US1090321A - Type-writing machine. - Google Patents

Description

J. c. McLAUGHLIN. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I910.

Patented Mar.17, 1914.

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JOHN C. McLAUGI-ILIN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO UNDERWOOID TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1'7, 1914.

To all whom it may) concern:

Be it known that I, J onN C. hICLAUGHLIN, a citizen of the United States. residing in Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved mechanism for effecting and controlling the line-spacing movements of the platen roll of a typewriting machine. Mechanism of this character ordinarily comprises a ratchet wheel, which is fast to the platen shaft, and which is turned one or more steps by means of a pawl operated from a suitable device on the carriage frame. This mechanism has heretofore, however, been defective in certain respects. The parts have been so constructed as to permit of wear of the teeth of the ratchet and of the pawl, due to the rubbing of one on the other. The weight of the platen is often considerable, and the platen may acquire much momentum in the spacing operation. It'results in practice that after the ratchet wheel and pawl are somewhat worn, they fail to grip reliably, and the platen is liable to be overthrown.

An objectof the present invention is to provide a line-spacing mechanism in which wear of the spacing pawl tn the teeth of the ratchet wheel is impossible.

It is also an object of the invention to eliminate and render impossible any relative or differential movement of the ratchet wheel and spacing paw-l while the same are in engagement; and the platen is moving. Furthermore I provide an effective means for positively locking the spacing pawl to the ratchet wheel to prevent the pawl from being thrown away from the wheel after engagement therewith, either by reason of the momentum of the platen or for any other cause.

Another object of the invention in certain of its forms is to so construct the mechanism that wear of the same in the platen frame is also prevented.

In the embodiment of theinvention hereiuaflcr described, the carrier for the linespacing pawl is mounted to turn around the -1s a view in rear elevation platen shaft as a pivot so that. after the pawl is locked to the ratchet wheel, the pawl carrier may turn as a unit with the wheel, instead of, as heretofore, moving at a tangent thereto or in some other direction. There can therefore be no action on the part of the pawl carrier tending to throw the pawl from the ratchet wheel or to rub the pawl on the turning on the platen shaft as engaging the pawl with a wedge action, tending always to force the pawl more tightly against the ratchet wheel, and locking the same to the ratchet wheel in such manner that after the same have once engaged, they cannot be disengaged until the platen has been properly rotated or spaced.

Other object and features of the invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the assembled linespacing mechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the space regulating device in cooperative relation to the line-spacing pawl. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the as sem'bled line-spacing mechanism in normal position. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 except that the parts are in the positions assumed at the time the spacing pawl engages the ratchet whcel. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the line-spacing pawl at the end of its throw. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the spacing pawl and space regulator in one position of the same. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the guide and supporting member for the plunger. Fig. 8 partly cross sectional, of the line-spacing mechanism. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the spacing pawl and pawl carrier. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the device which is engaged by the plunger to operate the pawl carrier. Fig. 11 1s a perspective view of the plunger which operates the pawl carrier. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the space regulator.

The platen 1 on the laten shaft 2 is mounted to be rotated in t e platen frame 3 by means of hand wheel 4 or line-spacing ratchet wheel 5, both fast to the platen shaft. The line-spacing movement of the ratchet as a pivot, and

(5'0 teeth, of the wheel by differential movement of the two. The device for actuating the pawl and pawl carrier is also hereinafter shown as wheel with the platen is efl'ected from a hand lever 6 pivoted at 7 to the platen frame. The lever 6 is shown as a bell crank lever one arm 8 of which engages the end 9 of. a plunger or slide 10, connected by means of a link 11 with an arm 12, which is loosely mounted on the platen shaft 2 to rotate or swing thereon, and which when turned by means of the link 11, carries with it the pawl 13 for effecting the line-spacing movement pf the ratchet wheel- The pawl 13 is pivoted at 14 to a carrier in the form of an idle arm or plate 15 also loosely mounted on the platen shaft to swing around the same. The swinging pawl carrier 15 lies between the arm 12 and the ratchet wheel, but the swing arm 12, as shown in Fig. 8, is bent at its outer end to extend over the plate 15 and over the pawl, and to engageby means of a pin 16 with the link 11 on the slide 10, to be driven thereby. In order that the pawl 13 maybe thrown by the arm 12, there is provided a shoulder 17 on the pawl against which the offset or bent portion of the arm 12 bears when the slide 10 is operated by the lever 6. The slide or plunger 10 works within a cylinder or housing 19 fixed to the platen frame 3. It does not bear directly on the'platen frame and cannot wear the latter. A compression returning spring 20 coiled within the cylinder 19 bears against the inner end of the plunger 10 to hold the same in its outer or forward normal position. The normal position of the plunger 10 and consequently of the link 11, arm 12, and other attached parts is preferably determined by a suitable stop in the form of a screw 21 (see Fig. 11) carried by the plunger and moving within a slot 22 in aguide-way or extension 23 of the housing 19, and engaging the forward end of the slot 22. The screw 21 also preferably serves as a guide for the plunger. In order that the return movement of the plunger may be transmitted through the link 11 and the arm 12 to the pawl and pawl carrying member 15, there is on the latter a shoulder 24, with which-shoulder the bent or offset portion of the arm 12 engages, forcing back the pawl, and the latter, acting directly against its pivot pin 14, causes the pawl carrying member 15 to turn These parts are the spring 20.

In the normal position of the parts (see Figs. 1 and 3) the tooth 25 of the pawl 13 does not engage the ratchet wheel, nor does it necessarily engage it immediately upon operation of the hand lever 6. According to the amount it is desired to space the platen, the pawl 13 makes a greater or less portion of its stroke with the arm 12 before it is therefore all returned by allowed to engage the ratchet wheel to comi If the platen 1 spring pawl or detent device 43 for holding plcte its stroke with the latter.

' body back to its normal position.

is to be given a considerable spacing movement the pawl is permitted to engage the ratchet wheel early in its-stroke, whereas 1f the platen is to be spaced buta slight amount, the pawl is permitted to engage the ratchet'wheel only when near the end of its stroke.

For holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel as long as may e desired and for regulating the throw of the ratchet wheel with the pawl, there is mount ed on the platen frame a bar or late 26, folded at one end, to have a part 27, on the top of which a nose 28, offset from the main of the pawl 13, is adapted to ride. So long as the nose 28 of the pawl, during the throw of the latter, rides on the part 27, the pawl is held elevated in such a position that pawl-tooth 25 cannot engage the ratchet wheel. When, however, the pawl has been thrown far enough to cause the offset nose 28 to ride 011' of the end 29 of the plate 26, the pawl 13 is free to be thrown by spring 30 into engagement with the ratchet wheel. Thereafter and during the rest of the stroke of the pawl the ratchet wheel and platen are moved by the pawl. A stop 31 by engagement with the end 32 of thepawl determines the stroke .in'all instances. This step is so shaped as to cam or jam the pawl against the wheel in stopping the parts, so as the more effectively to prevent overthrow. In order that the stroke of the pawl with the ratchet wheel may be regulated, the member 26 is adjustable on the platen frame in the direction of the stroke of the pawl. It has a slot 33 at its rear end by means of which it engages and is supported at that end by a pin 34 on the platen frame, It may rest upon and'be also supported by a bracket arm 35 on the platen frame. The slot 33 permits of adjustment of the plate 26 on its supports,

and this adjustment is effected by means of a lever 36 loosely mounted on the platen shaft, or other suitable support, and carrying a finger piece 37 by which it is moved. The plate 26 (see Fig. 2) carries a pin 38 engaging a slot 39 in the lever 36. When, therefore, the lever 36 is rocked, the plate 26 is moved back and forth on its supports. In the face of the plate or bar 26 are three recesses 40, the positions of which correspond to three adjusted positions of the plate 26. A spring member 41, held against rotation on the pin'3 1, carries a detent 42 for engaging one or another of the recesses 40, according to the adjusted position of the bar 26, for holding the bar against displacement'aftor the same has been adjusted. The end walls of the slot 33 by engagement with the pin 34, serve as stops to determine the two extreme positions of the bar 26 and lever 36.

Also mounted on the pin 34 is the usual the ratchet wheel and platen against displacement. The member 43 is shown as carrying at its end a roller 44 which is adapted to be held. by the spring 45 between the teeth of the ratchet wheel with sutlicient force to hold the latter against displacement, but not in such a manner as to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel by the pawl 13.

According to the adjusted position of the plate 26, the pawl 13 sooner or later is forced, by the arm 12, off of the plate 26 and into engagement with the ratchet wheel. Up to this time the engagement of the pawl 13 with the arm 12 has been by means of theshoulder 17 on the pawl. When, however, the pawl drops into engagement with the ratchet wheel, the shoulder 17 falls below the bent portion of the arm 12 and can no longer be engaged by the latter. Further movement of the arm 12 then brings the same into engagement with a wed 'e surface 46, (see Fig. 4) on the pawl. T e surface 46 is so shaped that the arm 12 in engaging the same not only continues the forward movement or throw of the pawl but exerts a downward pressure on the pawl which holds the tooth 25 in close engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and so holds the pawl until the end of the stroke has been determined by engagement of the pawl with the stop 31, and the arm 12 given a return movement. N o matter therefore what may be the weight or momentum of the platen and attached parts, the pawl cannot be thrown out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and the latter thereby permitted. to be overthrown.

In operation, the space regulator is first set by means of the finger piece 37 in either one of its three positions, and is thereafter held in place by the detent 41. In spacing for each line, the lever 6 is swung to the right, and, bearing on the plunger 10, forces the same inward against the action ofcoil spring 20. The link 11, being attached to the plunger, moves with the latter, and, being connected by pin 16 to rotary member or arm 12, swings the latter. The arm 12 engaging the shoulder 17 on the pawl 13 takes the latter with it in its movement, and the pawl drags the idle pawl-carrier 15 in the same direction. At first the pawl is riding on the regulator plate 26 but presently the tooth 28 of the pawl drops off of the end 29 of this plate, and the tooth 25 of the pawl then engages the ratchet wheel, the shoulder 17 on the pawl at this time dropping below the cross arm of the actuating member 12. The arm 12 continuing to move. engages the wedge surface 46 on the pawl and, while forcing the pawl into close engagement with the ratchet wheel, carries the pawl and wheel onward until the pawl comes to the stop 31, when the spacing movement is complete and the parts are arrested. The lever 6 being now released, the spring 20 throws back the plunger 10 and with it the link 11 and arm 12. The latter by engagement with the shoulder 2t on the pawl carrier 15 forces back the same with spacing pawl. Before the arm '12 been sufliciently withdrawn from the pawl to clear the wedge so as topermit the pawl to rise and ride. freely over the teeth of the ratchet. When the return movement of the awl carrier has )ring the pawl to the end 29 of the regulator plate, the pawl rides up onto this plate and rides along the same during the remainder of the return movement. The end 29 of the plate 26 is beveled. and the nose 28 of the pawl is so shaped, that the pawl is guided gently onto the plate. When the screw 21. on the plunger 10 reaches the forward end of the slot 22, the return movement of all the parts is arrested.

It will be noted that the idle carrier 15 on which the pawl 13 is mounted turns around the platen shaft as a pivot. The pawl supporting pin 14 therefore always turns on the same pivot as the ratchet wheel and cannot be moved awayfrom the latter. The arm 12 which actuates the pawl also turns on the same pivot as the ratchet wheel. \Vhen therefore the arm 12 by engagement with the wedge 46 on the pawl moves the latter with the ratchet wheel, these parts are all turning around a common axis. The direction and rate of rotation of the pawl actuating memcan engage the shoulder 24, it has progressed far enough to her is the same as that of the ratchet wheel so that there is no force or differential movement of parts tending to throw the pawl off of the ratchet wheel. The two are in constant and immovable contact, and no wearing of one or the other can take place. By reason of the wedge 46 the pawl is always pressed against the ratchet wheel, and positively locks the latter, so that overthrow is impossible.

The structure shown may be variously modified within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric w th the ratchet wheel. a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier. means for forcing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and means mounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel for turning the pawl carrier around its pivot with the pawl.

2. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means for forcin the pawl into engagement with the ratchet l wheel, and means mounted on the pivot of wheel .carrier, a pawl the ratchet wheel and engaging the pawl to move the pawl and with it the pawl carrier and ratchet wheel around the pivot of the latter. 3. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on the carrier and shaped to form a wedge, and means forengaging the wedge to move the pawl with the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel. I I

4. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric. with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on the carrier and formed with a wedge surface, and an actuating device engaging the pawl to give the pawl a preliminary movement independent of the ratchet wheel and thereafter engaging the wedge surface on the pawl to move the pawl with the ratchet ratchet wheel.

'5. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted thereon and formed with a wedge surface, and an actuating device engaging the'pawl a preliminary movement independent of the ratchet wheel and thereafter engaging the wedge surface on the pawl to move the pawl withthe ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel. 6. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrler mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl plvotally mounted on said carrier, an actuating device engaging the pawl to give the pawl a prelim nary movement independent of the ratchet wheel,

means for throwing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and a wedge on the pawl with which the actuating device thereafter engages to complete the movement of thepawl with the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

7 A lineespacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carri'er mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with theratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, an actuating device pawl a preliminai'y movement independent of the ratchet wheel, a space-regulating device for holding the pawlout of engagement with the ratchet wheel during such preliminary movement, means for throwing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and a wedge on device thereafter engages to complete the movement of the pawl with the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

while forcing the pawl against the the pawl to give the pawl with which the actuating 8. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, and means mounted on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging and moving the pawl, the pawl being movable into engagement with the ratchet wheel and movable by said means while in engagement with the ratchet wheel.

9. A linespacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, 'a pawl and pawl carrier, and means mounted on a pivot concentric with and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging the pawl with a wedge-like action to move the pawl with the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

10. Aline-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a p1vot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means for forcing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and means mounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawlfor engaging the pawl to move the awl and with it the pawl carrier and ratchet wheel around the pivot of the latter.

11. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of aratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier, means for. forcing, the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, a awl'actuating' device mounted on the pivot of the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging the pawl to move the pawland with it the pawl carrier and ratchet wheel around the pivot of the latter, and means whereby said pawl actuating device engagesthe pawl carrier to return the same to normal position.

12. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, apawl actuating device mounted on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging and moving the pawl to move theratchet wheel, and a slide for operating said pawl actuating device.

13, A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, a pawl actuating device mounted on .a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging and moving the pawl to move the ratchet wheel, a slide, and a link connectingthe slide to thepawl actuating device for operating the latter.

14. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl and pawl carrier, a pawl actuating'device mounted on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel and movable relatively to the pawl for engaging and moving the pawl to the ratchet wheel move the ratchet wheel, a slide for operating said pawl actuating device, and a comprcssion spring bearing against the slide to return the same with the pawl actuating device to normal position.

15. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawl mounted to swing bodily about the pivot of the ratchet wheel for engaging and moving the ratchet wheel, a casing attached to the platen frame, a plunger mounted to have movement in said casing, a spring in said casing bearing against the end of the plunger to return the same to normal position, the casing having an extension with a slot therein, a pin on the plunger engaging said slot whereby the plunger is held in position and guided, and means for operating the spacing pawl from the plunger.

16. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising in combination, a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawl for engaging and moving the ratchet wheel, a space regulating device movable in guides on the platen frame and having a surface on which the spacing pawl adapted to ride and be supported out of engagement with the ratchet wheel, and a lever pivoted on the platen shaft and having pin and slot engagement with the space regulator to adjust the position of the same.

17. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines, comprising in combination, a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a spacing pawl mounted to swing bodily about the pivot of the ratchet wheel for engaging and moving the ratchet wheel, a space regulating device movable in guldes onthe platen frame and being in the form of a plate folded over at its forward end to form a short surface on which the spacing pawl is adapted to ride.

18. A line-spacing mechanism, comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier mounted to rotate on a pivot concentric with the ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on said carrier and formed with awedge surface, means for engaging the wedge surface to move the pawl with the ratchet wheel while forcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel, and a stop engaged by the pawl to arrest the movement of the parts.

19. A line spacing mechanism comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl driving said ratchet wheel, a device traveling with said pawl and cammin it in engagement with said ratchet w eel as it moves with it, and a stop comprising a cam to force said pawl against said ratchet wheel as it arrests said pawl.

20. A line spacing mechanism comprising the combination of a ratchet wheel, a carrier loosely mounted to swing concentrically with the ratchet wheel, a pawl on the carrier to engage the ratchet wheel, a driver forcing said pawl against said ratchet Wheel, and a stop adjacent said ratchet wheel comprising a cam face between which face and ratchet wheel said pawl is jammed at the limit of its throw.

21. A line spacing mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel, a carrier loosely mounted to swing concentrically with the ratchet wheel, a pawl on the carrier'to engage the ratchet wheel, a loosely mounted arm or device to force said pawl against said ratchet wheel, a

an actuating member, means on the spacing pawl to be engaged by said member for movmg the pawl with the carrier, and means on the carrier to beengaged by said member for returning the carrier with the spacing pawl.

23. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet. wheel, a pawl carrier mounted loosely on the pivot of the ratchet wheel, a spacing pawl pivoted to the carrier, an actuating device, means on the spacing pawl to be engaged by said device for moving the pawl with the carrier, and means on the carrier to be engaged by said device for returning the carrier with the spacing pawl, said device being interposed between said means on the pawl and said means onthe carrier, for effecting both of said movements.

24. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a pawl carrier mounted loosely on the pivot of the ratchet wheel, a spacing pawl pivoted to the carrier, an actuating device, means in the form of a wedge on the spacing pawl to be engaged by said device for moving the pawl with the carrier, means on the carrier to be engaged by said device for returning the carrier with the spacing pawl, said device being interposed between said wedge and said means on the carrier for effecting both of said movements, said interposed actuating device having movement between the wedge on the pawl and its point of contact with the pawl carrier, whereby it may clear the wedge be fore engaging the carrier, to permit the pawl to ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

25. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of a ratchet wheel, a member loosely mounted on the axle of said wheel, a pawl carried by said member, a driving device, a handle to operate said device, an arm loose on the said axle and having an extension embracing and adapted to drive said member and pawl, and a link connecting said extennormal position, and a member movable rel- 10 sion to the said driving device. atively to the spacing pawl and having a 26. A line-spacing mechanism for typecamming or wedging action thereon for Writing machines, comprising the combinaforcing the pawl against the ratchet wheel.

5 tion of a ratchet wheel on the platen shaft, a

spacing pawl for engaging and moving the JOHN MGLAUGHLIN' ratchet wheel, a casing on the platen frame, Witnesses: a plunger mounted to have movement in said K. FRANKFORT,

casing, a spring to return the plunger to p B. GOLDBERG.

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