US2087409A - Key lever adjusting mechanism - Google Patents

Description

JulyV 20, 1937. l

J. F. KocA 2,087,409

KEY LEVER ADJUSTING MECHANISM Original Filed March 2, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 20, 1937. J. F. KQCA 2,087,409

. KEY LEVER ADJUSTING MECHANISM Original Filed March 2, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented july 20, 1937 UNITED STATES KEY LEVER ADJUSTING MECHANISM `laines F. Koca, Woodstoclnllll., assigner to Woodstock Typewriter Company, Woodstock, Ell., a

corporation of Illinois 6 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriters in general, and specically to means for regulating typewriter keys.

This application is a division of applicants copending application, Serial No. 659,335, filed March 2, 1933.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means of a novel character for regulating the stroke of the typewriter key.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for regulating the movement or the length of stroke of the key levers of electrically operated typewriters.

A still further object is to provide simple and eiiicient means to adjustably regulate the movement of the stroke of the key levers.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail transverse sectional view of a, typewriter showing means for regulating the movement of the key levers.

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of some of the regulating mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan section oi the members shown in Fig. 2 on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of several of the parts shown in Figs. l to 3.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification of the means for varying the depression of the key lever stroke.'

Fig. 6 is. a detail plan section on the line t-S of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a detail perspective View of several of the parts comprising the depression stroke regulating means which are shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

ne particular typewriter herein shown by way of illustration is a Woodstock typewriter and comprises a frame lil upon which key levers ll are arranged in the usual manner. The key levers l l have theirrear ends operatively supported by a transverse rod (not shown) which is removably supported in the sub-frame of the typewriter. Type bar actuators are controlled by the key levers II and operate the type bars l2 through the intermediary of sub-levers (not shown).

In electric typewriters, that is, in typewriters having type bars which are electrically actuated, the depression of the key lever to cause the rotating drive shaft to operate the type bars upon depression of a key lever, is relatively small or (Cl. IS7- 22) short. However, operators who are used to the conventional type of machine where a long stroke is used, find it inconvenient, if not awkward, to become familiar with the new stroke. Also, operators oi diiierent speed require a different key lever stroke. Therefore, if the stroke of the key levers can be adjusted, the operators can quickly acclimate themselves to using electric typewriters. Also, the depression of the typewriter key lever can be adjusted to meet the demands of various operators having various strokes and speeds.

The means provided for changing or varying the distance the key levers travel vertically upon the depression of a key lever key comprises a longitudinal strip t3 made of any desirable material, but preferably sound deadening material, such as ber. The strip i3 is provided with diagonal slots Iii which engage pins l5 projecting forwardly from a Jflange it of an angle member il. The strip i3 is positioned between the flange it on the angle member ll and a flange I8 on a supporting member I9 which is fixed to the main frame of the typewriter. The upper ilange 29 of the member il abuts the underside of a flange 2i of the member i9. Screws 22 pass through elongated slots 23 in the member ll and threadedly engage the threaded holes 2i! as indicated at 25, Fig. 1. The member Il is adapted for lateral slidable movement relative to the member E9. The member Il is provided with a turned ear 2t, Fig. 4 having a threaded opening 2l to receive the threaded end 28 of a thumb screw 29. The thumb screw 29 is revolubly mounted in the frame it as indicated at 39, Fig. 3, Pins Si project inwardly from the inner face of the flange i8 of the support i9 and act as a guide for the strip i3. Upon rotation of the thumb screw 29, the angle member il can be moved tothe right or left, and due to the pin and slot connection between the strip I3 and the member i l, the strip i3 will be caused to raise or lower depending upon the direction the screw 29 is rotated. The key levers Il which rest upon the usual bottom rest, will then be located in vertical movement between the bottom rest and the bottom edge 32 of the strip i3. As the bottom rest is xed, the key levers ll will be limited in their vertical movement or travel by raising or lowering the strip i3, it being understood, of course, that the key levers H are normally spring-urged and as this spring-urging construction is well known in the art, no description thereof will be made herein. In accordance with the construction just described, the operator or typist, by merely op- Y fastened together in any suitable. manner, such Y as by the screws 52.

erating a thumb screw 29, may thus regulate or adjust the vertical movement of the type lever to suit his or her individual desire. Y Y

In Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive there is shown a modified arrangementrof the parts for performtical slots 44 formed in the front Vflange 45 of Y a supporting member 46. The member 43 and the strip 40 are arranged between the front flange 45 and the rear ilange 4i of the supporting member 46. The supporting member 46 is xed to the flange l while the member 43'L is adapted to have free lateral slidable movement relative to the supporting member.

'Ihe member 43 is provided with an inturned end 48 which is adapted to receive the threaded end 49 of a thumbscrew 50. The thumb screw 50 has free revoluble movement relative to the frame I0 and is provided with a thumb piece 5I for rotating the screw. During rotative move- .ment of the screw 50, the member 43 will be moved laterally and due to the slot and pin connection between the member 43 and the strip 49, the strip 4U will be forced to travel or be moved vertically, the slots 44 acting as guides for the strip 40.

. The two parts, including the member 45, are

From the construction just described and clearly shown in Figs. to 'I inclusive, it can be readily seen that vertical movement of the key levers llis restricted.

The invention provides improved eflicient means of relatively simple construction for positively varying or regulating the vertical movement or the Idepression of theY key levers, there- V'fore permitting the operator or typist to adjust or supporting rest for the levers to limit ythe downward movement of the levers, an upper rigid member above the levers, a sound deadening strip carried by the rigid member, means for shifting the rigid member laterally, and means associated with the rigid member and the strip for moving Vthe strip vertically during lateral movement of the rigid member.

2. In a typewriter having a frame, pivotally mounted key levers having vertical movement, a supporting rest'for the levers to limit the downward movement of the levers, an upper rigid member above the levers, a sound .deadening strip carried by the rigid member, a revolubly mounted member threadedly engaging the rigid member for moving the rigid member horizontally and a slot and pin connection between the rigid member and strip to move the strip vertically during horizontal movement of the rigid member,

3. In a typewriter having pivotally mounted key levers and a bottom rest for said key levers, a longitudinal bar above said key levers having its underside forming a stop for engagement i with said key levers to vlimit the vertical movement of said key levers, and laterally v slidable means engageable with said stop for moving said stop vertically. y

4. In a typewriter having pivotally mounted key levers and a bottom rest for said key levers, a longitudinal bar above said key levers having its underside forming a stop for engagement with i said key levers to limit the vertical movement of said key levers, laterally slidable means engageable with said stop for moving said stopV vertically, and a thumb nut for shifting said means laterally.

5. A typewriter having a frame, key levers for said typewriter, spaced upper and lower stop elements above and below respectively of the key levers to limit the vertical movement of the key levers, a member adapted to be moved laterally and operatively connected to said upper stop element, and rotative means for moving said last named member laterally, Vlateral movement of said last named member causing vertical movement of the upper stopelement.

6..In a typewriter having pivotally mounted` keylevers, an elongated bar engageable with the key levers for limiting the movement thereof,

means including a plurality of pin and slot connections for bodily displacing said bar to uniformly vary the position of the bar with respect to the key levers, and a single control member for controlling said means.

Y JAMES F. KOCA.

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