Improvements in Printing Telegraph Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Telegraph Apparatus.
A communication from the PRINTING TELEGRAPH NEWS COMPANY, a corporation
under the laws of the State of New York, and having a place of business at
No. 53 Park Place, in the City of New York, County and State of New York,
United States of America.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus, and more particularly
to the class known as page printers, and consists in the various features of inven-
tion substantially as hereinafter more particularly pointed out.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1, is a plan view of a telegraph receiver
embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in section; Fig. 3, is an
opposite end view; Figs. 4 to are details; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a combined
transmitter and receiver; Fig. 10 is an end view of the main portions of such
instrument; and Fig. 11, is a vertical transverse section.
In printing telegraph apparatus of the page printer class it is common to have
two separate instruments, one operating as a transmitter and the other as a
receiver, and it is one of the obiects of this invention to combine these two instru-
ments in one apparatus, thereby simplifying and cheapening the cost of the same,
and it is further the object of the invention to provide improvements in the con-
struction of the receiver more especially, whether such instrument is used alone
or in connection with the combined apparatus.
The receiver and improvements therein will first be described and then the
combined instrument, and it is not deemed necessary to describe in detail all the
parts of the receiver, as this class of instruments are well understood by those
skilled in the art.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 more particularly, which illustrate the receiver used
as a separate instrument, there is shown a base A, upon which are mounted
suitable standards A1, A2, A3, the standards A1, A2, being connected by the
rods A, A5, and plate A6, and the standards A2, A3, being connected by the
rods A7, A8, Aº, and these constitute what may be termed the frame of the machine
to which the operating parts of the receiver are connected, and which, of course,
may vary in details of construction and arrangement.
Mounted in the frame is a type-wheel shaft B, on which is mounted the type-
wheel C, so as to rotate with the shaft but to slide longitudinally thereon, as by
means of a carriage D. This type-wheel shaft B, is under stress, as hereinafter
described, tending to rotate it in the proper direction, the rotation being con-
trolled by an escape wheel B¹, fixed to the shaft B, and which is controlled bv an
escapement B, operated by a magnet M. Also shown as mounted on this shaft
is a worm-wheel B³, and crank B, of the unison mechanism.

page_text: Also mounted in the frame is the printing shaft E, on which is mounted the
worm-wheel E', so that it rotates with the shaft while it is moved longitudinally
by the carriage D. This shaft E, is likewise under tension tending to rotate the
same, and is controlled by an escapement E³, hereinafter more fully described,
which in turn is controlled by the magnet M, and the shaft E, also carries a
cam E³, co-operating with the unison mechanism above referred to as well as
with the shifting mechanism for returning the type-wheel and carriage to the
normal position at the end of a line. The worm-wheel E, engages the rack-
bar F, mounted on a rock-shaft F, carrying an arm F, under the stress of a
spring F3. On the arm Fs, is a lever F4, one end of it bearing against the cam E³,
and the other end carrying a pawl F5, which co-operates with the crank B, on the
shaft B, when in proper position to permit the depression of the rack on the
rotation of the cam E³, so that the carriage can be returned to its normal position
ut the beginning of the line, the carriage being moved when released by some
automatic mechanism, as the fusee-wheel and chain D¹.
Paper guides G, G, are mounted on the plate A, which support the paper in an
unright position as it is drawn from the roll G', and in order to feed the paper
upward to produce the line-space there is a shaft G2, carrying the prick wheels G³,
working through slots in the guides G, and bearing against spring-controlled
friction wheels G4, mounted in arms G5, and the means for imparting motion to
these prick wheels will be described hereafter.
There is a suitable motive power for operating the receiver and putting the
shafts under tension shown in the present instance as comprising
an electric
motor H, mounted on the base, the armature of which is connected by a pinion H',
with a train of gears H³, H3, H4, H³, and these are connected to the rotating shafts
in the manner hereinafter described.
The impression on the paper from the type-wheel is effected by means of a
hammer I, mounted on the carriage D, and held under spring tension against
the face of the worm-wheel E', which carries a cam E, which on the rotation of
said worm-wheel impinges against the hammer and forces it and the paper against
the type-wheel C, in a manner well understood.
The general construction and arrangement of the receiver thus far described
constitute no part of the present invention, and the features of improvement which
it is desired to natent herein are as follows:
Type-Wheel Shaft and Carriage.-Heretofore the type shaft has been provided
with a spline fitting the hub of the type-wheel to give it rotative movement, while
the type-wheel itself was pivoted in and supported by the carriage so that the
type-wheel may be said to have been mounted in the carriage and moved longi-
tudinally thereby, while it was rotated by the type-shaft and spline. While this
arrangement had some advantages it has been found that it is impossible to get
an accurate throw of the type-wheel so as to bring the respective letters in proper
position for printing, and especially is this the case when the parts are worn at
all or are out of absolutely acourate adjustment, and if for instance the type-
wheel is the least bit eccentric to the type-shaft. Not only does this not produce
an accurate throw of the type-wheel, but the parts are liable to bind, and the
result is that the printing is not in true alignment, owing to the slight though
important differences in the adjustment of the parts. In order to get the best
results it is necessary that the type-wheel be mounted on the type-shaft so that
it is supported by the shaft rather than by the carriage. Not only this, but that
the wheel must be absolutely concentric with the axis of the shaft and must move
rotatively in exact coincidence with the shaft so that as the shaft is permitted to
rotate by the escapement at each step the periphery of the type-wheel will be
moved a certain definite distance to bring the desired letter into the exact
printing point, and to accomplish this result the type-wheel is mounted directly
on the shaft so that it is supported and rotated thereby while it is free to slide
longitudinally thereon, using the carriage or some equivalent means for the
purpose of giving the type-wheel its longitudinal movement on the shaft,

page_text: Not only is the wheel mounted on the shaft, but the best results can be obtained
by forming the shaft in a peculiar manner, so that a large bearing surface is
furnished between the shaft and the wheel, resulting in less wear and conse-
quently less liability of getting out of adjustment. As above indicated, a spline
on the shaft taking into the hub of the wheel has a relatively small bearing
surface, and unless the wheel and shaft are absolutely concentric, relatively large
variations of movement will be imparted to the wheel at different steps of its
rotation. With the present construction, however, the wheel and shaft can be
arranged absolutely concentric, a large bearing surface between the parts is
furnished, and the parts are easily made and not subject to wear, and the result is
that the throw of the type-wheel is the same at all portions of its rotation, insuring
absolute alignment of the printing. Thus, as shown more particularly in Figs. 7
& 8, the type-shaft B, is formed in cross-section with a knife-edge by produced by
flattening or grinding two adjacent sides so that there are at least two flat sides
on the shaft and a knife-edge portion between them, and the hub of the wheel C,
is formed of a similar shape to accurately fit the shaft and to be absolutely con
centric with the axis thereof. In the curved portion of the shaft it is desirable
to make a groove b₁, which may be used for lubricating the shaft, and which does
not interfere with the accurate adjustment of a wheel thereon or tend to increased
wear. Such a shaft is easily made by turning it to a perfect cylinder, and then
grinding the two sides to flatten them and form a knife-edge between them, and
the hub being shaped to accurately fit the same insures an absolutely accurate
movement without undue friction and practically no wear.
The carriage D, is fitted to slide on the rods A4, A5 either directly
as shown or through the intervention of wheels
or rollers or ball-
bearings, and as the carriage does not support the type-wheel but
simply moves it longitudinally on its shaft on which it is mounted, delicacy
and accuracy of fit are not so important and any wear or misadjustment of the
carriage will not affect the accuracy of the printing. The arms Da, of the carriage
have relatively large openings through which the type-wheel shaft passes without
contact, and the arms embrace the hub of the type-wheel without supporting the
wheel. In this way another result is accomplished, in that an elongated hub of
the wheel can be made so as to get a better bearing on the shaft, which also aids
in accuracy of printing.
The worm-wheel E, is also mounted on the shaft E, and is moved
longitudinally by the carriage in 8 manner similar to that of the
type-wheel, and while it is desirable in many instances to use a
worm-wheel shaft, of the same contour as that of the type-wheel, it is found that a
shaft having the cross-section indicated in Fig. 7 answer the purpoe. This shaft E
has a flattened side e and the curved portion is provided with a series of channels,
while the hub of the worm-wheel is shaped to fit the flattened portion, the rest of
it being curved so that the worm-wheel is concentrically mounted on the shaft
and slides freely thereon when moved by the carriage, but is positively and
accurately rotated with the shaft. In actual practice it is found that this arrange-
ment of type-wheel mounted on a shaft of the shape described and rotated thereby
and moved longitudinally by the carriage is an exceedingly desirable and effective
arrangement, overcoming all the objections to the previous construction and
permitting absolute alignment of the printing.
Paper Feeding Device. It is necessary in this class of machines to feed the
paper to produce the line-space, and while various devices have been proposed for
this purpose, operating with greater or less accuracy, in order that the paper may
be uniformly and positively fed a simple construction has been arranged which
operates with little or no friction, and this has proved entirely satisfactory.
Mounted on the shaft G2, carrying the prick wheels G³, is a fine toothed ratchet-
wheel J, and also pivotally mounted on said shaft is a pawl lever J¹, carrying a
spring-pressed pawl J, engaging the ratchet-wheel J. This pawl lever J, is
connected by a rod J³, to an extension J', of an Archimedean screw J³, pivotally

page_text: mounted on the rock-shaft F1, and connected thereto by a coiled spring J. This
spring tends to lift the pawl arm and hold it in this position, and it is drawn
down to feed the prick wheels through the rotation of the Archimedean screw on
the rock-shaft. This screw is shown in the form of a bent wire or rod which
normally projects on the side of the rock-shaft adjacent to the carriage D, and
mounted on the carriage is a stud J, carrying a friction roll J8, which impinges
on the underside of the Archimedean screw turning the same on the rock-shaft
as the carriage is restored to its normal position to commence a new line.. This
screw is comparatively long with a long pitch so that the movements of the prick
wheels are uniform and gradual and the paper is consequently evenly and accu-
rately fed the desired space to receive a new line of printing. As the carriage is
moved along step by step in printing the line, the spring J, gradually restores
the pawl arm to its normal raised position ready to feed the paper again. With
this construction inaccurate feeding is avoided, and when it is remembered that
the carriage is restored to its normal position with a quick movement, the advan-
tages of this construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Worm Shaft Escapement. In this class of machines after the type is in proper
position it is desirable that the printing be effected as quickly as possible and the
type-wheel and carriage moved into position for printing the next letter, and as
before indicated the worm-wheel shaft E, is under stress of a power to operate it
quickly but is controlled by an escapement E³. When the escapement is released,
the shaft E, makes a complete revolution and is suddenly brought to its stationary
or normal position, and it has been found that the shock of the escapement in
stopping the wheel deranges the adjustment of the machine and often breaks the
parts, and one of the features of the present invention is to provide means for
taking up this shock and at the same time producing an accurate operation of the
shaft regardless of its rapidity of rotation. To do this the parts are arranged 'as
more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The improved escapement comprises an
escapement lever in two parts e, c³, carried on a shaft Es, and controlled by the
armature M³, of the magnet M¹, and by the spring Eº, and adjusting screw E.
Each escapement lever is provided with two pallets e, es, arranged as best shown
in Fig. 5. Mounted on the shaft E, are the flyers E8, E, the first of which is
rigidly secured to the shaft E, while the second, E, is secured thereto through
the intervention of a coiled spring E. These flyers are so arranged on the shaft
that the finger e³, of the flyer E, is normally in a position ahead of the finger e',
of the flyer E8, circumferentially considered. The result of this arrangement is
that when the escapement 1, is moved to release the flyer the shaft E, rotates
quickly under the stress of the moving power, and the finger e, of the flyer E,
first impinges on the pallet eo, and the spring E being put under tension takes
up the shock of the blow, so that when the finger e7, of the flyer E8, reaches the
pallet e, the inertia of the shaft is practically absorbed so that there is no tendency
to rebound or to break or distort the parts. In this way a structure is produced
in which there can be a complete and rapid rotation of the shaft, and by the use of
the double or flexible flyer all shock is avoided.
An
Tension Device.-Previously the type-wheel shaft and the worm shaft were
rotated by a frictional device connected with a power-driven gear-wheel.
improved device is herein provided for putting the shafts under tension which is
very simple in construction, subject to little or no wear, and operates quickly and
certainly to rotate the shafts when they are released by their respective escape-
ments. This tension device is best shown in Figs. 4 & 6, in which the gear-wheels,
as H3 and H (Fig. 1) are shown as box gears, loosely mounted on their respective
shafts and held in position as by the screw h. Rigidly mounted on the shaft is
a hub h, having an annular projection ³, fitting over the reduced portion of the
hub of the wheel H³. The hub has an extending plate or flanged portion h³,
which serves to close the box gearing to prevent dust or dirt entering the same
and secured to the hub is a pin h. To this pin is secured the inner end h³, of a

page_text: coiled spring h6, the outer end of which is free and rests on the inner surface of
the outer wall of the box gear H³.
It will be understood that when the machine is in operation the box gear H³,
is rotated constantly from the source of power, and this tends to wind up the
spring h, around the annular projection or collar h2, putting a stress on the shaft
to which it is connected, and this stress will be commensurate with the power of
the spring h The pressure of the free end of the spring against the inner
periphery of the box gear is sufficiently great for the coil spring to be put under
tension by the rotation of the box gear. When this tension has reached a certain
amount, however, the free end of the spring slips around the drum, thus making
a simple and effective flexible coupling between the motor power and the driven
shafts. As soon as the escapement is operated to release the shaft, the spring
reacts to rotate it under the stress of the spring, and it will be observed that the
shaft will rotate quickly and much more rapidly than if it were simply driven
by friction, when the speed of rotation of the shaft would be limited by the speed
of rotation of the friction wheel. In this way an exceedingly rapid as well as
accurate movement of both the type-wheel shaft and the worm-wheel shaft is
obtained without the necessity of driving the gears at a high rate of speed, and
further the storing of power through the tension of the spring is attained with
little friction or wear of the parts, regardless of the movements of the shafts.
While the receiver thus far described is adapted to work as an independent
instrument, a great saving can be had in combining the transmitter and receiver
in a single apparatus, and in doing this the main operating parts of the combined
apparatus are so arranged and connected that they are operated by a single source
of power, and this source of power is so connected that the main operating parts
are each and all under a constant stress, tending to operate them, while their
operations are controlled by escapements, keys or similar means.
Referring toFigs. 9, 10 & 11, such a combined instrument is illustrated, some
of the details of the receiver being omitted for the sake of clearness.
The transmitter comprises essentially a circuit-controlling shaft N, mounted
on the standards, which shaft is provided with a series of pins 0, arranged around
its surface in the present instance and adapted to engage the respective key-
levers P, the key-levers being pivoted at 1, and being under the stress of a
spring, and in the present instance provided at their inner ends with beveled
faces, engaging the rod g, of the retaining device Q, which is under the stress
of a spring Q, and operates to hold the shaft N in position with its pin against
one key until another key is struck, when the retaining device will be released,
allowing the shaft to rotate until the corresponding pin engages the lever, when
the shaft is again stopped in a manner more particularly set forth hereinafter.
In this construction the key-levers may be said to act as an escapement for the
shaft N, of the transmitter, and this shaft is under stress from the motive power,
and its rotation is controlled by the escapement.
Connected to be operated by the shaft N, is a circuit-controller K, which may be
of any desired construction, but is shown in the present instance in a cylindrical
form, having circuit contacts r, r, with brushes, bearing thereon, and so
arranged that the circuit will be reversed in accordance with the rotation of the
shaft. In the present instance the circuit-controller is relatively small but is
driven at a higher rate of speed than the shaft, and the contacts are arranged so
that the reversals correspond with the arrangement of the pins on the shaft.
There is a switch device S, also mounted on the base and connected to operate
the switches, the details of which do not need to be described herein, as they form
no part of the present invention.
Also mounted on a base is a motor H, shown in the present instance as an
electric motor. The pinion H¹, which is connected in this instance to the
armature shaft, also connects with a train of gears H2, H3, H4, H, which are con-
nected in some suitable way to the operative rotating shafts of the apparatus so
as to put them under tension, so that the motor can operate continuously and the

page_text: operation of the shafts of the receiver and transmitter be controlled by the operator
through the escapements or other suitable devices in accordance with, the work
being done,
While various means may be used for connecting the train of gear to the
operating shafts, I have shown as connecting, the shaft. N, with the gear H²; a
friction clutch device comprising a ring. N', secured to the gear-wheel H2, and a
spider N, bearing on the face of the ring, and a spring N³, bearing on the spider
and controlled by a set nut N, constituting what may be termed a spring-
actuated friction clutch.
While this form of connection is operative, a more satisfactory connection
between the gears and the shaft is shown in connection with the shafts B and E.
In these cases the gear-wheels H3 and H³, are made in the form of box gears loosely
mounted on their respective shafts, and rigidly mounted on the shaft is a hub h¹,
having an annular projection h2, and provided with a piu h, to which is secured
the inner end h³, of a coiled spring h°, the outer end of which is free and rests on
the inner surface of the outer wall of the box gear. The gears H3 and H³, rotate
constantly from the source of power, and thus tend to wind up the spring h
around the annular projection or collar ³, putting stress on the shaft to which
it is connected, and this stress will be commensurate with the power of the
spring h. The pressure of the free end of the spring against the inner periphery
of the box gear is sufficiently great for the coiled spring to be put under tension
by the rotation of the gear.
When this tension has reached' a certain amount,
however, the free end of the spring slips around the drum, thus making a simple
and effective flexible coupling between the motive power and the driven shafts
tending to rotate the shafts, which rotation, however, is controlled by the escape-
ment or some other similar means.
From this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that a trans-
mitter and receiver may be combined in one apparatus, occupying practically the
position and space of only one of the machines separately considered. Moreover,
the key-levers are arranged under the printing apparatus of the receiver and in
such a position that the operator can read what is printed by the receiver and see
whether he is sending the proper message, or he can receive a message on the
receiver and transmit it to another line by the transmitter without reproducing
the message on the receiver.
The circuits of the apparatus can be arranged in any desired way, it not being
deemed necessary to show them herein, and as above intimated the receiver may
record the message being sent by the transmitter arranged on the same base or
may record a message being sent from a distant transmitter.
It will be seen that but one source of power is used, and practically the same
train of wheels as is ordinarily used in a receiver; that the power driven shafts
are under tension or stress through the medium of the tension devices connecting
them to the train of gear, and when they are permitted to operate through the
manipulation of the escapements, either in the form of an electro-magnetic escape-
ment or the key-levers of the transmitter or some other form of escapement, the
shafts will immediately be rotated in accordance with the operation of the escape-
ments so as to receive or transmit the proper signals.
While this portion of the invention is shown in connection with a receiving
instrument such as is above explained, it is understood that the invention is not
limited to the precise construction of either the transmitter or receiver, as these
may be varied, the road idea of the invention consisting in combining the two.
instruments in a single apparatus, whereby they are operated from a single
source of power and whereby the main operating parts are under a constant stress
tending to operate them, which, however, are controlled by escapements or similar
devices, and the transmitting and receiving instruments may be used in any
desired manner in sending and receiving messages. It will be noted that in the
combined instrument the type-wheel shaft and printing shaft of the receiver and
the circuit-controlling shaft of the transmitter are all driven from a single source.

page_text: cf power, and these shafts are all under a constant stress tending to operate them,
their operations being controlled by escapements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1st. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel adapted to be rotated and
moved longitudinally on a shaft, and a shaft on which the type-wheel is mounted,
said shaft having a knife-edge and flat sides adjacent the knife-edge, and a groove
in the curved portion of the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel adapted to be rotated and
moved longitudinally on a shaft, a rotating shaft on which the type-wheel is
mounted and by which it is supported, the shaft having a knife-edge and flat
sides fitting the hub of the type-wheel, and a travelling carriage having arms
embracing the type-wheel for movement longitudinally of the shaft, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In a printing telegraph receiver, a type-wheel adapted to be rotated and
moved longitudinally on a shaft, a worm-wheel also adapted to be rotated and
moved longitudinally on a shaft, rotating shafts on which the wheels are mounted
and supported, and a travelling carriage having arms embracing the hubs of all
the wheels for moving the same longitudinally, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4th. In a printing telegraph receiver in which the paper is fed to produce the
line-space, paper feeding devices, an Archimedean screw connected to said feeding
devices, a spring controlling said screw, and a travelling carriage having a stud
engaging the screw to rotate the same and move the feeding devices, substantially,
as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. A shaft normally under stress, an escapement controlling the movements
of the shaft, and a double flyer one finger of which is spring-controlled, substan-
tially as described.
6th. The combination with a constantly driven gear-wheel loosely mounted on
a shaft, of a spring one end of which is connected to the shaft and the other end
of which spring is free and bears on the gear-wheel, substantially as described.
7th. In a printing telegraph apparatus, the combination with a receiving instru-
ment, of a transmitting instrument both mounted on the same base, and a motor
connected to operate both instruments, substantially as described.
8th. In a printing felegraph apparatus, a receiving instrument, a transmitting
instrument both mounted on the same base, a motor connected to drive both
instruments, and connections between the motor and the power driven shafts of
the transmitting and receiving instruments whereby said shafts are put under
constant stress, substantially as described.
9th. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type-wheel carried rotatively by a
shaft, a carriage to move the type-wheel longitudinally on the shaft, a circuit-
controlling shaft of a transmitter, a motor connected to operate the type-wheel,
the carriage and the circuit-controlling shaft and arranged to exert a constant
stress upon the same, and escapements controlling the operation of the type-wheel,
carriage and transmitter shaft, substantially as described.
10th. In a printing telegraph annaratus, a type-wheel shaft, a printing shaft,
a circuit-controlling shaft, and a single motor connected to operate the three
shafts from a single source of power, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of August 1897.