US3927754A

US3927754A - Margin stop arrangement for typewriters

Info

Publication number: US3927754A
Application number: US507251A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ulrich Menzi
Original assignee: Hermes Precisa International SA
Current assignee: Hermes Precisa International SA
Priority date: 1973-09-20
Filing date: 1974-09-18
Publication date: 1975-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-23
Also published as: FR2244629B1; DE2444940C3; SE390926B; SE7411782L; IT1020824B; GB1468299A; CH566216A5; FR2244629A1; DE2444940B2; DE2444940A1

Abstract

A rack incorporates two spaced and parallel rows of teeth of different pitches corresponding to the two character spacings at which the type element can print. Two margin scales, one for each row of teeth, are vertically spaced. Two margin stops are mounted free to pivot, under control of a character spacing shift, to engage one or the other of the rows of teeth. A control bar for each margin stop engages and disengages the stop and moves the latter along the scales and teeth to the desired position. When the stop engages the desired row of teeth, it cooperates with the corresponding scale.

Description

United States Patent [:91

Menzi 1 1 MARGIN STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS [75] Inventor: Ulrich Menzi, Yverdon, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Hermes Precisa International S.A.,

Yverdon, Switzerland [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No; 507,251

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 20, 1973 Switzerland 13529/73 [52] US. Cl 197/63; 197/194 [51] Int. 841.1 21/02; B41J 21/18 [58] Field of Search 197/63, 194

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 907,450 12/1908 Branson 197/194 909,313 1/1909 Mosher 197/194 X 1,05 ,926 4/1913 Burnett 197/194 UX 3,071,232 1/1963 Fondiller 197/63 1 Dec. 23, 1975 3,326,347 6/1967 Danielson, Jr. 197/63 3,547,245 12/1970 Okcuoglu el al. 197/63 3,785,471 1/1974 DOddS 197/63 3,834,508 9/1974 Rlih 197/63 Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Emory L. Groff, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A rack incorporates two spaced and parallel rows of teeth of different pitches corresponding to the two character spacings at which the type element can print. Two margin scales, one for each row of teeth, are vertically spaced. Two margin stops are mounted free to pivot, under control of a character spacing shift, to engage one or the other of the rows of teeth. A control bar for each margin stop engages and disengages the stop and moves the latter along the scales and teeth to the desired position. When the stop engages the desired row of teeth, it cooperates with the corresponding scale.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,927,754

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,927,754

2:11. I f mi 4 4.;

MARGIN STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS alternately cooperate with either row of teeth and can be moved along a scale carrier having at least two scales corresponding to the two character spacings.

Among the known margin stop arrangements for typewriters having two character spacings are those that use a pivotally mounted rack incorporating teeth of two different pitches. When the pitch is changed, the rack is turned through 90; and the margin stops can only be moved horizontally, parallel to the scale carrier. One inconvenience of this arrangement owes chiefly to the fact that the two scales of the scale carrier occupy the same horizontal line; consequently, when the typist wants to align the margin stop with the desired graduation, it is difficult for her to find the correct scale.

An object of the invention is to eliminate this inconvenience and, at the same time, to provide a margin stop arrangement that is simplified in construction and economical to manufacture.

The invention will be described with reference to the figures of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of part of a typewriter incorporatingthe margin stop arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly cut away, of what is shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the left margin stop;

FIG. 4 is a detail, on expanded scale, from FIG. 2, showing one operational position of the margin stop;

FIG. 40 corresponds to FIG. 4, but shows another operational position of the margin stop;

FIG. 5 is a top view, on expanded scale, of a detail of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a carriage l of a type head, or type element 2, which a mechanism of known construction, not shown, moves parallel to the platen, also not shown. Left and right margin stops, respectively designated generally by the

reference numerals

3 and 4, are free to be moved along a margin scale carrier 5 that is graduated with two scales: an upper scale 6 and a lower scale 7 that are respectively graduated in tenths of an inch and tewlfths of an inch.

The margin stops 3 and 4 can also be moved along a rack 8 incorporating an upper row 9 and a lower row 10 of teeth of which the pitches respectively correspond to the aforesaid graduations of the scales 6 and 7. The rack 8 comprises a unitary piece, the parallel and facing rows of

teeth

9 and 10 being cut in an opening ll of this piece. A character spacing shift has an elongated plate 12, which in cross-section has the general appearance of a try square so as to form a horizontal tongue 13 that engages each of the

margin stops

3 and 4. The spacing shift 12 is arranged parallel to, and behind, the rack 8. The latter and the shift l2 are mounted on two pins 14 and I5 that are fixed to the left and right walls, 16 and 17 respectively, of the rear frame of the typewriter. The shift incorporates two inclined slots 18 and 19, one at each end, in the interiors of which are engaged a respective one of the

pins

14 and 15. By means of a known mechanism, not shown,

the shift 12 can slide along these slots 18 and I9, moving to the left or to the right, as indicated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 1, and whereby respectively falling or rising. Movement to the left is made against the force of a return spring 20 fixed at one end to the shift 12 and at the other end to the wall 16. The force of this spring holds the shift in its rightward and upper position, as shown in FIG. 1. When moved, the tongue I3 of the shift 12 takes hold of each

margin stop

3 and 4, so that the latter cooperates with either the upper teeth 9 or the lower teeth 10 of the rack 8, in dependence on whether the shift 12 is in its right or left position.

Each margin stop incorporates a guide 21 having two stirrups 22 that permit the margin stop to slide along and to pivot about, a rod 23 that extends parallel to the rack 8 and the scale carrier 5. Each guide 2! incorporates a lateral slot that is engaged by the tongue 13 of the shift 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Each guide 21 carries a plate 24 having an inclined part to which is fixed a margin stop indicator 25, which can be moved along either of the scales 6 and 7. The plate 24 is between a respective upper and

lower plate

26 and 27 incorporating a

respective finger

28 and 29 that engages the upper and

lower teeth

9 and 10, respectively, of the rack 8. The two

plates

26 and 27 are riveted together and are free to slide as a unit along a longitudinal slot 30 provided in the plate 24, as shown in FIG. 4. The shape of the lower plate 27 is identical to that of the upper plate 26, but it also has a stop 31. A tension spring 32, fixed to this stop, urges the finger 28 to engage the teeth 9, or finger 29 to engage the teeth 10, as will be made clear following.

The horizontal movement of the

plates

26 and 27 is caused by means of a control bar 33 carrying a finger grip 34, there being a respective bar and grip for each margin stop. The control bar 33 incorporates two curved feet 35 that partly encircle the rod 23. The bar can be moved horizontally in the direction of the arrow F (FIG. 4), when the grip 34 is pushed. As the bar 33 moves, it takes with it the two

plates

26 and 27, because the vertical bend 36 of the bar pushes against a shoulder 37 of the plate 26. In order to change the position of a margin stop, it is only necessary to push on the finger grip 34. The set of

plates

26 and 27 which the spring 32 holds in one of the rows ofteeth 9 and 10 of the rack 8 are disengaged from the teeth against the bias of spring 32, so that the freed margin stop can be slid along the rod 23 to the desired position.

Each margin stop incorporates a nose, not shown, that cooperates with a shoulder, likewise not shown, provided on the carriage 1, so that the margin can be fixed by limiting the movement of the carriage. The maximum transverse movement of the latter is fixed by respective left and right end stops 43.

The rack 8 incorporates two elongated slots 38 that are engaged by the respective fixed

pins

14 and 15. Consequently, the rack 8 is free to move longitudinally against the force of a return spring 39 fixed to the wall 17. A claw 40 is pivotally mounted on the right pin IS, the claw end 4] resting against a stop 42 provided in the rear frame of the typewriter.

When the carriage l strikes the left stop 43, the rack 8 shifts slightly to the left, causing the claw 40 to pivot on the right pin 15, since the rack is engaged is the rear frame. This movement interrupts the return of the carriage by a known mechanism, not shown.

The spacing between typed characters is changed simply by moving the shift [2 to the left or right. As a consequence of the inclination of the slots 38, the height of the tongue 13 is lowered or raised. The verti cal movement of the tongue causes the margin stops 3 and 4 to pivot on the rod 23, and to take the lower position, shown in broken line in FIG. 2, when the lower scale 7 is to be used. The margin stop indicators 25 follow this movement, shifting from level A to level B. At the same time, the finger 28 is freed from the upper teeth 9 of the rack 8, and the finger 29 engages the lower teeth 10.

In addition to the margin stop indicators 25, there is provided, in a known manner, a printing point indicator 25' that is fixed to the carriage l and moves along the margin scale carrier 5.

It is apparent that the character spacing shift permits the carriage l to move as a function of the pitch of the

respective teeth

9 and 10 of the rack. It is also apparent that the vertical movement of the margin stops enables the typist to read the two scales at two distinctly different levels, which fact greatly facilitates their being read and eliminates any chance of error.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention admits of changes in form and detail without exceeding the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A margin stop arrangement for typewriter having a type element intended for printing with at least two different spacings between the characters, rack means with at least two different sets of teeth of different pitch, a margin scale carrier graduated with at least two different scales corresponding to the different character spacings, at least one margin stop for cooperating with said sets of teeth, and wherein the improvement comprises that said rack means, has a longitudinal opening, first and second said sets of teeth, each set of a different pitch, being so incorporated in said opening that they face each other; means for vertically moving said margin stop between a first position and a second position, said margin stop in said first position cooper ating with the first set of teeth and in said second position with the second set of teeth; and further wherein the scales of said scale carrier include first and second scales, the graduations of which correspond respectively to the pitches of said first and second sets of teeth, said first and second scales being spaced apart a vertical distance proportional to the vertical spacing between the first and second positions of said margin stop, whereby the vertical movement of said margin stop and the vertical spacing between said first moves said indicator an amount equal to second scales enables the typist to read the latter more easily and without confusion.

2. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said margin stop includes guide means for pivotally mounting the latter free to move between said first and second positions; support means for said guide means for supporting the latter free to pivot and to move laterally, whereby the typist can move said margin stop along said carrier scale and said first and second sets of teeth; and further wherein said means for vertically moving said margin stop includes character 4 spacing shift means for cooperating with said means for causing the latter to pivot under control of the typist.

3. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, further including first and second plates engaging corresponding ones of said first and second sets of teeth, in dependence on whether said margin stop is in said first or second position; and control means for disengaging the engaged one of said first and second plates and moving the latter and said guide means along said first and second sets of teeth for reengaging the desired set of teeth, as determined by the vertical position of said margin stop, at the desired place.

4. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 3, further including means for rigidly fixing the relative position between said first and second plates.

5. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein said first and second plates are of substantially the same size and shape and are superimposed.

6. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said control means includes means for mounting said control means on said support means free to move to engage and disengage alternately said first and second plates in corresponding ones of said first and second sets of teeth and free to move said first and second plates, when both are disengaged, along first and second sets of teeth for reengaging the desired set of teeth.

7. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second sets of teeth are substantially parallel rows, and said support means is a rod that extends substantially parallel to said scale carrier and to said first and second sets of teeth.

8. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 6, further including resilient means for urging one of said first and second plates into the corresponding one of said first and second sets of teeth.

9. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said character spacing shift means includes an elongated plate; and mounting means for holding said plate free to move between positions X and Y, respectively corresponding to said first and second positions of said margin stop.

10. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said positions X and Y lie at least approximately in the plane defined by said plate; and said character spacing shift means includes a pair of spaced slots in said plate and a respective stationary pin on said mounting means engaged in each slot, said pair of slots being inclined whereby when said plate is moved between said positions X and Y it moves a vertical distance sufficient to cause said margin stop to pivot between said first and second positions.

11. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10, wherein said plate and said rack are substantially parallel.

12. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10, further including resilient means for urging said character spacing means to one of said positions X and Y.

13. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of margin stops, and a respective said means for moving each margin stop.

* a: a a:

Claims

1. A margin stop arrangement for typewriter having a type element intended for printing with at least two different spacings between the characters, rack means with at least two different sets of teeth of different pitch, a margin scale carrier graduated with at least two different scales corresponding to the different character spacings, at least one margin stop for cooperating with said sets of teeth, and wherein the improvement comprises that said rack means, has a longitudinal opening, first and second said sets of teeth, each set of a different pitch, being so incorporated in said opening that they face each other; means for vertically moving said margin stop between a first position and a second position, said margin stop in said first position cooperating with the first set of teeth and in said second position with the second set of teeth; and further wherein the scales of said scale carrier include first and second scales, the graduations of which correspond respectively to the pitches of said first and second sets of teeth, said first and second scales being spaced apart a vertical distance proportional to the vertical spacing between the first and second positions of said margin stop, whereby the vertical movement of said margin stop and the vertical spacing between said first moves said indicator an amount equal to second scales enables the typist to read the latter more easily and without confusion.

2. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said margin stop includes guide means for pivotally mounting the latter free to move between said first and second positions; support means for said guide means for supporting the latter free to pivot and to move laterally, whereby the typist can move said margin stop along said carrier scale and said first and second sets of teeth; and further wherein said means for vertically moving said margin stop includes character spacing shift means for cooperating with said means for causing the latter to pivot under control of the typist.