US3181680A - Power control apparatus in a data transferring device - Google Patents

Description

y 1965 s. D. CAPPOTTO ETAL 3,181,680

POWER CONTROL APPARATUS IN A DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1963 s Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTORS- THEODOR E S. BOLTON SAMUEL D. CA PPOTTO BY MM, Mi-M A TTORNEYS May 4, 1965 S. D. CAPPOTTO ETAL POWERCONTROL APPARATUS IN A DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE Filed May 14, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS THEODORE s. BOLTON By SAMUEL o. CAPPOTTO 12724444, [Zola/n1 722.0101

ATTORNEYS s. D. CAPPOTTO ETAL 3,181,680

May 4, 1965 POWER CONTROL APPARATUS IN A DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 14, 1963 JNVENTORS THEODORE S. BOLTON VS/AMUEL 0. CAPPOTTO ,JM, wwm

ATTORNfKS United States Patent 3,181,680 POWER CONTROL APPARATUS IN A DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE Samuel D. Cappotto, Syracuse, and Theodore S. Bolton, Fayetteville, N.Y., assignors to SCM Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 14, 1963, Ser. No. 280,385 12 Claims. (Cl. 17-17) This invention relates to data transferring devices and, more particularly, to novel apparatus for activating carriage return, tabulating, backspacing and other function performing power-operated mechanisms in data transferring devices. The present invention is particularly adaptable to power operated typewriters and its principles will be developed by relating it to this type of data transferring device. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is by no means limited to this particular type of device.

Apparatus answering the foregoing general description is well known as is shown by United States Patents Nos. 2,252,004, issued August 12, 1941, to Helmond, for Typewriting Machine; 2,638,199, issued May 12, 1953, to Schremp, for Power-Operated Typewriter; and 2,951,- 572, issued September 6, 1960, to Neidhardt et al. for Repeat Actuation Mechanism for Business Machines. The typical prior art device includes an operator actuated key (commonly termed a feature key) and a power arm mechanism activated by operation of the key to transiently connect the typewriter power roll to the actuator of the typewriter mechanism associated with the operated key. In some of the prior art devices the keys may be operated to a second repeat position which will connect the power roll to the associated typewriter mechanism until the key is released, causing repetitive operation of the mechanism.

There are several drawbacks in the prior art devices. First, a separate power arm mechanism must be provided to operate each typewriter mechanism. As a result, typewriters employing such devices are undesirably complex and, therefore, expensive to construct and maintain. In addition, two or more feature keys can be operated simultaneously in most of the prior art devices. This is undesirable since simultaneous key operation causes looking up or jamming of the typewriter.

Another drawback of prior art devices is their inability to prevent jamming when the typewriter is operated in the following manner: a feature key is operated while the typewriter is off, releasing the power arm mechanism and drive connecting the immobile power roll and the associated typewriter mechanism. Thereafter the typewriter is switched on and the power roll effects an unwanted operation of the mechanism. An even more serious problem occurs if two or more feature keys are operated while the typewriter is off. In this case all of the mechanisms associated with operated keys are actuated simultaneously when the typewriter is turned on, causing it to jam.

In view of the drawbacks of the above-described prior art devices, it is one object of the present invention to provide novel improved apparatus for drive connecting the power sources of power operated data transferring devices to tabulating, carriage return, backspacing, and other function performing mechanisms.

In conjunction with the foregoing object, it is another object of the present invention to provide novel, improved power transferring apparatus which:

(1) Will operate a plurality of function performing mechanisms, eliminating the necessity of providing a separate control arm mechanism for each such mechanism and thereby reducing the complexity and cost of power operated data transferring devices;

3,181,680 Fatented May 4, 1965 "Ice (2) Will prevent simultaneous operation and consequent jamming of function performing mechanisms;

(3) Will permit both single cycle and repeat operation of the function performing mechanisms;

(4) Will, unless repeat operation is desired, prevent repeat operation of the function performing mechanisms;

(5) Will, if a feature key is operated while the data transferring device is off, prevent actuation of the associated mechanism when the device is thereafter turned on, thereby preventing unwanted mechanism operations and jamming of the device; and

(6) Is more economical to construct than the prior art devices and requires a minimum number of adjustments.

Additional objects and further novel features of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial view, in perspective, of a poweroperated typewriter incorporating the novel power arm mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of the power arm mechanism, looking from the left-hand side of the typewriter, with certain of the typewriter components being shown in section and with the power arm mechanism in its inoperative position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but with the operating cam of the power arm mechanism shown in phantom lines to better illustrate other power arm mechanism components;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but with a typewriter feature key depressed;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the power arm mechanism, looking substantially in the direction of arrows 5-5 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial top plan view of the typewriters carriage return mechanism.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, typewriter 10 includes a power roll 12 driven by a suitable electric motor (not shown) and typewriter mechanisms such as a carriage return 14 and a backspace mechanism (not shown) controlled by feature keys including carriage return key 16 and backspace key 18. A single power arm mechanism 20 of novel construction drive connects power roll 12 and a selected typewriter mechanism when the associated feature key is depressed to actuate the selected typewriter mechanism.

Power roll 12 is rotatably journalled in typewriter side frames 22 and 24 and is rotated by a belt drive including a flexible belt 26 which extends over a pulley 28 fixed to the power roll shaft and over a pulley (not shown) drive connected to the typewriter motor. One suitable belt drive is shown in application No. 141,794, filed September 29, 1961, by Samuel D. Cappotto, although the present invention by no means requires this particular type of drive.

Power roll 12 is of the continuously rotating type; that is, as long as the typewriter motor is on, power roll 12 is continuously rotated. Power roll 12 furnishes power for actuating the type actions (not shown) and various typewriter mechanisms such as the carriage return mechanism, backspace mechanism, tabulating mechanism, and the like.

With continued reference to FIGURE 1, the carriage return key 16, by which the carriage return mechanism 14 is controlled, includes a key button 30 mounted on the upper end of a generally vertically extending key stem 32. Key stem 32 is supported for generally vertical movement by an integral extension 34 which extends toward the rear of typewriter 10 and is rotatably journalled on a transversely extending shaft 35. Shaft 35 is supported from typewriter side frames 22 and 24 by brackets 36 (only one of which is shown) attached to the sidefr-ames as by screws 38. Y

At its lower end, key stem 32 extends rearwardly and then upwardly and terminates in a horizontally and transversely extending integral ear 40. Ear 40 is positioned to engage and be engaged by the upper edge of an elongated, rearwardly extending, bar-like interposer 42 pivotably connected, at its rearward end, to a carriage return mechanism actuating link 44 by a pin 46 which extends through the interposer and actuating link and is headedv over to maintain these components in assembled relationship. Interposer 42 is biased to the inoperative position.

shown in FIGURES 1-3 by a coil spring48 hooked, at its lower end, into an aperture 50 in interposer 42. The upperend of spring 48 is hooked into an aperture (not shown) in an L-shaped bracket 52 extending between and fixed in any suitable manner to typewriter side frames22 and 24.

As is best shown inFIGURES 1 and5, interposeri42 extends through an aperture 54 in a transversely disposed plate-like bracket 56 attached to L-shaped bracket 52 by screws 58. Aperture 54 .has an upper portion fitlwide enough to accommodate a plurality of interposers inside-. by-side relationship and a lower portion 62 which has tions in upper aperture portionto their operative positions in lower aperture portion 62. As a result, only one typewriter mechanism can be operated at a time and;

jamming or lock ups caused by the simultaneous actuation of two or more typewriter mechanisms is precluded.

When a feature key is depressed to operate a typewriter mechanism, the associated inter-poser actuates the single novel power arm mechanism 20 which drive connects the continuously rotating power roll 12 to the actuating link of the typewriter mechanism controlledby the depressedfeature key. Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, which show power arm mechanism 20 in its inoperative position, this component includes a cam frame66 pivotally mounted on a rearwardly extending, integral arm 67 of bracket 56 by a pivot stud- 68. Rotatably mounted on a shaft 69 fixed to the upper end of cam frame 66 are a serrate-faced typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 and a latch cam 72 fixed together in any desired manner for concomitant rotary movement. Cam frame 66 is biased to theinoper-ative position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 by a spring 74 hooked, at one end, in'an aperture 76 formed in a depending projection 78 of the cam frame. The other end of spring 74 is hooked into an aperture 80 near the lower edge of bracket 56. Spring 74 biases cam frame 66 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot stud 68 (as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3). Movement of the cam frame in the counterclockwise direction is limited by the engagement of an integral abutment portion 82 of the cam frame with bracket 56. In this inoperative posi tion a dished out segment 84 of the typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70. is positioned opposite and in spaced relation to power roll12 so that the power roll cannot rotate the cam.

In the inoperative disposition of FIGURESZ and 3,

66 from latch 88 which holds the latch against the cam frame. Pivot stud 68 is partially surrounded by the main body portion 98 0f latch 88 which extends downwardly 'andjhen rearwardly and by an integral upwardly extending finger 100 formed'on'latch 88 on the opposite side of pivot stud 68 from the latchsmain body portion 98.

Latch 88 is biased upwardly by a spring 102 fastened, at its lower end, in an aperture 104 formed in a horizontally extending integral projection 106 of the latch. The upper end of spring 102 is hooked in an aperture 108 formed in a horizontally extending, integral projection 110 of cam frame 66. 'As is shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, spring 102 biases latch 88 upwardly .until the shank '92 of pivot stud 90engages the upper edge 112 of the rectangular aperture 94 formedain cam frame 66. In addition, spring 102 biases the latch in a clockwise direction about pivot stud 90 until integral finger 100 bears against pivot s'tud168. In this position, an upwardly extending, elongated extension 114. of latch 88 bearsagainst a generally flat surface portion 116 of latch cam 72 adjacent its intersection with peripheral cam surface 118. This exerts'a force on latch cam 72, tending to rotate the cam in a clockwise direction and thereby maintaining latch, cam shoulder 86 engaged against the cooperating vertically extending rear edge 120 of latch 88.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, to actuate carriage return mechanism 14 return key 16'is depressed, rotating key stem arm 34 in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURE 1)., thereby lowering key stem 32 and its integral ear 40. As key stem-32 moves downwardly, ear 40 engages the upper edge of interposer 42, pivoting it in a counterclockwise direction (clockwise as shown in FIGURES 2-4) about pin 46. As. the interposer pivots, a 'rectangularly sectioned depending lug 122 engages a transversely extendingv integral car 124 formed on the lower' end of latch. 88, moving latch 88. downwardly 'againstthe force of spring 102 andmoving the rear edge 120;of latch 8 8v out of engagement with the shoulder 86 of latch cam 72." v

As the upper end oflatch edge 120 clears latch cam projection 86, latch cam '72 is freed for rotation. Latch extension 114, biased against latch cam surface 116 by spring 102, then rotates latch cam 72 and typewritermechanism actuating cam 70 in a clockwise direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE 1) until thecam surface 126 of typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 engages continuously rotating power roll 12. At; this point the counterclockwise rotating power roll (as shown in FIG- URE 2) drives'typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 in a clockwise direction, thereby,-as shown in FIGURE 4, pivoting cam: frame 66 ina clockwise direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE 1) about pivot stud 68. Referring now to FIGURE 4, when interposer 42 is in its lowered or operative position, a transversely extending ear 128, formed on the lower end of cam frame 66, is disposed in a rectangular notch 130 formed in the lower edge of interposer 42 adjacent latch engaging lug 122. Therefore, as cam frame 66 pivots, cam-frame ear 128 engages the rear edge 132 of notch 130, driving interposer 42' :and' carriagev return mechanism actuating link 44 toward the rear of typewriter. 10 as shown by arrow 134 in FIGURE 4. From the foregoing, it will j be apparent that interposer 42 is both theinput to and the output from power arm mechanism 20. Specifically,

latch cam 72 'hasa verticallyoriented projection orshouL der 86 engaged by the edge of a plate-like latch 88. Vertithe movement of a feature key to its operative position effects an actuation of the'associated interposer 42' which moves latch 88 downwardly, in the manner explained above, freeing actuating cam 70 for movement by power roll 12; and this, in turn, effects movement 'of interposer 42 by cam frame ear 128 to operate the function performing mechanism associatedwith the operated feature key. Although the foregoing interplay between the feature :key, motion transferring mechanism and interposer has been describedwith relation to operation of the carriage. return mechanism, it is to be understood that this interplay is the same regardless of the particular function performing mechanism involved.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, carriage return mechanism actuating link 44 terminates, at its rear end, in a horizontal integral lip 136, pivotally connected to a crank 138 by a pivot stud 140. Crank 138 is pivotally mounted on a vertically extending stationary post 142 (see also FIGURE 1) by a screw 144. At its opposite end crank 138 is pivotally connected to the inner end of an actuator arm 146 by a pivot stud 147. The outer end of actuator arm 146 terminates in a vertically extending leg 148 provided with an aperture 150 (see FIGURE 1) through which a shoulder screw 152 extends. A compression spring 154, disposed on shoulder screw 152, extends between a washer 155 adjacent leg 148 of actuator arm 146 and a washer 156 held on the inner end of shoulder screw 152 by a nut 158.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the outer end of shoulder screw 152, on which a nut 159 is threaded, extends through an ear 166 formed on the lower end of a vertically extending lever 162 pivotally mounted, at its upper end, on a horizontally extending shaft 164. A U-shaped bracket 166, attached to typewriter side frame 24 as by rivets 168, supports shaft 164 from the side frame.

Lever 162 is operatively connected to a tape wheel 166 by studs 168 which are fixed to the tape wheel hub 170 and extend through apertures 172 in the lever. Tape wheel 166 is mounted coaxial with power roll 12 as is a continuously driven carriage return pulley 174 journalled adjacent the tape wheel. Appropriate biasing means (not shown) normally provide a slight clearance between cork discs (not shown) fixed to the apposite surfaces of tape wheel 166 and carriage return pulley 174 to permit carriage return pulley 174 to rotate relative to the tape wheel.

However, when carriage return key 16 is depressed to operate the carriage return mechanism, driving interposer 42 and carriage return actuating link 44 toward the rear of typewriter in the manner described above, link 44 pivots crank 138 in a clockwise direction about screw 144, pulling actuator arm 146 to the left (as viewed in FIGURE 1) against the bias of compression spring 154, thereby pulling lever 162 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGURE 1). As lever 162 pivots, it bears against hub 170 of tape wheel 166, moving the tape Wheel into driving engagement with carriage return pulley 174, causing the carriage return pulley to rotate the tape wheel. As tape wheel 166 rotates, a flexible tape 175 is wound onto the tape wheel. The opposite end of tape 175 is connected to the typewriter carriage (not shown), and, as the tape is wound on tape wheel 166, the carriage is drawn to the right (as viewed in FIG- URE 1) until it reaches the left margin position. At this point a latch (not shown) provided to hold carriage return actuating link 44 to the rear of the typewriter until the carriage return operation is completed, is released, allowing the actuating link and interposer 42 to return to their inoperative positions.

The above-described tape type carriage return mechanism is described herein merely to clarify the function of applicants novel power arm mechanism and its details form no part of the present invention. Therefore, a more detailed description of this mechanism is not deemed necessary.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, power roll 12 drives typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70, actuating carriage return mechanism 14 in the manner described above, and, thereafter, rotates cam surface 118 of latch cam 72 into engagement with latch extension 114. This rotates latch 83 in a counterclockwise direction about a pivot coincident with the line on which latch extension 101) engages pivot stud 68.

As latch cam 118 rotates latch 88, the ear 124 on the lower end of the latch moves off the depending projection 122 on interposer 42. As ear 124 clears projection 122, spring 102 pulls latch 88 upwardly, positioning its upper edge portion 121 in the path of latch cam shoulder 3-6 and engaging ear 124 with a lower edge portion 176 of interposer 42. As latch cam 72 completes its revolution, therefore, shoulder 86 engages latch portion 121), preventing further rotation of the cam. At the same time, spring 74 pivots cam frame 66 in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURE 2) about pivot stud 68, restoring power arm mechanism 20 to the inoperative position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. This prevents a second rotation of typewriter mechanism actuating cam 71) and a repeat operation of the typewriter mechanism when only a single operation is desired.

When return key 16 is released, the spring 48 connected between interposer 42 and L-shaped bracket 52 pivots interposer 42 in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURE 2) about pin 46. As interposer 42 pivots, it engages key stem ear 4t) and moves key stem 32 upwardly, returning key 16 to the inoperative position.

A screw 177 (see FIGURE 1) is threaded into typewriter side frame 24 and, when carriage return key 16 is restored to the inoperative position, the forwardly extending projection 178 on key stem 32 engages this screw, limiting the upward movement of the key stem.

It may happen that return key 16 is released before the cam cycle described above is completed. In this case interposer 42 returns to the inoperative position shown in FIGURE 2, rendering it ineffective to hold latch 88 in its lowered position out of engagement with latch cam 72. To prevent this from adversely affecting the operating cycle described above, cooperating surfaces of latch extension 114 and latch cam 72, viz., latch edge 179 and the edge 18% of latch cam 72 at the intersection of cam surfaces 116 and 118, are configured so that latch cam edge 180 will hold latch 88 in its down or withdrawn position until that point in the cycle is reached where typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 is about to clear power roll 12. At this point, latch 88 is released and moved upwardly by spring 1112, in the manner described above, to position it in the path of latch cam projection 86 to terminate rotation of the cam.

In the single cycle operation of carriage return mechanism 14 described above, carriage return key 16 is de pressed until a forwardly and horizontally extending stop projection 182 on key stem 32 engages a transversely extending bail 184 which limits the downward movement of carriage return key 16. Referring to FIGURE 1, each of the end portions (only one of which is shown) of bail 184 is bent at right angles to form an arm 186 and a bail supporting portion 188 which extends through an aperture 191) in typewriter side frame 22 (or 24), pivotally supporting bail 184 from the typewriter side frames.

A heavy torsion spring 192 is disposed around each support portion 188, with its ends fixed respectively in an aperture 194 in one of the typewriter side frames and around the associated normally extending bail arm portion 186. Torsion springs 192 bias bail 184 in a counterclockwise direction against horizontally extending stop portions 196 of brackets 198 fixed to the typewriter side frames in any desired manner.

By increasing the pressure on a feature key such as carriage return key 16, the upward biasing force of torsion springs 192 may be overcome, permitting the key to be depressed past the normal operative position to which it is moved for single cycle operation to a repeat position in which stop projections 178 engage screws 199 threaded into the typewriter side frames. When a feature key such as carriage return key 16 is depressed to the repeat position, the associated typewriter mechanism is periodically actuated until the key is released. For example, if carriage return key 16 is depressed toits repeat position, carriage return mechanism 14 is actuated in the manner described above. However, interposer 42 is lowered further than in the single cycle operation described above; and when latch 88 is rotated in a counteropposite crank208 and adjacent shaft supportin g bracket 7 216. Crank 220 extends forwardly and terminates, at its forward end, in a vertically extending end portion 222 interposer retains latch 88 in a lowered position in which it is unable to engage latch cam projection 86. There,

fore, as cams 70 and 72 complete their rotative cycle, latch spring 102, acting through latch extension 114, immediately biases the cams in a clockwise direction, in the manner described above, re-engaging typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 with power roll 12. The operating cycle repeats until the pressure on carriage return key 16 is decreased, allowing it to return to th e intermediate single cycle position or to the inoperative position.

As'pointed out above, one of the drawbacks of prior art typewriters is that, if two or more feature keys are operated while the typewriter is off and the typewriter is then turned on, the typewriter mechanisms associated with those keys are simultaneously actuated, locking up or jamming the typewriter. By employing the novel typewriter mechanism actuating mechanism described above, this undesirable condition is prevented. With reference and a horizontal and transversely extending car 224 which overlies a backspace interposer 226 which may be substantially identical to and is mounted beside the interposer 42 for carriage return mechanism 14. Like interposer 42, interposer 226 is connected to an actuating link for the backspace mechanism. 1.

To operate the backspace mechanism, backspace key 18 is depressed until an integral projection 228 extending from backspace key'stem 204 engages bail 1-841 Depresto FIGURE 2, if carriage return key 16 is' depressed while the typewriter is off, latch'88 is withdrawn from engagement with latch cam 72 in the manner described above and latch spring 102 rotates latch cam 72 and typewriter'mechanism actuating cam 70 until, the'latter is en-' gaged with power roll 12. However, when carriage return key 16 is released, interposer 42 returns to the inoperative position shown in FIGURE 2 and, consequently, the car 128 on the lower end of cam frame 66 is not disposed in interposer notch 130. As; a result, there is no driving connection between cam frame 66 and the in- V terposer. Therefore, when the typewriter is turned on, power roll 12 drives typewriter mechanism actuating cam 70 through its cycle in the manner described above, pivoting cam frame 66 about pivot stud 68. However, as

there is no driving connection between the cam frame and the interposer, the 'interposer is not driven toward the rear of the machine to actuate carriage return mechanism 14. Therefore, .both unwanted carriage return operations and the possibility of jamming or locking up are prevented. V

As was also pointed out above, it is another novel feature of the present invention that the single powerarm 4.5 mechanism 20 may be employed to operate a number 7 of typewriter mechanism in contrast to the prior art devices in which a power arm mechanism is required for tially identicalto key stem 32, and is mounted on the.

opposite side of typewriter 10 from carriage return key 16. Key stem 204 is pivotably supported from rotatable shaft 35 by key'stem extension 206 in a manner similar to 'key stem 32. At its lower end, key stern 204 is pivotally connected to one end of a crank 208 by a pivot stud tended to be encompassed in the scope of the present in-.

210. At its opposite end, crank 208 is fixed to a transversely extending shaft 212 rotatably journalled, at its opposite ends, in brackets 214 and 216' rigidly fixedto key 18 when the latter is restored to its inoperative position.

A crank 220 is fixed to shaft 212 at the end thereof sion of the backspace key lowers key stem 204, rotating crank208, shaft 212, and'crank'220 in a counterclock- 'wise direction. As the crank rotates, crank ear 224.

engages 'inter'poser 226, pivoting it in a counterclockwise direction. 'This, in the manner describedabove-in conjunction-with interposer 42, initiates the operating cycle ofspower anm mechanism 20, resulting in interposer 226 being driven to the rear of the typewriter to actuate the backspace mechanism.

With reference to FIGURE. 1,' a spring 227 is connected between interposer 226 and the L-shaped bracket 52. When backspace key 18 is released, this. spring pivots intenposer 226' in a clockwise direction. As the inter- V poser pivots, it engages the ear 224' formed on crank 220,

rotating crank 220, sharft212, and crank 208 in a clock; wise direction. The clockwise rotation of crank 208 rotates backspace key stem 204 in a clockwise direction,

restoring backspace key 18 to the inoperative position.

in which crank 208 engages the ear 218 on shaft supporting bracket 214. i g

Ifrepeat operationof the backspacemechanism is desired, increased pressure is exerted "on backspace key 18, pivoting bail 184 against the force of torsion springs 192 until key ste m extension 228 engages a stud 230 threaded into typewriter side frame 22. Then, in the manner described above in conjunction withinterposer 42, po wer arm mechanism 20 repeats its operating cycle, periodically driving interposer 226 to the rear of typewriter 10 to repeatedly actuate the backspace mechanism as long as backspace key 18 is maintained in the repeat position 'with key stem extensionu228 limited against stud 230. It will be obvious, from the foregoing, that power arm mechanism 20, may be employed to control additional or other function. performing mechanisms such as line.-

. spacing mechanisms, tabulating mechanisms, and type actions, for example, and such modifications are fully invention as is. the application of the present invention to data transferring devices other than typewriters such as teletype and data processing equipment and calculating machines, to name but a few.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the, appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced there-in.

What is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is: p I 1. In a power, operated data transferring device: (a) a plurality of selectively actuatable, cyclically operable function performing mechanisms;

(b) output means for each of said functionperforming mechanisms, each said output means being operatively connectable to a different one of said function (d) a single powertransferring mechanism operable to an operative position to drive connect said power roll to any one of said output means and to effect movement of said output means through its operating cycle to thereby effect an operation of the function performing mechanism associated with said output means;

(2) a distinct manually operable input element for each of said function performing mechanisms; and

(3) independent input mean operably connected between each of said input elements and said power transferring mechanism, each said input means being operable upon movement of the associated input element to its operative position to move said power transferring means to the operative position thereof, whereby movement of an input element to its operative position effects an operation of the function performing mechanism associated therewith.

2. The power operated data transferring device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) each of said input elements has a repeat position distinct from its operative position; and

(b) said power transferring mechanism includes means operable upon movement of an input element to its repeat position to drive connect the power roll to the associated function performing mechanism and to maintain the drive connection therebetween until said input element is restored to its inoperative or operative positions.

3. The data transferring device as defined in claim 1, including means preventing simultaneous movement of two or more of said input elements from their inoperative positions to thereby prevent simultaneous operation of two or more of said function mechanism operating output means.

4. The data transferring device as defined in claim 1, wherein said power transferring mechanism includes means preventing rotation of the power roll from causing operation of a function performing mechanism whose associated input element was operated while the power roll was not rotating.

5. An improved power arm mechanism for data transferring devices and the like, comprising:

(a) an elongated, pivotally mountable cam frame;

(b) a function performing mechanism actuating cam rotatably supported from said cam frame and adapted to be driven by a power roll adjacent said frame;

() a latch mounted for limited multi-directional parallel movement relative to said cam frame;

(d) a latch cam fixed to said actuating cam for rotation therewith and having a latching projection formed thereon; and

(e) resilient means connected between said latch and said cam frame and biasing said latch to a position against said latch cam projection to prevent rotation of the mechanism actuating cam, the mounting of said latch for movement relative to said cam frame allowing movement of said latch out of engagement with said latch projection to free said actuating cam for rotation by said power roll.

6. In a power operated data transferring device:

(a) a plurality of function performing mechanism actuating links;

(b) a continuously rotating power roll;

(c) a single power arm mechanism;

(d) a [feature key for each of the function performing mechanisms; and

(e) an independent interposer operably interposed between each function performing mechanism and the associated feature key and operable by the movement of the associated feature key from an inoperative to an operative position to drive connect the power arm mechanism to the power roll and to the actuating link of the mechanism associated with the operated feature key to displace said link in a mecharrism actuating direction.

7. In a power operated data transferring device:

(a) a plurality of function performing mechanism actuating links;

l(b) a continuously rotating power roll;

(0) a single power arm mechanism;

(d) a feature key for each of the function performing mechanisms;

(e) an interposer operably interposed between each function performing mechanism and the associated feature key and operable by the movement of the associated feature key from an inoperative to an operative position to drive connect the power arm mechanism to the power roll and to the actuating link of the mechanism associated with the operated feature key to displace said link in a mechanism actuating direction; and l (f) a stationary Ibracket provided with an enlarged aperture through which said interposers extend and a smaller aperture having substantially the same cross sectional configuration as said interposers communieating with said larger aperture;

(g) said intenposers being mounted for displacement from the larger aperture into the smaller aperture lay movement of the associated feature key to its operative position, whereby simultaneous displacement of said interposers and a resulting simultaneous actuation of the associated function performing mechanisms is precluded.

8. In -a power operated data transferring device:

(a) a plurality of function performing mechanism actuating links;

(b) a continuously rotating power roll;

(c) a feature key for each of the function performing mechanisms;

(d) an interposer operably interposed between each function performing mechanism and the associated feature key, said interposers being drivingly connected to the associated actuating links and being pivotally displaceable hy the movement of the associated feature key from an inoperative to an operative position to drive connect the power arm mechanism to the power roll and to the actuating link of the mechanism associated with the operated feature key to displace said link in a mechanism actuating direction; and

(e) a single power mechanism including:

(l) a pivotally mounted cam frame drive connectable to an intenposer by the movement of the associated feature key to the operative posi- Ition;

(2) a function performing mechanism actuating cam rotatably supported from said cam frame and rotatable by said power roll to pivot said roam frame; and

(3) a cam latch normally restraining said cam against rotation and movable by the displacement of an interposer to free said cam for rotation and move it into driving engagement with said power roll to thereby effect pivotal movement of the cam frame and mechanism actuating movement of the drive connected interposer and the link associated therewith.

9. The data transferring device as defined in claim 8:

(a) wherein the power arm mechanism includes a latch cam rotatably fixed to the actuating cam and having a latching projection thereon normally engaged 'by said latch to restrain said latch cam from rotation; and

(b) wherein said latch has an integral ear lying in the path of said intenposers, whereby feature key initiated movement of an interposer causes said interposer to withdraw said latch from cam restraining engagement with said latching cam.

10. The data transferring device as defined in claim 9:

(a) iwherein said'latch has an integral extension-engageaible with said latch cam upon Withdrawal of latch from cam restraining engagement with said I latching projection; and Y (b) including resilient means for biasing said integral latch extension against said latch cam to'rotate said latch and thereby bring said mechanism actuatin g cam into driving engagement with said power roll.

'11. The data transferring'device as defined in claim 9:

(a) wherein each of said inteipoeers has a projection fonmed thereon for engaging said latch ear;

(b) including means establishing a pivotal connection Between the cam flame and the latch;v and: V *(c) whereinthe cam surface .of the latch cam is shaped to pivot the latch about said connection as said power roll revolves, the mechanism actuating team to, move the latch ear ofi. the integral interposer after about one revolution of the mechanism actuating cam and penmit said resilient biasing means to restore said latch int-o movement restraining engagernent with the latching progiection on the latch cam.

12. The .data transferring device as define-din claim 11:

(a)*whe'rein said feature keys are-displaceaible to a 5,7 normal operative-position and to a repeatfposition; and I I (11) including means on said intenpo'sers efiective to prevent the resilient biasing means from restoring the latch into movement restrainingengagement with m the latch cam upon movement of the associated fea- 20 WILLIAM B. PENN; Primary Eicam z'ner'. R

Claims (1)

1. 6. IN A POWER OPERATED DATA TRANSFERRING DEVICE: (A) A PLURALITY OF FUNCTION PERFORMING MECHANISM ACTUATING LINKS; (B) A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING POWER ROLL; (C) A SINGLE POWER ARM MECHANISM; (D) A FEATURE KEY FOR EACH OF THE FUNCTION PERFORMING MECHANISMS; AND (E) AN INDEPENDENT INTERPOSER OPERABLY INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH FUNCTION PERFORMING MECHANISM AND THE ASSOCIATED FEATURE KEY AND OPERABLE BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED FEATURE KEY FROM AN INOPERATIVE TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION TO DRIVE CONNECT THE POWER ARM MECHANISM TO THE POWER ROLL AND TO THE ACTUATING LINK OF THE MECHANISM ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATED FEATURE KEY TO DISPLACE SAID LINK IN A MECHANISM ACTUATING DIRECTION.

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