Improvements in Printing Telegraph Instruments.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Telegraph Instruments.
We, BENJAMIN FREDERICK MERRITT, of No. 77 Montclair Avenue, in the
City of Newark, in the County of Essex, State of New Jersey, and JOHN
MARSTON JOY, of No. 53 Park Place, in the City and State of New York, both
in the United States of America, Mechanics, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in printing telegraph receivers of the
class known as page printers, or, those wherein the message is printed upon a
page or sheet of paper, line by line, after the manner of a type-writer,
(and has most particular relation to the system of page printing) hereinafter
described.
In this system the type-wheel is driven step by step by means of clock-work
controlled by an escapement actuated by an electro-magnet responding to rapid
alternations of current over the circuit. The type-wheel executes rapid
intermittent advances until the letter to be printed is brought opposite the paper
whereupon it stops by the cessation of the electric impulses, and the printing
mechanism is brought into operation which impresses the letter against the
paper.
The printing mechanism consists of a platen or hammer behind the paper,
which presses it against the type-wheel, the movement of the hammer being
controlled by the action of an electro magnet called the printing magnet. Aftor
each impression the type-wheel, which is pivoted in a carriage movable in a lateral
direction, is moved one space toward the right to a position opposite that space
on the paper where the succeeding character is to be printed. The paper is
mounted in a holder or frame adapted to move upwardly but not laterally.
After each impression the type-wheel, which is mounted to slide on a shaft, is
moved Interally to the right, against the tension of a retractile device, by a
worm engaging with the teeth of a movable rack-bar connected to the type-
wheel.
When the end of the line is reached the type-wheel is permitted to return to its
original position by lifting the worm out of the teeth of the rack-bar. The
carriage in returning to its starting point sets in motion a device which raises the
paper the distance from one line to the next.
•
The receiving instrument operates in unison with the transmitting instrument,
and, in order to start them with like characters on the respective type-wheels
facing the paper, means are provided for unisoning the type-wheels.
The object of our invention is to increase the efficiency and ease of operation of
such a receiver.
To this end our invention consists in mounting the type-wheel carriage on
rollers and pivoting the type-wheel and the worm on this carriage in such a
manner that neither the type-wheel or the revolving worm will slide on a shaft or
shafts. This is done to avoid friction and to insure a perfectly free movement of
the type-wheel.
The invention consists, also, in providing an electric motor for operating the
receiver having a device, by which, when the transmitting operator has ceased to
send, the motor is automatically stopped, and when the operator commences to
send, the motor is automatically started.

page_text: It consists also in providing means whereby the escapement will operate more
rapidly.
And our invention consists also in making the printing magnets movable instead
of the arinature.
And our invention consists also in certain combinations of parts hereinafter
described and specifically set forth in the claims.
In the drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a top plan view of our improved telegraph receiver drawn about
three-fourths the size of a full sized machine, Figure 2 is a front elevation of the
gamo;
Figure 3 is an elevation thereof from the loft haud side,
Figure 4 is an elevation from the right hand side,
Figure 5 is an elevation looking from right to left on line y, y, of Figure 2,
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line ., ., of Figure 2,
and showing an elevation of the type-wheel carriage,
Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section looking from right to left on line 2, 2, of
Figure 2 of the drawings,
Figure 8 is au enlarged side elevation of the type-wheel and its bearing on the
carriage, and
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the same on line, x', ', of Figure 8.
Referring specifically to the drawings, A designates the fixed frame of the
instrument, which is provided with a base, A', and uprights, a, a', and a", etc.
For the sake of ready reference and in order that the construction and mode of
operation of our improved instrument may be easily and quickly understood, the
following description is divided into headings, and the corresponding parts are
designated by the same reference letters in all the figures.
Mechanism for governing the motion of the type-wheel:-The type-wheel, B,
is rotated by means of the shaft, C, which is supported by bearings in the
uprights, a, a, and a" of the frame, and is rotated by frictional contact from the
power-driven wheel, C. The shaft, C, is provided throughout its cutire length
with a spline, c, which engages a longitudinal groove, e, in the hub of the type-
wheel, B. The type-wheel is supported and journaled by its hub, b, in bearings
carried by the type-wheel carriage D.
The spline, c, is to impart a rotative motion to the type-wheel. The weight
of the wheel is borne entirely by the carriage, D, and not by the shaft, C, which
rotates the wheel, as heretofore explained.
The rotation of the type-wheel is governed by means consisting of the escape
wheel, E, having half as many teeth as there are characters on the type-wheel, the
escape
wheel being governed by the armature, F, which carries at its upper and
free end the pallets,,, which engage the wheel.
The number of teeth on the escape wheel of course depend upon the number of
characters on the type-wheel, which is usually thirty-six, and which allows
eighteen teeth to the escape-wheel E. Heretofore the armature, F', has been
pivoted, but we prefer to mount it on the end of a spring, F, rigidly secured at
its opposite or lower end to a support, /, fixed to the frame. When in its normal
position, its center or neutral line being on a plane extending through the axis of
the escape-wheel shaft.
With armatures responding to rapid alternations of polarity, such as are used
to control the revolution of type-wheels, the inertia of the armature, pallets, and
dependent hangings, brings in a factor which offers no small amount of opposition
when a very high rate of vibration is desired.
The inertia of the moving parts of the escapement not only retard the rapidity
with which the armature may start after a pause, but also has a tendency to
decrease the amplitude of oscillation as the rapidity of the alternations increase,
so that the armature does not complete its full stroke.
These facts have prevented the attainment of a high rate of speed which with
our inprovement is practicable.

page_text: The advantage of suspending the armature an pallet by a spring is that the
rigid spring always has a certain amount of potential force with which to move
the armature back over its path in addition to the magnetic force, and before that
magnetic force is set up. This is obvious from the fact that the alternating current
which actuates the armature has a pause of slight duration between its phases.
During this pause the arinature gains its neutral point and it is already on its
way to the position it will assume on reversing the current, thus increasing the
speed of oscillation which can be imparted to the armature and its dependent
pallets.
The unisoning device is the same or similar to that heretofore employed and is
shown at G, G', the first reference letter designating the worm or thread for
actuating the lever, G. This device being well knowh it will be unnecessary to
describe it at length.
The motion to rotate the type-wheel shaft, as has been before stated, is imparted
through friction by the power driven wheel, C. Between the gear wheel C'and H
is placed a disk of Hexible friction-giving material, d, preferably cloth, and
between II and the disk, H, is placed a flat coil spring, 1, of sufficient power to
rotate the shaft, C, while the wheel, C', and its attendant friction device are at rest
and to continue its movement until the spring is unwound. The spring, I, is fast
to H at the outer end and to H' at the iuuer end. The plate or disk, II', is
securely pinned to the shaft C. The spiral spring, J, with its controlling tension
nuts, A, acts to press the wheel, C', against its friction disk, d, and thus to
give motion to the parts H and H. The operation of these devices is as
follows:
The power-driven wheel, C', carried loosely on the shaft, C, actuates, through
the friction disk, d, the part, H, also carried loosely on the said shaft. The part, H,
gives motion in turn to the plate, H', through the coil spring I. The plate, H',
being secured rigidly to the shaft, the latter is rotated with it. The function of
the spring, 1, will bo referred to hereinafter when the automatic cut-out device is
described.
The type-wheel and worm-wheel carriage:-The frame of the type-wheel
carriage, D, is supported on its wheels, D', which run on track bars, B and B",
and is moved longitudinally by the worm-wheel, B, which engages in the rack.
The worm-wheel is rotated by the shaft, L, by means of a spline, 1, hub and
bearings in carriage frame, D, in the same manner as the type-wheel. When the
worm-wheel, B, is revolved, it being engaged by rack, D", the carriage is forced
along the paper (not shown) from left to right, one step in advance for each
revolution of the worm, B. Power for rotating the shaft, L, is obtained from
the power inpelled gear, M, through a friction device consisting of a spring, I, and
plates, K, K', ns bereinbefore described, for rotating the shaft, C. The rotary
motion of the shaft, L, is governed by the engagement of the Hier, L', with the stop
pins,, and, which stop-pins are carried on the end of an arm, l, supported and
rocked by shaft, L, the shaft being moved by the electro magnet, Lo, connected
in the main line.
The motion of the flier, L', and shaft, L, with its attendant arm and stop pins,
and the magnet is similar to the operation of such parts in other receivers. The
coutrolling magnets, E', of the escapement, ff, and the magnet, I., may be
connected in series or multiple, the principle being that the alternating currents
cause the polarized coils to respond readily and quickly while the coil of the
magnet, L, not being polarized will act slowly and will not respond or act
during the rapid alternations of the current. To still further widen the margin
of adjustment between the effect of the alternating and direct currents, the
magnet, L', is suspended by its yoke on arm, L, which is rigidly secured to the
shaft, L.
The operation of this part of the apparatus is as follows: During the time the
alternating current is passing and actuating the escapement,,, the magnet, L
remains stationary owing to its being less sensitive to the alternating current and

page_text: also owing to the fact that its inertia keeps it steadily in a position away from its
armature. At the instant, however, a prolouged impulse is sent for the purpose of
printing a letter, the magnet, L, is energized and attracted to its stationary
armature, L', which is supported by the uprights, a', and a", thus causing the
shaft, L, and its attendant arm and stop pins to rotate and allow the flier, L, to
make one revolution.
When the type-wheel carriage has reached the right hand end of its run and it
is desired to return it to a starting point for another line, the rack, D, which
is hung
on the free ends of arms, E, supported by shaft, E, pivoted in and
extending between the uprights, a, and a', of the frame, is dropped out of engage-
ment with the worm wheel B. The power to return the carriage from right to
left is transmitted by means of a flexible connection, Y, extending from point, E,
to and winding upon a spiral cut spring actuated fusee.
It has been found in practice that the pitch of the fusee can be made to give the
desired variation of tension at any point in the run of the carriage.
Mechanism for governing the return of the type-wheel carriage:-On the
shaft, C, at its extreme left hand end is mounted the crank, P, bearing upon
its end the pin, p, and having such a radius that at a given point of rotation of the
type-wheel shaft, it will interfere with the movement of the point R. On the
worm-wheel shaft, L, and at its extreme left hand end is mounted the cam, O,
being of such a diameter as to actuate the rocker-bar, R, ou its pivot, r, said
pivot also connecting levers R and Q but being free to move relative to the frame
the return of said rocker-bar being effected by the tension of the spring . The
lever, Q, is fixed to the shaft, E, and it is held with a tendency to rise by
spring q. It will be obvious that as the rack, D", is supported by the arms E
also upon the shaft E, the rack would be thrown out of engagement with the worm-
wheel should the lever Q be depressed. The depression of the lever, Q, is effected
as follows:
When the shaft, C, has been rotated so that its crank, P, extends downward
from the shaft in a vertical position, the crank, P, aud the point, R', on the
lever, R, being in line, and the cam, O, is revolved, the depression of said lever by
the can causes the lever, R, not only to move on its pivot, r, but also tends to
depress the pivot as the lever is supported by pin, p, nt point R'. In any other
position to the type-wheel shaft and its crank, P, the lever, R, being unsupported at
point R', during the rotation of the cam, O, will simply rotato ou its pivot, r, and
will not depress the lever Q.
From the above description it will be seen that to return the type-wheel carriage,
it is only necessary to rotate the type-wheal to an arbitrary position and then
make a stroke of the printing mechanism, thereby saving time over old methods
of releasing a carriage.
The controlling device for raising the paper:-This consists of the paper
guides, S, S, which support the sides of the paper after leaving its roll (not
shown).
The paper is moved upward by well known devices consisting of a ratchet and
its attendant pawls, S', with the prick-wheel and its attendant pressure wheel, S.
Motion is given to the ratchet by means of the lever, S, through the rod, S.
The lever, S, being depressed and through its attendant devices rotating the
prick-wheel, a", raises the paper at the left hand end of the run of the carriage,
the depression being effected by the action of the roller, S', on the lower part of
the carriage upon the inclined end of the lever, S3, which is pivoted to a bracket, 8,
extending upward from the end of the base A
It will be obvious, however, that the ratchet may be operated by the carriage
through other suitable and well known meaus, as for instance by means of un
Archimedean screw.
The motor and its governing-devices-It has been customary to depend upon
springs and weights for the operation of printing telegraph receivers of this class.
In this instrument an electric motor of any desirable type, deriving its current

page_text: from any suitable source, is applied to both the printing and type-wheel mechanisms
of the machine. This motor is provided with an automatic cutting out device, by
which, when the transmitting operator has ceased to send, the motor is automatically
stopped. This action is effected by the following means: The motor pinion, T,
engages the gear wheel, T, which in turn engages with the gear wheel, M, secured
to the worm-wheel actuating shaft, L, and the gear-wheel, M, is in mesh with the
gear wheel, C', on the type-wheel actuating shaft C.
Were there no attendant mechanism, both shafts C and L would revolve in
opposite directions and proportionally. Upon the shaft carrying the gear wheel, T',
is mounted a worm, Th, with which a point, t, carried on the end of a pivoted
arm, T, engages. The point, t, with the finger, t', when in a position at the right
band end of travel in the worm presses on a spring, to, and forces it away from the
spring, t, opening the electric circuit between the points of contact on and between
the two springs, the eaid circuit being the driving circuit of the motor U. The
arm, T, is pivoted at its lower end in a block, e, which is pinned on a shaft, e'.
A spring, g, connected to the said arm returns it to its original position to the left
hand end of the worm, when the point is released from the worm t. The point is
released by rocking the shaft, e', in its bearings. The shaft, el, is rotated by the
engagement of a pin, n, mounted on a plate or disk, K', which is rigidly connected
to the worm wheel shaft L.
It is obvious that upon rotating the shaft, L, to make the first printing stroke
after the stoppage of transmission, the shaft, e', will be rotated by lever, X,
throwing the point, t, out of engagement with the worm, T", allowing the contact
points on the springs, w and v, to close the circuit and start the motor U. The
power for making the first printing stroke is obtained from the coil-spring, I,
hereinbefore referred to, the spring being wound by the momentum of the motor
after the stoppage of transmission by the motor.
We do not wish to be limited to the rollers on the type-wheel carriage as it will
be obvious that the carriage may be provided with ball-bearings or may simply
slide on rods of any suitable shape, as the paper carriages of ordinary type-writing
machines.
This receiver may be used with any transmitter which senls alternations for
governing the rotation of the type-wheel and prolongations of said alternations
for printing the letters when the type-wheel has been brought to a given point.
It may also be used beyond repeating relays which are in circuit in the main line
with the transmitter in a manuer well known to those familiar with the art.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, 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 spring-supported armature,
of a pallet, an escapement wheel, and a power-driven shaft, substantially as
specified.
2. In a printing telegraph, the combination with a spring-supported armature,
of a pallet, an escapement-wheel, a power-driven shaft, and a printing platen,
substantially as specified.
3. In a printing telegraph receiver, a carriage provided with rollers, a track for
the rollers, a retracting device for moving the carriage in one direction, a worn-
wheel pivoted in and supported by the carriage, a shaft passing through the
worm-wheel and connected to the same by a spline and groove, a type-wheel also
pivoted in and supported by the carriage, a shaft passing through the type-wheel
and connected to the same by a spline and groove, a motor adapted to rotate both
shafts, a rack adapted to be moved toward and from the worm wheel, and means
to move the rack to allow the carriage to be moved by the said retracting device,
as set forth.
4. In a printing telegraph receiver, a carriage provided with rollers, a track for
the rollers, a retracting device for moving the carriage in one direction consisting

page_text: of a spring actuated fusee and a flexible connection between the same and the
carringe, a worm-wheel pivoted in and supported by the carriage, a shaft passing
through the worm wheel and connected to the same by a spline and groove, a type-
wheel also pivoted in and supported by the carriage, a shaft passing through the
type-wheel and connected to the same by a spline and groove, a motor adapted to
rotate both shafts, a rack adapted to be moved toward and from the worm-wheel,
and means to move the rack to allow the carriage to be moved by the said retracting
device, as set forth.
5. In a printing telegraph receiver, a carriage, a track for the carriage, a worm-
wheel mounted on the carriage, a shaft adapted to rotate the wheel, a type-wheel
mounted on the carriage, a shaft adapted to rotate the type-wheel, both shafts
being driven by a suitable motor, an arm on the type-wheel shaft adapted to form
a stop for the end of a lever, a lever, a cam on the worm-wheel shaft to engage
the opposite end of the lever, a lever mounted on the frame of the machine and
carrying the fulcrum of the first lover on its free end, a rack movable toward and
from the worm wheel and connected to the said lever, and springs to retract the
levers, as set forth.
6. In a printing telegraph receiver, a carriage, a track for the carriage, a worm-
wheel mounted on the carriage, a shaft adapted to rotate the wheel, a type-wheel
mounted on the carriage, a shaft adapted to rotate the type-wheel, both shafts
being driven by a suitable motor, an arin on the type-wheel shaft adapted to form
a stop for the end of a lever, a lever, a cam on the worm-wheel shaft to engage
the opposite end of the lever, a lever mounted on the frame of the machine and
carrying the fulcrum of tho first lever on its free end, a rack movable toward and
from the worm-wheel and connected to the said lever, a spring connected between
the lever and the frame to restore it to its normal position, and a spring actuated
fuseu mounted on the frame and connected to the carriage by a flexible connection,
as and for the purpose described.
7. In a printing telegraph receiver, a carriage to move along a stationary sheet
of paper, a worm-wheel carried by and pivoted in the carriage, a shaft extending
through said wheel and connected thereto, a type-wheel carried by and pivoted
on the same carriage, a shaft parallel with the first mentioned shaft and extending
through the type-wheel and adapted to rotate the same, a notor geared to both
shafts, an escapement to govern the rotation of the type-wheel shaft having its
pallets mounted on the upper end of a spring, a rack to engage tho worm-whool,
mechanism for removing the rack from said wheel, and means to retract the
carriage, as set forth.
8. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel, a shaft to rotato the type-
wheel, means for printing from said type-wheel upon a sheet of paper, an electric
motor connected to said shalt through a friction device, and a train of gearing, a
worm carried by the shaft of one of the gear wheels, a universally movable lever
having a point on its free end engaging the worm, a spring carrying an electric
contact and normally engaging another contact, said contacts being in the motor
circuit and adapted to be separated by the said lever, means to remove the lever
from the worm, and means also to return its free end to the opposite ond of the
worm, as set forth.
9. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel, a shaft to rotate the type-
wheel, means for printing from said wheel, an electric motor connected to said
shaft through a friction device and a train of gearing, a worm carried by the shaft
of one of the gear wheels, a universally movable lever having a point on its free
end engaging the worm, a stationary contact, a movable contact connected in the
motor circuit, an arm carried on the free end of the said lever to operate the
movable contact and open the circuit, an arm secured to the shaft of the lever, a
pin mounted on a disk on another shaft of the gearing to operate the arm, as set
forth.
10. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel, a shaft to rotate the type-
wheel, means for printing from said wheel, an electric motor connected to said

page_text: shaft through a friction device and a train of goaring, a flexible coupling also
the connection consisting of a pair of disks connected with each other by a coil
spring, a worm carried by the shaft of one of the gear wheels, a universally
movable lever having a point on its free and engaging the worm, a stationary
contact, a movable contact connected in the motor circuit, an arm carried on the
free end of the said lover to operate the movable contact and open the circuit, an
arm secured to the shaft of the lever, a pin mounted on a disk on another shaft
of the gearing to operate the arm, as set forth.
11. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a shaft to operate the same, an electric
motor connected to said shaft through gearing, a worm operated by said gearing,
contacts in the motor circuit, means adapted to engage the worm for moving one
of the contacts, and a lever to remove said means from the worm, to return tho
contact to its original position, as and for the purpose described.
12. In a printing telegraph-receiver, the combination of the type-wheel and the
worm-wheel mounted on a carriage, a shaft connected to each wheel and to gearing
impelled by a motor, an aryn on the worm-wheal shaft, pins carried ou a fever to
engage the said arm, au electro magnet connected by the arm carrying the pins
to oscillate the same, and a stationary armature for the maguet, as set forth.
13. In a printing telegraph receiver, the combination with the carriage mounted
on wheels, the tracks for tho wheels, and the type-wheel and worm-wheel mounted
on the enrriage, a rack to engage the worm-wheel, nenns for moving the rack,
the spring drum and connection for moving the carriage, a roller on the carriage,
a lever pivoted on the frame with an inclined side to engage the roller, a rod
leading from the lever to a ratchet, feed wheels for the paper operated by the
ratchut, and a paper bolder, substantially as described and shown.
14. In a printing telegraph receiver, the combination with the carriage mounted
on wheels, the grooved rail and the ribbed rail for the wheels to run on, the
type-wheel and worm-wheel pivoted in and supported entirely upon said carriage,
and a shaft extending through cach wheel to rotate the same, of the swinging rack
for the worm-wheel, means to operate the rack, the spring impelled fusce to move
the earringe, a roller on the carriage, a lever pivoted to an arm extending from
the base and having a side adapted to engage the said roller during the movement
of the earringe, a rod connecting the lever with a ratchet, a prick wheel oporated
by the ratchet, a feed-wheel bearing against the prick wheel, and guides for the
side edges of the paper as set forth.
15. The combiuntion with an electric motor, a train of gearing and the shaft to
be driven, of a worm mounted upon and secured to one of the shafts of the
gearing, a lever having its free end universally movable, a point carried on its free
end to engage the worm, a circuit maker and breaker in the path of the lever and
connected to terminals of the motor circuit, a spring connected to the lever, a
shaft for the said lover, au arm secured to the shaft, a pin carried by a disk
secured to one of the shafts to engage the arm, and means to start the rotation of
the shaft, as set forth.
16. The combination with an electric motor, a train of gearing and the shaft to
be driven, of a worm mounted upon and secured to one of the shafts of the gearing,
a lever having its free end universally movable, a point carried on its free end
to engage the worm, a circuit maker and breaker in the path of the lever and
connected to terminals of the motor circuit, a spring connected to the lever, a shaft
for the said lever, an arm secured to the shaft, a pin carried by a disk secured to
one of the shafts to engage the arm, a coil spring between the shaft to be driven
and the gearing, and means whereby the said shaft may be released, as set forth.
17. The combination with an electric motor, a train of gearing and the shaft to
be driven, of a worm mounted upon and secured to one of the shafts of the gearing,
a lever having its free end universally movable, a point carried on its free end
to engage the worm, a circuit maker and breaker in the path of the lover and
connected to terminals of the motor circuit, a spring connected to the lever, a shaft
Jor the said lever, an arm secured to the shaft, a pin carried by a disk secured to

page_text: one of the shafts to engage the arm, a coil spring between the shaft to be driven
and the gearing, an arm carried on said shaft, a lever carrying a pin to engage the
arm, and an electro magnot to operate the lever to release the shaft, as set
forth.
18. The combination with an electric motor, a train of gearing and the shaft to
be driven, of a worm mounted upon and secured to one of the shafts of the
gearing, a lever having its freo end universally movable, a point carried on its free
end to engage the worn, a circuit maker and breaker in the path of the lever and
connected to terminals of the motor circuit, a spring connected to the lever, n
shaft for the said lever, an arm secured to the shaft, a pin carried by a disk secured
to oue of the shafts to engage the arm, a coil spring between the shaft to be driven
and the gear wheel thereon, a friction coupling for the shaft, an arm carried on
said shaft, a lever carrying a pin to engage the arm, and an electro magnet to
operate the lever to release the shaft, as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of March 1896.
BENJAMIN FREDERICK MERRITT.
JOHN MARSTON JOY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.