Patent GB-116195-A (GB)
Title: Transposing Machine for Telegraph Alphabets.
Inventor: MURRAY DONALD
IPC: H03M7/40
Filed: 1917-08-22
Abstract: 116,195. Murray, D. Aug, 22, 1917. Selective punching-machines.-In a machine for the transposition of signals from one telegraph alphabet or code into another, e.g. from the fiveunit code into the morse code or vice versa, a group of selecting-devices, such as notched combs, representing one code is arranged side by side with a second group of selecting-devices representing the other code and a set of cross-bars common to the two groups is so arranged that the cross-bar selected by any given signal of the first code acting on the first group of combs operates one or more of the second group of combs according to the other code. In the machine described, the first group of combs is set electromagnetically by the incoming signals on the five-unit code, and the second group of combs selectively controls punching-mechanism to produce a tape perforated on the morse code. Differential feeding-mechanism for feeding the perforated tape varying amounts corresponding to varying lengths of the signals in the morse code is described. Arrangement and operation of selecting mechanism. Two groups of combs or disks A, B are arranged side by side beneath a series of crossbars 13, one for each character, pivoted at one end on a rod 14 and held at the other end just clear of the combs by a bar 15. The group of combs A comprises five combs with slots to represent the five-unit alphabet and a sixth comb for the figure shift. The five combs of group A are moved to the right in Fig. 1 by springs in the usual way when released by magnets S, Fig. 2, only one of which is shown. The sixth comb 9, Fig. 4, is moved to the right or left by the wedge shaped ends of two special cross bars 11, 12 which are selected like the other cross bars 13 but do not act on the combs of group B. This shifting of the sixth comb to right or left alters the selection so that signals representing figures will be recorded if the comb moves in one direction, and letters if it moves in the other. The group of combs B comprises twelve combs, this being the maximum number of signals elements in a character of the morse code. One or more of the five setting-magnets S having been operated by the incoming signals in the usual manner, the distributor momentarily energizes a magnet T, Figs. 1, 2, which pulls down the bar 15, thus permitting one of the crossbars 13 to fall into the alined row of slots in the combs, the particular crossbar selected corresponding to the signal received. As the armature of the magnet T moves downwards, the wedge-shaped edge of a universal bar 81, Fig. 2, moves under the wedge-shaped ends 30 of all the crossbars 13 except the selected one which is forced downwards by the engagement of the parts 81, 30. Each crossbar is cut with a sloping bevel 31, Fig. 3, to engage wedge-shaped teeth 82 on certain of the group of morse combs B, so that the depression of the selected crossbar forces one or more of the combs B to the right. In a modification, the morse combs B may be displaced simply by the power of the spring 29 of the selected crossbar. Control of punching-mechanism by selected combs. The punch block 32, Fig. 1, with its group of punches 33 and the star-wheel 34 for feeding the tape 39 is attached to the long arm of a bell-crank lever 35 connected to the plunger of the punching-magnet P. The ends of the selected combs may be used as the fixed hammer for forcing the required punches through the tape, but preferably the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is adopted, in which two groups, each of six bellcrank levers 40, 41, are pivoted on rods 42, 43. The vertical arms of the levers engage slots in the under edges of the morse combs, the other arms being connected by links 83, 84, to two other groups of six levers each, 44, 45, pivoted in a fixed block 85. The levers 40, 41 are cranked as shown in Fig. 5 to bring them into line with the punches 33. Slight movement to the right of one or more of the combs B throws one or more of the ends 48, 49 of the twelve levers 44, 45 into the path of the punches 33 which are arranged in two rows in the punch block 32. The punching-magnet is energized immediately after the setting of the comb bars B, this being effected by including in the circuit of the punching-magnet P, Fig. 2, two contacts 53, 57 of which the contact 57 is closed during the downward movement of the armature of the magnet and is retained by a catch 58, while the contact 53 is closed immediately the armature returns to its normal position. The catch 58 is tripped by a rod 59 operated by the punching- magnet. Differential tape feeding mechanism. The tape feed wheel 34, Fig. 1. carries a ratchet-wheel engaged by a pawl 63 carried by an arm 64 which is connected by a link 72 to a lever 70 pivoted at 71 to one arm of a bell-crank lever 68 which in turn is connected by a link 67 to the long arm of the lever 35 connected to the core of the punching-magnet P. The lever 70 carries a differential rod 75 having a tooth 76 on each side (see Figs. 1 and 3) adapted to engage the levers 44, 45, when these are brought into position to co-operate with the punches. If there is only one unit in the character, such as E or T, then only one or other of the first pair of levers 44, Fig. 1, will be in the path of the punches and also in the path of the .differential rod 75. If the morse signal represents a long character of six units, then all six pairs of levers will be brought into the path of the punches and the rod 75, and so also with characters of intermediate length. The movement of the rod 75 is thus determined by the length of the character to be recorded. When the magnet P is energized, the link 67 forces the lever 68 to move its long arm, together with the lever 70 inward. The spring 73 keeps the link 72 and pawl 63 in their position of rest until the rod 75 is stopped by the engagement of one of the teeth with one of the levers 44, 45. Directly this occurs, the link 72 extends the spring 73 and pushes the pawl 63 down round the corresponding number of teeth of the ratchet-wheel, the tape being fed forwards when the punching-magnet de-energizes. If plain tape without a central row of feed holes is used, a central row of feed hole punches is provided and the feed wheel is arranged to engage the tape after it has been punched. Means for restoring combs to normal position. The five combs of group A are restored by a stud 86 on the forward stroke of the lever 35. The sixth or figure shift comb is not restored, being controlled exclusively by the figure and letter shift levers 11, 12 operated by the group of five combs. The second group of combs B is restored on the back stroke of the lever 35 moving to its position of rest.