US2273909A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 24, 1942. c. w. SWAN PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiG. 1

CARL W. SWAN ORNEY.

Feb. 24,1942. c. w. SWAN PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 O 0 m8 B 4 W F m 6 m m F m. m 7 n F l 5 m e 9 h w 3 2 l Qv M 9 u 8 m.. m e I \& h 9% M o o o J O 6 6 V 3 Rov B 3 Q m ma w F "w w W W n AW090 m 0v l 30 l %0 OA/luw a JLWO "1 Q I I M 950 0 M H55 LVIDQ% O0. 1 6 M ooip o m .\\\\AQ\\ M W O a W 0 O \J\\\UW7 M O O w 77/ hw I 7. -&w mum H ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 24, 1942 PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Carl W. Swan, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 11].,

Delaware Application May 20,

13 Claims.

This invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to combination printing and perforating apparatus for the concomitant preparation of corresponding printed and perforated records.

An object of the present invention is to provide a telegraphically controlled receiving apparatus capable of producing on a single recording ,medium substantially simultaneously, a printed record and code combinations of perforations representing the printed record.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a signal control tape having transverse rows of signal determining characteristics with permuted combinations of lidded apertures in each row, and a non-signal-determining area in each row comprising invariably a lidded aperture.

An important feature of the invention resides in the facility with which the signal control strip may be utilized with a tape transmitter due to the characteristics of the tape which are incident to its production, i. e., ready determinability of the manner of correctly introducing the strip in the transmitter.

Prior devices of the type according to the present invention have been arranged to cut out the perforations completely at a single movement, thereby producing chads or pieces of waste material which often present diflicult problems of disposal. To avoid the necessity of disposing of this waste material by preventing its formaa corporation of 1939, Serial No. 274,811

lids are slightly in relief on the upper surface as an incident to the punching operation, and for this reason the upper surface of the tape can be readily recognized. In addition to this identifying characteristic is the further feature of providing the hinged portion of the lid on the advancing or leading side of the lidded aperture so that not only the upper side of the tape can be determined, but also its placement in the tape transmitter can readily be made to agree with the directional movement of the tape through the transmitter in accordance with the sequence of the message.

By this method of perforating the tape to produce lidded apertures instead of completely perforating it, tape of this variety is particularly useful in connection with a combination printer-perforator because the characters comprising the printed record may be printed over the lidded apertures and remain fully legible. Moreover, a further advantage resulting from this method of producing lidded apertures in the tape resides in the elimination of the problem of disposition of the waste material. Also, the design of punch blocks and punching structures is greatly simplified.

Essentially, to enable the preparation of signal control tape in accordance with the present invention, the punch block is modified by having a portion of the metal of the die plate surrounding each hole removed, which permits the corresponding edge of the resultant lid to remain untion, the present invention provides a perforating arrangement whereby the perforations are not completely out out, but the chads are permitted to remain attached to the perforated material (for example, tape), the preferred arrangement being such that the punches are utilized to so pierce the material as to leave an uncut portion which serves as a hinge, thus resulting in a hinged lid which will yield to the sensing pins in a telegraph transmitter when the tape is employed for automatic control of signal transmis- A salient advantage of producing a signal control strip having lidded apertures resides in the facility with which its proper insertability in the tape transmitter may be determined. With ordinary perforated tape one must be skilled in reading the code according to which the tape is perforated in order to place the said tape properly and correctly in the transmitting apparatus. This skill is not required in connection with the use of tape prepared according to the present invention. With the tape of this invention the out after operation of the punch. In order that the lid may be freed from the die plate to permit subsequent advancement of the tape by the tape advancing mechanism, a stripper or ejector, guided by the die plate and a bracket mounted thereon and operated by a compression spring, is provided for each punch in the punch block.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing a combination printing and perforating apparatus, wherein printing and perforating is performed on the same tape or strip. In addition to the provision of perforated tape having lidded apertures, whereby the tape material is preserved so that the surface of the tape remains substantially intact, the printed record appears directly over the lidded apertures and is clearly readable. According to the present invention, a combination printing and perforating apparatus is provided wherein both the printing and perforating functions are controlled by a single selecting mechanism and wherein the punch interponents are controlled through the instrumentality of punch controller bell cranks operlidded apertures.

atively associated with the code bars, in such manner that the selection of the punch interponents is controlled by permitting or preventing under the control of the code bars the movement of the controller bell cranks;

A further feature resides in the provision of a dually controlled printing platen whereby the platen is not only shiftable selectively under the control of received signals to print upper and lower case characters, but is also shiftable manually, independently of the case shift mechanism, to render the platen accessible and readily interchangeable.

A more complete understanding of the foregoing objects and features of the invention may be had from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate the same parts throughout, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a keyboard perforator embracing certain features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with certain parts broken away for clarity;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of th punch block;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the die plate according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a strip of printed tape perforated in accordance with the method of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a view of th selector magnet partially deleted from Fig. 3;

'Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing punch elements in operated position; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the signal control strip, produced according to'the present invention, to show a lidded aperture.

Since the disclosure herein set forth is in the nature of an improvement of the printing telegraph receiver disclosed in U. S. Patent 1,745,633, or similar printer mechanisms operative to properly select the various type elements, move the tape forward, move and reverse the inking ribbon (as on a standard typewriter), and shift the platen for figure case characters, only so much of the mechanism of said patent will be hereinafter set forth as is necessary to an understanding of the present invention. Reference may be had to said patent for a full understanding of. the printer mechanism not described hereinafter in detail.

The present invention provides perforating mechanism adapted for association with a printer, the purpose of which is to co-operate with the printing mechanism in such a manner as to perforate a tape so as to provide The printed message corresponding to the perforated record appears on said tape directly over the. hinged lids and remains fully readable. The present invention, of course, is not limited to the type of printer exemplified by the aforementioned patent, but any printer to which the invention is applicable is contemplated.

As disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, the platen ll (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) over which the paper tape passes from right to left is located in the front and central part of the apparatus. However, the platen used in this invention is of different construction, comprising as will hereinafter appeana cylindrical plunger carried in a rectangular block and shiftable in the manner set forth in said patent. Arranged above the platen H is the ribbon feed mechanism indicated generally as [3, the left spool only of which is shown in Fig. 1. The inking ribbon I5 is directed in well-known manner over platen II from one spool to the other; automatic ribbon reversing mechanism also being provided. Type bars l2 are positioned to the rear of the platen and are arranged for striking forwardly and downwardly. Just to the rear of the type bars [2 is a series of notched code bars I6 which in the present instance are substantially semicircular in shape. Actuating bars It for operating the type bars 12 are located immediately in front of the code bars I6, and are adapted to be pulled one at a time into the alignment of notches in the code bars l6 when the notches are selectively aligned for a particular character or function. As indicated in said patent,'the actuating bars l4 are articulated to the type bars l2 through a gear and rack means. The selecting mechanism for selectively operating the code bars [5 is of the sword-and-T type, fully disclosed in said patent. Briefly, this selector mechanism comprises a selecting or receiving electromagnet l1 (Figs. 1, 3 and 9), the armature lever I8 of which comprises a selecting arm I9 having abutments 2| and 22 which co-operate with abutments 23 and 24 of a series of swords 25. The armature lever I8 is responsive under certain conditions to the energization of the magnet 11 (for example, upon receipt of marking or current impulses) and under other conditions to the pull of a spring 26 (for example, upon the receipt of no current or spacing impulses), the tension of spring 26 being adjustable by means of screw 21. The swords 25, of which there is a plurality corresponding in number to the series of code bars l6, are brought into operative engagement with the selector arm I9 by their individual operating levers 28 pivoted on a common pivot rod 29. Swords 25 are pivotally articulated by a socket connection to their individual levers 28. Each of the levers 28 is provided with an arm 3| and is normally biased in a clockwise direction about the pivot 29 by a spring 32. Arms 3| co-operate with a series of helically arranged projections 33 on a selector cam drum 34, which is frictionally driven by a main operating shaft 35 located in a perpendicular position at th rear and to the right of the code bars IS. The main operating shaft 35 is driven continuously by a motor 36 through a pinion 37, secured to the motor shaft 38, which pinion meshes with a gear (not shown) operatively associated with shaft 35.

As fully described in the aforementioned patent, the cam drum 34 is initiated into rotation upon receipt of a starting impulse which causes in Fig. 5 of U. S. Patent No. 1,884,743 to release, through a lever arrangement, a stop arm (not shown) to initiate rotation of cam 34.

The speed of rotation of selector cam drum 34 2,27s,9o9 i I 3 is synchronized with the speed of code impulsing so that as the armature lever I8 is operated in response to received impulses, a cam 33 acts upon its associated lever 28 to rock it counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 3) to bring its sword 25 against selector arm I9. Sword 25 will be swung clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether abutments 2| and 23 or 22 and 24 co-operate; for example, if abutments 2| and 23 co-operate, then the sword 25 will be swung in a counterclockwise direction and will assume the position shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, if abutments 22 and 24 co-operate, then sword 25 will be swung in a clockwise direction to assume the opposite position. After the sword 25 has been set in accordance with the nature of the signal impulse and the cam 33 passes out of operative engagement with arm 3|, the lever 28 will be actuated in a clockwise direction by its spring 32. carrying its associated sword 25 along with it to impinge the sword 25 against arm 43 or 44 of a T-lever 45 pivoted at 46, thus rocking the T-lever 45 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Each of the T-levers 45 is pivotally articulated to a code bar I6 so that when a T-lever 45 is actuated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, its associated code bar is actuated leftwardly or rightwardly, respectively, on studs 41 and 48. Accordingly, with the selecting mechanism just described, the code bars I6 are set 'selectivelyin their rightward or leftward positions in response to the impulses of a code signal.

As described in Patent 1,745,633, the setting of the code bars I6'is maintained during the printing operation by a detent or locking means. Accordingly, a locking bar 49 is-provided which cooperates with beveled notches on code bars I6. Bar 49 is pivotally mounted and is moved into and out of engagement with the code bars l6 as the striker bar or operating bail 52 is raised and lowered. The bail 52 is operated by a cam '(not shown) on the main shaft 35, in a manner described in Patent 1,745,633. .When the bail 52 is in its lowermost position, it co-operates with the beveled edges 53 of the bars l4 and 49 to hold such bars out of engagement with the code bars I6 so that the code bars I6 may be readily shifted in accordance with the operation of the selector mechanism. When the bail 52 is operated upwardly to perform a printing operation, the bars I4 and 49, due to the beveled edge 53, are permitted gradually to be actuated toward the code bars I6 by their individual springs 54. The ac-' tuating bars I4 are provided with a hook portion 55 which co- -operates with the bail 52, which in its upward movement engages said book 55 to lift the actuating bar I4, which through the rack and pinion engagement with the type bar causes the type bar to rotate about its pivot to bring the type face downwardly to impinge upon the platen II. The locking bar 49 is not provided with a hook portion 55. Its function is merely to rock on its pivot toward and away from the c de bars I6 under the control of the bail 52 to lock the code bars I6 in their set position during the printing operation.

According to the present invention the locking bar 49, while held in its position away from the code bars I6 when the bail 52 is in its lowermcst position, co-operates with a series of bell cranks 56 (Fig. 3) to hold said bell cranks in counterclockwise position. Bell cranks 56 are provided with shouldered portions 51 through the instrumentality of which the bell cranks 56 are permitted or prevented by code bars I6 from rotating to their clockwise position. That is, if 6 any one of the code bars I6 is set in the position indicated in Fig. 3, and the locking bar 49 is permitted to enter the V notch, the bell crank 56 associated therewith is blocked through the impingement of shoulder 51 upon the end of the associated code bar I6. On the other hand, if a code bar I6 assumes its leftward position, the bell crank 56 associated therewith would not be blocked, but would rotate clockwise in response to spring tension hereinafter indicated and follow the movement of the locking bar 49. As viewed in Fig. 1 it is observed that there is provided a bell crank 56 for each of the code bars I6.

Co-operating with each of the bell cranks 56 is a vertical lever 58 pivoted on a common stud 59. The upper end of each of the levers 58 cooperates with an arm of its associated bell crank 56. The lower ends of levers 58 co-operate with a corresponding series of bell cranks 6| pivotally carried on a common shaft 62. Levers 58 and 6| are pivotally mounted on a bracket 63 secured to base plate 64. The series of bell crank levers 6| co-operates with a corresponding series of bell crank levers 65, pivotally supported on a pivot stud 66 secured to the bracket 63. The bell crank levers 65 are normally urged in a clockwise direction by individual springs 61. The springs 61 associated with the bell crank levers 65 also serve to impart, through their co-operative relationship, rotational movement to levers 6|, 58, and 56. The depending arms of hell cranklevers 65 are provided with enlarged portions which fit into corresponding notches in a series of interponents 68 (Fig. 4) whereby the bell' crank levers 65 are pivotally articulated to the interponents 68. Interponents 68 are slidably arranged in a cradle 69 pivoted at II to the bracket 63, and are provided near the left-hand upper edge with a cutaway portion I2 adapted to clear associated punches I3 when said interponents are in a certain operative position. Interponents 68 terminate at the left ends thereof with an enlarged portion I4 whereby they are adapted to co-operate with the punches I3 when the interponents 68 are operated to their rightward position, as viewed in Fig. 4. Cradle 69 is provided with a projection I6 adapted to cooperate with a feed hole punch (not shown) to invariably perforate a tapefeed hole in the tape I24 for each operation of the perforating mechanism. When the bell crank levers 56 are held in their counterclockwise position shown in Fig. 3, the interponents 68 assume their rightward or marking position. Conversely, when the bell crank levers 56 assume their clockwise position, interponents 68 assume their leftward or spacing position, as shown in Fig. 4.

Cradle 69 is provided with an arm 15 projecting upwardly, to the extremity of which is pivotally connected an extensible link indicated generally as I6; one end of link I6 bein ivoted at 11 to arm I5 and the other end of link I6 being pivotally connected at I8 to a perforator operating lever I9. In the present form of the invention, the link I6 comprises one part 6| pivoted at 11 to arm 15 and a part 82 pivoted at I8 to the operating lever 19. Parts 8| and 82 are slidably connected and adjustably mounted on clamp screws 83 and 84 disposed in slots 85 and 86 in part 82 Portion 82 of link I6 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 81 and 88, the portion 8| being provided with a single lug 89 adapted to be ed by loosening the clamp screws 83 and 84 and inserting a screwdriver or similar instrument between lugs 81 and 89 or 88 and 89, depending upon whether link 1615 to be lengthened or shortened, and twisting said instrument until the proper length is attained, 'whereafter the clamp screws are tightened.

The operating lever 19 is pivotally mounted on a pivot rod 9| supported in' arms 92 and 93 of bracket 63. As'viewed in Fig. 3, the operating lever I9 is provided with an extension 94, at the extremity of whichis mounted acam follower roller 95 which co-operates with the operating cam 96 carried on the main operating shaft 35. A spring 90 acts upon lever 19 to hold cam roller 95 against the periphery of cam 96.

Supported in the bracket 63 is a punch block indicated generally as 91 in which is carried a series of punch elements I3. Each of the punches I3 is provided with an enlarged section IOI, the upper edge of which co-operates with a stripper member I02 and the lower edge of which co-operates with a backstop plate I03. Stripper memtions free of the die plate I05. As shown in the enlarged sectional view, Fig. 5, the punch I3 is .shown fitted into a guide plate 98 with its upper face disposed slightly below the upper surface of said guide plate. Disposed above the guide plate 98 is the die plate I05, shown in plan view in Fig. 6. The die plate I05 is so sheared along edge I06 as to remove a portion of the metal surrounding each of the holes I01 and l08; hole I01 being representative of the code punch holes and hole I08 representing the feedpunch hole. When the die plate I05 is arranged above the die plate 98, as shown in Fig. 5, the punches 13, when operated upwardly into co-operation with the die plate I05 (as indicated in Fig. 10) will cut away only a portion of the tape material, leaving a small hinge portion H0 at the left side of the punch uncut (as viewed in Fig. thus forcing the partially perforated lid, formed by each punch, upwardly into the die plate holes. During the punching operation, a slight tearing or shearing occurs at the point I (Figs. 7 and 11) of the hinge IIO (Fig. 10), as well as a very slight stretching of the' tape material. To eject the hinged lid thus formed from the die plate I05, a stripper member I09 is provided to co-operate with each punch I3. Strippers or ejectors I09 are arranged to be u ded at their lower ends by the die plate I05 and at their upper ends by a Z shaped bracket III attached to the plate I05, and a compression spring H2 is provided for each ejector I09 to urge the ejectors I09 downwardly. The ejectors I09 when in their downward position are adapted to extend slightly below the die plates I05 so as to insure the ejection of the hinged lid produced in the material or tape worked upon. After ejection in this manner the hinged lids are slightly in relief, as a result of which the upper surface of the tape may be readily determined.

It is understood, that the resultant position of the lid I with respect to the strip I24 is de- .pendent upon the properties of the material of which the strip is composed, as well as the thickness thereof. For example, in a paper strip, the lid I25 take the form or position substantially as shown in Fig. 11, due to the inherent characteristics of the paper, such as thinness and resilience. As the quality of the material worked upon tends toward softness, the lids I25 assume a position in relief, substantially as shown in Fig.

8, wherein the plane of the lid I25 would tend .which is provided with a series of spaced feed pins or projections II4 adapted to co-operate with the lidded feed holes formed by the feed punch and die plate. The feed roll H3 is provided with a series of toothed grooves I I5 which cooperate with a tape feed pawl II6 pivotally carried on the cradle 69 in well-known manner. Fixed to the shaft to which the feed roller I I3 is secured is a star wheel I" (Fig. 1) which co-operates with a detent member II8, pivoted at II9 to the bracket 63, having a spring I2I which urges the detent roller into engagement with the star wheel 1. Fixed to the star wheel III is a thumb portion I22, whereby the feed roller II5 may be rotated manually 'either clockwise or counterclockwise. Therefore, to perform a backspacing operation, the thumb portion I 22 i rotated clockwise so as to move the tape rightwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5. In order that the perforated tape may be readily moved rightwardly for a backspacing operation, each of the ejector members I09 is provided with a wing portion I23 having an inclined lower edge, so that as the tape is moved rightwardly, any of the hinged lids which may be projecting upwardly at an angle will be cammed downwardly by the wing portion I23 so as to clear the die plate I05.

In Figs. 7, 8, and 11 is illustrated a portion of the tape printed and/or perforated in accordance with the present invention. The tape I24 is perforated in such a manner that the lids I25 are not completely severed but are hinged or attached at their left sides to the tape material so that when the tape is introduced into a tape transmitter, the sensing pins will force the lids I25 upwardly 'and the pins will protrude through the opening provided therefor. As shown in Fig. 7, the printing appears directly over the hinged lids as if the tape had not been perforated and is readily legible. In the specific embodiment of the invention herein shown, the perforated code combination is six steps in advance of the corresponding printed character. That is, the code combination represented by the transverse row I26, Fig. 7, corresponds to the letter 62" in the word quick? Of course, it is understood that if a wider tape is provided, the characters printed can be printed adjacent to the transverse row of code combinations of perforations correspondin thereto. It is conceivable that tape having prepunched feed holes would be desirable under certain conditions. In this event, the feed hole I50 (Fig. 7) would be indicated as fully perforated instead of being provided with a hinged lid.

As indicated in Fig. 1 each type bar I2 is provided with two type faces, thus necessitating a case shift mechanism, which comprises means for shifting theplaten II As shown in Fig. 4 the platen II is illustrated as consisting of a cylinder capped with a hard rubber (or other suitable) printing surface. Platen II is removably held in a block 99 slidably mounted on aaraooo also fixed to said shaft. Block 99 is slidable rearwardly on shaft I09, through the instrumentality of an arm I36 fixed thereto, against the action of spring I28, to bring the platen II from beneath the tape and inking ribbon, so that said platen thereby becomes accessible for ready removability and interchangeability. The platen I I is also shiftable under the control of received code signals through the medium of shift actuating bar I14 and unshift actuating bar I15. Platen II is shown in Fig. 3 in its unshift or letters" position. To shift the platen II to flgures" position, the actuating bar I14 is selected, which when picked up by the bail 52 is raised to rock lever I16 about its pivot I11 to lower its end I18 to effect the disengagement thereof from shift arm I29, whereupon spring I19 compressed between bracket I21 and arm I29 causes shaft I60 to be moved forwardly until collar I26 thereon strikes against bracket 63. Since the relationbetween shift arm I29 and block 99 is unchanged, due to the compressive action of spring I28, block 99 is shifted with the shaft I66 to bring platen II into the shift or flgures" position. To return platen II to the letters or imshift position (shown in Fig. 3)

the actuating bar I is selected, which when raised by ball 52 rocks lever I8I about pivot I82, and in turn rocks member I93 about its pivot I94 to actuate shift arm I29 rearwardly until arm I29 is again latched by end I18 of lever I16. It is manifest that platen II is shiftable under two operating conditions, one selectively in response to received code signals to shift or unshift position, and the other manually through the instrumentality of arm I30 to render the platen II accessible and interchangeable.

GENERAL Ornaa'rron In the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention, the motor 36 is considered to be running continuously, and thus rotates the main operating shaft 35. Carried on the main operating shaft are sleeve members rotatably associated therewith through clutch members as disclosed in Patent 1,745,633, which sleeves are normally held against rotation. The selector magnet I1 is normally energized so that upon-the receipt of a start impulse of spacing nature, the magnet I1 is de-energized and its armature lever I9 is released under the tension of spring 26 whereby the stud 4I thereon urges the plunger 42 leftwardly to release through a series of levers (not shown) the sleeve members on the shaft 45 for rotation in timed relation to each other. As indicated in the Patent 1,745,633, the cam drum selector 34 is released for rotation so that the cam projections 33 thereon operate levers 28 in such a manner that through the cooperation of selector arm I9 therewith the swords 25 are caused to abut said arm I9 and are actuated to one or the other of their selective positions. The operative relationship of the abutments on the swords 45 and selector lever l9 are determinative of thepositions of said swords to operate the T-levers 45 to one or the other of their operative positions, the T-levers in turn actuating the code bars I6 to their rightward or leftward position in accordance with the received code combination.

In timed relation with the rotation of cam drum 34, the sleeve carrying the cam (not shown) for performing the several functions of the printer and the operating cam 96 is iniof slots or notches in the code bars I6 and thus traveling or rotating farther so as to bring its hook portion 55 into the path of the bail 52, so

that the bail 52 in its upward movement, picks up the hook portion 55 and raises the selected actuating bar to effect rotation of the type bar I2 associated therewith through its rack and pinion connection. The type pallet on the type bar I2 is therefore caused to impinge upon the platen II to print a character on the tape interposed therebetween.

Simultaneously with the actuation of the type bar for printing a character through the operation of the actuating bar I4 by ball 52, the looking bar 49 is permitted to respond to the pull of its spring 54 so that the upper edge of the locking bar 49 moves into the V notches 5| in the code bars I6. In so doing, the levers 56 are permitted to follow this movement of the locking bar 49 in response to the action of spring 61 (Fig. 1). However, when any one of the code bars I6 is in its rightward position, the shoulder 51 of lever 56 will strike against said code bar and the corresponding bell crank lever 56 will be blocked against movement. Therefore, the levers 58, bell crank levers 6I and 65, and interponents 68 associated therewith will have no motion or movement imparted thereto and will assume the position opposite to that shown in Fig. 4, that is, with the portion 14 of interponent 68 in register with the punch 13. However, when any one of the code bars I6 is in its leftward position, the shoulder 51 of lever 56 will not be blocked by its associated code bar I6 and will be permitted to rotate in a clockwise direction under the action of spring 61 through the interconnected levers 55, H, and 58. This movement will cause the interponent 68 (Fig. 4) associated therewith to be actuated leftwardly to bring the portion 14 of the interponent 69 out of register or alignment with the punch 13. In proper timed relation with these operations, the cam 96 for operating the perforator will actuate the perforating lever 19 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 4, so that, through the link 16, the cradle 69 will be rocked clockwise to bring all of the interponents 69, which have not been moved, into engagement with their respective punches 13, thus urging said punches upwardly through the tape. As the cradle 69 is permitted to rock backward to its counterclockwise position, the stripper plate I04 acts to withdraw the punches 13, and the ejectors I09 act to expel the hinged lids from the die plate III5. Thus, there is produced with the presentinvention a printed and perforated tape, as shown in Fig. '7.

Modification The present invention is applicable to a keyboard perforator such as is indicated in Fig. 2. The keyboard perforating device illustrated is of the type shown in U'. S. Patent 1,965,572, and Fig. 2 corresponds to Fig. 4 of said patent. Although Fig. 2 illustrates also a transmitting mechanism in combination with the perforating mechanism, it is understood that the transmitting mechanism may be omitted, thereby providmechanism is magnetically operated.

ing only a keyboard perforator. The perforator indicated in Fig. 2 is of the electromagnetically operated type, as distinguished from the mechanically operated type shown in Fig. 1. For a fuller.understanding of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, reference may be had to said Patent 1,965,572. Q

Briefly, the keyboard apparatus as shown in Fig. 2 comprises a housing I3I with which is associated a perforator mechanism indicated generally as I32,'and a transmitter mechanism indicated generally as I 33. Supported in said housing on bearings I34 and I35 is a key lever pivot rod I36, on which are pivotally supported at their rear extremities key levers I31, which at their forward ends are provided with keytops I40, as indicated in Fig. 1. Arranged below the key levers I31 and disposed transversely thereof are a plurality of pairs of code bars I38. Each pair of code bars I38 is supported at each end on a T-shaped lever I39. Each horizontal arm of the T-lever I39 is provided with 3, lug I4I, the lugs I of each T-lever I39 being oppositely directed so that each lug I4I supports a code bar of each pair. The bars of each pair of code bars I38 are complementary; that is to say, each bar is coded oppositely to its companion so that the high portions of one bar are opposite the low portions I43 of its companion bar. The connection between the code bars I38 of each pair is such that the simultaneous depression of more than one key lever is prevented. If an attempt is made to operate simultaneously more than one key lever, the key levers can only be depressed part way when they will be blocked by the high portions of the code bars I38. Connected to the depending portions of'each of the rocker arms or T- levers I39 is a longitudinally movable permutation bar I44.

The perforator disclosed in Fig. 2 comprises a punch block, constructed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5h The distinguishing feature between the punch mechanism, shown in Fig. 2 and that shown in the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. '1 is that in the former the punch The punches I45 (Fig. 2) are selectively operated by an actuating member or hammer I46 through the instrumentality of interponents I41. Operatively associated with each of the punch interponents I41 is a pivoted member I48 which is connected to the permutation bars I44 by means of a link I49. Thus, upon the permuted setting of the permutation bars I44, the punch interponents I41 will be set correspondingly through the movement of the link I49 and the pivoted arm I48 associated therewith.

' The hammer I46 rocks about its pivot and forms the armature of an electromagnet I5I. The interponents I41 are moved back and forth along the face of the hammer I46, and, depending upon their selected position, the associated punch'I45 will be operated. In addition to the several pairs of code bars I38, there is provided an additional bar (not shown) which is operated by the key levers I31 invariably, to cause through its associated permutation bar I44, link I49 and a lever I48, the closure of a contact I52, which is connected in the operating circuit for the electromagnet I5I. Upon each setting of the permutation bars I44, the electromagnet I5I is energized, and the punch hammer I 46 will be rocked clockwise to form a transverse row of perforations in the tape I 53 corresponding to the per- T-levers I39 are rockable about pivots I42.

muted setting of the punch interponents I41. Also, for each operation of the punch hammer I46 and the punches I45, a row of feed holes, adapted to be engaged by the pin teeth of a feed wheel I54, is perforated in the tape. The feed wheel I54 is mounted on a shaft to which there is also secured a ratchet wheel I55 which is adapted to be engaged by the pawl I56 secured tothe end of the punch hammer I46. The spring I51 secured to the pawl I56 serves to restore the pawl and the hammer I46 to their normal or unaetuated position upon the de-energization of the electromagnet I5I. When the electromagnet I5I is energized in response to the closure of contact I52 connected in its energizing circuit, the pawl I56 will be moved vertically against the tension of spring I51 to cause its operating portion to engage the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet wheel I55. Upon the de-energization of the electromagnet I5I, the spring I51 is effective to cause the pawl I56 to move downwardly and thus effect the rotation of the ratchet wheel I55, and the corresponding rotation of the feed wheel I54 to advance the tape I53 to bring an unperforated area thereof in alignment with the punches I45.

The form of the invention in either Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 may have associated therewith a transmitting mechanism I33, in which event the permutation bars I 44 are each provided with a forked member I58 (Fig. 2). Articulated to member I58 is a depending arm of a locking latch I 59 pivoted on a common shaft I6I. In this manner, locking latches I59 are articulated to the permutation bars I44 and are adapted to be rocked about pivot shaft I6I to either of two positions. corresponding series of contact levers I62 for making and breaking individual contacts I63. Contact levers I62 co-operate with individual contact cams on cam drum I64 mounted on the transmitting shaft I65, which is provided with a clutch mechanism I66 (Fig. 1) controlled by a trip member I61, as set forth in U. S.Patent 1,965,572. The latter patent discloses the cam drum assembly I64 and reference may be had to such patent for further details thereon. Trip member i 61 co-operates with a T-lever I68 pivoted to bracket I69 and is co-operable with a universal bail "I (Fig. 2) in the manner disclosed in Patent 1,965,572.

In the operation of the transmitting unit, the depression of a key lever I31 moves the bars I38 permutably in accordance with a predetermined code combination, the setting of which, through permutation bars I44, determines the positions of the locking latches I59- The rotation of cam drum I64 is initiated substantially simultaneously with the setting of the locking latches I59 through the instrumentality of trip member I61 which releases the clutch I66 for rotation, and a locking loop I12, controlled by a cam I13 carried on the cam assembly I64, is permitted to rotated in counterclockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 2) to lock the latches I59 in their selected positions. The setting of latches I59 determines whether the contact levers I62 shall or shall not respond to their associated cams on cam drums I64 totransmit, through contact I63, over a signal line to the receiving station, a predetermined code combination of signaling impulses. Incidentally, as is the usual practice, the receiving magnet I1 (Fig. 1) is included in the line circuit so that the printer of the home receiver will operate in response Associated with latches I59 is a to the transmitted signals. The respective notches in the cams on cam drum I64 are arranged in a helical progression so that upon the rotation of the cam assembly I64, the contacts I63 controlled by levers I62 will be operated successively. The apparatus herein disclosed is operated in accordance with an equal length letter code, in which each code combination is a permutation of marking and spacing conditions and is preceded by a start impulse and followed by a stop impulse according to the familiar startstop system.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is of course understood that such disclosure is merely illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims'to determine the scope of the invention, and all variations coming within the range of equivalency of the appended claims are deemed'to be embraced within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal control strip, transverse rows of signal determining characteristics, each row including a variable number of partially severed lids struck in said strip, whereby said lids are integrally attached thereto to preserve the contiguity of said strip, and a strip feeding instrumentality in each row intermediate certain .of the partially severed lids.

2. In a signal control strip, transverse rows of signal determining areas, each row including a variable number of partially severed lids struck in said strip, whereby said lids are integrally attached thereto to preserve the contiguity of said strip, and a track area in each row. comprising invariably an instrumentality having strip feeding characteristics.

3. A telegraphic record comprising a tape composed of areas of yielding nature consisting of partially severed lids of sensing-unit dimension struck from said tape, said lids being integrally attached thereto to preserve the contiguity of said strip, and other areas of sensing-unit dimension of unyielding nature, said areas arranged in code manner.

4. A signal storage device comprising a flexible strip having signal combinations including partially severed lids struck from said strip, said lids being integrally attached thereto to preserve the contiguity of said strip, whereby a message material corresponding to said signal combinations can be legibly superimposed upon said signal combinations.

5. A signal storage device comprising a flexible strip having integral lid members punched therefrom to provide code combinations including one or more lidded apertures, said lid members overlying said apertures, whereby a message material corresponding to said code combinations can be legibly superimposed upon said strip in the code signal area.

6. A signal storage device comprising a flexible strip having printed message material running with said strip, and having integral tab-like members punched from printed and unprinted areas to provide code signal combinations, each combination including one or more code perforations and a feed perforation, said tab-like members overlying said perforations and preserving substantially the continuity of the surface of said strip.

7. A signal storage device comprising a flexible strip having printed message material running with said strip, and having integral tab-like members punched from printed and unprinted areas in alignments transversely of said strip to provide code signal combinations, each combination including one i or more perforations, said tab like members overlying said perforations and preserving substantially the continuity and legibility of said printed message material.

8. A message record and signal transmission controlling medium for printing telegraph apparatus comprising a paper tape having message material printed thereon according to code combinations of telegraph signals and having integral tab-like members punched from printed and unprinted areas of said tape to provide code signal combinations corresponding to said message material, each combination including at least one perforation, said tab-like members overlying their individual perforations and preserving substantially the continuity of said printed material and the surface of said tape.

9. A record comprising a web affording printing space coextensive with its surface area, and sub-areas of said web weakened to yield locally to transverse sensings comprising scalloped incisions disposed in accordance with predetermined code alignment and having integral portions foremost in the direction of movement of said web.

10. A message record and signal transmission controlling medium for printing telegraph apparatus comprising a paper tape having message material printed thereon according to code combinations of telegraph signals and having lidded apertures formed from printed and unprinted areas of said tape to provide code signal combinations corresponding to said message material, each combination including at least one lidded aperture, said lids overlying their individual apertures and preserving substantially the continuity of said printedmaterial and the surface of said tape.

11. In a signal control strip having rows of signal determining characteristics therein, and permuted combinations of said characteristics including at least one lidded aperture in each row,

whereby printed message material corresponding to said permuted combinations can be legibly superimposed upon the lids of said apertures.

12. A signal storage device comprising a flexible strip having printed message material running with said strip, and having lidded apertures formed from printed and unprinted areas in alignments transversely of said strip to provide code signal combinations, each combination including at least one lidded aperture, said lids overlying said apertures and preserving substantially the continuity and legibility of said printed

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