US 4,050,566 AGranted

Mechanical code converter for use with a typewriter or the like

AssigneeHamilton Communications, Inc.

InventorsWilliam E. Webb, Stephan J. Ehas

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Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for use with typewriters of the type having trip hammers and is adapted to receive combinations of electrical signals which uniquely define the respective characteristics and to decode the electrical signals to selectively activate the trip hammers of the typewriter. The apparatus has a number of coded plates located adjacent one another in general alignment, with each of the plates having a number of transverse slots at one edge thereof at predetermined positions. Lateral or longitudinal movement of the elongated plates between first and second positions in response to receiving appropriate electrical signals causes the slots to be either into or out of alignment with an activating member which effects triggering of the trip hammer of the typewriter. Any one of the coded plates having a slot in a nonaligned orientation will prevent activation of the particular hammer. Thus, unique coded combinations of signals will selectively activate the proper trip hammer and thereby enable the proper character to be typed by the typewriter.

Claims12

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use with a typewriter or the like and adapted to decode unique combinations of electrical signals, the combinations identifying individual characters associated with a trip member of a particular typewriter hammer, said apparatus being adapted to actuate a particular trip member in response to receiving a combination of electrical signals identifying the same, the apparatus comprising:

a mechanism associated with each trip member and adapted to actuate the same in response to movement from a rest to an actuated position;
a plurality of aligned coded flat plates, said plates being in generally parallel planes, each of said plates having slots located along one edge of the length thereof, each said slot being in one of two positions relative to each trip member, said positions being separated from one another by a predetermined distance, said actuating mechanism for each trip member being adapted to move to said actuated position when the coded plates are selectively positioned in either a first or second position so that all of the slots in the coded plates associated with said particular trip member are in alignment, the nonalignment of any one of said associated slots being effective to preclude movement of said actuating mechanism;
at least two spaced mounting blocks to which support plates for each of said coded plates are rigidly mounted generally perpendicular to said coded plates, said support plates being fabricated of flexible material that permits generally lengthwise movement of said coded plates and also biases said coded plates in one of said first and second positions;
means associated with each of said plurality of coded plates for moving each of said plates between said first and second positions to bring the slots into and out of alignment with the actuating mechanism in response to said electrical signals, a predetermined combination of electrical signals causing said moving means to selectively move said coded plates and align the slots so that a predetermined one of said actuating mechanisms moves to said actuating positions and causes the associated trip hammer to be actuated;
and,
means for resetting said actuating mechanism subsequent to actuation of said associated trip member.

3 more elements

Apparatus for use with a typewriter or the like for decoding uniqud combinations of electrical signals, the combinations identifyig individual characters associated with a trip member of a particular typewriter hammer, said apparatus actuating a particular trip member in response to receiving a combination of electrical signals identifying the same, the apparatus comprising:

a mechanism associated with each trip member and adapted to actuate the same in response to movement from a rest to an actuated position, said actuating mechanism including a unitary actuating lever pivotable around one end portion, the opposite end portion having a generally perpendicular portion with a transverse extension located at the free end of said perpendicular portion, said extension engaging said trip member and actuating the same during pivoting of said actuating lever;
a plurality of aligned coded flat plates, said plates being in generally parallel planes, each of said plates having slots located along one edge of the length thereof, each said slot being in one of two positions relative to each trip member, said positions being separated from one another by a predetermined distance, said actuating mechanism for each trip member being adapted to move to said actuating position when the coded plates are selectively positioned in either a first or second position so that all of the slots in the coded plates associated with a particular trip member are in alignment and permitting the associated actuating lever to pivot and enter said slots and actuate said trip member, the nonalignment of any of said associated slots being effective to preclude movement of said actuating lever;
means associated with each of said plurality of coded plates for moving each of said plates between said first and second positions to bring the slots into and out of alignment with the actuating mechanism in response to said electrical signals, a predetermined combination of electrical signals causing said moving means to selectively move said coded plates and align the slots so that a predetermined one of said actuating levers of said actuating mechanism pivots to actuate the associated trip hammer;
and,
means for resetting the actuating mechanisms so as to pivot said actuating lever out of said slots, subsequent to actuation of said associated trip member.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.