Patent GB-863075-A (GB)
Title: A typewriter, data recording device or devices and programming means therefor
IPC: B41J3/42
Filed: 1958-05-02
Abstract: 863,075. Typewriters. UNDERWOOD CORPORATION. May 2, 1958 [May 24, 1957], No. 14019/58. Class 100(4) A data recording apparatus comprises a typewriter electromagnetically controlled and means for recording data in a further record e.g. a perforated tape, a tape reader, and an operation programmer having a stepwise advancing device which issues seriatim signals to operate the electromagnets via a plug board whereby the operation of the control elements are variably programmable. As shown in Fig. 1 the data recording apparatus comprises a control writer 50, a slave writer 67 and two tape punches PA, and PB. The apparatus is controlled by the programmer 60 so that innumerable interconnections and recording processes can be selectively and automatically achieved. The control writer may be driven from either or both Of two tape readers RA, RB, and can, or will not, print such data on either, both, or neither the control writer or the slave writer, and further can, at will, determined by the programmer, make a punched record in the tape punches PA, PB. In addition to recording data read by the tape punches RA, RB at any time, and provided appropriate arrangement of the plug 224 on the plug board in the programmer has been made, manual entries can also be made in the typewriter and recorded by the tape punches PA, PB. The arrangement of typing on the slaving writer can, by appropriate programming, be different in layout, (see Figs. 36,37) and the form may contain only part of the data sensed on the tape reader or typed on the control writer. In manual entry conditions a synchronism is provided between the programmer in relation to changing tabular conditions and automatic restoration of the programmer control may be made to occur after a given number of steps, so that successive manual entries underneath one another are possible, and a further manual control can restore control to the programmer. Programmer. The programmer 60 comprises a stepwise advancing device comprising two series of eleven A to L and M to X electromagnetically ratchet operated rotary switches PS, Fig. 8a. Each switch arm 1911, 19111 steps through 25 rotary tap positions, and because of a stage selecting switch SS, connecting the switch arms one after the other, a total of five hundred and fifty programmer positions are available. Each tap of each stage is connected to a socket in a field 242 on a plug board 220, Figs. 1 and 7. Plug connections are set up in accordance with a desired program and so connect the taps to other sockets 221 in the plug board outside the field 242 to call into operation different devices in the control writer, slave writer, the tape punches and the tape readers. For example if it is required to select for operation one of the readers RA or RB a plug connection from one of the sockets in the field 242 on the plug board is connected to a socket Z15 or Z16 Fig. 7. As an example of operation, when the apparatus is switched on the stepping switches all step to a home position automatically after which the carriages of the control writer and slave writer are appropriately positioned at their initial positions. Tap 1 of stage A of program switch PS<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 8a, is connected via its plug to a socket Z<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 7, connected to the control writer 50 to condition it for operation. Program switch PS<SP>1</SP> then advances to tap 2 and the carriage of the control writer is returned to initial position in a similar manner steps 3 and 4 associated with the slave writer get that ready for typing. The rotary switch now automatically steps to the fifth tap positions and this gives a tabulating structure or any other appropriate structure to the typewriters and is transmitted via the plug cords to the appropriate function of the typewriters and the programming proceeds. If it is desired to skip idly a section of the program represented by the program taps of the rotary switches PS<SP>1</SP> and PS<SP>11</SP> this is effected either by a rotary step action or by advancing a stage selection switch SS to the appropriate stage on the rotary switches. When a manual entry is to be made a tap e.g. tap 8 is connected by a plug cord to MA socket Z17 and when the program switch arrives there a relay MA operates, holds itself and cuts off circuit to the program switch by opening contacts PR<SP>1</SP> in the connection to the selector switch SS. A green light is also illuminated to indicate to the operator that manual entry conditions prevail. A program skipping operation may be instituted by a left palm key LP during a manual entry state and can be terminated under control of a plug cord 224 connected to a socket 225 from any socket in the field 242. When the programmer switches reach this tap it automatically takes over from the manual control. Operation of the LP key also arranges for the reversion of a program to the tap position where manual entry was started and also restores the type carriage to where it stood at the establishment of said entry and also correcting for type entries which took one or two more lines on the form. The rotary switch PS is now advanced to tap 9 and further advances to tap 10 when the first manual entry is made taps 10-13 are plugged by the plug board 221 to a tabulator socket E33 but no action results as the circuit to the program switch is cut-off by the relay contacts PR1. However switches are stepped by contacts associated with a central tabulator read for each manually entered tabulation. To account for the varying extent of a tabulation entry return automatic operation, a right palm key RP is operated. The programmer functions in such a way that it will not prematurely institute a new operation until all the subsidiary apparatus for example the slave writer or either the tape punches are restored to a condition to accept a new entry. Special platen rotation and line-spacing. A form feeding device 318 on the control writer has a disc with teeth defining the desired line space positions on each of the two writers, and is stepped automatically on each carriage return movement and will advance the forms special amounts, e.g. to a starting position defined by a special tooth on the disc. A form feeding device 318 on the slave writer is identical to that of a control writer but the teeth on its control disc may define differing line-space positions. The device 318 may be operable under program control provided a plug cord 224 from a position in the field 242 is connected to a socket Z32 and the control writer is selected for typing under control of the programmer. Serial writing. A date, word, number &c. can be spelt out automatically by the typewriters according to the setting of switches 340 and when the program rotary switches arrive at a particular tap automatic typing ensures. The switches 340 are wired to a field 338 on the plug board 226 so that any character or function or skip can also take place in any of the six positions. Locking devices. The control writcr keys may be actuated but printing by the type levers is stopped by a slide 87, Fig. 2, which is mounted with diagonal slots so that when an electromagnet is operated a front face 92 of the slide blocks full movement of the type levers 77. The slave writer SW has a combed slide 93, and in normal position is effective to prevent the type actuators 74 from engaging the power roll 75. The key levers 73 are however operable to close contact 86 for operation of punch coding and tape punches 56, 52. Case-shift; key-actions therefore. The type segment is shifted by power from an eccentric 104, Fig. 4, which is clutched to a power-drive 107 for a half-revolution. The clutch comprises a pawl 108 attached to the eccentric 104 and which springs to engage a tooth on the drive 107 when a dog 110 is pivoted clockwise by the sliding movement of a link 115 operated direct from a case-shift or shift lock key or by a bellcrank 121 operated by a solenoid connected to a tape reading translator. The slave typewriter mimics the control writer which has operating contacts connected to solenoid 118, 120 in the slave writer. Tabulation; key-actions therefore. A tabulator key 151, Fig. 6, not shown, is manually or electrically operated and causes projection of a central tabulator read (130) through a power actuator movement. The read (130) is latched into operative positive by a shoulder (141) and is unlatched by engagement with a selected tabulator stop. Carriage-return arrangements. The carriagereturn keys CR1, CR2, CR3 are operable to effect selective amounts of carriage-return and are coupled when required to the carriage-return keys of the slave writer. Specifications 632,717, 635,916 and 635,919 are referred to.