US3643776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Line space adjustment device for use with typewriter
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1968-12-16
•
Granted: 1972-02-22
•
Expires: 1988-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A line space adjustment device for a typewriter comprising a set of ratchet wheels having different pitches to provide different line spacing. Separate engaging levers are selectively engageable with each ratchet wheel, and each of the levers is operated by a common electromagnet and associated linkage to provide a selective desired spacing. Line spacing is also provided by a manually operated release lever.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshitsugu Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:05
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/76; B41J19/78; B41J19/80; B41J19/82; B41J19/84; B41J19/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
In combination with a typewriter having roller means comprising a pair of rollers between which typewriter paper is moved in selectively determined increments for line spacing, a line space adjustment device comprising a frame; a first shaft journaled in said frame and having said roller means mounted thereon; a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on said first shaft; windable first spring means mounted on said frame for rotating said first shaft when wound; a second shaft journaled in said frame and spaced from said first shaft; a pair of holding levers mounted on said second shaft and respectively contacting said ratchet wheels to prevent rotation; said holding levers being selectively positionable so that when one holding lever is in contact with its respective ratchet wheel, the other holding lever is out of contact with its respective ratchet wheel; a pair of engaging levers mounted on said second shaft, each one of said engaging levers being in operative engagement with one of said holding levers, respectively; a lever having two end portions arranged in bifurcated form, each end portion positioned to operatively contact one of said engaging levers; and an actuating element for pivoting said bifurcated lever to rotate at least one of said engaging levers and one of said holding levers out of contact with one of said ratchet wheels to allow said spring means to rotate said first shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
In combination with a typewriter having roller means comprising a pair of rollers between which typewriter paper is moved in selectively determined increments for line spacing, a line space adjustment device comprising a frame; a first shaft journaled in said frame and having said roller means mounted thereon; a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on said first shaft; windable first spring means mounted on said frame for rotating said first shaft when wound; a second shaft journaled in said frame and spaced from said first shaft; a pair of holding levers mounted on said second shaft and respectively contacting said ratchet wheels to prevent rotation; said holding levers being selectively positionable so that when one holding lever is in contact with its respective ratchet wheel, the other holding lever is out of contact with its respective ratchet wheel; a pair of engaging levers mounted on said second shaft, each one of said engaging levers being in operative engagement with one of said holding levers, respectively; a lever having two end portions arranged in bifurcated form, each end portion positioned to operatively contact one of said engaging levers; and an actuating element for pivoting said bifurcated lever to rotate at least one of said engaging levers and one of said holding levers out of contact with one of said ratchet wheels to allow said spring means to rotate said first shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination according to claim 1, in which a third shaft is journaled in said frame, a pair of cam elements is mounted on said third shaft, said cam elements being selectively rotatable to each contact a holding lever for rotation into the holding contact with its respective ratchet wheel, and second spring means is provided to exert biasing force for said holding contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination according to claim 2, in which the cam elements are 180* out of phase with respect to each other to provide a different amount of movement to said holding levers when rotated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A combination according to claim 2, in which a first gear is mounted on said first shaft, a fourth shaft is spaced from said first shaft and has said first spring means mounted thereon to be wound when said fourth shaft is rotated, a second gear is mounted on said fourth shaft to intermesh with said first gear, and manual means is operable to rotate said fourth shaft thereby rotating said first shaft and associated roller means and simultaneously winding up said spring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A combination according to claim 1, in which said ratchet wheels are connected to a sleeve rotatably mounted on said first shaft, an engageable clutch is mounted on said first shaft and connected with said sleeve, and manual means is provided to engage said clutch so that incremental rotation of said ratchet wheels provides the incremental rotation of said first shaft and associated roller means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination according to claim 1, in which said actuating element is an electromagnet having a movable plunger therein, the bifurcated lever has a bent portion at the other end, said bent portion being contacted by said plunger upon energization of said electromagnet to rotate said bifurcated lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A combination according to claim 2, in which said holding levers comprise a first lever having a first extending arm contacting its respective ratchet wheel, a second extending arm radially spaced from said first extending arm and contacting one of said cam elements, and a third extending arm radially spaced from said first and second extending arms and having a projecting pin formed thereon and a slot formed therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A combination according to claim 7, in which said holding levers comprise a second lever having a first extending arm contacting its respective ratchet wheel, a second extending arm radially spaced from said first extending arm and contacting the other of said cam elements, and a third extending arm radially spaced from said first and second extending arms and having a projecting pin formed thereon and a slot formed therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 8, in which said pair of engaging levers each have a slot formed therein to receive the respective pin from one of said holding levers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A combination according to claim 9, in which a release lever is provided, each release lever extending partly outside of said frame with the remainder thereof extending within said frame to pivot on said second shaft, said release lever including opposing pins on either side thereof respectively engageable in said slots of said holding levers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1227847A
Cited
US1158818A
Cited
US1188875A
Cited
US1096646A
Cited
US1357194A
Cited
US1849494A
Cited
US1921453A
Cited
US2086945A
Cited
US2153208A
Cited
US2493411A
Cited
US3326348A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |