Patent GB-630205-A (GB)
Title: Music printing or typewriting machine
IPC: B41J3/34
Filed: 1946-09-11
Abstract: 630,205. Typewriters &c. PARKER, J. M. Sept. 11, 1946, No. 27335. Convention date, Oct. 23, 1945. [Class 100 (iv)] [Also in Group XXIV] Music writing machines.-A music printing or typewriting machine has a paper-supporting platen.which is vertically adjustable so that the type can print on any line or space of a music stave, by means of a lever 14, Fig. 2, moving vertically between upstanding bars of a scale S, the lever having a limited sideways movement to position it between staggered slots 17a corresponding to the lines and spaces of the music stave. The lever 14 rotates a spindle 13 which through a coupling 12 and adjustable connection 11, 11a, raises or lowers a framework 4, 5, 6 supporting a travelling platen mounting 3. The correct position is determined by the slots 17a, formed by horizontal transverse strip 17 attached to two rearwardly and upwardly inclined bars 16 forming the scale, and into which the lever 14 can be turned about a pin 18. Horizontal movement is imparted to the platen from a carriage C advanced along a pair of racks 38 by a letter spacing mechanism and a sliding connection between the carriage and the platen mounting 3 enables the latter to be adjusted in the vertical plane. Paper carriages and supports.-The platen can be swivelled in a vertical plane so that sloping lines may be formed on the paper, e.g. diminuendo signs, the required tilt being determined by the engagement of a spring- finger on the platen with one of a series of notches 27b, Fig. 2, in a quadrant 27 on the mounting 3. A sloping line may be continued by suitable operation of the platen horizontal and vertical movement mechanisms. In a modified form, Fig. 19, the platen P is mounted in a frame 172, and is vertically slidable therein so that the type can register precisely with either the treble or bass staves. Upstanding from the platen P and extending through a slot 177 in the frame 172 is a handle strip 173 by which the platen is moved from its lower position, where it rests on a lower member of the framework 172, into its upper position in which it is held by an arm 174 pivoted to the strip 173 and pressed by a spring 176 against a stop 178. Letter-spacing mechanism.-The depression of a type-key k, Fig. 7, engaging a bar 47 common to all the keys, rotates, through linkages 49, 52 a spindle 54, which, through a further linkage 56, 57 at the rear of the machine, rotates a frame 58 extending across the machine so that at any position of the carriage C a lever 59 thereon can be engaged to rotate a spindle 61 carrying a lever 62 which operates an escapement device 63 permitting the carriage C to travel a letter space to the left under the pull of cords 65a and spring pulleys 65. Stepby-step spacing without actuating the type-keys is effected by a key 69 linked to the spindle 54 by a spindle 70 and a linkage 70a. When it is desired to type more than one note in a vertical plane, the letter-spacing mechanism can be made inactive by the operation of a lever which disengages a clutch 53 (see Group XXIV). Carriage-releasing arrangements.-The carriage may be quickly traversed in either direction by throwing the escapement device 63 out of action by depressing a spring plunger 111 and moving the carriage by a hand grip thereon. Back-spacing mechanism.-Back-spacing is effected by the operation of a hand lever 83, Fig. 6, actuating through shaft 84, link 85, shaft 86 and lever 87, a bar 88 having a pin-andslot connection 89 with a bracket 90 secured to a rack 91 slidable on a rod 92. The shaft 86 carries a second lever 97 resiliently connected by members 103, 98, 99 to a frame 100 extending across the machine so that in any position of the carriage a detent 102 thereon will, by the rotation of the frame, be brought into engagement with the rack 91. The extent of the back-spacing movement thus imparted to the carriage from the rack 91 is governed by the escapement device 63. Ruling.-Stave lines are produced by either the repeated operation of a suitable key, or as shown in Fig. 9 by a printing roller 120 having five spaced circumferential ribs which bear by spring pressure against an inking roller or pad 121 at one side, and, at the other side, bear against the face of the paper, which is thereby quickly printed by one traversing movement of the carriage. The roller and pad 120, 121 are adjustably mounted on a block 122 slidably mounted on a rod 123 having a part 123a pivoted in a bracket 124 which itself is pivotally mounted on a fixed part 126 of the machine framework. When not required the device is swung clear of the printing position into a position as shown by the dotted lines. Type actions.-As shown in Fig. 9, each typebar 131 has pivoted thereon a variable striking head 132 carrying symbols (a) and (b), either of which may be brought into operative position by appropriate movement of a semi-circular member 133 common to all type bars. When the member 133 is moved into the position shown, by a hinged lever and knob 134, the symbol (b) is held in typing position by a hooked member 132a, but when the member 133 is moved backwardly it engages and retracts the hooked member 132a as the type-bar moves towards the platen to thereby release the head 132 in order that symbol (a) will be in printing position. In a modification, Fig. 14, a type-bar 142 has a variable head 141 carrying type x, y, z which are pivotally positioned against a restoring spring 151 by the engagement of a roller 154 on the head 141 with a control member 153 which is raised and lowered by an arm 157 having an indicating finger 157a. With the control member 153 in the highest position, the engagement with the roller 154 results in a small rotation of the head 141 to align type x for printing and as the member is lowered greater rotation is imparted to the head to align the other type y and z. The type-bars 142 are guided by a V-block 146 on a supporting plate 147.