US2145479A - Telegraph printer - Google Patents

Description

. 31, 1.939. V. K GUNDLFINGER 2,145,479

' TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed July 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l @ma zew a $811.31, 1839. K. GUNDLFINGER 7 2,145,479

TELEGRAPH PRINTER Filed July 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A T TORNE YS.

Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT orr'lclz TELEGRAPH PRINTER Application July 3, 1937, Serial No. 151,860 In Germany January 1, 1936 10 Claims.

The invention relates to teleprinters which can both receive and transmit current impulse code telegraph signals and print the de-coded signals.

It is well known that if each signal is made up of five current impulses, only 32 difierent telegraph signals can be formed. The number of characters (letters, numerals and signs) of which a message can be made up is, however, greater than 32 and it is therefore usual for a particular telegraph signal to correspond to more than one character, for example, to a letter and also to a numeral or a sign and for selection of the desired character to be made therefrom by the transmission of a shift signal. It is usual for teleprinters using a current impulse code of this kind to have a number of type carriers which is just equal to the number of telegraph signals provided by the code inquestion, each type carrier carrying two types, namely a letter and a numeral or a sign.

The keyboard keys-can then correspond in numher to the number of signals, each having represented on it the two characters corresponding to the signal which is transmitted when the key is depressed. The international standardization of 5 teleprinter keyboards prescribes, however, a

four-bank keyboard similar to the ordinary typewriter keyboard comprising two keys for certain signals, one being a letter key and the other a numeral or sign key. Both keys when depressed cause, however, the same telegraph signal to be transmitted. The number of keys provided for the transmission of character signals does not therefore correspond to the number of type carriers which can be actuated by the received telegraph signals.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically an example of a layout of the type in an instrument in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 2 illustrates diagrammatically the connections between the keyboardof the instrument and the signal receiving and transmitting devices.

In the arrangement shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the keyboard TF has four rows each of 10 keys T. The order numbers of these keys reading from left to right are given in the space 0N while their impulse train numbers in-the standard international telegraph code are given in the space SN. It will be seen that the keys 1 and Q, for example, cause the transmission of the same impulse train, viz., No. 17; the keys 2 and W the impulse train No. 23; the keys 3 and E the impulse train No. 5; the keys 4 and R the impulse train No. 18; the keys 5 and T the impulse train No; 20; the keys 6 and Y the impulse train No. 25; and so on.

The dots in'the space S indicate diagrammati- 5 cally which'of the keys act upon the transmitter for sending out telegraph signals. This is the case for all keys in the known teleprinters.

The dots in the space E indicate which of the type carriers TT can be actuated by the signal 10 receiver. The type carriers TT shown crosshatched may for the present be considered as non-existent. It may also be assumed for the present that there is no mechanical connection between the keys T and the type carriers TT and 15.

that the type carriers are acted upon simply by the signal receiving devices indicated by the dots in the space E. It will be seen that most of the type carriers have two types, viz. one belonging to the letter group TB and one to the numerals 20 and signs group T2. The types 1 and Q, 2 and W, 3 and E, 4 and R, 5 and T, 6 and Y and so on are arranged on one type carrier although two keys are provided in the keyboard for the transmission of the corresponding telegraph signals. 25

When using the standard international keyboard, difficulties are experienced in cases where the type carriers are arranged for actuation not only by the telegraph signals through the electrically controlled receiving devices, but also 'di- 30 rectly and mechanically in the manner in which ordinary typewriter keys are actuated. To deal with incoming signals, a pair of associated char acters must be arranged on one type carrier as either of these two characters can be printed on 35,

the other ones.

In order to enable the standard international arrangement of the keys to be used in teleprinters in which the type carriers are also operable mechanically, in accordance with the invention, a

number of keys corresponding to different characters are provided for the transmission of the same current signal. Each of these keys mechanically controls a type carrier but only one of the type carriers is operable by the signal receiving devices.

This one carries several types corresponding to the various characters having the same signal.

If, for example, two keys are provided for one signal, then each of them can operate a type carrier mechanically. One of these type carriers is provided with two types corresponding to the two characters having the same signal and can be operated also by the signal receiving devices. The other type carrier, however, cannot be operated by the receiving devices but only mechanically through its associated key. It need only have one type, preferably the type belonging to the numerals and signs group which, therefore, is printed only after a shift operation.

The extra type carriers provided in accordance with the invention are shown cross-hatched in the drawings. It will be seen, for example, that key No. 6character Yis mechanically connected to the type carrier which carries the types Y and 6. The dot in the space E indicates that this type carrier can also be actuated by the signal receiving devices. When the current impulse train No. 25 is received, the type Y is printed. If, however, the current impulse train No. 39 which is a shift signal had already been received, the numeral 6 would have been printed.

The key No. 21-character 6is connected to a type carrier having a type 6 belonging to the numerals and signs group TZ. This type cannot be acted upon by the signal receiving devices. It is acted upon only when the key No. 21 is struck, and as it belongs to the numerals and signs group TZ, it can only be printed if the carriage is first of all shifted by actuation of the shift key No. 2 marked Zi. The operator must, in any case, only strike a numeral or sign key after having struck the shift key 22', for example, which carries the designation 6. The same current impulse train No. 25 is transmitted by operation of the key No, Zl-character 6-as is transmitted by operation of the key No. 6character Y. Failure to transmit the shift signal would result in the printing of the character Y instead of the character 6. If, in the teleprinter according to the invention, the operator forgets to actu ate the shift key Zi before actuating the key marked 6, no printing takes place at all, so that his attention is thus drawn to the mistake.

The same applies for the type carriers of the keys Nos. 1, 5, 9, l3, 1'7, 21, 25, 29, 33 and 37 which are shown cross-hatched in the drawings.

The use in accordance with the invention of extra type carriers for those keys which control a current impulse train appropriate to the reproduction of two types, which train is transmitted also by another key itself associated with a type carrier, thus makes it possible to provide even teleprinters having type carriers which are operated directly and mechanically by the keys with the standard international keyboard. Such machines have, however, the advantage of greater simplicity compared with teleprinters having type carriers operated exclusively by the electrical receiving devices because they can be constructed to a very great extent on the lines of ordinary typewriters.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, five permutation bars SB and a shift bar SB are arranged beneath the keys T, T and TS of the keyboard.

Each key has a different combination of projections t which, when a key is depressed, come into contact with corresponding permutation bars. In this way, different contacts of a rotary distributor SSF are connected to the source of current so that on reversal of the switch SS and rotation of the distributor, the corresponding code combination is sent out through the line TL. The keys T and T are mechanically connected to type carriers TT and TT which, when actuated, print the types on them on a paper strip carried by the roller PD. The paper roller PD is held by a pair of arms PS mounted for rotation on the spindle PA. These arms are connected through a linkage to the shift key TS so that the paper roller is swung about the spindle PA when the shift key is depressed and vice versa. It will be assumed that the type carrier TT carries two types, one belonging to the letters group and the other to the numerals and signs group and both of which have the same code current impulse combinations, for example the types Y and 6 (see Figure l) It will also be assumed that the type carrier TT only carries one type, namely the numeral or sign type 6 carried by the carrier TI. The two keys T and T have the same combination of projections t and on being struck therefore come into contact with the same permutation bars SB and cause the same code combination to be transmitted. With the paper roller PD in the position illustrated, depression of the key T will cause the letter type Y to be printed. To print the numeral or sign type 6, the paper roller PD must first be swung about the spindle PA by depression of the shift keys TS.

The tail TA of the key T lies above one end of a lever EL in the signal receiving apparatus. The receiver comprises five selecting magnets ESM, only one of which is shown in the drawings. These selecting magnets ESM are connected tothe various contacts of a rotary receiving distributor ESF, the arm of which is connected to the line TL in the normal position of the switch SS. Each selecting magnet ESM has an armature ESA which is mechanically connected to a difierent. one of a set of pivotally mounted permutation members EB. When the permutation members EB have been set by the various impulses of the received code combination through the magnets ESM, the testing levers ETL (only one of which is shown in the drawings) are allowed to drop into contact with them by the magnet EAM. The levers ETL have different combinations of teeth so that a particular one of them can then engage with its teeth between the permutation members according to the setting of the latter. This particular lever ETL thus brings a hook EH mounted on the other end of the lever EL into the path of movement of the armature EPB of the printing magnet EPM. If now the printing magnet EPM is energized, the hook EH is drawn down and the lever EL swings clockwise about its axis and strikes the tail TA of the key T so that the type carrier TT prints its letter type Y.

The key T which has no letter type but only the numeral type 6 has no tail TA. It therefore is not operated by the lever EL of the receiving device.

The shift key TS has a tail TSA which is struck by a lever corresponding to the lever EL on receipt of the appropriate shift signal. If the numeral type 6 which is provided both on the type carrier TT and on the type carrier TT is to be printed, then that shift signal must first be received so that the shift key TS is struck through its tail TSA and the paper roller PD is swung. On receipt of the impulse combination which causes the tail TA of the key T to'be struck by the lever EL, the type carrier TT will then print its numeral or sign type, i. e., the numeral 6.

It will be appreciated that while the numeral 6 can be printed by means of the type carrier TT only on receipt of the appropriate shift signal followed by the signal corresponding to the numeral 6, this numeral can be printed by manual actuation either of the key T or the key T.

The above-described arrangement of selecting magnets ESM, combination members EB, testing members ETL and printing magnet EPM is similar to that described and illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 118,101 filed December 29, 1936 and forms no part of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising a standard international keyboard, a plurality of type carriers associaed individually with the character denoting keys of said keyboard and provided with types corresponding to the characters depicted on said keys, mechanical means connecting said type carriers to said keys whereby said type carriers can be actuated by manual operation of said keys, certain of said type carriers being provided with extra types, the types on any one of said carriers all having the same current im- 7 pulse combination and a receiving device for receiving incoming signals in the form of current impulse combinations comprising means adapted to actuate selectively only said carriers provided with said extra types.

2. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising signal receiving means, a set of manually operable type carriers each provided with a plurality of types belonging to different character groups, a further set of manually operable type carriers each provided with a type provided also on a carrier of said first mentioned set, means controlled by said signal receiving means for selecting one of said groups of types and for selectively actuating only said first-mentioned set of type carriers, a plurality of keys for actuating said type carriers and signal transmitting means operable on actuation of said keys.

3. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising signal receiving means, a set of manually operable type carriers each provided with a plurality of types belonging to different character groups, manually operable means for selecting the types belonging to one of said groups for being printed on actuation of their type carriers, means controlled by said signal receiving means for selecting the types belonging to one of said groups of types for being printed and for selectively actuating said first mentioned set of type carriers, 2, further set of type carriers arranged for manual actuation only and provided each with a type provided also on a carrier of said first-mentioned set and signal transmitting means operable on manual actuation of all of said type carriers.

4. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising signal receiving means, a plurality of type carriers each provided with a plurality of types belonging to different character groups, a plurality of type carriers each provided with a type provided also on one of said first-mentioned type carriers, manually operable means for selecting one of said groups of types for being printed, means controlled by said signal receiving means for actuating said selecting means and selectively actuating said first-mentioned type carriers on receipt of appropriate signals, a plurality of manually operable keys for selectively actuating all said type carriers and signal transmitting means operable on manual actuation of said keys.

5. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising signal receiving means, a plurality of type carriers each provided with two types having the same code signal, a plurality of type carriers each provided with a type provided also on one of said firstmentioned typecarriers, a plurality of manually operable keys individually connected to said type carriers, manually operable means for selecting a particular one of said two types on a carrier for being printed on operation of one of said keys, means controlled by said signal receiving means for actuating said manually operable means and those of said keys which are connected to said first-mentioned type carriers and signal transmiting means operable on actuation of all said keys.

6. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising a signal receiving device, a plurality of type carriers each provided with two types corresponding to characters having the same code signal, a plurality of type carriers each provided with a type provided also on one of said first-mentioned type carriers, a plurality of manually operable keys individually connected to said type carriers, a manually operable shift key operable to cause a particular one of said two types on a type carrier: to be printed on operation of that one of said keys which is connected to said type carrier, means controlled by said signal receiving device for actuating said shift key on receipt of an appropriate signal and for selectively actuating those of said keys which are connected to said first-mentioned type carriers on receipt of the signals corresponding to the types carried by said carriers and signal transmitting means operable on actuation of all of said keys.

7. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising a plurality of keys, a plurality of type carriers, mechanical means actuated by said keys for actuating said type carriers, each of said keys having associated with it a character and a type carrier provided with a type depicting said character, a movable paper support, means for shifting said paper support, shift keys controlling said shifting means, means for emitting current impulse combinations controlled by said keys and by said shift keys, means for receiving current impulse combinations, means controlled by said receiving means for selectively operating said type carriers, means controlled by said receiving means for controlling said shifting means, at least two of said keys associated with diiTerent characters being adapted to operate said current impulse transmitting means for the transmission of one and the same current impulse combination, one of the type carriers associated with said last-mentioned keys being provided with a plurality of types depicting the different characters associated with all of said last mentioned keys and one only of said last mentioned type carriers being operated by said receiving means on receipt of the appropriate current impulse combination.

8. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising a plurality of keys, means controlled by said keys for emitting current impulse combinations, shift keys, means controlled by said shift keys for emitting current impulse combinations, means for receiving current impulse combinations, a plurality of type carriers one for each of said keys and forming a plurality of groups, means controlled by said receiving means for selective operation of the type carriers in one of said groups, each type carrier in said last mentioned group being provided with a plurality of types representing different characters, a paper support, shift means controlled by said receiving means for shifting said paper support and mechanical means controlled by each key for operating the type carrier associated with it, a plurality of said keys having different characters being adapted to operate said current impulse emitting means for the emission of one and the same combination and one key of said last-mentioned keys having associated with it a type carrier of said group carrying a plurality of types and being controlled by said receiving means.

9. A combination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising a plurality of types depicting letters, a plurality of types depicting numerals and signs, a plurality of keys associated individually with said letters, a plurality of keys associated individually with said numerals and signs, a plurality of type carriers provided with types of the letter group, a plurality of type carriers provided with types of the numerals and signs group, a plurality of type carriers provided with types of both groups, a movable paper support, shift keys, means controlled by said shift keys for shifting said paper support, mechanical means actuated by said keys for operating said type carriers, means controlled by said keys for emitting current impulse combinations,.each pair of keys comprising a letter key associated with a type carrier carrying types of both groups and a numeral and sign key associated with a type carrier carrying a numeral and sign type being adapted to operate said signal emitting means for the emission of one and the same current impulse combination and means for receiving current impulse combinations, said means controlling only the type carriers carrying types of both groups.

10. Acombination telegraph instrument adapted for use as a transmitter and as a receiver and for the production of home copies comprising in combination, a plurality of key actuated type carriers carrying types depicting letters, a plurality of key actuated type carriers carrying types depicting numerals and signs, at least one key actuated type carrier carrying two types one depicting a letter and the other a numeral or sign, shift keys for selectively causing types depicting numerals or signs to be printed, means controlled by the keys for emitting current impulse combinations, the key actuating a type carrier carrying a single type and the key actuating a type carrier depicting two types including one identical with said single type being adapted to operate said signal emitting means for the emission of one and the same current impulse combination and means for receiving current impulse combinations adapted to actuate only said type carriers carrying two types.

KARL GUNDLFINGER.

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