US3633723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power-operated typewriter
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-17
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A power-operated typewriter in which a key action mechanism cooperates with a power-operated mechanism to transmit type key depression into power-actuated movement of a respective typebar. The key action mechanism comprises an integrally formed, flexible, parallelogram-shaped structure of which a portion of the key lever forms one side and a portion of the actuating lever forms another side. A support lever, fixed to the typewriter frame, and a fourth lever form the other two sides. All the levers are connected by relatively more flexible joints and the lengths of the levers are chosen so that key depression translates into upward movement of the actuating lever. A cam lever has an arm in contact with an extension of the actuating lever and upward movement of the actuating lever causes the cam lever to rotate about a first pivot to bring its gripping surface into contact with the power roll. A bellcrank lever connected to the cam lever at the first pivot point is caused to rotate about a second pivot and actuate the typebar. During power actuation the distance between the point on the power roll contacted by the cam lever''s gripping surface increases. After completion of the upward cycle of the actuating lever it is deflected from contact with the cam lever to prevent repeat action.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Louis Marie Kosters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:55
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J23/00; B41J23/02; B41J23/12; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A power-operated typewriter of the type having a motor-driven power roll for translating manual key depression into powered movement of associated typebars, comprising in combination: a plurality of cam means, each of said cam means coupling the power roll to one typebar when its associated key is depressed, a plurality of key action mechanisms, each of said key action mechanisms comprising, a key lever, an actuating lever having one end disposed in actuating relationship to a respective cam means, flexible means formed in one piece with said key lever and said actuating lever transmitting movement from said key lever to said actuating lever for actuating the respective cam means whereby a selected typebar is actuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A power-operated typewriter of the type having a motor-driven power roll for translating manual key depression into powered movement of associated typebars, comprising in combination: a plurality of cam means, each of said cam means coupling the power roll to one typebar when its associated key is depressed, a plurality of key action mechanisms, each of said key action mechanisms comprising, a key lever, an actuating lever having one end disposed in actuating relationship to a respective cam means, flexible means formed in one piece with said key lever and said actuating lever transmitting movement from said key lever to said actuating lever for actuating the respective cam means whereby a selected typebar is actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 1 wherein said flexible means further comprises, a support lever rigidly connected to the frame of the typewriter, a fourth lever, a vertical portion of said key lever, a portion of said actuating lever said support lever and said fourth lever forming the four sides of a parallelogram-shaped structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 2 wherein said key lever, said actuating lever, said support lever and said fourth lever are interconnected by joint means having smaller thicknesses than other portions of said flexible means making them relatively more flexible than other portions of said flexible means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 3 wherein, said actuating lever has the other end connected to the lower end of the vertical portion of said key lever and a point intermediate its ends connected to one end of said support lever, said fourth lever has one end connected to the other end of said support lever and its other end connected to the key lever, said vertical portion of said key lever and said support lever forming a pair of opposite sides of said parallelogram-shaped structure with said portion of said actuating lever and said fourth lever forming the other pair of opposite sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 4 further comprising, spring means connected between said key action mechanism and the frame of said typewriter for exerting a return bias on said key action mechanism when said key action mechanism is out of its normally unactuated position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 4 further comprising, stop means disposed on said key lever and on an extension of said support lever for limiting movement of said key lever between top and bottom extreme positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 6 wherein said stop means comprises, a recess formed in the key lever, said recess having opposing sidewalls, a projection on said extension extending into said recess whereby said top and bottom extreme positions are defined by the sidewalls of said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 7 further comprising, spring means connected between said key action mechanism and the frame of said typewriter for exerting a return bias on said key action mechanism when said key action mechanism is out of its normally unactuated position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 4 wherein each of said cam means comprises, a cam lever having an arm in contiguous relationship with said one end of said actuating lever and a surface for gripping the power roll when said actuating lever is moved by depression of its associated key lever, means for deflecting said actuating lever from contact with said arm when said cam lever has completed its movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 9 wherein said cam means further comprises, a bellcrank lever having one end pivotally connected to the frame of the typewriter and the other end connected to the typebar, pivot means pivotally connecting said bellcrank lever and said arm of said cam lever, spring means connected between said cam lever and said bellcrank lever normally biasing them together in the unactuated position, said cam surface being so formed that the distance between said pivot means and the point of contact between the power roll and said cam surface increases during rotation of said bellcrank lever about its pivot, said means for deflecting said actuating lever comprising a cam surface disposed on said bellcrank lever, Whereby depression of the associated key lever causes powered actuation of the typebar without repeat action even if the key lever is maintained depressed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 8 wherein each of said cam means comprises, a cam lever having an arm in contiguous relationship with said one end of said actuating lever and a surface for gripping the power roll when said actuating lever is moved by depression of its associated key lever, means for deflecting said actuating lever from contact with said arm when said cam lever has completed its movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
A power-operated typewriter according to claim 11 wherein said cam means further comprises, a bellcrank lever having one end pivotally connected to the frame of the typewriter and the other end connected to the typebar, pivot means pivotally connecting said bellcrank lever and said arm of said cam lever, spring means connected between said cam lever and said bellcrank lever normally biasing them together in the unactuated position, said cam surface being so formed that the distance between said pivot means and the point of contact between the power roll and said cam surface increases during rotation of said bellcrank lever about its pivot, said means for deflecting said actuating lever comprising a cam surface disposed on said bellcrank lever, whereby depression of the associated key lever causes powered actuation of the typebar without repeat action even if the key lever is maintained depressed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a transmission system for use in a power-operated typewriter, a plurality of key action mechanisms, each of said key action mechanisms comprising a key lever, an actuator member, first means including said key lever and said actuator member formed in one piece fixed to the typewriter frame and flexibly interconnecting said key lever and said actuator member for transmitting movement from said key lever to said actuator member, power action means comprising, a continuously rotatable power roll, a typebar for each key action mechanism, trigger means responsive to movement of said actuator member to couple a respective typebar to said power roll for actuation of said typebar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a transmission system for use in a power-operated typewriter, a plurality of key action mechanisms, each of said key action mechanisms comprising a key lever, an actuator member, first means including said key lever and said actuator member formed in one piece fixed to the typewriter frame and flexibly interconnecting said key lever and said actuator member for transmitting movement from said key lever to said actuator member, power action means comprising, a continuously rotatable power roll, a typebar for each key action mechanism, trigger means responsive to movement of said actuator member to couple a respective typebar to said power roll for actuation of said typebar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a transmission system according to claim 13 wherein said first means comprises, a support member fixed to said typewriter frame, and flexible connector means interconnecting said support member, and said actuator member so that said actuator member moves in response to movement of said key lever.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a transmission system according to claim 13 wherein said first means comprises, a parallelogram-shaped structure, a vertical member and a support member forming a pair of opposite sides of said parallelogram-shaped structure with a horizontal member and said actuator member forming the other pair of opposite sides of said parallelogram shaped structure, flexible connectors interconnecting said key lever, said actuator member, said support member and said horizontal member, means fixing said support member to the typewriter frame, said key lever being an extension of said vertical member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |