Patent GB-754648-A (GB)
Title: Tape perforating machines
IPC: B41B25/00
Filed: 1954-12-21
Abstract: 754,648. Type-making machines. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE CO. Dec. 21, 1954 [April 12, 1954], No. 36901/54. Class 100 (3). Strip-perforating machines ; justifying type.- A machine for producing on a tape a succession of code signals representative of a justified composed line of type characters which vary in set widths on a unit basis includes a keyboard containing a set of character keys and a word space key, a power-operated tape perforator for producing the code signals in the tape, a poweroperated justification computer, electrical means for transmitting code information as to set width from the character keys and the word space key to the justification computer and the tape perforator, and electrical means for transmitting code information as to justification width from the justification computer to the tape perforator. The composing mechanism includes a typewriter 50, Fig. 1, having a keyboard including a plurality of character keys, a space bar 127, a shift key 125, and an auxiliary keyboard provided with push-button keys or switches for producing signals representing machine functions such as changing fonts. Each key operates a lever 67 to raise a member 76 momentarily, a cam 77 acting to free the member 76 and allow it to drop even if the key remains depressed. An interlock of the ball type 69 is provided to prevent more than one key being depressed at the same time, and can be actuated to prevent any key being depressed by a solenoid LS, Fig. 27. In addition to operating a lever 67, the space bar 127 closes contacts SBC to energize a relay SB, Fig. 29, and the shift key 125 closes contacts SHC to energize a solenoid SS, Figs. 5 and 28. Each member 76 is associated with a code bar actuating member 100, and the raising of a member 76 actuates a trigger 82 to drop a cam 87 on to a power-driven roller 96 or 93 and raise a lever 84 and the member 100. The members 100 are formed with notches 103 which cooperate with notches formed in a series of code bars 113 fixed to rods 105. The notches are arranged differently in the various code bars so that each member 100 actuates a different combination of two or more code bars, and rocks the corresponding rods 105. Rocking of a rod 105 closes one of a series of switches shown generally as 110. One of the code bars is actuated every time a key is depressed, and its switch is the universal switch UNS, Fig. 29. Eight bars represent characters and operate switches 1CB-8CB, and four bars represent character width and operate switches 9CB-12CB. Operation of the shift solenoid SS moves the four character width rods against springs 115 to a second position so that a different combination will be actuated by any particular member 100. A proof is also made by means of the platen 66. Justification computer. A justification drum 194, Fig. 7, has a surface divided into zones, four of which are aligned with switches 251 on one side of the drum, and five of which are aligned with switches 251 on the other side of the drum, the switches 251 comprising 1Q-4Q and 1QR-5QR, Fig. 29. Each zone is formed with raised surfaces in selected positions. Depressing of a justification key energizes solenoids 1RS, 2RS, Fig. 27, to swing all the switches towards the drum, those which encounter raised surfaces being closed so as to transmit a justification signal to the perforator. The values represented by the signals transmitted by the switches 1Q-4Q are 1, 2, 4, 8 units respectively, giving 'a total of 1-15 in binary fashion, and by the switches 1QR- 5QR are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 units. The signals from switches Q, QR represent a quotient and remainder derived by dividing the excess length of line by the number of word spaces. Thus for an excess length of 47 units with 6 spaces, 5 spaces are to be increased by 8 units each and one space by 7 units. In each zone, the raised surfaces are arranged in 24 columns representing the number of word spaces and 48 rows representing units of excess length. The switches are mounted on a carriage which is moved through the distance of one column every time the space bar is depressed. Every time any character key or the space bar is depressed, the drum is rotated the distance of from one to twelve rows according to the character width, and the drum is set to an initial position such that at the end of the line the switches will be opposite the zero rows. A shaft 142, Fig. 7, is continuously driven through an overload clutch 175, and carries a rotor having angularly arranged therein twelve rotor bars 143, each of which can be projected by one of twelve solenoids E, Figs. 7 and 28. If, for example, a character key for a character of width 7 units is depressed, solenoid 7E is energized to project the 7th rotor bar. When the previously projected bar is retracted, which is done by a solenoid ERS, the shaft 142 rotates a distance corresponding to seven units, until the projected bar abuts a stop plate. The motion of the shaft 142 is transmitted through a tooth clutch 185, releasable by a solenoid TCS, Fig. 27, and members 190, 191 to the drum. The drum is rotated by a motor MA2 so as to hold the members 190, 191 in contact, the drum drive permitting slip. Rotation of the shaft 142 thus permits rotation of the drum. On releasing of the clutch 185 at the end of a line, the drum is reset by a motor MA1. The zero position of the drum is adjusted by a pawl 213 set by a crank 215. Crank 215 also sets a pointer stop 224, Figs. 7 and 12, according to length of line, which is indicated by a pointer 230 on an emscale on a dial 226, scale 225 reading in twelfths of an em against a pointer 229. A locking device 231, 232 then holds the parts in position. When the justification key is pressed, a solenoid PRS is energized to release a clutch 234, whereupon a torsion spring 235 rotates a pointer 184 until it abuts the stop 224. On re-engagement of the clutch, the motion of the shaft 142 is transmitted to the pointer 184 to totalize the unit spaces. In Fig. 12, the pointer is in end-of-line position, indicating no excess length. The length remaining is indicated on a scale 236. Pressing of the space-bar energizes a solenoid CSS to step the switch carriage one step by a rack-and-pawl mechanism, and also illuminates one of the lamps 237; a solenoid CRS restores the carriage at the end of the line. Each lamp in turn is illuminated, starting at the right, and when the pointer 184 is to the right of the illuminated lamp, justification can take place. Perforating unit. Fourteen punches 333, Fig. 19, are provided to perforate the tape 335. Each punch is actuated on rotation of a camshaft 306 by a common plunger 301 through an interponent 296. Each punch is controlled by a solenoid IP, which causes the corresponding interponent to be projected. When the plunger 301 is retracted, a spring 305 retracts the punches through a tray 300, adjustable connection 341 and returning plate 337. The cam-shaft is continuously driven through a friction clutch, but is normally prevented from rotation by a lug 307 engaging one of two catches 311. The lug is released by the energization of solenoids TRS, whereupon the camshaft rotates through 180 degrees. After operation of the punches, a cam 332 acts through a member 330 to retract the interponents, a further cam causes a step rotation of shaft 346 to feed the tape, and further cams close contacts CC1, CC2, CC3, Fig. 27, for short periods and at different times during the cycle of halfrevolution. Electrical operation. The electrical circuits, Figs. 27, 28 and 29, are shown as connected between two supply lines W1, W2. The contacts operated by each relay are designated by the designation of the relay followed by a reference numeral, and are shown in the condition, whether open or closed, in which they are when the relay is not energized. Thus, energization of relay 3J, Fig. 27, closes contacts 3J1, 3J3, 3J5, 3J6, 3J7 and opens contacts 3J2, 3J4. The eight punches representing character identification are conditioned by solenoids 1IP-8IP, the four representing character width by solenoids 9IP-12IP, and two punches representing one and two unit spaces by solenoids 13IP and 14IP. The solenoids 1E-12E project the rotor bars to rotate the shaft 142 to set the drum and pointer 1-12 steps. The energization of the solenoids E is controlled by solenoids 1W-4W on a binary system, 1W-4W representing respectively 1, 2, 4, 8 width units, so that 2W, 3W in combination cause 6E to be energized. Relays IF-4F are the font relays, and J, 1J-6J the justification relays. In the photo-composing machine controlled by the rape in the construction described, there are five type fonts, numbers 1-4 and a normal or " home " font. Before normal operation begins, the lines W1, W2 are connected to a power source by switch means. Relay FIII is thereupon energized. The following actions then follow automatically, by means of the circuits illustrated. Energize coil 5IP; energize coil TRS to release camshaft; energize coils 1SP, 2SP, 3SP; deenergize or " break " coil TRS; energize coils 4SP, 4F; break coils 3F, SIP, 1SP, 2SP, 3SP, 4SP. A signal 5 (i.e. in position 5 on the tape), has now been made which is a " home " font signal. The justification key JP is now pressed, with the following results. Energize coil J, machine function coil MF, tripping solenoid pulse relays TSP, TSPX, coils 5IP, 7IP, 8IP. Coil TRS is energized for 20 milliseconds owing to a delay in opening'contacts TSPX1, whereupon " end-of-line " signal 5, 7, 8 is produced. After each signal the tape is fed one step. Energize coil 1J, keyboard locking solenoid LS, coil 2J; coils IRS, 2RS, to move the switches Q, QR towards the drum. Since no raised surfaces are encountered, the switches Q, QR remain open, and no coils IP are energized. Energize coils 3J, TRS. Since no coils IP are energized, no signal is produced. Break coils 2J, TRS, 1RS, 2RS; energize coil 4J and justification