Mechanism for positioning single element type carriers

Claim 2

In a typewriter having a single element type carrier positionable about coordinate axes to locate a character thereon opposite a printing station, means to position said carrier about at least one of said axes comprising, a pivotally mounted bail, a plurality of selectable stops slidably mounted on said bail at spaced distances outwardly of the bail pivot, cyclic means for oscillating said bail about its pivot from and to a rest position, a pivotally mounted crank, means connecting said crank to said type carrier to position said carrier about one of its said axes as said crank rocks about its pivot through variable angular increments, means biasing said crank in one direction, said crank having an arm provided with a plurality of contact surfaces in juxtaposition to the positions of and for control by said stops on said bail, said stops when individually positioned in the path of associated contact surfaces controlling the rocking movement of said crank through lesser or greater angular increments according to the distance of a selected stop from said pivot, and means for selecting and positioning the stop on said bail to control the angular movement of said crank when the bail is oscillated, and to cycle said cyclic means incident to said stop selection.

Claim 3

In a typewriter having a single element carrier positionable about coordinate axes to locate a character thereon opposite a printing station, means to position said carrier about at least one of said axes comprising, a pivotally mounted bail, a rest stop supported on said bail farthest from its pivot, a plurality of other stops slidably mounted on said bail at spaced distances between said rest stop and bail pivot, cyclic means for oscillating said bail about its pivot from and to a rest position, a pivotally mounted crank, means connecting said crank to said type carrier to position said carrier about a said one of its axes as said crank rocks about its pivot through variable angular increments, means biasing said crank in one direction, said crank having a first arm provided with a plurality of contact surfaces in juxtaposition to the positions of said stops on said bail, said rest stop normally being positioned in the path of an associated contact surface to hold said crank against movement by said bias means but when said bail is oscillated to allow said crank to follow and rock through the maximum number of angular increments, said other stops when individually positioned in the path of associated contact surfaces preferentially controlling the movement of said crank through lesser increments, and input means for selecting the stop on said bail to determine the incremental movement of said crank when the bail is oscillated, and to cycle said cyclic means incident to said stop selection.

Claim 4

In a typewriter having a single element carrier positionable about coordinate axes to locate a character thereon opposite a printing station, means to position said carrier about at least one of said axes comprising, a pivotally mounted bail, a rest stop supported on said bail farthest from its pivot, a plurality of other stops slidably mounted on said bail at spaced distances between said rest stop and bail pivot, cyclic means for oscillating said bail about its pivot from and to a rest position, a pivotally mounted crank, means connecting said crank to said type carrier to position said carrier about a said one of its axes as said crank rocks about its pivot through variable angular increments, means biasing said crank in one direction, said crank having a first arm provided with a plurality of contact surfaces in juxtaposition to the positions of said stops on said bail, said rest stop normally being positioned in the path of an associated contact surface to hold said crank against movement by said bias means but when said bail is oscillated to allow said crank to follow and rock through the maximum number of angular increments, said other stops when individually positioned in the path of associated contact surfaces preferentially controlling the movement of said crank through lesser increments, and input means for selecting the stop on said bail to determine the incremental movement of said crank when the bail is oscillated, and to cycle said cyclic means incident to said stop selection.

Claim 5

In a typewriter as recited in claim 2 wherein said crank has a second arm extending in a direction opposite said first arm and further comprises a pivotally supported second bail under control of said cyclic means, stops slidably mounted on said second bail along its length for movement into the plane of motion of said second arm whereby movement of said crank may be controlled in the direction opposite to that controlled by said first arm.

Claim 6

A typewriter as recited in claim 3 whErein said bails are pivotally mounted with their free ends facing one another and wherein said cyclic means comprises spring means connected to bias said bails in opposite directions, cam means, cam follower means connected to the free ends of said bails, said cam means being oriented to allow one bail to move under urge of its spring while moving the other against its spring and vice versa in each cycle, and a cycle clutch for cycling said cams when engaged by said input means.

Claim 7

In a typewriter as recited in claim 4 wherein said second arm has contact surfaces in the direction opposite the direction of said contact surfaces on said first arm, a said stop on said second bail, when positioned, operating to move said crank against its bias means, when said bail is oscillated, to angularly position said crank in said opposite direction and then allow its return to rest position.

Claim 8

In a typewriter as recited in claim 2 further comprising a second crank having a first arm, means connecting said second crank to said type carrier to position it about the other of its said coordinate axes, and means for biasing said second crank arm in the direction for control by said rest and selected stops on said bail to control movement incident to oscillation of said bail.

Claim 9

In a typewriter as recited in 6 wherein said second crank is mounted on the same axes as said first crank.

Claim 10

In a typewriter as recited in 6 wherein said second crank is mounted on the same axes as said first crank.

Claim 11

In a typewriter as recited in claim 6 wherein stops on said bails associated with one of said cranks and stops associated with the other of said cranks are supported for slidable positioning movement in opposite directions.

Claim 12

In a typewriter as recited in claim 6 wherein said first and second cranks each have a second arm extending in a direction opposite its said first arm and further comprises a pivotally supported second bail under control of said cyclic means, stops slidably mounted on said second bail along its length for movement into the plane of motion of said second arms whereby movement of said cranks may be controlled in the direction opposite to that controlled by said first arms.

Claim 13

A typewriter as recited in claim 9 wherein said bails are pivotally mounted with their free ends facing one another and wherein said cyclic means comprises spring means connected to bias said bails in opposite direction, cam means, cam follower means connected to the free ends of said bails, said cam means being oriented to allow one bail to move under urge of its spring while moving the other against its spring and vice versa in each cycle, and a cycle clutch for cycling said cams when coupled to power by said input means.