IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Jonas Droste, of Bremen, in the Empire of
Germany, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TYPE PRINTING
TELEGRAPH APPARATUS."
Sealed the 26th August 1879, and dated the 7th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Jonas Droste at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th May 1879.
GEORGE JONAS DROSTE, of Bremen, in the Empire of Germany.
IN ELECTRIC TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPHE APPARATUS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
The Hughes electric printing telegraph has the defect that the synchronous
working of the driving mechanism at the different stations has to be effected and
maintained by special mechanism. The difficulty of obtaining synchronism in the
driving mechanisms is increased when more than two apparatus are to be worked,
and with a greater number it becomes an impossibility.
Apparatus constructed according to my Invention is free from these defects, the
synchronism of all the apparatus in a circuit is insured by the mutual action of the
electro magnets and the driving mechanisms, which latter are connected with
automatic current commutators, and influence the same.
The motion of the keepers (and retardation) is produced by opening and closing
the galvanic current acting on an electro-magnet, either by a self-interrupting
appliance or sign indicator. The first requires a key-board, the latter system a
manipulator, which interrupts the current. Both systems require 13 currents for
one revolution of the type wheel, which latter bas 52 divisions, that is, two double
blanks, 24 letters, and 24 numerals, and interpunctuation signs.
If the type
wheel has more signs one current more is required for every two signs. It must be
especially noticed that the motion of the keeper only is effected by the current, but
that the other functions of the apparatus are effected by the driving mechanisms;
it is therefore evident that the strength of current may be very much less
than even with the Morse apparatus, the keeper lever of which has to be so
strongly attracted in order to indicate dot and dash, that is, to impress them into
the paper.
There are three driving clock-work mechanisms impelled by springs, and inde-
pendent of one another; their purpose will be described further on. There is an

page_text: electro-magnet with keeper and automatic commutator. The keeper is fastened on
a lever turning on a fulcrum; one arm of same works between two set screws,
serving to regulate the motion of the lever. The other arm is connected to a spring,
the pull of which is adjusted by a screw. A third arm carries two small nipper or
hook bars, which are set as a fork against each other in length direction of the
lever fulcrum pin. The outer ends of these bars are formed with small hardened
hooks, against which the hardened ends of two escapement levers alternately strike
when the apparatus is in motion; one of them always comes in contact with a
corresponding hook bar. The fulcrum spindle of the two escapement levers is
moved continuously from the driving spindle so as it is not stopped. The fulcrum
spindle also carries a small eccentric or cam working in a fork of a plate turning on
centre, and causing it to swing backwards and forwards for each revolution.
This oscillating plate carries below on pins two pendent pieces, which are carried
by bracket pieces. By this oscillation the current interrupter commutator is
influenced through an insulated projection or pusher on the upper part of the
oscillating plate as a contact spring, which is in current connection with a binding
screw, as the commutator will alternately by the said pusher be removed from or
approached to a contact screw, which is in current connection with another binding
screw at the commutator. The angle position of the eccentric to the two escape-
ment levers is so arranged that the breaking or making the circuit coincide with
the moments in which the levers are stopped by the nipper bars. But the eccentric
spindle is moved by the same driving gear as that which actuates a type wheel on
a spindle, and the angular velocities of these two spindles in a constant relation
depending upon the gear wheels. This relation is such that by every half revolu-
tion of the eccentric spindle the type wheel moves the space of a type; hence every
circuit break and make coincide with the moment wherein a letter in the type
wheel assumes a certain place, say, below. If the type wheel then is retained by
striking a key on the key board, then evidently the type wheels of all apparatus in
the same circuit are stopped in the same moment, whether the circuit is open or
closed. When the key is let go the type wheel moves again, as either by attraction
or release of the keeper one of the escapement levers has been first released. If
the relation between angular position of the levers and any letter on the type
wheel the same in all the apparatus, then it follows also that when the type wheel
of an apparatus is arrested at a certain letter in the position wherein it should
print, all the type wheels in the same circuit will simultaneously print the same
letter.
Having thus described the peculiarity of the apparatus I will describe the means
whereby I cause the printing apparatus to act.
From a driving clockwork mechanism I actuate a spindle, which operates the
printing appliance on the opposite side of the apparatus, as will be presently
described. The spindle carries an escapement lever, and above the spindle there is
a gudgeon for a half circular double armed lever. In the end of each arm there is a
half round peg; these latter work together with the escapement lever.
The eccentric before named actuated the two bracket pieces, which by pins are
jointed to the oscillating plate, and which have two forks below for receiving two
tooth wheels. These latter are so connected to spiral springs as to resume their
normal positions against set screw stops; when moved out of same the set screws
act against small cau levers on the wheel spindles. The two forked pieces are held
together below by a lielical spring, their distance apart being limited by inner stops.
In a certain sense the oscillating plate and the two forked pieces thus form a rigid
system, as the latter pieces can only be moved apart. Between the two wheels
there is a pinion, which is constantly moved by a driving clock-work mechanism.
When the aforesaid system oscillates one or the other of the wheels gears with the
pinion, and as the forks carrying the wheels can give a little towards the outside
the teeth are not damaged; the wheel in gear with the pinion will continue so
until the oscillation in the opposite direction brings the other wheel into gear;
hence it follows that when there is no lengthened stoppage the cams will only lift

page_text: a little each time, without raising either of two upper trigger levers so far as to
touch a pendulum crutch. But when the type wheel is arrested then that wheel
which is in gear remains so, the corresponding trigger lever is raised quite up
against a limiting stop; while rising it touches the crutch, which raises a lever
connected thereto, which again acts on the half circular lever and the escapement
lever, and thus releases the escapement of the printing driving mechanism. Both
by the attraction and the release of the keeper the crutch makes an up and down
motion; hence one turn in two strokes of the spindle of the escapement lever corre-
sponds to motion of the type wheel to the extent of one letter. The return stroke
of the crutch is limited by a stop. A weight on the lever connected to the crutch
so counterbalances the various forces that the cams work easily. The Invention
may be so modified that instead of the wheels segments only are used, and instead
of one, two crutches may be used, which are lifted direct without cams.
I will now describe the mechanism on the opposite side of the apparatus.
The spindle of the printing escapement lever carries a tooth gearing with a tooth
wheel, the pitch of which is double the length of space required on the paper strip
for printing a letter thereon. The paper strip is wound on a pulley, and passes by
rollers, the last two of which are pressed against together by a spring, or its equi-
valent. The lower roller is fast on the spindle of the tooth wheel just named, and
is half its diameter, so that by the motion of one tooth wheel the paper strip moves
half that distance. The escapement lever spindle has a tooth pinion gearing with a
tooth wheel, the spindle of which carries a double cam, that by every revolution
twice raises a long printing lever. This latter has underneath a flat spring, on
which rests the foot of a press roller that carries a fork which is continued as a lever
turning. There is an ink roller over the type roller.
I will now describe that appliance in connection with type wheel, whereby by
pressing on n key of a keyboard it is moved so far round its axis that instead of
letters the adjoining numerals or signs come into the required angular position to
the escapement levers first described. The type wheel is not absolutely fixed on its
spindle, but is connected therewith by a carrier, but a boss behind the type wheel
is fast on the spindle, and has two lugs, which by two screws are united to the
carrier, which is slotted and takes against two pegs on the type wheel. When the
carrier is moved against the boss (the slots admitting this movement) then the
slanting faces on the carrier resting against the type wheel pegs will move the type
wheel pegs until in the position of rest; this is not quite so far as the distance
between a letter and a numeral. The motion of the slotted carrier is done by the
raising of the printing lever when the key for changing from letters to numerals
and signs is depressed, and the type where thereby is arrested. In that moment
the carrier is vertical, and when the printing lever is raised (which happens when
the type wheel is arrested) a peg on that lever pushes against lower end of the
carrier, causing the latter to move up, and the type wheel to turn as required. To
bring the type wheel into its original position the corresponding key is depressed,
and the opposite action takes place.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Jonas Droste in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
November 1879.
GEORGE JONAS DROSTE, of Bremen, in the Empire of Germany.
IN ELECTRIC TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
If
The Hughes' electric printing telegraph has the defect that the synchronous
working of the driving mechanism at the different stations has to be effected and
maintained by special mechanism; this is owing to the fact that the driving
mechanism of the sending apparatus influences the printing mechanism of the
receiving apparatus, but not simultaneously the driving mechanism of same.
then the velocities of the type wheels of the two apparatus differ while the printing
mechanisms synchronize it is impossible to transmit a telegram. The difficulty of
obtaining synchronism in the driving mechanism is increased when more than two
apparatus are to be worked in one circuit, and with a greater number it becomes
an impossibility.
Apparatus constructed according to my Invention is free from these defects; the
synchronism of all the apparatus in a circuit is ensured by the mutual action of
the electro magnets and the driving mechanisms, which latter are connected with
automatic current commutators and influence the same.
The motion of the keepers (and retardation) is produced by opening and closing
the galvanic current acting on an electro magnet either by a self interrupting
appliance or sign indicator. The first requires a keyboard, the latter system a
manipulator, which interrupts the current; both systems require thirteen currents
for one revolution of the type wheel, which latter has fifty two divisions, that is,
two double blanks, twenty four letters, and twenty four numerals and interpunc-
tuation signs. If the type wheel has more signs one current more is required for
every two signs. It must be especially noticed that the motion of the keeper only
is effected by the current, but that the other functions of the apparatus are effected
by the driving mechanisins; it is therefore evident that the strength of current
may be very much less than even with the Morse apparatus, the keeper lever of
which bas to be so strongly attracted in order to indicate dot and dash, that is, to
impress them into the paper.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a side view of the apparatus illus-
trating the mutual action of the electro magnet and the mechanical driving
mechanisms, of which three are used; Figures 2 and 3 are details; Figure 4 is a
similar view as Figure 1, but with the parts in other positions; Figure 5 shows
the apparatus from the opposite side illustrating the arrangement of the printing
appliance and the mode of altering the type wheel from letters to numerals and
'signs, or vice versa; Figure 6 shews a detail.
A, B, C, Figure 1, are the spindles of three driving clock-work mechanisms
impelled by springs and independent of one another; their purpose will be described
further on; D is an electro magnet with keeper E and automatic commutator F.
The keeper E is fastened on a lever G turning on a fulcrum a; one arm b of same
works between two set screws c, c, serving to regulate the motion of the keeper, the
other arm & is connected to a spring e, the pull of which is adjusted by a screw e¹;
a third arm f carries two small nipper or book bars f¹, f", which are set as a fork
against each other in the length direction of the lever fulcrum pin a, as shewn in
Figure 2; the outer ends of these bars are formed with small hardened hooks
against which the hardened ends of two escapement levers h, h², on a boss g
alternately strike when the apparatus is in motion; one of them, h or h¹, always
comes in contact with a corresponding hook-bar for f". The fulcrum spindle i
of the two escapement levers h, h', is moved continuously from the driving spindle B
so long as it is not stopped; the fulcrum spindle i also carries a small eccentric or
cam k working in a fork of a plate 7 turning on a centre n and causing it to swing

page_text: backwards and forwards for each revolution; this oscillating plate 7 carries below on
pins m, m', two pendent pieces which are carried by bracket pieces o, o². By this
oscillation the current interrupter commutator F is influenced through an insulated
projection or pusher p on the upper part of the oscillating plate as a contact
spring r, which is in current connection with a binding screw q at the commutator,
will alternately, by the said pusher p, be removed from or approached to a contact
screw 8, which is in current connection with another binding screw q' at the com-
mutator. The angle position of the eccentric k to the two escapement levers h, h³,
is so arranged that the breaking or making the circuit coincide with the moments
in which the levers are stopped by the nipper bars f³, f. But the eccentric
spindle is moved by the same driving gear as that which actuates a type wheel H
on a spindle I, and the angular velocities of these two spindles i and I in a constant
relation depending upon the gear wheel; this relation is such that by every half
revolution of the eccentric spindle i the type wheel H moves the space of a type;
hence every circuit break and make coincide with the moment wherein a letter in
the type wheel assumes a certain place, say below. If the type wheel then is
retained by striking a key on the key board then evidently the type wheels of all
apparatus in the saine circuit are stopped in the same moment whether the circuit
is open or closed. When the key is let go the type wheel moves again, as either
by attraction or release of the keeper one of the escapement levers h or h¹ has been
first released. If the relation between angular position of the levers h, h¹, and any
letter on the type wheel H is the same in all the apparatus, then it follows also that
when the type wheel of an apparatus is arrested at a certain letter in the position
wherein it should point all the type wheels in the same circuit will simultaneously
print the same letter.
Having thus described the peculiarity of the apparatus I will describe the means
whereby I cause the printing apparatus to act.
From a driving clock work mechanism C I actuate a spindle t, which operates
the printing appliance on the opposite side of the apparatus, as will be presently.
described; the spindlet carries an escapement lever K, and above the spindle t
there is a gudgeon t¹ for a half circular double armed lever L; in the end of each
arm there is a half round peg u and u¹, these latter work together with the escape-
ment lever K.
The eccentric before named actuated the two bracket pieces o, o, which by pins
m, m', are jointed to oscillating plate l, and which have two forks below for
receiving two tooth wheels vand v¹, these latter are so connected to spiral springs
w, w¹, as to resume their normal positions against set screw stops 2, 2¹; when moved
out of same the set screws act against small cam levers y, y', on the wheel spindles.
The two forked pieces o, and o¹ are held together below by a helical spring Ò, their
distance apart being limited by inner stops 2, 2¹. In a certain sense the oscillating
plate and the two forked pieces o and o' thus form a rigid system, as the latter
pieces can only be moved apart; between the two wheels and v² there is a
pinion a, which is constantly moved by a driving clockwork mechanism A in the
direction of the arrow. When the aforesaid system l, o, o', oscillates one or the
other of the wheels v, vl, gears with the pinion a, and as the forks o, o¹, carrying
the wheels v, v', can give a little towards the outside the teeth are not damaged;
the wheel in gear with the pinion will continue so until the oscillation in the
opposite direction brings the other wheel into gear, hence it follows that when
there is no lengthened stoppage the cams y, y', will only lift a little each time
without raising either of two upper trigger levers B, B1, so far as to touch a
pendulum crutch 7. But when the type wheel is arrested, then that wheel
which is in gear remains so, the corresponding trigger lever is raised quite up
against a limiting stop 6 or 81, while rising it touches the crutch, which
raises a lever M connected thereto, which again acts on the half circular lever L
and the escapement lever K, and thus releases the escapement of the printing
driving mechanism. Both by the attraction and the release of the keeper the

page_text: crutch makes an up and down motion, hence one turn in two strokes of the
spindle of the escapement lever corresponds to motion of the type wheel to the
extent of oue letter. The return stroke of the crutch y is limited by a stop a¹.
A weight N on the lever M connected to the crutch so counterbalances the various
force that the cams y, y', work easily. The Invention may be so modified that
instead of the wheels v, vl, segments only are used, and instead of one, two crutches
may be used, which are lifted direct without cams.
The mode of operation is as follows:-The clockworks A, B; C, are independent
of one another, but are influenced partly by the oscillations of the electro magnet
and partly by the arresting of the type wheel by the keys in their motion. The
motion of the type wheel and the printing appliance is thus not a free one hut a
retarded one, and the number of the retardations corresponds exactly with the
number of the types which pass the place of printing. These retardations result
in the first place from the interruptions of the electric current produced by the
eccentric ; and, secondly, from the influence of the swinging systems l, o, o, on
the retardation of the printing appliance through the cams y, y, which lift the
crutch as soon as the retardation of the type wheel takes place by the depression
of a key. But in the same moment the said systen: makes an oscillation in the
opposite direction, the crutchy drops down to the peg a¹ in order to be raised again
by the other cam now coming into action through means of its trigger. Each
stoppage of the type wheel thus necessitates the passing of the escapement lever K
over the pegs u, u¹, in two intervals. It will be shewn later on how this arrangement
acts on the pulling forward of the paper strip and the subsequent printing of a
letter.
The oscillations of the keeper of the electro magnets thus correspond exactly and
mutually with the revolutions of the type wheel, both on the whole and in the
separate spaces of time. There are likewise quite definite moments in which the
escapement of the printing appliance is set free; they coincide always exactly with
the arresting of the type wheel. The slightest delay of the printing appliance as
against the said stoppage, which proceeds from the function of the wheels v, v', and
the cams y, y', that take a certain though inappreciably short time to release the
escapement of the printing appliance as also the loss of time in the action of the
latter, now to be described, are necessary for obtaining a smart printing pressure,
for the printing is not, as in Hughes' apparatus, done by uninterrupted rotation of
the type wheel but always after a stoppage.
From the foregoing it will be evident that all the motions of all the apparatus
in one circuit are synchronous.
I will now describe the mechanism of the opposite side of the apparatus. These
parts are shewn in Figure 5.
A, B, and C, are the three clockworks, the fusee boxes of which are outside. The
spindle t of the printing escapement lever carries a tooth 1 gearing with a tooth
wheel 2 with teeth of a Maltese cross shape, and the pitch of which is double the
length of space required on the paper strip for printing a letter thereon. The paper
strip is wound on a pulley 3 and passes by rollera 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which latter is
pressed against a lower roller by a spring 10 or its equivalents. The lower roller r
is fast on the spindle of the tooth wheel 2 just named, and is half its diameter, so
that by the motion of one tooth of the tooth wheel the paper strip moves half that
distance. The escapement lever spindle t has a tooth pinion 11 gearing with a
tooth wheel 12, the spindle of which carries a double cam 13 that by every revolu-
tion of the wheel 12 twice raises a long printing lever 14. This latter has underneath
a flat spring 15 on which rests the foot 17 of a press roller 16 that carries a fork 18
which is continued as a lever 19 turning on a fulcrum 20. There is an ink roller 21
over the type roller H. The mode of operation is as follows:-
Each arresting of the type wheel involves a revolution of t in two intervals, as
set forth, the relative positions of the teeth of the wheels 1, 11, and 12, and of the two
cams of 13 are brought so in unison that in the moment that a cam releases the

page_text: peg 32 of the lever 14 so that it drops again, the tooth of the finger 'enters a
corresponding tooth space of the wheel 2 and moves it round one tooth, whereupon
it, because of its well known character, is stopped until the next gearing therewith.
The drawing roller 8 partakes of this motion, and thus draws forward a corresponding
part of the paper strip. When the lever 14 has been raised into its highest position
by one of the cams, the printing roller 6 by means of the bar 16 pushes the paper
against the letters of the type wheel below, producing an impression, but the
pressure is elastic as the flat spring 15 yields in the movement of printing.
As shown here the wheels 11 and 12 are as one to two, hence a double cam is
used; if made alike a single cam or eccentric suffices. The whole arrangement of
this printing appliance may however be varied in many ways; the peculiarity of
this Invention consists only in its dependence on an escapement which is produced
by the mutual influence of an electro magnet and three mutually independent clock.
works, as stated at the outset.
On the outside of the aparatus just now in question a fan 22 belonging to the
clockwork A has to be mentioned. As this has to surmount only small resistances
which however by the intermittent gearing of the wheels v, v', with h¹ (on the
opposite side) to a certain extent act by starts, the said fan is arranged to regulate
the motion. The spring 23 is bent to an angle and is on the same spindle as the
lever M (described as on the other side) it serves to arrest the fan during the
retardation of the printing appliance and releases it ouly just before the movement
in which the wheel gears agains with one of the wheels v, v¹. In this way the
back lash of the wheel a is prevented as much as possible which otherwise would
arise during the space of time in which one of the two wheels v, v', go out of gear
before the other has got into gear.
The wheel 24 is together with the spring 25 which alternately touches the teeth
of same, a current interrupter (commutator) which may be used instead of the one
by F in Figure 1. It is only named to shew that the system may be modified in
many ways without affecting the essence of the Invention.
I will now describe that appliance in connection with the type wheel, whereby
by pressing on a key of a key board it is moved so far around its axis that instead
of letters the adjoining numerals or signs come into the required angular position
to the escapement levers h, h¹, Figure 1, first described. This appliance is here shewn
dotted behind the type wheel H, and shewn separately in part section in Figure 6.
The type wheel is not absolutely fixed on its spindle, but is connected therewith by
a carrier; but a boss 26 behind the type wheel is fast on the spindle and has two
lugs which by two screws 28 and 29 are united to the carrier 27 which is slotted and
taken against two pegs 30 and 31 on the type wheel. When the carrier is moved
against the boss 26, (the slot admitting this movement,) then the slanting faces on
the carrier resting against the type wheel pegs 30, 31, will move the type wheel
pegs until in the position of rest (31); this is not quite so far as the distance
between a letter and a numeral. The motion of the slotted carrier 27 is done by
the raising of the printing lever 14 when the key for changing from letters to
numerals and signs is depressed and the type thereby is arrested; in that moment
the carrier is vertical, and when the printing lever 14 is raised, (which happens when
the type wheel is arrested,) a peg on that lever pushes against the lower end of the
carrier 27, causing the latter to move up and the type wheel to turn as required.
To bring the type wheel into its original position the corresponding key is depressed
and the opposite action takes place.
The apparatus thus admits of printing either letters or numerals and signs. It
is a great advantage that the keyboard in this apparatus may be so very simple, and
that it may also, as desired, be manipulated by a sign transmitter, as will be evident
on closer consideration of the foregoing.
As the electric current in this apparatus only effects the escapement stoppages,
but has otherwise no work to do, the strength of current may obviously be very
much weaker than the one for Morse's apparatus, not to mention the Hughes
apparatus.

page_text: Having thus fully described and ascertained the nature of this Invention
as a whole and as to details, I declare that I claim, substantially as set forth,-
First. An electric type printing telegraph apparatus with several driving
mechanisms, the motions of which are retarded by the influence of an electro
magnet.
Second. An electric type printing telegraph apparatus with an electro magnet
the current interrupter of which is moved in like moment with the escapement so
that the action is mutual between electro magnet and driving mechanism.
Third. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the escapement f¹, f¹¹, h, h²,
for obtaining a synchronous movement of all apparatus in one circuit.
Fourth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the swinging system ɩ, o, o',
and the excentric g for moving it.
Fifth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the wheel a with the
wheels v, v¹, the cams y, y¹, with their triggers B. B¹, and the crutch ŏ, or the
above described equivalents of this mechanisin for releasing the printing appliance
at certain intervals.
Sixth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the escapement of the
printing appliance consisting of the levers M, L, and K.
Seventh. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the printing apparatus
moved at intervals by a special driving mechanism, the escapement of which at
suitable moments is released by the swinging system l, o, o¹.
Eighth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the combination of an
electro magnet with the escapement of the type wheel driving mechanism.
Ninth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the combination of the
escapement of a type wheel driving mechanism with the swinging system l, o, o¹.
Tenth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the combination of the
swinging system l, o, o¹, with the escapement of the printing appliance.
Eleventh. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the angular shifting of
the type wheel on its spindle by means of the slotted carrier 27.
Twelfth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the use of the tooth wheel 2
for conveying the paper strip.
Thirteenth. In electric type printing telegraph apparatus the printing appliance
with levers 14 and 19, part 16, and spring 15, and
Fourteenth. The combination of all the parts described and shewn forming an
electric type printing telegraph apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Jonas Droste, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.