Improvements in Printing Telegraphs.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1899-Accepted. 22nd Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Telegraphs.
We, FREDERICK HACHMANN, Electrical Engineer, of 1368, Richards Street,
Milwaukee, County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, CHARLES PFEIFER,
Pharmacist, residing at the corner of Mill and Caroline Streets, in the City of
Plymouth, County of Sheboygan, State of Wis onsin, and CASPER ERNST, Banker,
of No. 182, Farrington Avenue, St. Paul, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota, all
of the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:--
The
Our invention is of improvements in printing telegraph mechanism.
improved mechanism is adapted to be used for transmitting messages telegraphed
from one station by continuous conductor or line wire to a distant station, and
for receiving messages from that distant station. There may be several instru-
ments in the line or circuit. Duplicate instruments are used at the several
stations. Synchronous movement of the several instruments is secured by clock-
work and by regulation of the instruments by the operators. Our invention
relates to the improvements in the instrument, and related mechanism and devices
for transmitting messages by electricity and for receiving messages similarly
transmitted, and printing them in words and characters.
The invention consists of the mechanism and related devices, their parts and
combinations of parts, as herein described and claimed or their equivalents.
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the mechanism and devices
embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same mechanism and devices shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1; parts
being broken away and other parts omitted for convenience of illustration. Thus
on the cylinder in this figure only four pins or teeth are shown, being those on
the cylinder in the same diametrical plane and adapted to be contacted by a
single key.
Fig. 4 is a view of the cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a detail of a movement-regulating device and a detail of the paper-
feeding mechanism.
Fig. is an elevation showing a detail of the paper-feeding mechanism, the
view being at a right angle to the illustration of the same mechanism in Fig. 5.
Figs. 7 & 8 show a paper guard and guides.
Fig. 9 illustrates a strip of the paper on which the word "Telegraph" has been
print:d by my machine.
In the drawings, 10 is a base on which the principal operative parts of our
mechanism are supported. The frame 11 secured to the base 10 is of such suit-
able size and form as adapts it for supporting operative parts of the mechanism.
A transverse bar 12 and a transverse rod 13 parallel with the bar 12 are secured
to and supported on the frame 11 and are electrically insulat d therefrom by
interposed blocks or pieces of insulating material 14. 14. A number of keys 15,
each being preferably a flat metal bar, are pivoted at their rear extremities at
ED 071

page_text: little distances apart, on the rod 13 that passes transversely through them, the
keys at this end being separated from each other conveniently by metal spacing
rings 16 on the rod 13 between each two of the keys. For convenience in use each of
these keys is provided with a finger button 17, on which is marked a letter of the
alphabet or some figure or character desired in telegraphing, and corresponding
with the same letters, figures or characters on the type wheel hereinafter described.
For the purpose of illustrating our invention we have in the drawings herewith
shown keys having buttons marked only with the letters of the alphabet, but it
should be understood that a greater number of keys can be employed to be marked
with figures and characters, or that the few keys shown in our drawings could be
marked with other characters than letters; the type-wheel being provided with
corresponding figures or characters. The front free extremities of these keys 15
enter and are movable vertically in slots forming ways therefor in the bar 12,
whereby the kevs are guided in their slight movements. Small coiled wire
springs 18 inserted in sockets therefor in the bar 12 are adapted to support the
free ends of the keys yieldingly in normal position. An elastic metal finger 19
secured to each of the keys 15 near its free extremity projects a little therefrom
toward the cylinder hereinafter to be described. The keys 15 are in electric
ecntact with the bar 12 and the rod 13.
Directly below the free extremities of the keys 15, and very near to the
fingers 19 a metal cylinder 20 is mounted revolubly in the metal frame 11 trans-
versely thereof. This cylinder is provided with radially projecting metal pins 21,
there being on the cylinder at least as many pins as there are keys 15, and there
may be many more pins than keys, it being permissible and convenient to have
two or more pins for each key, the pins for each key when more than one is
employed, being always set in the cylinder in the same plane transversely to the
axis of the cylinder, as illustrated in Figure 3 where four pins are shown so
located. Only one pin is, however, ever set in the same radial plane longitu-
dinally of the axis of the cylinder. These pins are adapted severally to be con-
tacted by the finger 19 of the key 15 when the key is depressed by the finger of
the operator and the cylinder is revolved.
A type wheel 22 fixed on the axle of the cylinder 20 has type 23 on its periphery
corresponding with the letters on the buttons 17 but of a number corresponding
with the pins on the cylinder 20, so that if there are two or more pins on the
cylinder 20 set in the same diametrical transverse plane adapted to contact with a
single ky 15, the type wheel 22 will have the letter or character of that key
repeated two or more times corresponding in number with the pins in the cylinder
a fapted to contact with the key of that letter or character. The repetitions of
the same letter or character on the type wheel, and the corresponding repetition of
ins on the cylinder are used to adapt the machine for rapid work, so that letters
or characters that are employed most frequently, can be printed when the machine
is in op ration with ut waiting for more than a partial revolution of the cylinder.
A means for inking the type 23 consists of an idle wheel 24 axled on a pin in
the free extremity of an arm 25 pivoted at its other extremity on the frame 11.
The circumferential outer portion of the wheel 24 is of felt or some analogous
material adapted to absorb and hold a suitable ink, and this inking wheel 24 is so
arranged as to rest by gravity on the type 23, so that as the type wheel 22 is
revolved the type thereon are inked by contact with the wheel 24.
1
To cause the cylinder 20 and the type wheel 22 to rotate continuously and
regularly the cylinder is connected operatively by a train of gears to a drum 26
on which a cord 27 secured at one end thereto is wound, to the free end of which
cor an actuating weight 28 is attached. The drum 26 is fixed on the shaft 29
and a cog wheel 30 loose on the shaft is locked to concurrent revolution with the
shaft in one direction by a pawl 31 pivoted on the spoke of the cog wheel, the
pawl engaging in one direction a ratchet wheel 32 fixed on the drum 26. The
shu ft 29 is squared or faced at one end 33 for receiving thereon a crank handle

page_text: for winding up the weight cord on the drum. The cog wheel 30 meshes with a
pinion on shaft 34 which has a cog wheel 35 that meshes with a pinion on
shaft 36 which shaft has a cog wheel 37 that meshes with a pinion 38 on the axle
of the evlinder 20. The cog wheel and pinions in this train of gears are of such
size and so proportioned as to compel the proper rotation of the cylinder 20 by
means of the weight 28. The shafts 29, 34 & 36 are iournaled in the frame 11.
To regulate the movement of the cylinder 20 a pendulum escapement 39 pivoted
on the frame 11 is so disposed that its pallets alternately engage the teeth of a
ratchet wheel 40 fixed on the axle of the cylinder 20. The depending rod of the
escapement is provided with a weight 41 turning by screw-thread thereon whereby
the weight can be raised or lowered and the movements of the pendulum and of
the cylinder can thereby be regulated.
To print the letters or characters on the type wheel 22 severally on a strip of
paper pased along in front of the type we employ a movable hammer 42 mounted
loosely in the free extremity of an arm 43 the other extremity of which is fast to
the rock-shaft 44 mounted in suitable standards 45. The rock-shaft 44 is provided
with a radially projecting crank arm 46 connected by a rod 47 to the free
extremity of an arm 48 pivoted at its other extremity on the frame in adjustable
bearings 49. The arm 48 carries an armature 50 disposed in front of the ends of
the cores of the electro-magnet 51. The electro-magnet 51 is connected by an
electric conductor 52, through the binding post 53 to a battery in the circuit and
the conducting line wire 54 is connected through the binding post 55 to the
metallic frame 11. The electro-magnet 51 is connected electrically to the bar 12
and therethrough to the kevs 15 by the electric conducting wire 56.
The hammer 42 is tipped or faced with a rubber or analogous slightly vielding
and elastic pad 57 that is located directly opposite the periphery of the type
wheel 22, and is adapted to press an interposed strip of paper as 58 against the
opposite type for an instant. The hammer 42 is provided with a rearwardly
extending stem 59 that fits loosely in an aperture; therefor through the free
extremity of the arm 43. As the arm 43 is thrown upwardly by the armature 50
being attracted to the cores of the electro-magnet 51, the free end of the arm 43
contacts with a pin stop 60 fixed in the frame, and the hammer 42 by its acquired
momentum is thrown against the strip of paper 58 pushing it against the type
opposite the hammer. The hammer immediately falls back by gravity and the
armature 50 being released electrically from the electro-magnet 51 the free end
of the arm 43 also drops to its normal position.
A device for feeding the strip of paper 58 past the type in front of the
hammer 42, consists of a drum-like roller 61 preferably of hard rubber revolubly
loose on a stud pin fixed in a bracket 62 permanently secured on the frame 11.
and two toothed disks 63 fixed on a hub 64 revolubly loose on an adjacent stud
pin fixed in the bracket 62. The disks 63 are arranged to be opposite to and
enter annular grooves therefor in the drum 61, and these disks 63 are at such
distances apart as not to contact with the interposed paper on that central portion
of it that is thereafter to receive the impression of the type thereon. A ratchet
wheel 65 fixed on the hub 64 is engaged in one direction by a pin in the finger 66
nivoted at its other extremity in the arm 43. The arrangement of the parts is such
that the movement upwardly of the arm 43 carries the finger 66 up so that the
pin thereon engages the next succeeding tooth on the ratchet wheel 65. and as
the arm 43 falls the ratchet wheel 65 and the disk 63 are rotated limitedly.
spring 67 on the arm 43 bearing against a faced portion of the finger 66 holds
the finger vieldingly up to its work. A spring pawl 68 secured to a stud pin on
the bracket 6 engages the ratchet wheel 65 in one direction and prevents move-
ment rearwardly.
A
A card 69 located opposite and near the neriphery of the type wheel 22 is
adapted to hold the paper at a little distance from the type as it passes the type
wheel and prevent the paper being rubbed against the type, but a slot or aper-
ture 70 at the locality at which the hammer comes up, permits the hammer to

page_text: force the paper against the opposite type. Guides 71 fixed on the guard 69 are
adapted for the passage of the strip of paper 58 through them and by which the
paper is held to proper position for being struck by the hammer and receiving the
imprint of the trpe thereon.
The drum 44 is axled and supported on the standards 45 by the adjustable pivot
pins or axles 72 which are secured releasably in place by lock nuts 73 turning
thereon. It will be understood that in use where duplicate machines of this
character are employed at two distant stations connected electrically that the
weight 28 being raised by the winding up of its cord on the drum 26 and the
cylinder 20 being thereby put in motion and adjusted by the respec-
tive operators by preconcerted signals 80 that the drums are rotat-
ing synchronously on the two instruments, that thereupon either operator may
transmit a message by means of the keys 15 to the distant instrument and it will
be automatically printed on the strip of paper running past the type wheel. The
specific operation of the various parts of the machine will be understood by the
description thereof herein before made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a metal frame and a cylinder
mounted therein, the cylinder being provided with radially projecting metal pins,
and a wheel having characters on the periphery thereof corresponding in number
and relative arrangement circumferentially with the pins on the cylinder, of a
series of movable keys mounted near to the cylinder but insulated electrically
therefrom and from the cylinder frame, the keys being adapted severally to be
moved into the path of a pin on the cylinder and to be contacted thereby as the
cylinder revolves.
2. In a printing telegraph, a cylinder and a type wheel fixed thereto and
mounted in a frame, the type wheel having type thereon, some characters of which
exist in plurality, the cylinder being provided with pins corresponding in number
with the type on the wheel, the pins standing for duplicate letters being arranged
on the cylinder in the same diametrical plane, and keys one for each letter of the
type wheel, (not for duplicates of the same letter), arranged movably near to but
insulated electrically from the cylinder and so as to be capable of being moved
severally into the path of and so as to contact with a pin on the cylinder when
the cylinder is revolved.
3. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a frame and a revoluble
cylinder mounted in the frame and provided with a series of radially projecting
pins, of a bar fixed on the frame near to and parallel with the cylinder, said bar
having guide ways extending toward and trom the cylinder, and a series of keys
pivoted on the frame and movable at their tree ends in said har toward and trom
the cylinder in said guide ways, said bar and said keys being normally electrically
in-ulated from said cylinder.
4. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a series of pivoted lever keys,
of a key-supporting and guide bar arranged transversely of the keys and having
slots in which the keys move being guided by the walls of the slots, and having
sockets in the bar below the slots, and springs in the sockets adapted to support
the keys yieldingly.
5. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a revoluble cylinder provided
with fixed radially projecting pins, of a plurality of pivoted lever keys near the
cylinder, finger buttons having characters thereon on the keys, means for sup-
porting the free ends of the keys yieldingly away from the pins on the cylinder,
and elastic fingers on the keys adapted severally to contact with a pin on the
cylinder when its key is depressed against the action of the spring.
6. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a frame and a revoluble type

page_text: wheel having type on its periphery, of a swinging arm pivoted on the frame, and an
idle wheel mounted on the swinging arm, the idle wheel being provided with a
rim of ink-absorbing material, the arm and wheel being so disposed that the
wheel rests by gravity on the type wheel and is rotated thereon by the revolution
of the type wheel.
7. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a revoluble type wheel having
type on its periphery, of a hammer arm adapted to swing towards and from the
type wheel, a stop to limit the movement of the arm toward the type wheel, and a
hammer loose in the arm adapted to be carried on its seat in the arm toward the
type wheel and on the stopping of the arm at a distance from the type wheel to
move by its momentum against the type on the type wheel and by gravity to
resume position on its seat in the arm."
་
8. In a
printing telegraph, the combination of a hammer arm (43) fixed at
one extremity on a rock-shaft and provided with an aperture in the free extremity
of the arm, the aperture extending in the direction of the movement of the armi,
and a hammer mounted on the hammer arm and having a stem movable in the
aperture in the arm and provided with a yielding tip or face.
9. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a revoluble type wheel having
type on its periphery, of a hammer arm fixed at one extremity in a rock-shaft
and carrying a hammer on its free extremity, an electro-magnet, an.. armature in
front of the coils of the electro-magnet mounted on a swinging arm, and a rod
connecting the swinging armature arm to a crank on said rock-shaft.
10. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a revoluble wheel having
type on its periphery, of a strip guard opposite and near to the periphery of the
wheel provided with a medially disposed aperture therein, guides on the guard at
each side respectively of the aperture for receiving and guiding a paper strip, and
a hammer adapted to be struck against the strip of paper opposite the aperture in
the guard and against a type on the wheel.
11. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a type wheel, and a swinging
hammer arm, of a paper-feeding device comprising an
idle drum oppo-
site toothed disks having a ratchet wheel fixed thereto and a finger
hinged on the hammer arm and provided with a pin adapted to engage and
move the ratchet wheel in one direction.
12. In a printing telegraph, a paper-feeding device, comprising an idle drum
having annular grooves about it at a distance apart, revoluble toothed disks oppo-
site the drum the disks being arranged to enter the grooves in the drum, a ratchet
wheel fixed on the hub of the disks, a swinging hammer arm, a finger hinged to
the hammer arm and provided with a pin adapted to engage and rotate the
ratchet wheel in one direction, and a spring pawl adapted to engage the ratchet
wheel in one direction and prevent rearward movement thereof.
13. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a frame, a power-rotated
cylinder having pins in its perimeter, a type-wheel on the axle of the cylinder, a
ratchet wheel on the axle of the cylinder, and a pendulum escapement engaging
the ratchet wheel and provided with an adjustable weight on its pendulum.
14. In a printing telegraph, the combination of a cylinder provided with key-
contacting teeth, a type wheel fixed on the axle of the cylinder, a ratchet wheel
also fixed on the axle of the cylinder, an escapement intermittently engaging and
releasing the ratchet wheel, a weight-actuated drum, and gear interposed between
and connecting the drum operatively with the cylinder.
Dotal this 10th
T
1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.