US3608692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selector structure for printing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-11-22
•
Granted: 1971-09-28
•
Expires: 1988-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A teleprinter for printing characters on a receiving medium in response to a telegraphic code, including a platen, a carriage movable along the platen, a cylindrical type element mounted on the carriage and bearing the print characters embossed thereon in circumferential rows, a worm gear mounted for both rotation and axial motion and a lockable pinion gear meshed with the worm gear so that the combination of the two acts both as a rack and pinion and as a lead screw and follower for rotatably and transversely positioning the type element to select a print character, and a selector mechanism for operating the type positioning means in response to the signals for a decoding and conversion circuit which processes the incoming telegraphic code signal. The type element is mounted on a shaft which is splined through the center of the pinion gear to rotate with the slide axially through the pinion gear. The end of the shaft opposite the type element slides laterally along a vertically movable track. The selector mechanism uses solenoids coupled in combinations to levers which gang the actions of the solenoids to create the motions of the worm gear and the transversely movable track. The type element is struck to print the character by a trigger mechanism cocked and released by an elongated spline, the spline being rotated by a ratchet driven by a solenoid. The decoding and conversion circuit includes a clock for generating time codes which in turn gate a serial to parallel converter. A first set of memory units stores the parallel signal until it is examined to detect nonprinting function characters, and the signal is then gated to a second set of memory units for retention of those portions of the signal which are unchanged from one character to the next, to minimize motion of the type element. A logic circuit recognizes the carriage return instruction, examines the position of the carriage and spaces forward if necessary before returning the carriage, to preserve synchronism. Other logic circuits recognize the spacing, line feed, figures shift and the letters shift instructions and operate solenoids appropriate to lock the pinion gear, shift the worm gear laterally, rotate the worm gear or advance the platen ratchet as necessary. Detection of a function instruction inhibits the gating of the signal into the second set of memory units and inhibits the printing action.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Henry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L17/00; H04L17/16; H04L17/26; B; B41; B41J; B41J7/00; B41J7/50; B41J7/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism for moving a type element to select a desired position thereof, comprising a first lever having a first, second and third position located longitudinally along the lever, a first lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the first position thereof; said first lateral positioning means comprising a second lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the first position of said first lever, a first electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a second position thereon, and a second electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a third position thereon, a second lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the second position thereof; said second lateral positioning means comprising a third lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the second position of said first lever, a third electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a second position thereon, a fourth electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a third position thereon, and means for interconnecting the first lever from its third position to said type element for effecting movement of said type element and positioning thereof in response to the movement and positioning of said first and second lateral positioning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism for moving a type element to select a desired position thereof, comprising a first lever having a first, second and third position located longitudinally along the lever, a first lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the first position thereof; said first lateral positioning means comprising a second lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the first position of said first lever, a first electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a second position thereon, and a second electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a third position thereon, a second lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the second position thereof; said second lateral positioning means comprising a third lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the second position of said first lever, a third electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a second position thereon, a fourth electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a third position thereon, and means for interconnecting the first lever from its third position to said type element for effecting movement of said type element and positioning thereof in response to the movement and positioning of said first and second lateral positioning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which the first electrically controlled motive means is a solenoid operative to move the second lever at its second position between two fixed lateral locations, and the second electrically controlled motive means is a solenoid operative to move the lever at its second position between two fixed lateral locations, whereby four accurately adjusted positions are provided for the first position of the second lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said first lever is used to provide rotational positioning of the type element, and in which the selector mechanism also comprises a fourth lever for adjusting the axial positioning of the type element, and a pair of binary positioning means at a spaced pair of fixed fulcral points on the fourth lever, with each binary positioning means being formed to position the lever at its associated fulcrum in one of two positions whereby four axial adjustments of the type element are provided;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which said first lever is used to provide rotational positioning of the type element in any one of said 16 lateral positions, and in which the selector mechanism also comprises a fourth lever for adjusting the axial positioning of the type element, and a pair of solenoids attached to the fourth lever at spaced fulcral positions therealong.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The printing machine defined in claim 4, in which each of the electrically controlled motive means are solenoids, and in which all of the solenoids are controlled by a decoding and conversion circuit formed to operate a plurality of said solenoids simultaneously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism for moving a rotatable type element having a plurality of characters located in different positions around the type element, a first gear means on said type element for rotation therewith, a worm gear mounted for rotational and axial movement and in engagement with the first gear means, axial movement of said worm gear causing rotation of said first gear means to select one of said plurality of characters and character spacing means including means to selectively lock said first gear means against rotation, and means for rotating said worm gear while said first gear is locked against rotation to drive said first gear means along said worm and thereby effect character spacing movement of said type element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism for moving a rotatable type element having a plurality of characters located in different positions around the type element, a first gear means on said type element for rotation therewith, a worm gear mounted for rotational and axial movement and in engagement with the first gear means, axial movement of said worm gear causing rotation of said first gear means to select one of said plurality of characters and character spacing means including means to selectively lock said first gear means against rotation, and means for rotating said worm gear while said first gear is locked against rotation to drive said first gear means along said worm and thereby effect character spacing movement of said type element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 6, which also comprises a lever having two fulcral positions therealong and a third position connected to said worm gear for coupling the lateral movement of the third position on the lever with axial movement on the worm gear, and in which drive means are provided to drive the lever at each of the two fulcral positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 6, which also comprises a platen, and a carriage mounted for movement along said platen, said type element being mounted on the carriage in a mounting allowing both rotational movement and axial movement of the type element with respect to the carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 8, which also comprises a lock means for selectively holding the type element against rotation, yieldable latch means for holding the carriage at any one of a plurality of spaced increments, and means for rotating the worm gear while the lock means is engaged to move the carriage and advance the yieldable latch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 8, which also comprises a print trigger mounted on the carriage in position to throw the type element against the platen on actuation thereof, and means for actuating the print trigger including a cocking spur on the pring trigger, and an elongated splined shaft mounted for rotation on the machine in juxtaposed position to the carriage for engagement with the cocking spur at all of the various carriage positions along the platen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 8, in which the drive means comprises a plurality of solenoids.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 11, in which the type element is formed with a foot member for transmitting axial movement thereto, and in which elevator means are provided to adjust the axial position of said foot member, said elevator means including a positioning slide formed to abut the foot member while allowing relative lateral movement of and rotational movement of the foot member, an elevator lever carried on two fulcral positions and connected to said slide through a third position for providing various elevational positions to the slide corresponding to various locations of said third position, and elevator positioning means connected to said lever at said fulcral positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine, as defined in claim 12, in which the elevator positioning means comprises a plurality of solenoids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A printing machine, as defined in claim 13, which also comprises a decoding and conversion circuit for receipt of and decoding of coded signal, said circuit being formed to control and operate all of said solenoids.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
A printing machine, comprising a platen, a carriage mounted for movement along the platen, a type element mounted on The carriage and having a plurality of print characters embossed thereon, type positioning means for rotatably and vertically positioning the type element and orienting the print characters thereon, lock means mounted on the carriage for holding the type element against rotation as the carriage is moved along the platen in a spacing operation, means for actuating the lock means between a locked and unlocked position, yieldable latch means for holding the carriage in any one of a plurality of spaced increments, and gear means coupled to the type element for normally providing positional rotation to the type element and operative to override the yieldable latch means and advance the carriage while the lock means is engaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
135 words
A printing machine, comprising a platen, a carriage mounted for movement along the platen, a type element mounted on The carriage and having a plurality of print characters embossed thereon, type positioning means for rotatably and vertically positioning the type element and orienting the print characters thereon, lock means mounted on the carriage for holding the type element against rotation as the carriage is moved along the platen in a spacing operation, means for actuating the lock means between a locked and unlocked position, yieldable latch means for holding the carriage in any one of a plurality of spaced increments, and gear means coupled to the type element for normally providing positional rotation to the type element and operative to override the yieldable latch means and advance the carriage while the lock means is engaged.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 15, which also comprises a print trigger mounted on the carriage in position to throw the type element against the platen on actuation thereof, and means for actuating the print trigger including a cocking spur on the print trigger, and an elongated splined shaft mounted for rotation on the machine in juxtaposed position to the carriage for engagement with the cocking spur at all of the various carriage positions along the platen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
289 words
A printing machine as defined in claim 15, which also comprises a selector mechanism for moving the type element to select a desired position thereof, said selector mechanism comprising a first lever having a first, second and third position located longitudinally along the lever, a first lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the first position thereof; said first lateral positioning means comprising a second lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the first position of said first lever, a first electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between tow fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a second position thereon, and a second electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the second lever at a third position thereon, a second lateral positioning means for providing a plurality of lateral positions to the first lever at the second position thereof; said second lateral positioning means comprising a third lever having a movable first position thereof operatively connected to the first lever at the second position of said first lever, a third electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a second position thereon, a fourth electrically controlled motive means adapted to provide motion between two fixed positions and operatively connected to the third lever at a third position thereon, and means for interconnecting the first lever from its third position to said type element for effecting movement of said type element and positioning thereof in response to the movement and positioning of said first and second lateral positioning means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism as defined in claim 17, in which each of the electrically controlled motive means are solenoids for providing four lateral positions from each lateral positioning means, whereby 16 lateral positions are provided at the third position and on the type element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a printing machine, a selector mechanism as defined in claim 18, in which said first lever is used to provide rotational positioning of the type element in any one of said 16 lateral positions, and in which the selector mechanism also comprises a fourth lever for adjusting the axial positioning of the type element, and a pair of solenoids attached to the fourth lever at spaced fulcral positions therealong.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1548168A
Cited
US988218A
Cited
US2080966A
Cited
US2680970A
Cited
US2742532A
Cited
US2774816A
Cited
US2939912A
Cited
US3302765A
Cited
US3168182A
Cited
US3291041A
Cited
US3289805A
Cited
US3405794A
Cited
US3422945A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |