Patent GB-815362-A (GB)
Title: Line space memory and counter for electric typewriter
IPC: B41J11/42
Filed: 1955-06-08
Abstract: 815,362. Recording-apparatus. PANELLIT Inc. June 8, 1955 [March 21, 1955], No. 16478/55. Class 106 (4). [Also in Group XVI] A line-spacing control apparatus comprises means for moving a record sheet intermittently and in accordance with a predetermined linespacing programme, including a driven record support, control apparatus responsive to movement of the support and means including a feedback arrangement to control the operation of the drive to in turn control the feed of the record sheet. In the embodiment described the apparatus is used to print data from a mechanism scanning a large number of variables and which feeds electrical data signals to an automatic typewriter to which is attached the line-spacing control apparatus 20 incorporating a line-space memory counter. The data is printed in vertical columns across the sheet 6 in longitudinally spaced segments S1 S2, S3, S4 of the sheet 6 and since the number of variables is greater than a single line of the sheet can accommodate printing occurs over more than one of the segments. Thus, one segment, e.g. S1, Fig. 2, may contain data for one half of the total number of variables involved and another segment may contain the remaining data for the same period. The sheet, after typing the last column in the first or subsequent line in segment S1, is indexed automatically to the first or corresponding subsequent line in segment 2. The sheet is then indexed back to the first segment for the next line of data. Third and fourth segments S3 and S4 are provided if the variables cannot be accommodated in segments S1 and S2. As described the data comprises variables which have to be recorded at every hour over a twenty-four hour period. If there are any abnormal readings between the hourly reading these are printed in an off normal segment ONS, the movement of the sheet to the next available line of printing on the segment ONS being determined by the line-space memory counter, since the movement of the sheet 6 depends upon (a) the line position in the segments S to 4 next to be printed and on the number of entries already made in the segment ONS. The sheet 6 may be in the form of a continuous band as shown in Fig. 1 so that only one direction of movement occurs, or the sheet may be in the form of a web 6<SP>1</SP> as shown in Fig. 13, an electric motor M under the control of line-spacing control apparatus 20 driving the web in either direction through clutches 225, 227. In the former case the control apparatus is shown on Fig. 6 and comprises a platen roller, a unidirectional clutch 62, shaft 60 and pinions 67-68 driving cam gear wheels 70 and 72. Cam gear 70 controls the spacing of the sheet within the segments S1-S4 and carries four pins 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d which may adjustably be spaced in accordance with the spacing of the sheet segments S1-S4 and which coact with switches 75, 79. Cam gear 72 in conjunction with other mechanism controls the spacing between the last segment S4 and the off-normal space ONS, this gear 72 has teeth of such number that it revolves one line-space more than the cam gear 70 for each length of sheet since the distance of travel to the first line of the off-normal space is one line less for each hourly entry. In operation a sheet is inserted on the typewriter carriage and is adjusted to receive printing in the first line of segment S1. Cam gear 70 is: then phased until a light L1 on the control apparatus 20 is lit, rotation of the platen not being effected because of the unidiectional clutch 62. Next a resetting push button CC2 (branch k of circuit diagram, Fig. 12) is depressed which through a relay R6 and contacts R-6-4 (branch f) energizes a solenoid 91 (SR2) which is pulsed to phase the cam gear 72, and a rotatively coupled gear 86, Fig. 6, until a switch 88a is operated by a pin 72a on the gear 72. When gears 72 and 86 are phased a short pin 72b is spaced 150 line-spaces, i.e. the distance from line 1 of segment S1 to one line before the off-normal space ONS. After one line of typing a limit switch L operates a relay R9 which effects a single line-spacing and a carriage return movement. Rotation of the platen by one-line space also rotates through clutch 62 the cam gears 70, 72. Pin 70a thereby moves clockwise away from switch arms 77, 80, opens contacts, energizes the line-space relay and line spacing continues until the next pin 70b closes the switch contacts again whereupon the sheet is positioned to receive data in the next segment S2. At the end of printing this line, the limit switch L indicates another linespacing operation which in turn is terminated by a third pin 70c for printing in the segment S3. A similar action occurs for line-spacing to the fourth segment S4. When the last variable has been scanned and recorded, contacts C1 (branch m-3) open and release a relay R10 which transfers control over the energization of the line-space relay R9, and sheet is advanced to the line before the off-normal space ONS. When an abnormal variable is sensed, an alarm relay AR is energized and this effects, via relays DR, R8, an energization circuit to an abnormal counting and stepping switch SR, SS. On the first step the switch SS operates the solenoid 91 (SR2), (see also Fig. 6), and the gear 86 moves one linespace and data is printed in red in the first line of the off-normal space. When a second abnormal variable is sensed the above function is repeated except that solenoid SR2 is not pulsed until the stepping switch is at the No. 1 position. In the modification as shown on Fig. 13 the motor M has two field windings and a phasing capacitor which are switched into circuit by a reverse rotation relay. The amount of travel of the sheet 6<SP>1</SP> is controlled by cam gears in a manner described above. Specification 807,157 is referred to.