US4247208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical stenographic machine
Assignee: SAN DIEGO TRUST & SAVINGS BANK
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Filing: 1980-03-24
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 2000-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A stenographic machine having electrically powered paper advance and permitting control of key stroke length independent of the paper feed length. The print hammers are mechanically actuated by depression of the associated keys, as in a conventional mechanical stenographic machine. Operation of one or more of the keys actuates an optical switch to trigger a monostable multivibrator, the output of which energizes an actuator to rotate the platen, advancing the paper. The rest position of the keys can be controlled to control the key stroke length, without affecting the paper feed length. The paper advance is initiated on the return stroke of the keys, and so each printed word is visible to the operator immediately after the stroke for that word. In one embodiment the multivibrator energizes a solenoid to rotate the platen, while in a second embodiment the multivibrator energizes an electric motor. If desired, the duration of the multivibrator output pulse can be controlled to control the extent of movement of the solenoid plunger or of the electric motor and thus to control the paper advance length.
Inventors
- 👤 Bennie C. Fulkerson
- 👤 Michael A. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:38
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A stenographic machine comprising a platen adapted for supporting paper; support means adapted for supporting an inked ribbon adjacent said platen; a plurality of print hammers; a plurality of keys mechanically coupled to said print hammers, having a rest position, and operable to mechanically cause said print hammers to impact against an inked ribbon supported by said suport means to bring the inked ribbon into contact with paper supported on said platen; first control means for controlling the rest position of said keys and adjustable to adjust the extent of operation required of said keys to cause said print hammers to impact against the inked ribbon; and electrical actuation means responsive to operation of said keys for rotating said platen to feed paper over said platen with the paper feed length being independent of the rest position of said keys.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A stenographic machine comprising a platen adapted for supporting paper; support means adapted for supporting an inked ribbon adjacent said platen; a plurality of print hammers; a plurality of keys mechanically coupled to said print hammers, having a rest position, and operable to mechanically cause said print hammers to impact against an inked ribbon supported by said suport means to bring the inked ribbon into contact with paper supported on said platen; first control means for controlling the rest position of said keys and adjustable to adjust the extent of operation required of said keys to cause said print hammers to impact against the inked ribbon; and electrical actuation means responsive to operation of said keys for rotating said platen to feed paper over said platen with the paper feed length being independent of the rest position of said keys.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuation means comprises a solenoid coupled to said platen for rotating said platen to feed paper thereover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuation means comprises an electric motor coupled to said platen for rotating said platen to feed paper thereover.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 in which said actuation means rotates said platen by a uniform fixed amount, thus providing a fixed paper feed length, upon actuation of said keys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3 in which said actuation means includes second control means for controlling the amount said platen rotates, and thus the paper feed length, upon operation of said keys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 2 in which said actuation means further comprises pulse forming means responsive to operation of said keys for applying a current pulse to said solenoid to actuate said solenoid and rotate said platen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said actuation means further comprises pulse forming means responsive to operation of said keys for applying a current pulse to said electric motor to actuate said electric motor and rotate said platen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which said actuation means further comprises second control means for controlling the amount that said platen rotates, and thus the paper feed length, upon operation of said keys.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 8 in which said second control means controls the duration of the current pulse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which said pulse forming means is responsive to return of said keys to the rest position upon release thereof during each key operation to cause rotation of said platen, and thus paper feeding, at the end of each key stroke.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
A stenographic machine comprising a platen adapted for supporting paper; support means adapted for supporting an inked ribbon adjacent said platen; a plurality of print hammers; a plurality of keys mechanically coupled to said print hammers, having a rest position, and operable to mechanically cause said print hammers to impact against an inked ribbon supported on said support means to bring the inked ribbon into contact with paper supported on said platen; contactless switch means responsive to operation of said keys for generating a first actuating signal; electrically operated actuation means coupled to said platen for rotating said platen to feed paper thereover; and coupling means coupled to said contactless switch means and to said actuation means and responsive; to the first actuating signal for applying a second actuating signal to said actuation means to actuate said actuation means and rotate said platen upon operation of said keys.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
A stenographic machine comprising a platen adapted for supporting paper; support means adapted for supporting an inked ribbon adjacent said platen; a plurality of print hammers; a plurality of keys mechanically coupled to said print hammers, having a rest position, and operable to mechanically cause said print hammers to impact against an inked ribbon supported on said support means to bring the inked ribbon into contact with paper supported on said platen; contactless switch means responsive to operation of said keys for generating a first actuating signal; electrically operated actuation means coupled to said platen for rotating said platen to feed paper thereover; and coupling means coupled to said contactless switch means and to said actuation means and responsive; to the first actuating signal for applying a second actuating signal to said actuation means to actuate said actuation means and rotate said platen upon operation of said keys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said actuation means comprises a solenoid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said actuation means comprises an electric motor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 in which said actuation means rotates said platen by a uniform fixed amount, thus providing a fixed paper feed length, upon operation of said keys.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11, 12, or 13 in which said actuation means includes control means for controlling the amount said platen rotates, and thus the paper feed length, upon operation of said keys.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11, 12, or 13 in which said coupling means comprises pulse forming means responsive to the first actuating signal for applying a current pulse to said actuation means to actuate said actuation means and rotate said platen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 16 in which said coupling means further comprises control means for controlling the amount said platen rotates, and thus the paper feed length, upon operation of said keys.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 17 in which said control means controls the duration of the current pulse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 16 in which said coupling means generates the second actuating signal in response to termination of the first actuating signal to cause rotation of said platen, and thus paper feeding, at the end of each key stroke.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said coupling means generates the second actuating signal in response to termination of the first actuating signal to cause rotation of said platen, and thus paper feeding, at the end of each key stroke.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said contactless switch means comprises an optical switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 21 in which said optical switch includes a light source; a light detector; and a leaf member normally assuming a first position and responsive to operation of said keys for movement to a second position, one of said first position and said second position blocking passage of light from said light source to said light detector and the other of said first position and said second position permitting passage of light from said light source to said light detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 22 further comprising a key rest bar and first support means pivotally supporting said key rest bar adjacent said keys for pivoting of said key rest bar and said first support means in response to operation of said keys, said leaf member attached to one of said key rest bar and said first support means for movement therewith.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A stenographic machine as claimed in claim 11 further comprising control means for controlling the rest position of said keys to adjust the extent of operation required of said keys to cause said print hammers to impact against said inked ribbon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |