Patent GB-190421064-A (GB)
Title: Improved Actuating Mechanism for Keyboard Operated Machines.
Inventor: MURRAY DONALD
Filed: 1904-10-01
Granted: 1905-07-13
Abstract: 21,064. Murray, D. Oct. 1. Type-writers; linotype machines.-Relates to improvements on the mechanism described in Specifications No. 11,778, A.D. 1899, and No. 21,880, A.D. 1901, for operating the keyboards of type-writers, linotype machines, &c. by means of a perforated strip obtained by telegraphic or other means. In the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the perforated strip 3 is fed forward by a star-wheel 4 on a reciprocating shuttle, and co-operates with five combs 1, corresponding to a five-unit alphabet. There is a sixth comb for effecting letter and figure shift. The five combs determine the selection of bars 12 and the movement of corresponding hooks 14 under a universal striker bar 15 actuated by a cam 16. The bars 12 are supported by a bar 11 actuated by two cams 10. The cams 10,16, and the shuttle cam are carried on a shaft 18 driven by a motor. Instead of the shuttle cam 8, Fig. 7, being keyed on the shaft 18, it is free on the shaft between two collars 21, 22, and co-operates with a keyed clutch 20. The clutch 20 is actuated by an arm 28 on a sliding bar 29 provided with a button 57. The bar 29 is under the action of a spring 39, Fig. 1, and is provided with a pawl 36 for engagement with a stop 38 and released by means of a projection 37 on a 'line' key, which is controlled by a special signal. After freeing the cam 8, it is carrried round by momentum until a tooth 24 strikes a second arm 33 on the bar 29, the tooth 24 being so disposed that the shuttle is moved to the outward position, leaving the combs free and permitting of removal or adjustment of the perforated strip. The shift comb is shown separately in Fig. 9. The shift signals determine the selection of a bar 48 or 52 provided with a wedge portion 50 for co-operation with a wedge portion 49 of the shift comb, to move it against a stop 51 or 47. There is a slight re-arrangement of the letter permutations, and the five or all-hole permutation, instead of being used as a letter signal, is used as the lettershift signal, and accordingly corresponds to the zero position of the combs, which is obtained on the outward movement of the shuttle by means of a plate 46, Fig. 1, and consequently on the occurrence of a 'line' signal. This arrangement also permits of invisible correction of strip errors by punching all-hole corrections, whereby the printing action ceases until the obliteration has run through. The all-hole permutation may be reserved as the correction signal, and another permutation used as the letter-shift signal. Jn order to simplify the insertion of the strip in the shuttle, it is taken directly around the star-wheel and out again, a small semicircular die-plate coinciding with the circumference of the star-wheel is provided, and the direction of motion of the star-wheel is reversed. Every fifth tooth of the star wheel, corresponding to the third or middle comb rod, is omitted, and each message is started with four or five space signals, having the hole in the third position, which holes are adjusted opposite the missing teeth.