US2046465A - Card controlled device - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1936. K. A. KNuTsEN CARD CONTROLLED DEVICE Filed March 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pfg. *A

July 7 1935 K. A. KNuTsEN 2,046,465

CARD CONTROLLED DEVICE Filed March 17, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 F @7 g i Patented July 7, 1936 Unirse STATES PATENT, OFFICE CARD CONTROLLED DEVICE Knut Andreas Knutsen, Paris, France Application March 17, 1934, Serial No. 716,156

In France March 20, 1933 10 Claims. (Cl. 101-91) This invention relatesto automatically printing devices, particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical, calculating and tabulating machines utilizing perforated cards.

It relates especially to improvements to a printing device as described in the United States patent application No. 663,628 led the 30th March 1933. v

In the named application, the printing is effected when a toothed sector is brought into mesh with a constantly rotating wheel which itself is meshing with the typewheel. According to the present invention, the toothed sector is replaced by a toothed wheel mounted on a stationary axis, this wheel always being in mesh with the type wheel.

This arrangement facilitates the guiding of the carriage in the course of the printing motion,r

which gives the advantage of a better alignment of the letters on the paper. Another advantage of this Aembodiment consists inthat the named toothed wheel thatA has to be stopped by the blocking lever in order to effect the printing, can have a small number of teeth which increases the time available for the blocking of the wheel and permits increase in the speed of the machine.

Finally, according to this invention, there is provided a brake which reduces the speed withV which the carriage returns to itsrinitial position, during the last phase 'of the return movement, and accordingly permits reduction of the noise when the carriage stops. v e

Other objects of the invention consist in new and improved structures and cooperations of the diierent elements of the mechanism.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of example, will set forth in what manner the invention can be carried out.

Figs. 1 to 4 arewertical diagrammatic sectional views ofthe printing device according to the inpositions, the mechanism for braking and blocking the carriage.

The organs which have not been altered bear the same reference numbers as in the aforementioned application. The elements which have been modified or inserted according to the present invention have reference numbers above 200.

Leverr 20| corresponds to lever 85 of the first named application. It carries two latches 202 and 203. The lever 204 corresponds to the lever 19. It pivots about the pin 205 fixed to the frame,

and carries the roller 206, the extension 201 and lm the detent 208. The lever 209 works like the lever 89. It carries teeth 2|0, 2|| and 2|2, roller ||2 and stops 2|3, 2|4, 2|5. It pivots about the stationary spindle 2 |6 under the action of the spring 2| 1 which tends to apply the roller I I2 against 15 the cam on Yshaft 24. The lever 2|8 or releasing lever effects the same functions as the lever 8| of the ilrst named patent. It carries the extension 2| 9, a pin |06 provided with a roller |01 and is pivoted to the spindle 220 attached to the frame. 20

To an arm 22|, there is attached a spring 222 xed atA its other end to the frame through 223. Arm l22| carries a stop plate 22|A. Lever 2|8 further, carries on an extremity a pin 224 which is engaged in a slot 225 of the blocking sector 25 226. Sector 226 which corresponds to the sector |09 of the previous application, is provided with one or a plurality of teeth 221 and is articulated at 228a, to a lever 228 which corresponds to the lever 00.

Lever 220 turns freely about theaxis 229 ixed to the frame. It carries an arm 230 which acts as a stop against the frame 23|, an extension `232 and a roller 233. Y

In the same plane as sectorV 226, there is a ratchet-wheel 234, which is integral with wheel 235, and which with this latter rotates freely about the axis 229.

'The roller 233 is provided with a slot in which is engaged the extremity of a lever 234a, which 40 pivots on the spindle 2-35a, iixed'to the frame. Lever 234:1 carries a roller 236 and an arm '231 vto which is fastened a spring 238, the opposite end of which is xed to the frame. Lever 234a, is retained in the position indicated in Fig. 1 by cam 45 239 xed on the shaft 240, which cam during 4its rotation acts upon the roller 236.

' The shafts 24, 240, 2|, 28 and 24| are provided `with toothed wheels meshing one with another,

so that all these shafts rotate synchronously with the type-carrying wheel 1. Wheel 235 is always in mesh with the toothed wheel 3, which, as well as all the wheels situated on the movable support 3|, is identical to that described in the previous patent application.

The lower part of the support 3| has been altered from the previous application. Instead of being attached by an arm 34 to a spindle 38, the support 3| according to this invention is connected in a manner permitting slight relative displacement thereof to an oscillating lever 242 by a pin 243 xed on 242, which pin engages in a slot 244of the support 3|.' The lever 242 pivots about the stationary spindle 245 and carries an arm 246 which can strike against the stop plate 22 la of the arm 22|, when support 3| is moved and the printing effected.

The lever 242 also carries a stop 241 which engages the inclined surface 248 of the cross beam 249. The lever 242 carries nally a pin 259 about which is pivoted a lever 25|, which at one of its extremities is provided with a roller 252 cooperating. with a curved surface 253 of the 'cross beam 249, and to its other extremity is secured a spring 254 attached to the lever 242. The cross beam 249 is provided on one side with a comb 255, which forms a guide for the lever 256. The latter pivots about a stationary spindle 251 and is provided with a roller 258 cooperating with a cam on shaft 24|.

The other extremity 259 ofthe lever,;2.5.6 canw.

bear against a lever'269 which pivots about a pin 26| ilxed on the lever 262. Lever 269 is kept in position by a spring 263 attached to the lever 262, and is provided with a detent 264. On each side of the machine, near the side plates that form the frame andv pivotally mounted on the spindle 245, is situated a piece 265, which carries a roller 266 which is engaged in a groove 261 of a closed cam that turns about an axis 268 fixed to the adjacent side plate.

The two pieces 265 are connected together by two rods 269 on which are lsleeved the pieces 21.9 and 262. For each support 3|, there is a piece 219 and 262; The piece 262 is also sleeved on the spindle 245. All of the pieces 262 and 219 are tightly held one against the other and against the two lateral pieces 265, so as to form a unit, which is moved angularly about the spindle 245 by the closed camwhich rotates about the axis 268.

There is a closed cam on each side of the machine. Piece 219 carries an extensin 21|. On

the main shaft is keyed a toothed wheel 9 in mesh with the wheel 212 rigidly xed to the closed cam which rotates about the axis 268. Wheel 212 "meshes with the wheels 213 and 214 keyed to the shafts 24| and'2l respectively. The latter carries a wheel 215 which meshes with the wheels 216, 211 and 218 which are respectively keyed on the shafts 249, 24 and'28. When the machineis operated, the shafts 24|, 2|, 249, 24 and 28, as well as the closed cam make one revolution for each revolution of the type-carrying wheel, that is to say, turns lln synchronism with it. 'I'he whole of the pieces 262, 219, 265 perform during the printing operations the movement indicated,H in Figs. 3 and 4.

While the printing takes place, the pieces 219 and 262 occupy the position indicated in Fig. 1.

If now, a character is to be printed, 'the support 3| of the carriage moves upwards. The lever 242 connected to the support 3| follows the motion of the latter, and draws along the lever 25| attached to it. Before the rst character is printed, the cam l24| releases the 'roller 258 and lever 256 has swung under the action of the spring 219, thus the extremity 259 does not interfere with the movement of the lever 269. The carriage having against the lower surface of slide v45. When all 10 the characters of the card areprinted, the support 3| is brought to its initial position by the movement of the closed cam, the groove 261 of which, acts upon the roller 266, causing the swingingoftheewhole of the pieces 265, 219, 262, 15 soi as1 to return them'- to the position indicated ln During thismovement, the extension 21| of the piece 219 pushes the roller 252 and. brings back the support 3| in its initial position. Support 3| cannot perform this movement quicker than lever 269, which still blocks roller 252. Provided a suitable shape is given-the groove 261, the movement can be braked during its last phase, so that' the stop 241 of the lever 242 does not stake the 25- inclinedsurface248 violently, but engages it with a low speed, Fig. 3, or stops its motion a little before, leaving a smallinterval between the stop 24,1 and the inclined surface 248. Subsequently, cam on the shaft 24| strikes against roller 258, lever 256 swings against the action of the spring f 219, and disengages lever 269 from roller 252. The pieces 219 and-262 may then resume their initial position Fig. 1, withoutl acting on lever 25| or on support 3|. 35

It will now be effected.

explainedv how the printing is or mechanical means.v yAccording tothe present 49 invention, the lever 294 corresponding to lever 19 in the previous application, is released by perforations made in the line 9 or 8 of the card. The other lever 2| 8 corresponding to the previous lever 8| being released by the perforations made in the other lines, but blocked up when the lever 294 is released, due to the existence of perforations in line 9 or 8, by the cam 22 on shaft'2l. If a perforation exists in the line 9, the exten- 50 sion 291 of the lever 294, blocks up the tooth 2|9 of the lever 299. If a perforation exists in the line 8, the extension 291 engages in the tooth 2|| of the lever 299. If no perforaons exist in `shaft2| being no longer in front of the roller |91 of the lever 2| 8, this lever swings under the action of the spring 222 and engages a tooth of the 60 sector 226 with a tooth of the ratchet wheel 234. The latter rotates constantly together with the wheel 235, which is in mesh with Wheel 3.A If lever 299 is situated in the position as shown in Fig. 1, the ratchet-wheel is suddenly stopped 65 when tooth 221 of sector 226 engages itself with a tooth of said ratchet-wheel, because the lever 228 is prevented from" turning, due to the fact that theA extension 232 of this lever applies against stop 2|5. 70 Thus, the wheel 235 is stopped, but as the main shaft continues its rotation, the wheel 3 is forced to move on .the wheel 235,the latter functioning as a toothed-rack. Wheel 3 and the support 3| are vmoved upwards and the printing '75 yuatedopp'osite the extension 201 ofjthe lever 204, ',further, at'this moment, roller |01 of the lever 2 isis situated en the eem 2z of the shaft 2 l.. The

only effect of the passage of the perforation 8- under the contact device, is therefore the releasingof the lever 204, the extension 201 of which, engages itself with the tooth 2|| of lever 209.

e Immediately afterwards, the perforation 1 passes under the contact device and releases lever 2|8, the roller |01 of which is no m'ore opposite cam 22. This lever pulled by spring 222 pivots and causes tooth 221 of sector 226 to mesh with 1 ratchet-wheel 234.

Under the effect of the shock produced when the tooth of the ratchet-wheel 234 meets tooth 221 of sector 226, lever 228 swings, until the extension 232 strikes against the stop 2|4. 'I'he ratchet-wheel 234 is then stopped, and support 3| moves upwards, producing the printing of the type adjacent to type A on the typecarrying wheel, that is to say, the letter U. @If lever 204 had been stopped in the position 'fwhenfthe extension 201' is engaged under the A tooth 2'I2 voffthe lever 209, the contact 'of tooth '221' ofy the sector' 226 and of the ratchet-wheel 234, *would determine the swinging ofthe lever 228 until the extension 232 strikes against stop 2|3, and so the type which is at a distance of two types from the type A, would be printed (letter K). 4 Y

It is therefore possible to print three different characters, for each perforation of the card, with the exception of two perforations 8 and 9. Which character is printed, depends on the position of lever 208, that is, it depends on the fact whether there exists or Anot a supplementary perforationon one or another of the lines 9 or 8. Fig.v1 shows theposition of the elements of the device at the moment when the line of perforations 1 of the card passes in front of the contact device. Said'card containing no perforations 8 or 9, the'lever 204 is not released. If a card has a perforation in line 1, lever 2|8 is released, tooth 221 of sector 226 meets toothY 2 19 ofV ratchet-wheel -234, and the letter A vis printed. If the card contains perforations in the lines 1 and 9, the lever 204 is released and extension 201 engaged with the tooth 2|0, as shown in Fig. 2. When perforation 1 arrives in front of the contact device, lever 2|8 is released and tooth 221 engages itself with tooth 219, as described above, but, a's lever 228 moves backwards as shown in Fig. 2, the letter K is printed. i'

At themoment of printing, the center 30 of wheel 3, is situated substantially on! the straight line joining the two axes and 229. 'I'he distancesbetween the three axes are chosen so as to give the least possible play between the three toothed- wheels 9, 3 and 235 in the said moment. When the type-carrying wheel strikes against the paper to effect the printing, support 3| pivots about center 30, and the slot 244 moves with respect to the'pin 243; the center 30 will therefore be always in the same position when the printter is disengaged -froxn the ratchet-wheel 234.

, `a ing is taking place, whatever the printed type. may be, which secures a good alignment of the letters on the paper.

In the'example chosen, the number of teeth of the ratchet-wheel 234 and of the wheel 235 is wchosen in such a way that, everytime that a place of perforation 'in a column of a card' passes in front of the contact device, a tooth of the ratchetwheel passes in front of tooth 221 of lever 226.

' 'Ihe time available for the engagement of one tooth of the ratchet-wheel and of tooth 221 of lever 226, is the time` elapsing between thefpassage of two adjacent teeth ofthe ratchet-wheel, or between the passage of two adjacent perforations of a column of a card in front of the contact device.

The types of the type-carrying wheel 1 may be either letters or figures, or both letters and figures.

The deviee se described may also werk without selection, every letter or iigure being indicated by one single perforation. In this case, it

Iwill be preferable to increase the number of places intended for the perforations in a column of the card, and to change the number of-teeth of the ratchet-wheel 234 and of the wheel 235 to allow every tooth of the ratchet-wheel to correspond to a perforation. In the embodiment shown, the ratchet-wheel 234, makes one and a half revolutions for one revolution of the typecarrying wheel, which corresponds to the pas sage of a tooth of the ratchet-wheel in front of tooth 221 for each place of perforation on the card. The number of types on the type-carrying wheel may obviously be yincreased or decreased,

and the lever 209 may comprise more or less teeth, similar to thel teeth 2|3 and 2| 4.

Also inthe columns of the cards, a system of perforations, different than that above indicated, may be utilized; for instance, the releasing of lever 204 may be operated 'by a` special contact device.

When the printing has been effected, the carriage continues its movement until the arm 246 strikes against the stop-plate 22|a, of the lever 2|8, andoausesl the latter to swing against the action of the spring 222, so that the pin 224 rotates about the spindle 220, drawing together with it the blocking lever 226, so that the lat- At this moment, roller 252 has reached the extremity of lever 260. v'Il'hislatter swings under the action of the spring 263, locking the lever 25|. To facilitate this locking, the detent 264 may be-provided with a stepped or inclined surface.

In the description given is mentioned a device for printing one letter in a column .of the card. It is, however, understood that the complete printing device may comprise a great 'number of 6o Y devices such as described.

For instance, if the printing device of the type described is to be connected with a tabulating machine forperforated cards, it may be desired that the printing device should print the figures or letters indicated in every column of the card; in this case, the printing device would comprise a series'of 60v or 90 type-carrying wheels, and

Y for every one of these type-carrying wheels, there would be a support 3|, a ratchet-wheel 234, le- 70 vers 2|8-204-209. blocking lever 226, and s olon. A Common for all the typecarrying wheels and the series of elements cited above, are the shafts i. 24|, 2|, 240, 28, 24, 229, and the rods 269, the cross-beams 249 and so on. The named crossbeams comprise one comb 265, for each lever 258. Different parts of the frame also comprise one comb for each piece 2l8, 208, 2M, and so on.

The printing of all the indications of the card, may be made during one rotation of the typecarrying wheels. The device thus permits a series of characters to be printed simultaneousl What I claim is:

1. In printing apparatus for use with statistical machines employing perforated cards or the like, the combination with a platen, of a type wheel support displaceable in a plane transverse to said platen, a type wheel rotatably mounted on said support, rotatable toothed means carried on said support for rotatingsaid type wheel, rotatable toothed means .meshing with said first named tooth means and mounted independently of said support, selectively operable means for retarding rotation of said lastnamed toothed means to cause the latter toserve as a fulcrum for said rst named toothed means, whereby said support and type wheel are displaced transversely of said platen, and means for moving said type wheel toward said platen to engage and print a selected type.

- 2. In printing tical machines employing perforatedcards or the like, the combination-with a platen, of a type wheel support displaceable in a plane transverse to said platen, atype wheel rotatablyvmounted on said support, gearing for rotating said type wheel, said gearing including a gear train carried on said support, a gear meshing with said gear train and mounted on a nxed axis, means for locking said last named gear against rotation to cause the same to serve as a fulcrum, whereby said support and type wheel are displaced transversely of said platen, the *ratio and direction of rotation of the gearsin said train being such that a selected type, remains substantially stationary adjacent said platen during displacement of said support, and means -for relatively displacing said platen and type wheel to print the selected type.

3. In printing apparatus for use with statistical machines employing perforated cards or the like, the combination with a platen, of a type wheel support displaceable in a plane transverse to said platen, a type wheel rotatably mounted on said support, gearing for rotating said type wheel, said gearing including a gear train carried on said support, a gear meshing with said gear train and mounted on a flxed axis, a blocking member supported for movement into an operative position, in which position the said member is operatively connected with and movable -by said gear, selecting mechanismfor moving said member into operative position and de termining the extent of movement thereof by said gear. whereby after a predetermined degree of rotation of said gear the latter may serve as a fulcrum for s d gear train to effect displacement of said sup ort and type wheel transversely of said platen, the ratio. and direction of ro-` tation of the gears in said trainbeing such that a selected type'remains substantially stationary adjacent said platen during displacement of said support, and means for relatively displacing. said platen and typewheel to print the selected type. 4. A printing machine particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical machines for perforated cards and the like, comprising a platen, a type wheel mounted in a plane lsubstantially at right angles to the axis of said platen, a ratchet mounted freely on a stationary apparatus for use with statis-l forperforated cards and the like, comprising a platen, so that the type wheel strikes the platen.

5. A printing .machine particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical machines for perforated cards and the'like, comprising a platen, a type wheel mounted in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of said platen, a ratchet mounted freely on a stationary'axis and having an operative rotative connection with said type wheel, ablocklng lever supported for movement into mesh with said ratchet, means for displacing the blocking lever after it has come into mesh with said ratchet a distance corresponding to the turning of the type Wheel one or more characters past the printing position, and means for arresting the blocking leverin a selected position.

6. A printing device for tabulating machines for perrforated cards and the 1ike,.comprising a-v platen, a type wheel mounted in a plane substanmuy at right angles to the axis of said platen, 3

a toothed wheel mounted freely on a stationary axis and having an operative rotative connection' 'in order to stop the Wheel and print a selected ,one of the types o n the type wheel, said toothed wheel being provided with such a number o'f teethv that one tooth is passing the blocking lever each .time a -place for perforation ina column of the card passes in front of the reading device ofthe tabulating machine. y

7. A printing machine particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical machines for perforated cards and the like, comprising a platen, a type wheel mounted on a support in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of said platen, a ratchet mounted freelyon a stationary axis and having an operative rotative connection with said type wheel, means for stopping said ratchet when a selected one of the types on the type Wheel passes the printing posi' tion, means for imparting such translatory movement to said type wheel when the said ratchet has been stopped, that the movement of theselected type in relation to the platen in a certain moment is zero, means for giving-the type wheel in this moment an additional movement directed against the platen, so that the type wheel strikes the platen, and means whereby after the print ing has been effected the movement of the type wheel releases the blocking lever and the ratchet. 8. A printing machine particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical machines platen, a type wheel mounted on a support in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of said platen,'a ratchetv mounted freely onA a stay tionary axis and having an operative rotative connection with said type wheekmeans for stopping said ratchet when a selected one of the types of the type wheel passes the printing position, means for imparting such translatory movement to said type wheel when the said ratchet has been 'z5 stopped, that the movement of the selected type in relation to the platen in a certain moment is zero, means for giving the type wheel in this moment an additional movement directed against the platen, so that the type wheel strikes the platen, means whereby the support of the type wheel is returned to its initial position, and means whereby this movement during its last phase is braked to prevent the violent stopping of the support.

9. A printing machine particularly adapted'to be used in combination with statistical machines for perforated cards and the like, comprising a platen, a type wheel mounted in a plane substantially at right anglesto the axis of said platen, a

ratchet mounted freely on a stationary axis and having an operative rotative connection with said type wheel, means for stopping said ratchet when aselected one of the types on the type wheel4 mitting the type wheel to spring back in the very momentV it hits the paper.

10. A printing machine particularly adapted to be used in combination with statistical machines for'` perforated cards and the like, comprising a 10 platen, a type-wheel mounted on a movable support in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis oi' said platen, a ratchet mounted freely on a stationary axis and having an operative connection with said typewheel, a blocking lever 15 supported for vmovement into mesh with said ratchet, means whereby the type-wheel support isdisplaced when said ratchet is arrested, and

. means for maintaining the blocking lever in its position when ithas come into mesh with said 20 ratchet.

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