns. As will further be explained, the type bars are provided for printing either upper case or lower case letters and large or small numerals. A selector lever 34 positioned in the upper left hand corner of the front plate 29 and operated by the forefinger selected upper case or lower case letters or large or small numerals.

Spacer bar 35, partially broken away in FIG. 1, extends across the front of the keyboard in the area that would be occupied by the palm of the hand when cupped to place the fingers into contact with the keys. Depression of the spacer bar will move the entire printer unit 10 one space along the bar 11. It will be noted that the bar 11 in the form of a rectangular tube is slotted along the top face thereof. Tube or bar 11 includes an internally supported rack in which a spiral gear operates to effect the stepwise movement of the unit 10 across the face of the paper 15.

A vertical slot 40 in the left hand portion of the unit 10 extending from the base in the front plate and through the top plate almost to the rear wall is provided to permit the selected type bar to be rotated downwardly to strike the paper 15 for imprinting thereon .a given legend. As indicated in each of FIGS. 1-4, a type bar 114 has been illustrated in a printing position indicating that a legend is being impressed upon the paper 15 at a type impact point hereinafter referred to as TIP.

Before turning to the more detailed mechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, it may be of assistance in order to follow the linkages and the force paths in the detailed system to explain further the logic or the basis upon which a printing operation is performed.

As previously noted, Keys 14 select the first, second, third or fourth pairs of columns of symbols, respectively. The Keys 14 are linked together for common movement toward and away from the operator so that any one of six ranks of type bars may be selected. An operator wishing to print out an A (capital form) first operates the lever 34 to depress it to the upper case position U; then, with fingers in all four of the Keys l-4, moves the keys toward the body of the unit so that the loop marker 31 indicates a selection of the top nank. The column selector 32 is actuated to select the left hand column. Key 1 is then depressed. The depression of Key 1 bodily moves an entire rank of type bars forming the upper rank, i.e., A1, B2, C3, D4, leftward from a storage position to a print position. A stop element preselects a stop position for the rank such that a type bar carrying the -legend A is in registration with the slot 40. The further depression of Key 1 causes the type bar to rotate downwardly through the slot 40 to strike the paper 15. Upon release of Key 1, the type bar carrying the letter A, under spring pressure, is rotated back into its position in the first rank and the rank is then returned to its storage position. In accordance with the present invention and as will hereinafter appear, the amount by which the unit 10 is spaced during key depression for printing each symbol depends upon symbol size, there being provided three different lengths of steps for such Operation to accommodate three different Widths of letters. After having written one line, the unit 10 and bar 11 may be moved as a Whole either upward or downward over the paper to a second line position, the position being indicated by an index line 39 on top of bar 11 next to wheel 316 so that a second line may be written. The entire carriage or unit 10 may be returned horizontal- 1y along bar 11 to adjust the lateral position of the TIP.

With the foregoing brief description, it will now be of interest to consider the detailed mechanical linkages illustrated in FIGS. 5-'ll in order that an understanding of the structure of the printer system may be had. In all of the figures where a type bar has been moved out to the TIP position, the letter N has been selected. It Will be noted that the letter N is in the fourth rank from the top and is in the fifth column from the left as viewed in FIG. 2. All of the following explanation will be based upon the selection of the letter N. The elements of the system have been shown fragmentarily in order to illustrate the selection of the symbol N. It will be understood that the additional elements are included for selection of all of the elements. However, it would be difiicult to illustrate all such elements and linkages therebetween within the limits of the patent drawing and still render a clear understanding thereof.

In FIG. 5, it will be noted that the Keys 1-4 are connected to

bars

41, 42, 43 and 44, respectively, which extend forward of the keys. Extending rearward of the Keys 1-4 are

rods

25, 26, 27 and 28. The latter rods are slidably mounted in the

actuating columns

45, 46, 47 and 48. The latter columns are journaled in slideways with the ribs, such as rib 45a and rib 45b, being adapted to guide the bar 45 as it moves upward and downward in its slide upon depression of Key 1. The ends of the bars 4144 carry slotted yokes such as the yoke 50. The shaft 51 carrying suitable mating rollers such as the roller 52 extends through all of the yokes which are upwardly directed from the bars 41,,44 respectively. The Keys 1-4 are moved backward and forward in unison since they are all linked to the shaft 51.

The elongated slots in the yokes, such as yoke 50, are provided in order to permit a given key to be depressed unaccompanied by movement of the shaft 51 or by the other three keys. Thus, the translation of the shaft 51 as the keys are moved forward or back serves to move a detent follower block 53 slidably mounted in the frame portion (not shown). The detent follower block has six depressions spaced at uniform intervals along the sides thereof. The depressions are numbered 1-6 and represent respectively the positions of Keys 1-4 as they select the ranks 16 of the legends. A detent roller 54 is mounted on a shaft 55 which in turn is mounted on an arm 56 which is rotatable relative to shaft 57. A compression spring 58 urges the arm 56 towards the edge of the block 53 so that the follower 54 will sink into a given groove depending upon the position of the Keys 1-4 and will tend to maintain the Keys 1-4 in one of the six positions. Thus, an operator is provided an indication, which can be readily interpreted through practice, as to the exact selection he has effected through movement of the keys.

The follower 53 carries a stub shaft 60 which operates in a slot 61 in a crank 62. The crank 62 pivots around shaft 63. The upper endof the crank has a slot 64 therein which coacts with a stub shaft 65. The shaft 65 is mounted upon a selector'bar 66. As the Keys 14 are moved backward and forward, the selector bar 66 is moved backward and forward in proportion to the movement of the keys.

The selector bar 66 has a tongue 67 :at one end thereof which coacts with a clevis device 68 to slide the latter device along the splined shaft 69. In each of the six positions of the Keys 14 the clevis 68 is in registration wit-h the upper ends of a pair of tines 70 forming extensions of a slide bar 71. There are six such slide bars provided in the completed system, one slide bar for each of the six nanks of keys. Only one slide bar has been illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

The slide bar body 71 extends laterally across the printer structure and is aligned with and connected to a shaft 72. The shaft 72 carries eight selector stop tabs such as the tabs '73 and 74. Normally all eight tabs on a given shaft are in parallel alignment extending upward from shaft 72 and tilted forward toward the keyboard. However, as has been illustrated, one of the tabs, the tab 74, has been rotated rearward, away from the keyboard, and serves to provide a character selector stop depending upon the one of the Keys 1-4 that has been depressed and the position of the

column selectors

32 and 33. It will be noted that the character tab 74 is the fifth tab from the left hand end of the group of tabs mounted on the shaft 72. This corresponds with the position in the third rank of keys of the character N. Also mounted on the shaft 72 is the third rank of type bars which include type bar 114. The type bars of the third rank are journaled at their lower ends on the shaft 72 but are restrained from axial movement relative to the shaft so that as shaft 72 moves laterally in the direction of the arrow 75, the entire third rank of type bars must move. The slide bar 71 under control of the crank arm 68 pushes the shaft 72 to the left to translate the third rank of keys from the orderly array or' the normal position thereof. The distance that the rank of keys is moved is dependent upon the one of the character tabs selected and moved out of its normal position prior to movement of the slide bar 71.

Thus far there has been described the preliminary selection of a given rank. It has also been indicated that the selected rank is moved laterally to the left from its normal position in the array. There will now be described the linkages for effecting the actual movement of a given rank. More particularly as Key 3 is "depressed, for printing the symbol *N, action of the following nature takes sesame place. The depression of the Key 3 serves to move one of eight slide bars in a direction away from the keyboard. The eight slide bars have been identified as bars 81-88. The bar 85 would be moved away from the keyboard in a sliding motion perpendicular to shaft 72 by depression of Key 3.

For clarity in the drawing, such action has been illus* trated in detail with respect to movement of the seventh slide ba-r 87 rather than for the fifth bar 85. More particularly, depression of Key 4 moved the key slide 48 downward. The column 48 has a milled section near the upper end and on the rear face thereof. A cam recess 90 is milled in the back face of the column 48. A cam follower 91 carried by a crank arm 92 and mounted on a shaft 93 is rotated in a clockwise direction when the column 48 is moved downwardly. The shaft 93 is journaled in a bearing unit 94 and carries a crank arm 95 which has a cam follower which is journaled in a cam recess 96 in the end of the selector bar 87. This serves to move the selector bar away from the keyboard. It will be noted that the shaft 93 carries a pair of rings 97 and 98 between which there extends a follower arm 99 which is connected to a column selector bar 100. The selector bar 100 is connected to the arm 33. It is also connected to the arm 32, but the latter is not shown in FIG. 2. Movement of the bar 100 to the right will shift the shaft 93 so that the crank arm 95 will be in registration with the right hand selector bar 88 of the right hand pair of selector bars. A similar selection means is provided for each of the pairs of selector bars so that when Key 3 is depressed, selector bars 85 or 86 will be moved away from the keyboard, depending upon the position of the

keys

32 and 33.

The selector bars 8188 are provided with a plurality of aligned grooves in the under-surface thereof. The shape of the latter grooves is best shown in FIG. 10. More particularly, the bar 85 shown in FIG. 10 has six sloping grooves and six grooves oriented perpendicular to the length of the bar in FIG. 5. It will be noted that the selector stop 74 has been rotated to a vertical position whereas the remainder of the stops on the shaft 72 remain in their normal tilted position. All of the selector bars 81-88 have identical sets of grooves. In their normal position all of the grooves are in alignment so that a rank of type bars can be moved laterally with the selector stops free to move in the grooves. The movement of one of the selector bars rotates the given selector stop into alignment with a vertical groove. As indicated in FIG. 5, the selector stop 74 then is moved laterally with the shaft 72 until it strikes a shift arm 106. The shift arm 106 forms a part of a crank mechanism which is mounted for rotation about shaft 107. As the selector stop hits the shift arm 106, it rotates the crank arm 108 which in turn rotates a second crank 109. Crank 109 is connected to a sleeve 110 which is mounted for rotation about a shaft 111. The latter movement serves to modify the spacing movement of the unit 10 relative to the bar 11. However, as the shaft 72 continues its movement in the left hand direction by rotating the crank 108, it carries the stop 74 with it until it strikes the end of the groove. At that point the entire rank of keys is arrested in its travel. Thus, a given key, for example, the character N, is moved out so that the bottom gear portion of the key bar 114, extending below the shaft 72, is in registration with a rack 113. Rack 113 is a type bar actuating member or element which engages the lower end of any type bar in registration therewith.

Movement of the rack away from the keyboard, as will now be explained, rotates the type bar 114 in a clockwise direction so that the type face thereon strikes the paper 15 at the TIP. The actual striking action is produced by the continued depression of the key. Note that as Key 4 descends, the column 48 continues its downward travel until the arm strikes a follower 121 which is mounted on a crank arm 122. The crank arm 122 is a journaled on a shaft 123. The shaft 123, which is normally urged in a clockwise direction by a spring (not shown), carries a disk 124 at its left end which in turn carries a stub shaft 125. The stub shaft 125 strikes the upper surface of a strike-r bar 1 26. The bar 126 is pivoted around shaft 127 and is maintained in an up position by the force of a spring 128. The end of the bar 126 is forked to engage a stub shaft 129 which is integrally connected to a rack 130. The rack 130 engages a pinion 131 mounted on a shaft 132 which in turn is connected to a sector gear 133. The gear 133 meshes with a rack 134 which in turn is coupled by way of the strap 135 to the rack 113. The shaft 132 carrying the pinion 133 rotates in a clockwise direction, moving the rack 11 3 away from the keyboard thereby to cause the type bar 114 to rotate down into a striking position.

It will be noted that the character stops, such as the

stops

73 and 74, slide into tilted grooves or channels such as the channels and 141 when they are tilted toward the keyboard. The character stop 73 is thus illustrated in the forward tilted position and is inside the channel 142. On the other hand, the movement of the selector bar 85 away from the keyboard erected the character stop 74 so that it travels into a vertically oriented channel 143. Channel 143 is immediately adjacent the channel 142. The orientation of such channels is the same as that shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10 the end character stop 73 may be seen tilted forward into the vertical slot with a sloping side. The character stop 74 is vertically oriented and is erect within the vertical channel. Each vertical channel, such as the channel 143, is provided adjacent a sloping channel and is provided with a shoulder therein about midway of the block 144. Thus the slide bar 71 will move the shaft 72 transversely until a given character stop registers against the shoulder at the end of the vertical slot, such as the slot 143.

A spacing operation is carried out immediately prior to the striking action which causes the key to impinge the paper 15 at TIP. This is accomplished through the crank arm which is mounted on a crank wheel 151 which in turn is mounted on shaft 123. The crank arm 150 has a follower 152 which bears against a surface 153 of a pusher bar 154. The bar 154 is linked to a protru sion 155 on the splined sleeve '110 to move the unit 110 in the direction of arrow 156. A rod 157 extending from the sleeve 110 carries a slotted arm 158 which engages a shaft extending from the shaft 159. Shaft 159 is mounted on a crank arm 160 which is secured to a shaft 161.

The shaft 161 drives a clutch 162. The upper element 163 of the clutch may be moved in either forward or reverse direction as the arm 158 moves backward and forward under control of the push bar 154. However, the lower element 164 is ratcheted by means not shown so that it will move only in one direction. The lower element is coupled to a shaft 165 which in turn is coupled to a bevel gear 166 which drives a second bevel gear 167 mounted on a shaft 168. A spiral or worm gear 169 is mounted on shaft 168 and cooperates with a rack 170. Thus, as any of Keys 1-4 is depressed, unit 10 is moved to the right one space by the action of the pusher bar 154 and the clutch unit 162.

Provision is made for varying the spacing of unit 10. More particularly, the sleeve 110 is threaded internally. The threads at location 170 are of one sense and the threads at location 171 are of opposite sense. Rotation of the crank 108 under the forces developed by the character stop 74 will rotate the crank 109 and thus rotate the sleeve section 110 to either shorten or lengthen the distance between the protrusion 155 and the arm 158. This serves to modify the stroke of the spacing mechanism effected by the pusher bar 154.

The extent of the modification of the spacer operation is controlled by the shape of the character stops 73-74, etc. This is best illustrated in FIG. 6 where the character stop 74 is shown in contact with the arm 106. The shaft 72 carries the character stop to the left, asviewed in FIG. 6, until it is arrested in its travel by the shoulder 180. However, before the character stop '74 strikes the shoulder 180, it strikes the extension 106' of the arm 106. Some of the character stops, such as stop 74, will be a solid block of rectangular configuration as shown in FIG. 6. Others will be milled in the upper end thereof to either of two degrees. More particularly, a stop milled for intermediate spacing would be milled to a depth represented by line 74a and stops for minimum spacing would be milled to a second depth represented by line 74b. If the character stop 74 is not milled at all, it will effect a greater rotation of the arm 108 about shaft 107 to modify the spacer action to a substantial extent. If it is milled to the extent represented by the dotted line 74a, it will modify the spacer movement to an intermediate degree. If it is milled to the point represented by line 74b, it will not modify the spacer movement at all. One extremity of modification represents a letter or symbol of substantial width. Modification to an intermediate degree as represented by the line 74a is for a normal size letter. Modification as represented by the other extermity is to accommodate characters or symbols of narrow space configuration. Thus, the spacing effected is proportional to the size of letter or character being imprinted and each of the character stops is individually tailored in dependence upon the particular letter or symbol with respect to which it is associated.

It will be noted that each of the type bar heads is pivotally mounted at the end of the type bar. An indicated, the type bar 114 has a head 114a which is pivoted about a shaft 114]). The head has two type faces 1140 and 114d. Rotation of the head about the axis 114b may be effected to select either upper or lower case letters of the alphabet or large size or small size numerals. The rotation of the head is produced by a linkage including a spring 1142 which is connected to the rear extensions 114 of the head and to a slider block 114g. The spring 114e is curved to be received in the pair of depressions which are spaced apart along the back or the spine of the type bar structure. When spring 1142 is in the lower of the slots, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the symbol on the face 1140 will be impressed on the paper. If the slide block 114g is urged outward toward the tip of the key to move the spring detent into the groove nearest the end of the key, then the symbol on the face 114d will be impressed upon the paper. The slide block 114g may be preset or preselected by operation of the tab 34. The tab 34 is mounted on a shaft 190 which is journaled as to be fixed in its position. However, as it rotates, it serves to move a crank arm 191 which is secured thereto. The crank arm 191 carries a handle or extension 192 which operates in a slot 193' in a slide bar 194. As the tab 34 is rotated in one direction or the other for the selection of upper or lower case letters, the slide bar 194 move-s upwardly or downwardly depending upon the selection made. The slide bar 194 carries a rearwardly extending arm 195 from which there extends a plurality of slotted bars 196. The bars, such as bar 196, extend parallel to the shaft 72. Only one of the bars, bar 196, has been illustrated in FIG. 5, the remaining five like bars being shown in FIG. 7. The bars normally are positioned immediately in front of a given rank of type bars with respect to which they are to operate. The bar 196 serves to couple the upward or downward movement of the slide bar 194 to a linkage which is coupled to the slide tabs, such as the tab 114g on type bar 114. More particularly, a standard 197 is mounted on shaft 72 and extends upwardly where it supports at its upper end a bar 19$,having a channeled front surface. The bar 198 is normally positioned immediately behind the rank of keys in registration with the tabs such as tab 114g. The tab 114g nests within the front facing channel of the bar 198. The standard 197 is telescopically adjustable so that as the slotted bar 196 moves upward or downward into one of the two positions, the telescoping action in the standard 197 permits the channel 198 to move upward or downward. The rotation of the tab 34 from upper case to lower case serves to raise all of the bars, such as bar 196, and all of the channels, such as channel 198, simultaneously to rotate all of the heads of all of the type bars from upper case to lower case position.

The symbols on the heads of the type bars may be formed from rubber or other resilient type or they may be metallic in character. In order to provide a quietly operating device, it is found preferable to select a resilient material. This also lends to economy in construction. Immediately in front of each of the heads of the type bars there is provided an ink pad, such as the pad 200. Such a pad is provided for each of the ranks, only one of them having been shown.

The ink pad 200 is mounted at the upper end of the crank arm 201 which is pivoted relative to a shaft 202. The lower end of the crank arm 201 engages a rack device 203 so that it will be rotated about shaft 202 upon translational movement of the rack 203. The rack 203 is coupled to a horizontally extending arm 204 which is engaged by a pusher rod 205. The pusher rod 205 is coupled to a shaft 206 by way of a crank arm 207. The crank arm 207 is mounted for rotation about axis 208. The shaft or arm 206 is actuated under the control of the selector bars. More particularly, as illustrated, the selector bar 87 has an undercut groove 87a in the bottom surface thereof in which a follower 210 normally is positioned. Normally the ink pad 200 is in contact with the rank of keys with which it is associated in order to maintain each rank in readiness for printing operations. However, as one of the selector bars 81-88 is moved away from the keyboard for the selection of a given type bar, the movement of the bar forces the follower 210 downwardly out of the groove, thus rotating the crank arm 207 in a counterclockwise direction which moves the pusher bar 205 away from the keyboard, thereby retracting the ink pads from contact with the rank of keys.

It will be noted that an arm 204a extends into engagement at the right hand end with an edge of the member 194. This serves as an auxiliary actuator for the ink pad 200 and serves to retract the ink pad when the capital shift lever 34 is operated to change between upper and lower case letters. This will permit the type block such as block 114a to rotate about axis 114b without interference by the ink pad.

Finally, it will be noted that the spacer bar 35 is rotatable about an axis 212 and is coupled by way of linkage 213 to an extension 214 of the slide bar 154 which is provided for spacing operations. Actuation of spacer bar 35 causes translation of bar 214 to space the unit 10.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this printing machine consists of several interrelated systems which are coordinated in their operation to effect the ultimate printing of a selected key. The entire printing operation results from key movement toward or away from the operator and key depression. The Keys 1-4 are held upward in their normal positions by springs (not shown). A first system selects the column in which the desired character is located and retracts the inking pads. The second system selects the row or rank of keys in which the selected character is located. It is this second system which is operated by the

tabs

32 and 33. The third system provides a spacing action which is proportioned to the normality of the character desired. The fourth system provides the means of striking the type at the TIP. The systems are interlocked mechanically to provide proper timing. The fifth system provides for shifting of the type characters to provide upper or lower case letters or numerals. A sixth system provides for the actual shift of the system relative to the paper.

Preferably, as indicated in FIG. 3, the keyboard is so coordinated that the letters desired are located in the odd numbered columns operated by the odd numbered selector bars 81, 83, 85 and 87. Provision is made for rapidly shifting from odd numbered to even numbered columns by striking the

tabs

32 or 33.

In FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 like parts have been given the same reference characters as in FIGS. and 6 and are included for providing a better understanding of the construction of the system.

In FIG. 7 the relative positions of the ranks of keys in their normal position as well as the position of the fourth rank for the printing of the character N is illustrated. In the outline at point 220 there is illustrated the position of the first rank of keys prior to being translated from their normal position out to the position necessary for printing the symbol No. 4.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the shafts, such as shaft 72, are hollow in the ends thereof so that they telescope over axially aligned confronting rods. More particularly, the shaft 72 telescopes over a rod 230 which extends from a frame element 231 and is normally coaxial with the shaft 72. However, the end of the rod 230 stops short of the end of the shaft 72 in its normal position. However, when the rank of type bars carried by shaft 72 is moved out for printing, the end of the shaft is supported by the rod 230. The rods, however, stop short of the location of the printing line so that a type bar in any one of the ranks can be actuated for printing operation without being impeded by the shafts.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the type bars stand in ranks of different heights, the heights being proportional to the distance from the type impact point, TIP. The rack 113 is slidably mounted beneath the ranks of type bars and at the position of the printing line in order to actuate any key moved into registration therewith. It will receive and cooperate with any key in any rank.

While the foregoing has been illustrated and described in terms of a completely manually operable system, it is to be understood that a motor-driven unit may be provided in accordance with the general principles aforementioned in order that the motive power for all of the translational operations in the various functions carried out may be keyed by the depression of a given one of the Keys 14. However, the selection of row, column and key, as well as upper and lower case selection, will be a manual function and will require the familiarity for which the operator will readily develop dexterity in use of the device.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated, in enlarged scale, a mechanism relating to spacing both along the length of the bar 12, FIG. 1, and along the length of the bar 11, FIG. 1. The bar 12 has been shown cut away with some parts omitted. The first function to be described relates to the return of the printer to the left margin. A linkage is provided which is adapted to permit free movement of the unit 10 along the bar 11. It will be recalled that the worm gear 169 operates in a rack 170 which is mounted at the back of the unit 10. The rack 170 forms a part of the guide bar 11. The unit 10 is securely fixed with respect to the slide unit 250 so that it must move therewith. The shaft 165 is journaled in the slide unit 250 so that rotation of the shaft will rotate the worm gear 169, thereby to move the unit 10 along with the slider 250. If the unit 10 is to be moved freely along the length of the bar, it is necessary to disengage the worm gear 169 from the rack 270. The following structure is provided for accomplishing the foregoing function. A handle 251 is pivotally supported on shaft 252. The shaft 252 is to be connected (by means not shown) to the frame 253 of the unit 10. Rotation of the lever 251 in the direction of arrow 254 moves the bar 255 rearwardly. The bar 255 passes slidably through block 256 which is connected to the slide unit 250. Bar 255 extends rearwardly of the block 256 where it extends downwardly and carries at the end thereof a rotatable follower 257. The follower 257 engages the front of surface of a bar 258 which extends the length of the guide bar 11. The bar 258 is linked to the guide bar 11 by means of the link 259 and a similar link at the opposite end (not shown). Bar 258 is urged toward the bar 11 by means of a spring 260.

The bar 258 is linked to the rack by means of a standard 265. The standard 265 is rotatably mounted on shaft 266. The shaft 266 is supported by the guide bar 11. When the standard 265 is rotated about the axis 266, the rack 170 is lifted from engagement with the worm gear 169. The bar 258 is linked to the standard 265 in the slidable linkage within the dotted outline 267.

When the lever 251 is rotated in the direction of arrow 254, the follower 257 urges the bar 258 away from the guide bar 11. The linkage 267 serves to rotate the standard 265 about axis 266 to disengage the worm gear 169 from the rack 170. Thus, the unit 10 may be freely moved along the length of the bar 11 while the rack 170 is disengaged.

There will now be described the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 11 for permitting movement of the unit 10 along with the guide bar 11 relative to the side bar 12. The side bar 12 has been shown mostly cut away in order that the functions may be clearly shown. The side bar 12 is mounted within a nested slide unit. More particularly, the bar 12 extends through a first slide member 360 which in turn is nested within a second slide memher 391. The bar 12 is fixed with respect to a work piece such as the table of FIG. 1. Any movement of the bar 11 along bar 12 must be by means of a sliding action of the unit 300 over the surface of the bar 12.

The bar 12 supports a rack 302 which is pivotally mounted for rotation about axis 303 and is supported on a crank arm 304 at one end and on a similar crank arm (not shown) on the other end of the bar 12. In normal operations the slide unit 300 is moved relative to the bar 12 by operation of the worm gear 310. Worm gear 311) is mounted on a shaft 311 which is journaled in a bearing block 312. A pair of bevel gears 313 and 31d couple the worm gear 310 to a clutch unit.

The wheel 316 is mounted rigidly to the shaft which is keyed to bevel gear 314 and provides fine adjustment of the position of bar 11. Wheel 316 rotates incidentally when the automatic system from bar 331 operates but is capable of repositioning bar 11 in either direction whereas the clutch system works only to bring bar 11 toward the operator for ordinary line-to-line printing.

The rack 302 may be retracted from engagement with the worm gear 310 by rotation on shaft 303. This is accomplished by use of a push button 317 which is connected by way of rod 318 to a linkage 319. By pushing the rod 317 in the direction of arrow 320, the rack 302 will be rotated out of the engagement with the worm gear 310. The rack is maintained normally enmeshed with the worm gear 310 by a spring 321 which is mounted in the bearing block 322 through which the shaft 318 passes. The block 322 is mounted to slider unit 300.

A linkage is provided for moving the guide bar 11 relative to the side bar 12 with uniform spacing in order to place one line uniformly below the next preceding line in the following manner.

A standard 330 is a part of and secured to the slide unit 300. At the upper end thereof there is provided a button 331 which normally is biased in a retracted position by a spring 332. Actuation of button 331 is by bumper 331a on unit 10, FIG. 1. The shaft 333 coupled to the button 331 extends through the upper end of the standard 330 and carries a slotted plate 334. The slot 335 in the plate 334 cooperates with a crank arm 336 to impart rotational motion to the outer shaft tube which is connected to the upper or driving element of the clutch 315. By pushing the button 331 through a maximum stroke, there will be imparted through the clutch 315 a rotational movement to the worm gear 310 to move the spacer bar 11 a uniform preset space in the direction of the arrow 337. The limit of such spacing action is preset and is adjustable through use of screw 331b which is threadedly mounted in standard 322 and serves to limit motion of plate 334.

It will be noted that the guide rod 11 is mounted on the side bar 12 by means of the intermediary slide unit 300. The outer slide bar 301 is integrally connected to the guide bar 11. This structure is provided in order to permit a unique spacing operation as would permit printing of fractional numbers. For this purpose there is provided a control stick 340. The control stick 340 is pivotally mounted so that it can be moved universally. More particularly, a universal coupling 341 interconnects the stick 340 to the inner slide member 300. The stick 340 may be moved in the direction of arrow 342 or arrow 343 in varying degree and combinations thereof.

Movement in the direction of arrow 342 is for the purpose of moving the rack 170 laterally with respect to the guide bar 11. More particularly, it will be noted that a bar 345 is coupled by way of a pin 346 to the stick 340. The bar 345 is slidable with reference to the bearing 347. The end of the bar 345 engages an arcuate channel 350 in an arm 351 which slides in the standard 265 and is coupled to the rack 170. Movement of the stick 340 in the direction of arrow 342 thus moves the rack 170 in the direction of arrow 342. With the worm gear 169 enmeshed in the rack 170, the unit as coupled to the slide unit 250 will move.

The movement of the stick 340 in the direction of arrow 343 serves to move the second slide element 301 relative to the slide element 300. It will be remembered that the slide element 300 is linked to the rack 302 by the worm gear 310. The slide movement of the unit 301 relative to unit 300 carries the guide bar 11 with it along with the print device 10.

The foregoing operation is performed as follows. As the stick 340 is pivoted in the universal coupling 341, the shaft hi the bearing 347 will move in the direction of arrow 343. Bearing 347 is mounted on the upper end of a crank arm 360 which is pivoted about an axis 361. The crank arm 360 carries a pin 362 which engages an S-shaped cam slot 363 in the left hand face of the slide follower 301. With the rod 340 in a normal position, that is, straight up or vertical, the pin 362 will be positioned at a midpoint in the slot 363. As the stick 340 is pushed away from the front of the unit, that is, towards the back of the table, the pin 362 is moved upward, thus forcing the follower 301 toward the back of the table. In this position, numbers, for example, representing the numerator of a fraction, may be printed. Immediately following this, the stick 340 may be pulled toward the operator and toward the front of the table, in which case the pin 362 moves downwardly. This forces the slide follower 301 toward the front of the table. In this position the denominator of a fraction may be printed immediately under the numerator. A fraction having two numbers in the numerator and denominator may be printed by moving the stick 340 to the four corners of the limits of its trajectory. With the automatic spacing action of the printer disengaged, all four of the parts of a fraction may be printed merely by the spacing effected through operation of the stick 340.

Normally the stick 340 is fixed in position by pin 370 engaged in a hole 371 in the upper surface of the frame element 372. Frame element 372, although shown fragmentarily, is fixed for movement with the unit 300.

Pin 370 is retracted from hole 371 by depression of but-' ton 3'74 in the top of stick 340. This moves arm 375 downward, permitting movement of the stick as indicated by

arrows

342 and 343.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there are five basic control actions in the system which are as follows.

First, the printing machine frame is located such that the TIP will be adiacent to the point at which a symbol is to be impressed on the receiving medium.

Second, the capital shift lever 34 is actuated to the desired position for upper or lower case letters or for small or large numerals or other legends or characters as indicated on the upper front plate, FIG. 2.

Third, the

column selector tabs

32 or 33 are actuated for selecting the column containing the desired symbol.

Fourth, the keyboard comprising the four keys is moved as necessary, either forward or backward, until the loop 31, FIG. 1, indicates the row which includes the desired symbol.

Fifth, the key associated with the column in which the desired symbol is located is depressed. When the key is depressed, the following actions take place:

(1) all six of the ink pads (such as pad 200, FIG. 5) move away from the type faces on the type bars;

(2) the frame of the unit 10 begins movement toward the1 right to space the TIP from previously printed sym- (3) one of the selector bars (81-88, FIG. 5) moves rearward to move the selector stop in the column linked to the depressed key;

(4) the slide bar 72 carrying a row of type bars moves the left after a delay required for step (3). The slide bar moves until the selector stop meets the stop surface 180 (FIG. 5);

(5) the selector stop acts on link 108 prior to meeting the stop surface 180, thus actuating the spacer-modifier linkages 110 and 110. At this time in the print cycle the spacer motion is completed and modified as at the particular selector stop;

(6) shaft 123, which is a timing shaft, continues its rotation and is urged by the continued key depressing force to act upon bar 126. This causes the striker system to force the type bar forward rotating it about its mounting axis 72 to imprint on the paper.

All of the elements involved in the foregoing operations return to normal positions in reverse order after depression of a selected key. After each impression of a symbol on the receiving medium, all six rows of type faces are again in contact with the ink pads where repeated contact provides adequate ink for printing dense, opaque characters without imparting excessive ink in on the type faces.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing control actions and printing operations may be produced from a remote keyboard or may be motor-driven in response to a local keyboard. However, for the purpose of the present description direct mechanical linkages to the local keyboard have been shown.

The machine is characterized as including a multi-key assembly with a type bar grid formed of a plurality of rows and columns of type bars with a striker member extending along the grid at one margin thereof. An indexing linkage operable from the key assembly is provided for selection of any row in the grid. A first linkage is responsive to depression of any one key in the assembly for movement of the selected row from the grid into engagement with the striker member. A stop means is provided for limiting movement of the selected row for registration of a given type bar with the striker member. The selected type bar bears a positional relation in the selected row which is related to the position of the depressed key in the key assembly. A delayed action linkage is responsive to the key depression to actuate the striker member to produce printing action by the given type bar at a type impression point.

Now that the invention as embodied in the printing machine shown in the drawings has been described in detail, it will now be appreciated that there is provided a system which can be operated by one hand and that the operations necessary to select and print any one of 48 different characters or letters can be accomplished by minimal movement of the four fingers primarily backward and forward and then depressing one of the four keys. All operations are carried out with the hand cupped as to place the fingertips in the key receptacles. The detent mechanism 53-54 of FIG. provides an audible signal or a signal that is sensible through the touch of the fingers as to the position. Alternate grooves into which the wheel 54 falls may be covered with a material or so coated as to give different sound than that produced when the wheel 54 moves into registration with the uncoated or untreated grooves. Thus, the forward and backward positions of the keys can be reduced to essentially three different groups of positions which can be then more easily operated by the secondary senses of an operator. All operations can be carried out without removing the fingers from one key to another. Each finger holds the key without changing to any other key to actuate the characters. This minimizes the travel distance that each finger must traverse from a selection of one character to a selection of another. The forward and backward motion of the keys in practice is limited to about A: of an inch maximum travel. Only one-eighth of an inch movement would be required to select characters in adjacent rows of characters. Eliminated entirely is the need for lateral movement of the fingers as is charatceristic in conventional typewriter keyboards. Thus, it is believed that there is a significant advance embodied in the provision of the keyboard in which all of the fingers move together as a group for positioning or selecting a function. The keyboard arrangement forming a saddle with the spacer bar resting in the palm of the hand permits still further advantages in reduction of movement for carrying out the desired opertions.

It will be appreciated that different indicators other than the detent 5354 may be employed. For example, any one of the keys might be so actuated in traveling from one row position to another as to tilt slightly on alternate rows so that merely by the attitude of a given key would an operator know whether the selection was for an odd or an even row. Furthermore, it will be noted in FIG. 3 particularly that the device is arranged in a normal or natural attitude particularly in comparison to symbols being written in the usual method employing a pen or pencil. In the present case the hand is situated slightly above and to the right of the TIP. Furthermore, as each letter is written, the type bars are retracted, leaving the newly printed symbol or letter clearly exposed to the view of the operator with the hand and the machine in approximately an accustomed writing position relative to the newly printed matter. The printing machine is spaced to the right just prior to the imprintation of each symbol. Thus, all of the movements are natural and yet readily sensible to the operator even though 48 different symbols may be selected through the combination of six rows and eight columns selectable by operation of four keys and the column selector tabs. While the printing machine has been illustrated as mounted on a pair of guide bars to be positioned at any point over the face of the work, it will be further appreciated that different mountings may be designed for the printing machine in order that it may be used in environments other than the formal drafting table environment illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the machine may be placed on rollers, permitting lateral movement and driven in response to the impression of the key so that it might be moved freely from one environment to another and yet provide linear movement for spacing one letter from another.

Having described the invention in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a multi-key assembly,

(b) a type bar grid having a plurality of rows of type bars,

(0) a type bar actuating member extending along said grid at one margin thereof,

(d) an indexing linkage operable from said multi-key assembly for selection of any row in said grid,

(e) a first linkage responsive to depression of any one key in said assembly for movement of the selected row from said grid into engagement with said actuating member,

(f) stop means for limiting movement of said selected row for registration of a given type bar with said actuating member, which given type bar is positionally related in said selected row to the location of said one key in said assembly, and

(g) a delayed action linkage responsive to said depression of said one key for actuation of said actuating member to produce printing action by said given type bar.

2. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a multi-key assembly,

(b) a type bar grid having a plurality of rows of type bars,

(d) an indexing linkage responsive to movement of said key assembly for selection of any row in said grid,

, 3. In a printing machine in which there is provided a multi-key assembly and multi-row type bar assembly the combination which comprises:

(a) a type bar actuating member coupled to all keys in said key assembly and actuated upon depression of any one of said keys,

(b) a row selection linkage including a translatable support means for said multi-key assembly and operable upon translation of said multi-key assembly to index on one of the rows of type bars, and

(c) type bar translation linkage operable in response to said depression of said one of said keys prior to actuation of said actuating member for translation of said one of the rows of type bars from their normal position in said type bar assembly to an operating position wherein one of said plurality of type bars is in registration with said actuating member.

4. In a printing machine in which four keys and a multi-row type bar assembly are provided the combination which comprises:

(a) a type bar actuating member actuated upon depression of any one key of said four keys,

(b) a type bar selection linkage operable in response to said depression of said one key but prior to actuation of said actuating member for movement of one row from its normal position in said type bar assembly to an operating position wherein one of the type bars in said one row is in registration with said actuating member, and

(c) a row indexing linkage including a translatable support for all of said keys and actuated by translational movement of said keys for indexing said type bar selection linkage with a selected one of the rows in said type bar assembly.

5. In a printing machine in which there is provided a multi-key assembly and a multi-row type bar assembly the combination which comprises: 7

(a) a frame for support of both of the assemblies,

(b) a type bar actuating member actuated upon depression of any one key in said key assembly,

(c) a type bar selection linkage operable in response to said depression of said one key but prior to actuation of said actuating member for movement of one row of the type bars from its normal position in said type bar assembly to an operating position wherein one of said plurality of type bars is placed into registration with said actuating member,

(d) a row indexing linkage including a translatable support for said key assembly and actuatedupon translational movement of said key assembly for indexing said type bar selection linkage with a selected one of the rows in said type bar assembly, and

(e) a row stop selector linkage extending to said one key for limiting movement of said one row in proportion to the position of said one key in said key assembly whereby the type bar placed in registration with said actuating member positionally is related to said one key.

6. In a machine for printing symbols of varying widths on a planar workpiece with uniform spacing therebetween and in which there is provided a multi-key assembly and a multi-element type bar assembly, the combination which comprises:

(a) a frame support of both of the assemblies,

(b) guide means adjustably coupled to said frame for control of the position of said frame over said workpiece,

(c) a type bar striker member,

(d) at least two linkages extending from each of the keys in said key assembly,

(i) one of said linkages from each said key leading to the coupling between said frame and said guide means and being actuated upon depression of any one key to move said frame a step along said guide bar,

(ii) the other of said linkages forming a delay linkage leading to said striker member after said frame moves said step, and

(e) means related to each type bar for modifying the magnitude of said step in dependence upon the width of the symbol characterizing each said type bar.

7. In a machine for printing symbols the combination which comprises:

(a) a frame having a keyboard of four keys at the front thereof,

(b) an assembly of rows and columns of type bars of heights dependent upon distance of each row from the front of said frame,

() a type bar actuating member extending along one side of said assembly,

(d) slidable members for individually supporting each of said rows of type bars,

(e) delay linkages coupling each of said keys to said actuating member for delayed actuation thereof,

(f) a row translating mechanism operable by depression of any one of said keys for moving any one row of type bars from its normal position in said assembly to an operating position with one type bar in said one row engaging said actuating member,

(g) an indexing linkage between said keyboard and said translating mechanism for selection of said one row from said assembly, and

(h) linkages between each of said keys and said assembly for limiting movement of any row by said translating means in dependence upon the relative position on said keyboard of said one of said keys.

8. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a plurality of type bars forming a grid in which each type bar is movable from its position in said 16 grid to a print position,

(b) a translatable keyboard,

(c) a first linkage extending from said keyboard to said grid for establishing a first type bar selection function upon translation of said keyboard, and

(d) a second linkage responsive to movement of any key in said keyboard for establishing a second type bar selection function.

9. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a frame,

(b) a keyboard including four keys at the front of said frame,

(c) a spacer bar forward of said four keys,

((1) column selector tabs positioned above and to the side of said keys,

(e) a plurality of rows of type bars spaced apart rearwardlyof said keyboard with the heights of the rows being dependent upon the distance from the front of said frame, each of said rows being divided into four pairs of type bars,

(f) a slidable support for each of said rows,

(g) a translating mechanism adjustably mounted on one side of said assembly selectively to move any one of said rows of type bars from said assembly,

(h) a type bar actuating member positioned on the side of said assembly opposite said translating mechanism,

(i) a translating mechanism indexing linkage extending from said keyboard for initial selection of one of said rows,

(j) a column stop selector means linked separately to each of said keys and adjustable to either of two positions in response to actuation of said column selector tabs,

(k) a first delay linkage operable following depression of any one of said keys for actuating said translating mechanism, and

(l) a second delay linkage extending from all of said keys to said type bar actuating member for rotating any type bar actuated by said member to a type impression point.

10. A printing machine comprising:

(a) an array of rows and columns of symbol units,

(b) type bars for individually supporting said symbol units in said rows and columns,

(0) a keyboard of four keys adapted selectively to move any one of said symbol units from said array to a type impression point,

((1) an aligning bar supporting said machine on a surface to be impressed with said symbol units,

(e) a linkage to said keys operable to modify stepwise the position of said machine along said bar,

(f) a release mechanism adapted to permit free slide movement of said machine relative to said bar to an indexing station, and

(g) means for engaging said machine at said indexing station to move said machine and said aligning bar a predetermined distance in a direction over said surface perpendicular to said aligning bar.

11. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressing elements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point and each responsive to a particular combination of two independent selection functions, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions of finger tips of a relaxed cupped human hand,

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys in unison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of the fingers for performing one of said selection functions, and

(0) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upon depression of a given key for performing the second of said selection functions.

12. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressing elements adapted individually to be move-d to an impression point and each responsive to a particular combination of two independent selection functions, the combination which comprises:

(b) slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys in unison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of the fingers for performing one of said selection functions,

() means operable upon the slide movement of said keys to each of a plurality of positions to produce a position designating sensible indication, and

(d) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upon depression of a given key for performing the second of said selection functions.

13. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressing elements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point and each responsive to a particular combination of two independent selection functions, the combination which comprises:

(c) indicating means operable upon the slide movement of said keys to produce an audible position designating sensible signal, and

((1) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upon depression of a given key for performing the second of said selection functions.

14. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressing elements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point and each responsive to a particular combination of two independent selection functions, the combination which comprises:

(c) means operable upon slide movement of said keys to each of a plurality of positions to produce a touch sensible position designating indication, and

15. In a key operated machine having symbol impressing elements arrayed in rows and four primary columns and adapted selectively to be moved to an impression point in response to a unique combination of two independent selection functions for each of said elements, the combination which comprises:

(a) four keys disposed in an array corresponding with the positions of finger tips of a relaxed cupped hu man hand,

(b) slidable supports for said keys adapted for movement of said keys in unison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of the fingers for selecting one of said rows as one of said selec tion functions,

(0) individual linkages from each of said four keys operable upon depression of a given key for selecting one of said four primary columns as the second of said selection functions, and

(d) a linkage from each of said keys to move the one of said elements corresponding in position with the conjunction of said one of said rows and said one of said four primary columns to said impression point upon depression of said given key.

16. In a machine having means for carrying out a plurality of operable functions which may be selectable from any one of a plurality of subgroups of functions, the combination which comprises:

(a) a keyboard having four keys,

(b) means for supporting said keys for movement as a body toward and away from an operator,

(c) linkages extending between said keys and said means for carrying out said functions and variable in response to said movement toward and away from an operator, and

(d) separate linkages from each of said keys to said means for carrying out said functions and variable upon depression of any one of said keys whereby said functions may be selected individually from said subgroups by selecting the position of said keys and then depressing one of said keys.

17. In a key operated machine having more than four symbol impressing elements adapted individually to be moved to an impression point and each responsive to a particular combination of two independent selection functions, the combination which comprises:

(b) linkages including slide mounting means for said keys for movement of said keys in unison toward and away from the heel of said hand upon flexure of the fingers, said linkages being variable in response to said movement for performing one of said selection functions,

(0) detent-follower means for signaling variations in positions of said keys, and

(d) individual linkages from each of said four keys variable upon depression of a given key for performing the second of said selection functions.

18. A printing machine which comprises:

(a) a keyboard mounted for translation thereof while permitting independent depression of any of the keys therein,

(b) a plurality of rows of type elements forming a type element array,

(c) a first linkage coupled between said array and said keyboard and operable upon translation of said keyboard to move a selected row of elements into a type selector position,

(d) a type bar actuating element mounted for engagement with the element of said array at a printing position, and

(e) a second linkage extending from said keyboard both to said array and to said actuating element for sequentially moving a selected one of said type elements to said printing position followed by engagement thereof by said actuating element to move said selected one from its row to a type impression point.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 582,898 5/1897 Cahill 197-11 661,849 11/1900 Carrnona 197-23 1,347,290 7/1920 Pope 197-11 1,725,231 8/1929 Underwood 197-2 2,031,017 2/1936 Tevis 197-11 2,369,433 2/ 1945 Casey 197-2 2,527,016 10/1950 Loung 197-2 2,670,831 3/1954 Barrett et a1. 197-2 2,873,013 2/1959 Thiene et al. 197-2 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. LEIGHY, Examiner.

Claims

1. A PRINTING MACHINE WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A MULTI-KEY ASSEMBLY, (B) A TYPE BAR GRID HAVING A PLURALITY OF ROWS OF TYPE BARS, (C) A TYPE BAR ACTUATING MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG SAID GRID AT ONE MARGIN THEREOF, (D) AN INDEXING LINKAGE OPERABLE FROM SAID MULTI-KEY ASSEMBLY FOR SELECTION OF ANY ROW IN SAID GRID, (E) A FIRST LINKAGE RESPONSIVE TO DEPRESSION OF ANY ONE KEY IN SAID ASSEMBLY FOR MOVEMENT OF THE SELECTED ROW FROM SAID GRID INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, (F) STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAID SELECTED ROW FOR REGISTRATION OF A GIVEN TYPE BAR WITH SAID ACTUATING MEMBER, WHICH GIVEN TYPE BAR IS POSITITIONALLY RELATED IN SAID SELECTED ROW TO THE LOCATION OF SAID ONE KEY IN SAID ASSEMBLY, AND (G) A DELAYED ACTION LINKAGE RESPONSIVE TO SAID DEPRESSION OF SAID ONE KEY FOR ACTUATION OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBER TO PRODUCE PRINTING ACTION BY SAID GIVEN TYPE BAR.