Patent GB-854362-A (GB)
Title: Printing apparatus
IPC: G06K15/06
Filed: 1957-02-14
Abstract: 854,362. Typewriters &c. OLYMPIA WERKE A. G. Feb. 14, 1957 [Feb. 14, 1956], No. 5089/57. Class 100(4) R.O. Record controlled; timed operation: typecase machines. A high speed printing machine controlled by a storage unit has a type carrier bearing one or more complete sets of all the characters to be used and prints a complete line of type as the printing surface and type set carrier move past each other in the direction of the long axis of the type carrier either from right to left or vice-versa. The sets of character types may be arranged in one long row in a carrier, or in several shorter rows, either in a carrier or on the surface of a cylinder. In the latter case the characters are presented at the printing station in the same sequence but displaced one letter space to either right or left as the cylinder revolves. Relative movement in the former instance may be effected by moving laterally either paper or type carrier continuously or in steps. In the latter case rotation of the type cylinder produces the same effect. A storage device having two registers may be used in which case the register not connected to the printer may be loaded from a computer whilst information is being printed from the register connected to the printer. On completion of the two operations the registers are changed over, thus no time is lost waiting for information to be printed or stored. R.O. Type carriages. A type carriage 111, Fig. 1, moves to the left in steps over paper 112. Numerals I-IX represent successive positions of the carriage 111. When the types are in the correct position to print, as determined by the storage unit, the digits of the example shown i.e. 1,409,175,258 are printed as indicated in heavy type. The characters to be used may be split into three groups 114, 115, 116, Fig. 3. Part of a line of text is printed as group 114 moves parallel to the axis of a platen 117. The paper 112 is then line spaced to bring the printing line successively opposite groups 115 and 116 where the line of print is completed. Each of type set carriers 114. 115, 116 has its own operating hammers 118, 119. 120 moved by electromagnets 124, 125, 126. Printing may be carried out on a flat web. A single set of hammers and magnets could be used bv moving the type sets up and down and holding the paper still. Alternatively more than one line may be started at the same time, the paner being suitably moved to complete each line. Two printing devices may operate from two magnetic storage registers. A coincidence device receives pulses from the nrinters conveying the information that printine of a line is completed. When both lines are completed the device passes pulses to control circuits tn start a new line for both printers. R.O. Driving arrangements. Fig. 6 shows a method of connecting a printing apparatus to a magnetic matrix register 161. The first twentv-one types of a tyne set carrier face a hammer set having actuating magnets 20a-20u each of which can be excited through a current gate and amplifier. A scanning contact K moves over contacts 23k-23a as the type set carrier' moves to the left, and when a stored digit or digits is sensed printing occurs. Similarly printing may be carried out when a rotatable type set carrier 171, Fig. 8, is used. A contact k scans contacts 173a-173g electrically driven by a ratchet 177 and a pawl. Electronic or photoelectric scanning could be used in both embodiments. A ring counter, as described in Specification 854,361, may be used for providing synchronised scanning pulses. Means are provided for switching over from one storage register to another also for sending a pulse to the command transfer system that the printer is ready to start printing i.e. it is in a position corresponding to the end of a text line. Circuits are described which make possible the printing of information from one register whilst the second is being loaded, when both these operations are completed pulses are transmitted to the command transfer system indicating this fact. Change over now takes place so that information stored in the full register is printed whilst the emptied register is recharged. R.O. Type actions; hammer impression arrangements. Types are mounted on opposite ends of laminations 191, Fig. 12, and are urged towards a platen 117 by a hammer 195. A spring 196 returns the type and prevents rebound. A guide shield 200 keeps the types correctly located whilst the cylinder revolves. Type carrying rods 211, Fig. 14, are positioned by springs 212, and are urged towards the platen 117 by hammer 204 through the type carrying rod opposite and spring controlled rod 217. Type rods 211, Fig. 15, are held retracted by springs 212 and moved for printing by hammers 214. Type levers 241, Fig. 21, have arms 241a, 241b which extend alternately forwards and backwards. Electromagnetically urged hammers 244, 245 move the type levers. Levers 241 could he straight with hammers suitably disposed. R.O. Type case machines; carriage driving. A type set carrier 111, Fig. 22, is driven step by step past a paner carrier 117 by rack 253 and pawls 252a, 259a and magnets 251, 254. The paper carrier may move whilst the tvpe set carrier is stationary. For continuous instead of stepping movement a rack, worm and servomotor mav be used. An oscillatory motion may be superimnosed on the continuous relative motion of the tvpe set or the paper carrier in a direction such that the two carriers are momentarily stationary relative to each other when the type hits the paper. The oscillatory motion may be applied to either the stationary or the moving member. A type carriage 411. Fig. 28, moves continuously driven bv a motor 256 through either one of reversing clutches 281, 282, and is also oscillated by either magnet 285 or 286. Magnet yokes 283, 284 support the carrier 411 on rubber blocks 290 and are themselves rigidly mounted on a carriage 406 attached to a rack 258. Excitation may be by the alternating voltage feeding the synchronous motor 256 or by synchronised switching. A type carrier 111, Fig. 29, is moved by racks 301, 302 and pawls 252a, 259a. When magnet 251 is energised the pawl 252a moves to the right until arrested by a pin 303, taking the rack 301 and the carrier 111 with it. Pawl 252a is returned by spring 252b during which time rack 301 is prevented from returning by pawl 320 mounted on lever 309. Similar pawls 259a, 321 at the opposite end of carrier 111 are disengaged during this movement to the right by magnet 306 acting through linkages 318, 308, 310, 314.