Patent GB-190003390-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Type-writing, Type-setting or analogous Machines and Telegraphic Apparatus.
Inventor: DUNDAS HENRY
Filed: 1900-02-21
Granted: 1901-02-21
Abstract: 3390. Dundas, H., and Kershaw, P. B. W. Feb. 21. Type - writers; linotype machines; type, setting and distributing.-Relates to machines for use in connection with typewriters, linotype machines, type-composing machines, telegraphic apparatus, &c., or for perforating paper strips for controlling typographic apparatus. The machine is provided with a keyboard containing both single-letter keys and " syllabic " keys, and it operates to transform the simultaneous movements produced by depressing a chord of keys into successive movements for the purpose of operating the keyboard of the linotype machine or other apparatus with which it is associated. Thus, if the two syllabic keys " te" " le " are simultaneously depressed, the four keys t, e, l, e, of the linotype machine will be depressed in succession by the operation of the machine. Fig. 5 shows in plan view the preferred form of keyboard. It consists of an upper section 12 consisting of syllabic keys in which a vowel is followed by a consonant, a bottom section 13 of syllabic keys in which this order is reversed, and a middle section 14 of single-character keys. Shift-keys 35, 36, &c. are provided for varying the consonant associated with any vowel, each key being marked with three such consonants. The keyboard operates the machine by means of pneumatic tubes, of which a large number pass from the keyboard to the '' recording mechanism." Thus with the fifty syllabic keys of the upper section of the keyboard are associated fifteen pneumatic tubes, corresponding to the five rows of vowels and the ten columns of consonants. The depression of any key admits air to two of these tubes, and effects two simultaneous movements in the " recording "mechanism." The shift-keys operate independent tubes so as to send an additional impulse from the keyboard. The " selecting mechanism," i.e., that portion of the machine which transforms the simultaneous movements into successive ones, is so constructed that the normal order of succession is from left to right in the rows of keys, and outwards from the centre in the columns. If, therefore, the syllabic keys " aw," " eh " in the upper section of the keyboard were depressed the normal succession of the characters operated by the " selecting mechanism" would be e, w, a, h. In order to ensure that in all cases the syllabic keys shall act from left to right, special automatic mechanism is associated with the keyboard which sends an impulse to the recording-mechanism whenever the left-hand key of two simultaneously-depressed syllabic keys is outermost. The effect of this impulse is to vary the normal action of the selecting-mechanism so as to reverse the order of the vowels. Thus, in the example mentioned above, the selecting-mechanism would place the characters in the order a, w, e h. A reversal pedal is provided by means of which the syllabic keys can be caused to operate from right to left or, if the keys depressed are in different sections, to cause the key in the lower section to act first. The recording-mechanism consist of a "record " drum" and " permutation bars." The record drum, Fig. 17, consists of a hollow cylinder having a number of longitudinal slots 201 in its circumference. In each of these slots fit loosely a number of record studs 202, which are capable of lateral movement along the slots. Fig. 18<a> shows one of the record studs detached. Surrounding the record drum is a shield provided with twice as many circumferential slots 211, 212 as there are studs in each slot of the record drum. During the intermittent rotation of the drum each stud passes along one or other of the two slots which are associated with it, the slots 212 being termed operative slots and the alternate slots 211 inoperative. The operative slots merge into the corresponding inoperative slots at the position marked a, Fig. 17, so that the record stud at the end of its revolution returns to the same position whether it has travelled round the operative or the inoperative slot. A longitudinal opening in the record drum shield makes a break in all the circumferential slots, and it is at this position that the record studs are shifted by the impulses transmitted from the keyboard. Each pneumatic tube leading from the keyboard communicates with a bellows which operates a forked arm serving to shift the corresponding record stud to the left in Fig. 17. The studs are normally opposite the inoperative slots, but if two syllabic keys, for example, are depressed by the operator, four of the record studs will be shifted, two representing the vowels and two the consonants. The record drum immediately rotates so as to bring a fresh line of studs into position in the slot 210. The four studs which have been shifted to the left enter their operative slots, while the remainder pass into the inoperative ones. In the side elevation of the machine, shown in Fig. 2, the numeral 10 designates the box which conveys the pneumatic tubes from the keyboard, 222 the bellows actuated by the tubes, 256 the forked arms which shift the record studs, and 208 the shaft of the record drum. Pivoted on the shaft 208 is a pair of arms 114 which support a shaft from which hang loosely a number of latchets 112. The latchets enter the operative slots of the record drum shield, and normally rest in contact with the surface of the drum. When a line of record studs comes beneath the row of latchets, those studs which have been shifted so as to traverse the operative slots push out the corresponding latchets, which remain out aslong as the studs are beneath them. Immediately behind the latchets are the " permutation bars" 313, of which one is shown on a larger scale in Fig. 35. These bars hang loosely from a shaft 320, and are capable of a limited vertical movement. With each bar is associated a curved arm 323 having a pin 324 engaging with the bar. The arms 323 are held in contact with the latchets by means of springs 325 which normally hold the permutation bars out of the vertical position, as shown in Fig. 35. When, however, a latchet is pushed out as above described, the corresponding permutation bar is moved into the vertical position against the tension of the spring 325. Thus, as each row of record studs comes beneath the latchets, a definite group of permutation bars is brought into action. Beneath the permutation bars is an " assembling drum " 400, which constitutes the principal feature of the selecting-mechanism. The assembling-drum bears on its surface a large number of selecting- studs 415, Fig. 35, which pass in turn beneath the selecting-stud arms 364 and cause them to lift the selected permutation bars successively. It is necessary that the assembling-drum should make one complete revolution while each selected group of permutation bars is in the operative position, and special means are provided to cause the arms 114 and latchets 112 to move with the record drum until the revolution of the assembling-drum is completed, and then to return towards the normal position so that the next line of record studs may push out a new combination of latchets. No operator can permanently work at a faster rate than the assembling-drum revolves, but he may strike a few cords more rapidly, and the above provision for the moving of the latchets ensures that each group of permutation bars shall remain in operative position long enough for all the studs on the assembling- drum to pass beneath them. The permutation bars serve to operate a " hit and miss pneumatic valve 450, Fig. 2, consisting of ten perforated annular discs capable of a limited rotary movement. The movement of any single disc, or of any combination of discs, effects the coincidence of one set of perforations, and one only, thus opening a passage which admits compressed air to a tube leading to the keyboard of the linotype machine &c. These tubes communicate with small cylinders the pistons of which act on the keys of the machine. The ten valve rings are turned by arms 328, Fig. 2, extending from ten rock-shafts 332, Figs. 2 and 35, arranged in two rows behind the permutation bars. Each permutation bar carries on its side an offset 340 with which engage pins on the ends of one or more arms 329 extending from the rock-shafts 332. The lifting of each permutation bar thus effects the turning of a certain combination of valve rings, and causes the depression of the corresponding key in the linotype keyboard. The permutation bar shown in Fig. 35 is of the simplest form, and belongs to the middle section of the keyboard. The selecting-studs which actuate these permutation bars are arranged on the assembling-drum in simple helical form. The permutation bars used for the syllabic keys, while of the same general character, are complicated by the provision of devices which enable them to be temporarily thrown out of action by the automatic vowel reversal mechanism, and by other automatic means, whenever it is necessary that a bar be passed by the stud that would normally act on it and be afterwards brought into use. The selecting-studs form a series of broken and over-lapping helices separated by "cut-outs," "reversal," and other studs. The machine may be adapted to punch holes in a paper strip for controlling a type-setting machine by replacing the ten valve rings operated by the rock-shafts 332 by ten punches arranged to operate in a transverse line on a paper strip, which is advanced step-by-step by ratchet feed-mechanism. The devices above described may be operated or controlled electrically, instead of by pneumatic power.