Patent GB-520692-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record controlled typewriting mechanism
IPC: B41J11/36
Filed: 1938-10-26
Abstract: 520,692. Typewriters. BALDWIN, R. E. Oct. 26, 1938, No. 31010..[Class 100 (iv)] Record-controlled type-lever machines; caseshift mechanism.-In mechanism comprising type-levers mounted on a common pivot-wire and each provided with two, or more types, each type-lever is selected to print from one of the types by one of a series of holes in the record, and when that hole is accompanied by a control-hole, the pivot-wire is shifted and the type-lever is selected to print from another of the types. The mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 3, 8 and 10 comprises ten type-levers 147 each provided with one numeral-type 202 and two letter-types 201, 200 and a single type;lever 147a provided with letter-types A, B. The typelevers are pivoted on an arcuate wire 146 having case-shift support on rock-arms 180. Each type-lever carries a pivoted hook 150 for co-operation with a bail 152 which is pivoted on a rod 126 and is connected to a lever 157 operated by a cam 159 on a shaft 50. The hooks of the type-levers 147 co-operate also with fingers 131 pivotally mounted on a rod 132 forming part of a bail 136 which is mounted on trunnions 135 and is connected to a lever 141 operated by a cam 144 on the shaft 50. The fingers are normally obstructed by bell-cranks 127 which are connected by Bowden cables 103 to pins 101 for sensing the 0 . . . 9 holes in the card. Pins 101a, 101b for sensing holes representing A and B in the card are connected by Bowden cables 103a, 103b, Fig. 10, to bell-cranks 166a, 166b adapted to co-operate with steps 168a, 168b on a lever 170 which is pivoted on one of the trunnions 135 and abuts on a stop 173 on the bail-rod 132. The lever abuts on a bell-crank 187 which is pivoted on one' of the rock-arms 180 and can co-operate with notches 190, 191 in a plate secured to the bail 152. When a digit-hole only is sensed, the associated bellcrank 127 releases one of the fingers 131, and on movement of the bail 136, the non-released fingers co-operatewith the bell-'cranks 127 to release the associated hooks 150 from the bail 152. The hook 150 of the type-lever 147a is released by means of a finger 176 and a co-operating bail' 178 which is obstructed by the operative bell-crank 127. When the bail 152 rises, the type-lever corresponding to the sensed digit-hole is swung downwards to print the selected digit. If two digit-holes have been punched in error in a column, two type-levers are operated but they push each other aside before reaching the printing point, and printing is prevented. When a digit-hole and the A-hole  or B-hole are sensed in combination, the abovedescribed operations occur and, in addition, the bell-crank 166a or 166b is moved into engagement with the step 168a or 168b. During movement of the bail 136, the bell-crank 187 is moved into register with the notch 190 or 191, and when the bail 152 rises, the arms 180 are rocked and the pivot-wire 146 is shifted into position for permitting the type 201 or 200 to print. When the A-hole or B-hole only is sensed, the shift mechanism is operated and, since the releasing-finger 176 is ineffective, the type-lever 147a is operated to print the letter A or B. The sensing-pins are mounted in bars 104, 108 and are provided with collars 110 co-operating with a restoring-bail 114 in connection with a lever 53 operated by acam 51 on the shaft 50. The mechanism may be employed for printing on the edge of the card an interpretation of each column of. holes. To prevent the type-levers from striking the tops of the end sensing-pins, the bail 114 is operated before printing is effected. The mechanism may also be employed on a sheet supported by a rotary platen, since the Bowden cables enable the type-levers to be placed in' any desired position. The printing-mechanism may be associated with card-feeding mechaniam constructed as follows:- The cards are delivered from a magazine 6, Figs. 2 and 3, by means of a picker-slide 11 connected to a rocking bail 16 which is connected to a crank 13 on a shaft 14 provided with a mutilated pinion 72 gearing with a pin-wheel 73 on the shaft 50. A motor 203 is connected by belts 205, 208 to the shaft 50. The cards are delivered to a gripper 29, 29a on a carriage 26 which runs on rails 28 and is connected by movement-multiplying linkage 33a ... 33d and a link 31 to the bail 16. The upper jaw 29 of the gripper is pressed by a spring 47 and is opened and closed by co-operation of fixed stops 192, 48 with a toggle 40 in connection with the jaw. The picker-slide and carriage move towards each other, and when the first column on the card is in register with the sensing-pins 101, the gripper closes. The carriage and picker-slide are then caused to move step-by-step away from each other, and the carriage causes successive columns on the card to be presented to the sensing-pins. The carriage and picker-slide are propelled by a spring in connection with the bail 16, 'and are controlled for step-movement by means of an escapement consisting of pawls 64, 70 which co-operate alternately with a rack 63 on the carriage. The pawls are pivoted on a pin 61 on the framework and engage pins on a lever 59, 60 which is pivoted on the pin 61 and is connected by a link 56 to the cam-operated lever 53. During each oscillation of the lever, the pawls are engaged and disengaged, and the carriage and picker-slide move one step. After a series of steps has been effected, abar 88 on the carriage rides off a pivoted dog 84, and a spring-urged bell-crank. 80 carrying the dog is permitted to rock. Thereupon a hook 81 on the bell - crank co-operates with a pin 90 to lock the lever 53, another hook 91 releases the pawl 64, the lever 59, 60 releases the pawl 70. The spring in connection with the bail 16 then displaces slightly the carriage and pickerslide, the pinion 72 re-engages the pin-wheel 74, the carriage and picker-slide are returned by a continuous movement to the starting positions, and the sequence of operations is repeated under control of another card. To ensure re-engagement of the pin-wheel and pinion, a series of pinion-teeth is formed on a spring- urged plate 76 pivoted on the pinion. A dashpot 25 in connection with the bail 16 cushions the carriage and picker-slide during the returnmovement. The bar 88 is detachably secured to the carriage, and may be formed with notches for permitting skipping of selected columns on the card. An ejecting-device for the used card consists of sweep-arm 193 on a rocking plate 194 arranged in the path of the gripper 29. The switch-button 221 of the motor is operated with a snap-action by means of' a spring-urged bail 219 in connection with another bail 216 provided with a handle 217. For automatically opening the switch when the machine runs out of cards, the bail 216 is provided with a pin 239 for co-operation with the arm 235 of a link 233 connecting links 227, 231 which are connected also by a link 229. The link 227 is mounted on the pivot-rod of the bails 216, 219 and is connected to a spring 237. If a card is present on the carriage 26, the link 229 engages the card and the arm 235 is raised above the pin 239. If no card is present the link 229 rises, the arm engages the pin, and the switch is opened. Paper-supports.-To prevent the outer type or types from printing when the shift-mechanism has been operated, the card is supported at the printing point by a small platen 163, Fig. 8, which is connected by a ramp to the cardsupport.