Patent GB-418877-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in ciphering machines
IPC: G09C3/00
Filed: 1933-12-11
Abstract: 418,877. Typewriters for ciphering. HAGELIN, B. C. W., 29, Lõstmakaregatan, Stockholm. Dec. 11, 1933, No. 34835. Convention date, Dec. 10, 1932. [Class 146 (ii).] In a ciphering-machine the number of keys in the keyboard is equal to the product of the number of ciphering-channels in a series of ciphering- mechanisms, and selector bars, equal in number to the sum of the ciphering- channels, are provided, each key acting on one selector bar co-operating with each ciphering- mechanism to control the translating - mechanism. As shown, the machine is provided with two ciphering-mechanisms in the form of commutators 7, Fig. 2, and each commutator has five channels so that there are twenty-five keys 2 and ten selector bars which control contacts 4 arranged in two series of five and connected to corresponding brushes 5, Fig. 5, of the commutators 7. Actuation of any key causes the closing of two contacts, one in each series. In ciphering-position, the brushes contact with slip-rings 6 of the commutators, each ring 6 being connected to two axial contacts 8. An insulating-member 9 between the commutators is provided with five axial contacts 10 for each commutator and arranged so that in any position of the commutators the contacts 10 are connected to different slippings. Each commutator 7, Fig. 2, is provided with a toothed wheel 26 in mesh with a toothed wheel 25 loosely mounted on a shaft 18 between two toothed wheels 24 having six teeth each of which can be engaged by teeth 23 projecting from the faces of discs 21. Each disc carries a different number of teeth, the numbers being prime to each other, and the teeth are adjustable to and from active position. The discs 21 are secured to toothed wheels 20 having teeth equal in number to the number of teeth 23, and are mounted freely on a shaft 22 to mesh with toothed wheels 19 secured to the shaft 18 and each provided with ten teeth. The shaft 18 is provided with a ten-tooth crown wheel 18<a> actuated by a pin 36b on a shaft 36 which is clutched, for one revolution only, to a continuously-driven shaft 30 as a result of each operation of a key 2. Each rotation of the shaft 36 therefore turns the shaft 18 one-tenth of a revolution to cause the discs 21 to rotate one tooth division, this rotation being passed to the commutators according to the setting of the teeth 23. Each of the axial contacts 10 is connected to a socket 12, Fig. 5, mounted in a bar 11 of insulating-material, plugs 15 being mounted in the sockets and connected to double-ended contacts 14 carried by an insulating-support 13. The plugs 15 are interchangeably mounted in the sockets 12 so that the ciphering-channels can be varied. The contacts 14 are in contact with brushes 16 which are connected to electromagnets 17, Fig. 2, and thence through a battery back to the contacts 4. The support 13 is adapted to be oscillated under the control of a knob 28 so that the contacts 14 can bridge across the brushes 5, 16 to enable direct typing to be effected, or so that they are in contact with the brushes 5 and not with the brushes 16, while the brushes 16 and not the brushes 5 are in contact with the slip-rings for deciphering. Eight magnets 17 are employed, one brush in each series having no corresponding magnet. The armatures of the electro-magnets when energized act to prevent movement of corresponding notched discs 39 carried by a hollow shaft 38, which can oscillate under the control of a lever 40 and a cam on the shaft 36. The discs carry teeth which co-operate with notches on stop-bars 32 arranged as a cage round the shaft 30, the bars being acted on by springs 33 tending to pull them towards a type-wheel 29 frictionally secured to the shaft 30. The bars are normally held against the action of the springs by a ring 34, the axial position of which relative to the shaft 30 is determined by a cam 35 on the shaft 36. The action of the electromagnets, discs 39, and ring 34 is such that, at each operation of the machine, one bar 32 is freed to be pulled by its spring into the path of movement of a double-ended stop 31, Fig. 7, diametrically slidable in the type-wheel. Each key preferably represents two signs either of which can be brought into operation by means of shift mechanism, but, in order to avoid giving an indication in the message that the shift-key or space-bar has been operated, a ciphered sign is produced. The types corresponding to the two signs on any key are arranged at diametrically opposite points on the type-wheel, and the stop 31 is movable to bring either end into position to co-operate with the stop-bars 32. A crescent-shaped plate 66, under the control of an assembly 65 which is rocked on actuation of the shift-key, acts to set the stop 31 in desired position. The paper is drawn from a magazine over a guard 45 carrying the impression-hammer 46 to feed-rollers 47, 48 actuated intermittently by means of a pawl-and-ratchet device. The paper-feed and the operation of the hammer are under the control of cams on the shaft 36. A stop-bar 71 is provided adapted to be engaged by pins 73, 74 on the type-wheel to prevent movement of the paper and hammer or of the hammer alone when a shift-key or space-bar sign is being deciphered. Mechanism is provided for inserting a space after every five letters or signs, this being effected by a cam on the shaft 18 on which bears a lever normally permitting sufficient movement of the paper-feed pawl to produce normal spacing, but at the completion of each half-revolution of the shaft drops into a notch in the cam and permits an additional movement of the pawl to produce a space. A modification is described in which twenty-seven combinations are possible, there being three commutators and nine contacts 4 arranged in three series of three. Specification 247,838, [Class 146 (ii)], is referred to. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 describes a further modification in which the selector bars are each provided with a lever supported by one of three projections of different heights arranged on a cylinder. When a key is depressed, the corresponding selector bars and their levers are projected and the lever which is supported at the lowest level by the projections on the cylinders moves forward to engage a further lever and lock the corresponding disc 39. To permit the adjustment of the cylinders after each key operation, a lifter arranged under the keyboard raises all the levers after the printing of each sign. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.