Keyboard for a printing machine

Claim 2

A printing machine comprising in combination: a keyboard including a plurality of selectable keys for controlling the machine; an actuating member including a drive receiving element associated with each key and movable in a confined predetermined path for actuating an operation of the machine controlled by the key; a power mechanism operable through a cycle in response to depression of any one of the said keys, said power mechanism including a drive element associated with each drive receiving element and its corresponding key, and means for operating the drive elements in unison each in a confined predetermined path as the power mechanism is cycled, one of said associated drive and drive receiving elements being mounted on its associated actuating member or power mechanism for displacement, relative to its associated actuating member or power mechanism on which it is mounted, into coacting relationship with the corresponding other of said drive and drive receiving elements, but normally positioned free thereof; and means responsive to depression of a key for selectively displacing the corresponding one of said associated drive and drive receiving elements into coacting relationship with the corresponding other element to thereby operatively connect the actuating member and the power mechanism prior to cycling of the power mechanism.

Claim 3

The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each drive element is a deflectable stirrup with means for embracing the drive receiving element on the actuating member associated therewith.

Claim 4

The keyboard of claim 2, wherein the means responsive to depression of a key for selectively displacing the corresponding one of said associated drive and drive receiving elements includes engaging cams carried by the keys and the stirrups for deflecting the stirrups into driving relationship with the actuating members.

Claim 5

The keyboard of claim 1, in which the power mechanism embodies a reciprocating cage and the drive elements are deflectable stirrups secured to the cage.

Claim 6

In a printing machine including a plurality of character members for creating printed impressions on a receiving surface in response to operation of the machine, a keyboard comprising: a character lever member including a drive receiving catch, said character lever member movable in a confined predetermined path and operatively connected to each character member for moving the character member to a printing position in response to movement of the character lever member; a depressable key on the keyboard associated with each character lever member; a plurality of stirrups each having a latch portion thereon, one stirrup associated with each key and corresponding character lever member, said stirrups each having a first position disengaged from the associated catch and a second positIon engaged with the catch, and means for mounting the stirrups normally in the first position; means for mounting the stirrups for joint reciprocating movement each in a confined predetermined path; means responsive to a key being depressed a predetermined distance for effecting joint reciprocation of the stirrups; and cam means associated with each of the keys responsive to a key being depressed less than said predetermined distance for selectively driving the latch portion of the associated stirrup to the second position in driving relationship with the catch of the corresponding character lever member prior to reciprocation of the stirrups.

Claim 7

In a printing machine including a plurality of character members for creating printed impressions on a receiving surface in response to operation of the machine, a keyboard comprising: a character lever member including a drive receiving catch, said character lever member movable in a confined predetermined path and operatively connected to each character member for moving the character member to a printing position in response to movement of the character lever member; a depressable key on the keyboard associated with each character lever member; a plurality of stirrups each having a latch portion thereon, one stirrup associated with each key and corresponding character lever member, said stirrups each having a first position disengaged from the associated catch and a second positIon engaged with the catch, and means for mounting the stirrups normally in the first position; means for mounting the stirrups for joint reciprocating movement each in a confined predetermined path; means responsive to a key being depressed a predetermined distance for effecting joint reciprocation of the stirrups; and cam means associated with each of the keys responsive to a key being depressed less than said predetermined distance for selectively driving the latch portion of the associated stirrup to the second position in driving relationship with the catch of the corresponding character lever member prior to reciprocation of the stirrups.

Claim 8

The printing machine of claim 5 wherein each stirrup is a spring member biased away from engagement with its character lever member and deflectable into the path of the character lever member by depression of its key.

Claim 9

The printing machine of claim 5 wherein the cam means includes engaging cams carried by the keys and the stirrups.

Claim 10

The printing machine of claim 5 wherein the means for effecting joint reciprocation of the stirrups includes: a continuously rotatable shaft; means for translating rotary movement of the shaft to reciprocating motion of the stirrups; and means for placing the shaft in driving engagement with the rotary movement translating means when a key is depressed the predetermined distance.

Claim 11

The printing machine of claim 8 wherein the means for placing the rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the rotary movement translating means includes: a one revolution spring barrel clutch interposed between the rotatable shaft and the rotary movement translating means, the clutch including a driven collar; means for disengaging the clutch causing relative movement between the collar and the shaft until a key is depressed; and means for engaging the clutch causing unitary rotation of the shaft and the collar when a key is depressed the predetermined distance.

Claim 12

The printing machine of claim 9 wherein the means for disengaging the clutch includes a control sleeve normally rotatable with the driven collar, and a pawl for engaging and holding the control sleeve stationary relative to the rotatable shaft.

Claim 13

The printing machine of claim 10 wherein the means for engaging the clutch includes: means for tripping the pawl to disengage the pawl from the control sleeve.

Claim 14

The printing machine of claim 11 wherein the means for tripping the pawl includes: a latch movable relative to the pawl for holding the pawl in engaged relation with the control sleeve; means for moving the latch from its engaged position with the pawl in response to a key being depressed the predetermined distance, to cause disengagement between the pawl and the latch; and means urging the pawl out of engagement with the control sleeve when the pawl and the latch are disengaged.

Claim 15

The printing machine of claim 12 wherein the means for moving the latch includes: a vane engaging the latch and rotatable to move the latch from its engaged position with the pawl; means for rocking the vane when a key is depressed the predetermined distance; means for disengaging the latch from the rotatable vane when the latch moves from its engaged position with the pawl; and means for returning the disengaged latch to its initial position wherein the latch is conditioned to receive and latch the pawl whenever the latch is restored.

Claim 16

The printing machine of claim 13 which further comprises means for reengaging the pawl, including a cam carried by the pawl, and a member rotatable in unison with the driven collar for engaging the cam and rotating the pawl back into engagement with the repositioned latch.

Claim 17

The printing machine as set forth in claim 5 in which the means responsive to a key being depressed a predetermined distance comprises a swingable vane and in which the keyboard comprises key stems associated with the keys, all of which Stems are arranged in alignment with the vane to rock the vane when any key is depressed.

Claim 18

The printing machine as set forth in claim 5 in which the means for effecting joint reciprocation of the stirrups includes: a cage on which the stirrups are carried; a reciprocating drive plate drivingly associated with the cage through a spring biased lost motion connection; stop means for the cage at the maximum limit of travel from rest position; means for moving said drive plate beyond the maximum travel position of said cage; and adjustable limiting means associated with said lost motion connection for adjustably positioning the cage to place the stirrups carried thereby at a position for proper coaction with their respective actuating members.