Patent GB-278318-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in autographic writing and like machines
IPC: B41J2/49
Filed: 1927-06-28
Abstract: 278,318. MÚe, M. Sept. 30, 1926, [Convention date]. Machines with one or more movable styles or equivalent elements for tracing characters.-An autographic-writing or like machine, which may be employed for preparing lithographic, printing- surfaces, comprises plates having cam-grooves for controlling the lateral and backward or forward movements of a style or tracing-member, the plates being actuated by means of a stem or needle which engages the cam-grooves and straight grooves in stationary plates and is operated directly or by means of keys; means may be provided for adjusting the size and slope of the written characters and for reversing the direction of writing. In the machine shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, Fig. 5 being diagrammatic, the characters are traced on a sheet P of paper by means of a pen 23 mounted on a feed-tube 22 movable longitudinally on a support 99 which is mounted loosely on a shaft 30 and has a fork 20 engaging a rocking plate 19. The feed-tube is connected to a spring-tensioned cord 31 wound on a sleeve 21 splined on the shaft. The support 99 is connected to a cord 34 passing round loose pulleys 33, 35 on shafts 15, 16. An endless cord 28, passing round a fixed pulley 27 on the shaft 16, is wound round a fast sleeve 29 on the shaft 30. Keys 40 actuate pins 38 co-operating with straight slots 3, 4 in stationary plates 1, 2 and cam slots 8, 9, 10 in longitudinally movable plates 5, 6, 7. The plates 6, 7 engage cranks 12, 13 on the shafts 15, 16, and the plate 5 engages a crank 11 on a shaft 14 provided with an arm 17 for rocking the plate 19, and an arm 24 controlling a clutch E for coupling the pulley 33 to the shaft 15. The plate 5 effects the lifting and dropping of the pen, and the plates 6, 7 effect the lateral and backward or forward movement of the pen respectively. The pins 38 are secured to slides 41, Fig. 2, connected to cords 57 wound on pulleys 58 actuated by racks on the stems of the keys 40. On depression of any key, the associated slide is moved forward and the pin thereon travels in the guide slots 4 until a stop 42 engages the head 41<1> of the slide. Thereupon the slide is tilted downwards and the pin enters the slots 8, 9, 10, 3. On release of the key, a spring 46 returns the slide,. and the pin travels through the slots and reciprocates the plates 5, 6, 7 thereby causing the pen to trace the character corresponding to the key. There are preferably two sets of plates, the above-described set and the second set 1<1>, 5<1>, 6<1>, 7<1>, 2<1> being employed for small and capital characters respectively. The slides 41 are each provided with two pins 38, and when capitals are required the stop 42 is raised so as to tilt the slides upwards at the end of the forward movement. The stop is carried by pivoted arms 43 which are raised or lowered by means of keys. To provide for adjustment of the width of the characters, the cranks 12, 12', Fig. 3, actuated by the plates 6, 6' are slotted to receive coupling-pins 50, 50<1> carried by links 49 which are movable longitudinally by means of a sliding knob 47, the cranks being coupled to bevel-wheels 56, 54 mounted on the shaft 15 and carrying an intermediate wheel 55. A similar device for adjusting the height of the characters is provided in connection with the shaft 16. The pen 23 is formed at the bottom with two inclined slits of different length and either slit can be brought into contact with the paper by tilting the pen, the arrangement enabling the pen to trace either fine or broad lines. The characters are caused to slope to the right or left by placing the feed-tube 22, Fig. 3, in a slewed position to the left or right of the normal position. For this purpose, and also to permit of altering the initial position of the pen when the machine is employed for writing reversed characters, the feed-tube is mounted in a second tube which is secured in adjusted position on the support 99 by mean of screws entering slots. The feed-tube is connected by a flexible tube 60 to a container having a piston actuated by a key 61. To permit of access to the mechanism, the keyboard and top of the framework can be swung upwards and one side of the framework can be swung outwards, the other side being provided with a sliding door. In the machine shown in Fig. 25, the above-described sets of flat sliding plates are replaced by two sets J, J<1> of curved sliding plates having cam slots cooperating with pins 38 on members 112 which cooperates with a stop 42 and are pivoted on arms 113 operated by the keys 40. The pen is moved laterally bv means of a link connected to an arm 133 on a shaft 132 provided with a second arm 130. The arm 130 has a slot engaging a pin 129 on a slotted lever 128 which engages a pin on a rocking arm 131' operated by one plate in each of the sets J, J'. The lever 128 is pivoted on a tube 123 which is guided by a rod 125 and can be raised or lowered to vary the size of the characters by turning a knob 118, on depressing a pedal, the knob-shaft 121 having a pinion gearing with a rack on the tube. The, knob has a pointer arranged in front of a dial 120. The arm 133 is adjustable laterally to vary the inclination of the writing. The pen is moved backward or forward by means of a link connected by an intermediate lever and a second link to a rocking arm operated by the plates. The pivotal connection of the second link can be changed to reverse the direction of writing. In the machine shown in Fig. 29, keys are dispensed with, the sliding plates 5<11>, 6<11>, 7" being actuated by a single button 155 having a pin 38" for engaging the selected sets of cam slots in the plates. The plates are mounted in a box having top and bottom plates 1<11>, 2<11> formed with straight slots for guiding the pin. The pen 23 is carried by a stem 180 connected to a rod 163 which is movable longitudinally and laterally and is guided by means of cross-bars 164 and arranged in horizontal 'slots. The rod is moved longitudinally by means of linkage comprising levers 156, 158 connected by a link 157, the lever 156 being connected to one of the slid ing plates. To provide for adjustment of the width of the characters, the link 157 has a pin 167 arranged in an arcuate slot in the lever 156. The rod is moved laterally by means of linkage connected to one of the sliding plates and to forked rocking-arms 174 engaging the rod, the linkage being adjustable to adjust the height of the characters. The pen is lifted and dropped by means of a rod 179 which engages the stem 180 and is carried by levers 177 engaging a bellcrank 181 operated by one of the sliding plates. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) describes also a machine comprising key-operated rotary cams for controlling a pen. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted. Tabulating-stops.-Stops 154, Fig. 25, are threaded internally and are mounted on a threaded stop-rod 73, the stops and stop-rod being formed with a gap and longitudinal flats respectively to permit adjustment of the stops. In another arrangement, the stops consist of sleeves mounted on a split tube provided with an internal rod having projections engaging holes, the stops being secured by tightening a nut on the rod. Letter-spacing mechanism. - The machine shown in Fig. 25 and described above is provided with a differential letter-spacing escapement comprising a snail cam 144 co-operating with a drum 146 which is driven by a weight 147 or a spring and drives a pulley 153 connected by a cord to the carriage of the platen 62'. The cam is pivoted on a lever 145 and loosely engages an arm 143 connected by a link 142 to an arm 141 on the shaft 132 The lever 145 is connected bv a spring 151 to a rod 150 operated by a lever 117 engaging a universal bar 116. A brake 149 normally engaging the drum is releasable by means of a nut 152 on the rod 150. When any key 40 is operated, the cam is turned by the shaft 132. and the universal bar depresses the lever 145 and the brake, thereby engaging the cam with the drum and releasing the brake. The drum thereupon rotates and permits movement of the carriage until the drum is arrested by the high part of the cam. Line-spacing mechanism.-The platen roller P, Figs. 3 and 25, supporting the paper engages an internal friction-sector pivoted on a rocking arm which is connected to a bell-crank provided with a line-spacing Key. The friction-sector is held in engagement by a spring and the direction of rotation of the roller cam be reversed by changing the points of connection of the spring. An adjustable stop for the bell-crank is carried by a pivoted arm and is secured by a screw. Sheet-feeding arrangements.-For dealing with large sheets the carriage is provided with a long platen roller and a rear roller, an endless band being passed round both rollers.