Improvements in Perforators for use in connection with Automatic Telegraph Transmitters.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1899
+
4000 Annanted
fot Doc
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Perforators for use in connection with Automatic
Telegraph Transmitters.
We, ANTHONY STEPHEN FRAMPTON, Mechanical Engineer, and FRANCIS LAUDER
MUIRHEAD, of the Firm of Muirhead and Co., Telegraphic Engineers, both of
Elmers End, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to perforators employed to punch the paper strip that
is used in connection with automatic telegraph transmitters and is particularly
well applicable to the form of perforator described in the Specification of Prior
Letters Patent No. 2904 of 1897.
According to the present invention improved means are provided for the
accurate lateral adjustment of the position of the base-plate which carries the
punch-block. This adjustment is accomplished by means of the device of a spring
and an adjusting screw acting in opposition to each other, so that when the adjust-
ing screw is turned in one direction or the other the base-plate together with the
parts carried by it is moved nearer to or farther from the spur wheel which is
adjacent to it.
Another feature of the present invention consists in mounting the fingers or
projections in the same plane, vertical or otherwise, as the puncher-rods which
are operated by them. One of the three fingers or projections after extending
upwards is turned at its extremity until its operating part comes immediately over
the centre finger which latter is slotted beneath to receive the operating part of the
third finger. The third finger is similar to the first finger in shape and lower
in position.
A third feature of this invention consists in constructing the puncher rods so
that the punches held by them can be readily removed. The puncher rods are
hollowed out at one end for the reception of the punches and they are cut longi-
tudinally to allow of a certain amount of spring.
Improvements in Perforators for use in connection with Automatic
Telegraph Transmitters.
We, ANTHONY STEPHEN FRAMPTON, Mechanical Engineer, and FRANCIS LAUDER
MUIRHEAD, of the Firm of Muirhead and Co., Telegraphic Engineers, both of
Price Sda

page_text: Elmers End, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 perforators employed to punch the paper strip that
is used in connection with automatic telegraph transmitters and is particularly
well applicable to the form of perforator described in the Specification of Prior
Letters Patent No. 2904 of 1897.
Our invention has for its objects to provide new or improved feeding and per-
forating devices; to provide improved means for the accurate lateral adjustment
of the position of the base plate that carries the punch-block relatively to the
spur wheel, and to so construct the punch-rods that the punches held by them
can be easily removed or replaced.
In the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example two forms of
our improved apparatus,
Figure 1 is a plan,
Figure 2 is an underside view, and
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, on the line A-B Figure 1, illustrating a
manually-actuated perforator.
Figures 4, 5 and 6, are detail views, Figure 4 being a partial side elevation,
Figure 5 showing the operative ends of the finger levers, and Figure 6 showing
a front view of the cutting plate.
Figure 7 is a plan,
Figure 8 a vertical section, and
Figure 9 an end view, illustrating the apparatus as being electro-magnetically
actuated and with an automatic spacing device.
Like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout
the drawings.
a is a hollow box-shaped base upon which is mounted a base plate 6 that carries
the perforating mechanism. The perforating mechanism is operated by means of
levers c, d and e fulcrumed on a spindle f located within the hollow portion of
the said base a. The base a also encloses all but the operative ends of the said
levers which extend upwards through an opening g in the said base. To the oppo-
site end of the said levers c, d and e respectively the stem of a key or finger-
plate h, or j is attached. These stems pass through openings provided for that
purpose in the base a.
The levers c, d and e are disposed at convenient distances apart, the two outer
levers cand e being provided with inwardly extending legs k, 1 (see Figures 2
and 5) the ends of which, constituting their respective operative portions, are
thus brought into close proximity with the corresponding portion m of the centre
lever.
The upwardly extending portion m of the centre lever d is provided at its top
with a tooth n formed by the slot o within which operates the projection p from
the leg while the overhanging portion from the leg k operates above the said
tooth n.
Thus that part of all the levers which effects the operation of the
punches is in the one plane. Each lever is returned to its normal position by a
spring r fixed at one end to the base a and bearing at the other end on a pin or
projections upon such lever. Both the operative and return movements are
rendered noiseless by rubber, felt or like washers t and u.
d
Immediately in front of the operative portions n, p and q of the levers c,
and e, and in the same vertical plane, are located three punch-rods v, w and a
which are supported at one end by an upright y rising from the base plate b.
These rods are free to slide through the upright y and their opposite ends hold
punches z. The punches enter a guide plate 1 adapted to keep them in register
with the cutting plate 2.
The guide plate 1 and the cutting plate 2 are attached by means of screws to
an upright 3 on the base plate band are kept in proper register with each other

page_text: by means of dowel pins 4, while the space between the guide plate 1 and the
cutting plate 2, through which the paper strip passes, is preserved by suitable
distance pieces 5.
Between the uprights y and 3 extend two guide rods upon which a block 7 is
adapted to slide. The punch-rods v, w and a pass through the block 7, the centre
one w being made fast to it, but those and sliding through it.
The block 7 is normally held at or near one end of its guide rods by springs 8,
in which position the punches of the rods and (whose collars it engages) as
well as the punch-rod we are withdrawn from their respective dies. When, how-
ever, either of the rods vor x is forced in by its respective operating lever c or e,
the corresponding collar will cause the block 7 to move also, and carry with it
the rod w, but when this rod is operated by the part n of its operating lever d it
will carry with it the block 7 only, which will move away from the collars of
the punch-rods v and a leaving them stationary.
In this way it will be seen that the centre punch is operated by all the levers,
and consequently a central line of perforations is punched continuously in the
strip, which holes are engaged by the pins 9 of the feed wheel 10 by which the
said strip is drawn past the punches by a series of equal steps no matter whether
the said strip is also perforated by either of the side punches or not.
In order that the central line of perforations may be accurately engaged by the
pins of the feed wheel, the base plate b is capable of adjustment to and from the
said wheel. For this purpose the base plate is provided with two dowel pins,
one, 11, rigid and planted in the same plane as the punches, enters an opening in
the base and about which the base plate b may turn, while the other dowel
pin, 12, attached to a strong spring 13, which is fixed to the base plate, passes
through a slot or opening 14 larger than itself into another opening in the base a
which it fits A set screw 15 mounted on the base plate b bears against the dowel
pin 12, and upon turning the said screw in one direction or the other the neces-
sary adjustment is effected A clamping screw 16 serves to retain the parts in the
adjusted position,
Every time the perforating mechanism is operated the feed wheel 10 is rotated
tooth-by-tooth by means of a pawl 17 and ratchet wheel 18, to which motion is
imparted by a spring-controlled lever 19, planted in the path of the upwardly-
extending portions k, l, m of the levers c, d, e by which it is moved on the
depression of any one of the fingers plates h, i, j. At the free end of the lever 19
is pivoted a link 20 having a long arm 21 and a short arm 22 at angles to each
other. To the end of the short arm 22 is attached a spring 23 (weaker than
that which controls the lever 19) adapted to hold the said short arm in engage-
ment with a stationary pin 24, while at the end of the long arm 21 the pawl 17
is pivoted. This pawl is caused to engage its ratchet wheel by means of a
spring 25.
Upon depressing any of the finger plates, the lever 19 is moved in the direction
of the arrow 26 whereupon the spring 23 is enabled to pull the short arm 22 of
the link 20 about the stationary pin 24 as a fulcrum, resulting in the movement
of the long arm in the direction of the arrow 27 and the withdrawal of the pawl 17
preparatory to its engaging another tooth of its ratchet wheel 18. Engagement
with the said ratchet wheel in this position is prevented by the pin 28, which,
co-operating with the curved side of the pawl 17 retains it in such a position as
will enable it to properly engage the next tooth when by the return of the lever c,
dore the spring-controlled lever 19 and its attached parts are permitted to
return to their normal positions. In this position the end of the pawl, after tuin-
ing its ratchet wheel is through the distance of one tooth, engages the pin 29
in such a manner as to prevent any further rotation of the ratchet wheel.
A spring-controlled lever 30 co-operates with the feed wheel 10 for the purpose
of ensuring its proper engagement with the central row of holes in the paper strip
The rods, to and are formed hollow and provided with slots 31 to receive
the punches; the latter are consequently capable of easy removal or replacement.

page_text: 32 is a cover hinged to the base a for the purpose of enclosing and protecting
the parts, and 33 is a box to receive the punchings which fall therefrom into a
suitable receptacle through an opening 34 in the said base.
Referring now particularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9 the levers c, d and e instead of
being formed with, or carrying, finger plates h, i, j terminate abruptly and each
Jever carries the armature, 35, of an electromagnet. Pivotally mounted upon the
fulcrum 36 are three contact kevs 37, 38 and 39, normally held in their uppermost
position by springs 40, 41 and 42. The centre key 38 is retarded in its return
movement. This may be effected by a piston or plunger 43 on the said key which
moves in a dash-pot 44. As will be understood there is a small opening 45 in
the dash-not 44 and one or more larger openings 46 in the piston 43 covered by a
leather disc 47 or the like forming a clack-valve. When the key is depressed, no
compression of air occurs, but, upon the return movement, the valve is closed. the
air escapes gradually. and the return of the key retarded. 48. 49 and 50 are
electromagnets joined up to the battery 51, the circuit of which is completed
when contact is made by the keys at the points 52. 53 and 54.
Upon depressing either of the kevs 37 or 39 the centre one, 38, is likewise
carried down owing to the side key that is operated coming into contact with the
proiection 55 carried by the centre key. Thereupon the electro-magnet 48 or 50
will be energized with the result that a side perforation will be effected and when
the key is allowed to return the paper strip will be fed forward one space. When
the side keys 37 and 39 are depressed in quick succession, the centre lever has not
sufficient time to return and make contact at the point 53. but, if a pause is made
by the operator, contact will be made at that point and one additional
central perforation will be effected, representing the space between each letter.
If further spacing is required the centre key 38 must be operated.
this way the spacing between the letters is effected automatically without effort
on the part of the operator who likewise is not called upon to exert the muscular
effort of effecting the perforations and feeding of the strip.
In
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 perforator, the improved means for securing the accurate lateral adjust-
ment of the position of the base plate that carries the punch-block relatively to
the spur wheel substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In a perforator, so constructing the punch-rods that the punches held by
them are capable of easy removal or replacement, substantially as set forth.
3. The perforator constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 to 6, or to Figures 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of September 1900
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicants.