US3289804A

US3289804A - Automatic sequence typing mechanism for printing words upon depression of a single key

Info

Publication number: US3289804A
Application number: US287946A
Authority: US
Inventors: John O Schaefer
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1963-06-14
Filing date: 1963-06-14
Publication date: 1966-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-06
Also published as: DE1288096B; BE649150A; DK128444B; NL6406668A; GB1016278A; NO115802B; CH421152A; AT261640B; NL139263B; SE314387B

Description

Dec. 6, 1966 J. o. SCHAEFER AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE TYPING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING WORDS UPON DEPRESSION OF A SINGLE KEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1963 INVENTOR.

JOHN 0 SCHAEFER BY fiflz zz ATTORNEY J. o. SCHAEFER 3,289,804 AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE TYPI ECHANISM FOR PRINTING WORDS UPON DEPRESSION OF A SINGLE KEY NGM Dec. 6, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1963 FIG. 2b

Dec. 6, 1966 J. o. SCHAEFER 3,289,804

AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE TYPING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING WORDS UPON DEPRESSION OF A SINGLE KEY Filed June 14, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 6, 1966 J. 0 SCHAEFER 3,289,804

AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE TYPING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING WORDS UPON DEPRESSION OF A SINGLE KEY Filed June 14, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 2e

United States Patent AUTOMATIC SEQUENCE TYPING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING WORDS UPQN DEPRESSIQN 0F 1 A SINGLE KEY John 0. Schaefer, Lexington, Ky., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y.,

a corporation of New York Filed June 14, 1963, Ser. No. 287,946 11 Claims. ((Il. l977) This invention relates to typewriters and more particularly to automatic sequence typing mechanisms for typewriters.

A substantial amount of the time and effort required to prepare letters and similar documents could be eliminated if the typing of certain commonly used word or syllables having a plurality of characters; or the performance of certain functions could be initiated automatically as encountered during normal typing routines. Included among the words and syllables coming within this category are an ing, the, as well as other words and syllables having a greater or lesser number of characters.

It is also desirable, at times, that a predetermined number of certain functions by performed in sequence, such as two or more back-spacing operations. Other typing routines may require the typing of a predetermined number of characters and performance of a predetermined number of functions, such as backspacing, in an intermixed sequence.

The invention has particular utility in a typewriter of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,919,002L. E. Palmer- Selection Mechanism for a Single Printing Element Typewriter. The aforementioned patent describes a machine which has a single element printing head wherein all the characters of a type font are located on the surface of the single head. A character is selected by tilting and rotating the single element printing head in response to depression of one of a plurality of keylevers, each keylever being assigned to a character on the printing head. The keylever-s selectively actuate a displacement mechaanism having two principle portions, one for tilting and another for rotating the printing head. More specifically, selecting links are operated which determine the pivot points of connecting members to produce an output of predetermined displacement and direction. In each portion of the displacement mechanism, the value of the output is determined by the links selected, either singly or in combination. When the links are selected in combination, the displacement is the sum of the individual displacements of the links. A tape and pulley mechanism couple the displacement mechanism to the printing head to locate the selected character in a reference position. Thereafter, the head is caused to strike the platen to print the chosen character.

Like most typewriting mechanisms known today, the typewriter of U8. Patent 2,919,002 will print a single character in response to the depression of a related character keybutton on the keyboard. Provision is made in some cases, for the repetitive typing of the same character, such as the underline character. No provision is made in the Palmer typewriter, however, for automatically typing a succession of different characters.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sequence typing feature for use in a conventional typewriter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic sequence typing feature which has a high degree of compatability with existing components in a conventional typewriter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for use in a typewriter which enables an operator to type a single character or to perform a single function "ice or to initiate the typing of a succession of characters, and/ or functions in a predetermined sequence, as desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic word typing mechanism which has simplified operator control.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic sequence typing mechanism which has an optional provision for initiating a particular function during the performance of the sequence or after its termination.

In order to accomplish these and other objects of the invention, an automatic word typing mechanism of simplified design is provided which is selectively operable for actuating certain primary mechanisms in order to print a single character or perform a single function or for operating auxiliary mechanisms in conjunction with the primary mechanisms in order to initiate the typing of a plurality of characters and/ or functions in a predetermined sequence.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a typewriter in which the invention is incorporated.

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e represent various conditions of selected portions of the typewriting apparatus of FIG. 1 during the automatic word typing mode of operation.

Single element typewriter In order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a diagrammatic representation of a typewriter like that disclosed in US. Patent 2,919,002, is shown in FIG. 1. The typewriter of FIG. 1 has a spherically shaped type head 1 which has a plurality of characters embossed thereon, and which is mounted on a rocker platform 2, that is pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft 3; The print head 1 is first selectively tilted and rotated in order to position a desired character for printing and is then subsequently actuated against a paper 4 that is positioned around a platen 5 to effect printing of the character selected.

a The actuation of the print head 1 occurs when the rocker platform 2 is rocked about its shaft 3 during a print cycle following the depression of a keylever that is associated with the character desired. Only two keylevers, that is keylevers 6 and 7, are shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that a sufiicient number of keylevers will ordinarily be provided to select all characters on the print head I.

A motor 8 continuously drives a shaft 9 by means of a pulley 10 and belt 11. The shaft 9 is selectively coupled to a cycle shaft 12 through a clutch mechanism 13, which is like that described in the aforementioned US. Patent 2,919,002. The clutch mechanism includes a helical spring, not shown, which is normally retained in an unwound condition under control of a clutch sleeve 14 and clutch latch 15 which engages a step 16 on the sleeve 14.

Associated with keylever 6 is a keybutton 17 and associated with keylever 7 is a keybutton 36. It will be noted that keybutton 17 has the designations A and AND, while keybutton 36 has the designations T and THE. The designations on keybuttons 17 and 36 represent the various typing modes which can be established under operator control depending upon the manner in which the keybuttons are depressed. As an example, a depression of keybutton 17 a particular predetermined distance will condition the machine for typing the letter A, while depression of keybutton 17 an additional dis.- tance beyond the predetermined distance will result in conditioning the typewriting mechanism for typing the word AND. The same principles apply to the de pression of keybutton 36. Keybuttons 17 and 36 and their associated mechanisms are merely representative of the automatic word or syllable typing possibilities of the mechanism. Only a single typing mechanism could be supplied if desired. On the other hand a plurality of mechanisms in addition to those associated with keybuttons 17 and 36 could be supplied in the typewriting apparatus of FIG. 1, if desired.

Actuation of the print head for printing a single character, such as the character A, occurs in the following manner:

Assuming that it is desired to print the character that is associated with keylever 6, the typist depresses keylever 6 by means of keybutton 17.

Keylever 6 is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum rod 18. Pivotally mounted on a stud 19, is a keylever pawl 20 which is maintained in a rest position by a spring 21. The pawl 20 extends below the keylever 6 and is formed to strike a portion 22a of an interposer 22.

Interposer 22 is slidably mounted for movement from right to left in FIG. 1 on a fulcrum rod 23, as well as up and down in a guide comb, not shown. A spring 24 maintains the interposer 22 in a rest position.

Depression of keylever 6 and pawl 20 results in move ment of interposer 22 from its rest position. Movement of the interposer 22 results in a selective rotation and tilting of head 1 as described in the aforementioned Palmer patent, through the medium of selector bails, not shown.

The interposer 22, as well as the other interposers that would normally be provided, has several lugs extending downwardly therefrom. Certain of the lugs control the head selection function. Another lug 22d operates against a cycle bail 26 to move it downwardly. The bail 26 through link 27, causes pivoting of latch 15 which releases the clutch sleeve 14. This results in actuation of clutch 13 and rotation of cycle shaft 12.

The cycle shaft 12 rotates 180 during each print cycle, and through

gears

28, 29, and 30 causes a 180 rotation of a filter shaft 31.

The filter shaft 31 has a two-bladed portion 32 which is positioned just below the ends of all interposers, such as end portion 220 of interposer 22. The filter portion 32 engages a step on interposer 22, that is like step 34a on adjacent interposer 34 and during rotation forces interposer 22 forwardly (to the left in FIG. 1) to operate the character selection mechanism.

Following the typing of a character on paper 4, it is necessary that the print head 1 be moved one space in the direction of printing in order that it be positioned opposite a new printing position on paper 4. The spacing mechanism required for this operation is shown in a somewhat diagrammatic form in FIG. 1. While not shown in its entirety, the escapement mechanism is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 145,706L. E. Palmer-filed October 17, 1961, entitled Escapement Mechanism for Typewriter, now U.S. Patent 3,126,998, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The escapement mechanism disclosed in the Palmer application just mentioned is operable automatically following the selection and printing of any character in the apparatus in FIG. 1. It is also operable under operator control for effecting a space operation alone without printing. Significant portions of this mechanism can be seen by reference to FIG. 1. Mounted on filter shaft 31 is an escapement cam 37 and an associated escapement cam follower 38. Whenever filter shaft 31 is rotated as previously described following the depression of a key button and the printing of the related character, escapement cam 37 and its related carn follower 38 are operable through a link 39 to effect an escapement of the typewriter carrier one space in the direction of travel of the carrier. In addition, as disclosed in the Palmer application, a spacing operation can be effected by depression of a space bar, not shown.

However, depression of the space bar in the Palmer apparatus does result in the rotation of a bail 40 that is shown in FIG. 1. When bail 40 is rotated, an associated space bar operating arm 41 is also rotated, and through various mechanisms represented by the dashed line 42 causes the displacement of an interposer 43. As a result of the displacement of interposer 43, a spacing cycle is initiated under control of the escapement mechanism described in the Palmer application. Only a spacing operation occurs during a spacing cycle, since no character interposers are selected.

In accordance with the present invention, the normally provided keylevers 6 and 7 have mechanisms associated therewith for effecting the printing of a predetermined succession of characters in an automatic fashion. In FIG. 1, keylever 6 has an associated latch member 44, and keylever 7 has an associated lat-ch member 45. Keylever 7 also has a keylever pawl 46 which is like pawl 20 that associated with keylever 6.

Associated with keylever 6 and interposer 22 are two other interposers 34 and 47. Associated with the keylever 7 are three

interposers

48, 49, and 50. It will be noted that pawl 20 associated with keylever 6 has an elongated portion 20a that is contiguous with lugs 47a, 22a, and 34b extending from interposers 47, 22, and 25, respectively.

The interposers 22, 47, and 34 associated with keylever 6 serve to select for printing the characters A, N, and D, respectively. The

interposers

49, 48, and 50 associated with keylever 7 serve to select for printing the characters T, H, and E, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, each interposer associated with keylevers 6 and 7 serves to select a different character for printing. However, more than one interposer might readily serve to select the same character, if desired. The basic selection of individual characters under control of the related interposers is more fully described in the Palmer patent.

Keylever pawl 46 that is associated with keylever 7 has an extended portion 46a that is similarly contiguous with

lugs

48a, 49a, and 50a extending from

interposers

48, 49, and 50, respectively.

Following the selection of an automatic word or syllable typing mode, and during its performance, the keylever pawls 2t and 46 are operated in succession against the lugs extending from their associated interposers in order to cause the successive printing of a particular predetermined sequence of characters.

It will be noted that interposer 22 has a latch extension 22b and that interposer 49 has a latch extension 49b. These latch extensions cooperate with the latches 44 and 45, respectively, during at least a portion of the automatic word typing sequence in order to maintain the mechanisms in an automatic mode.

Operation of the automatic word typing mechanism will be discussed by reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e, Which represent conditions of selected portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during a typical automatic word typing operation. It will be recalled that keybutton 36 has the designation T and THE. The typing of the single character T can be accomplished by depressing keybutton 36 in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the typing of the character A.

If keybutton 36 is depressed in this manner, extension 46a on keylever pawl 46 will act against lug 49a of interposer 49 and cause the machine to cycle in order to print the letter T, as described.

In order to type the word THE, keybutton 36 is depressed to an extent sufiicient for the latch 45 to be latched by extension 49b on interposer 49.

The sequence of events during the typing of the word THE can be readily observed by reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e. FIG. 2a, as well as the other figures in the series, shows the condition of keybutton 36 and associated mechanism, but might also represent con ditions of the keybutton 17 and its associated mechanisms, or other keybuttons and their associated mechanisms, if provided.

FIG. 2a represents the normal restored condition of keybutton 36, keylever 7, and associated mechanism. FIG. 2b represents the condition of the mechanism at the start of an automatic word typing sequence shortly after the initial depression of keybutton 36 and at the beginning of the cycle in which the letter T is typed. FIG. 20 represents the condition of the mechanism at the beginning of the cycle in which the letter H is typed. FIG. 2d represents the condition of the mechanism at the beginnin-g of the cycle during which the letter B is typed. FIG. 22 represents the condition of the mechanism following the typing of the letter E and the unlatching of the mechanism just prior to its return to the normal restored condition shown in FIG. 2a.

Referring to FIG. 2a, it will be observed that the

lugs

48a, 49a, [and 50a on the

interposers

48, 49, and 50 are arranged to extend from their related interposers in a particular predetermined relationship with respect to each other and with respect to extension 46a on pawl 46. Lug 49a has a somewhat squared off configuration, while lugs 48a and 5001 are formed with sloping leading and trailing edges.

In order to initiate the sequence for typing the word THE, keybutton 36 is depressed beyond the normal depressed condition to a position referred to as the Repeat position.

When the mechanism is in its restored condition, it will be noted in FIG. 2a that extension 46a on keylever pawl 46 lies in close proximity to the top edge of the lug 49a with a slight clearance between them. It will also be noted that keylever pawl 46 has a series of

ratchet teeth

46b, 46c, 46d which have a related check pawl 51 whose purpose will shortly be described.

FIG. 2!) represents the condition of the mechanism shortly after the beginning of the downward movement of keybutton 36, keylever 7 and associated mechanism. It will be noted that the extension 46a on keylever pawl 46 has come into contact with the lug 49a on interposer 49 and has moved interposer downward from its normal position.

'As interposer 49 moves downwardly, a lug 49c thereon comes in contact with the cycle bail 26 and trips the cycle clutch as described previously in connection with the printing of the character A. In thi case, as a result of the tripping of the cycle bail, the letter T will be printed. It will be recalled that as the filter shaft 31 rotates, the two-bladed portion 32 rotates and exerts force on any actuated interposer to move it toward the front of the machine, which is toward the left in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e. Portion 32, therefore, exerts force on edge 49d of interposer 49, FIG. 1. Besides being moved to the front of the machine or to the left, the interposer 49 also moves-back to the right against the fulcrum rod 23.

Movement of interposer 49 in this manner results in its being depressed downward by the operator all the way to the Repeattposition. This results in the latch 45a on latch 45 becoming engaged with the latch extension 4% of interposer 49 as shown in FIG. 20. The net effect of this is to hold the keybutton 36, the keylever 7, and the latch 45 in their lowest position until subsequently restored. Another result of the movement of these mechanisms downward to the latched condition is that the lug 49a on interposer 49 is placed in a position to exert a force on the extension 46a of keylever pawl 46 during the movement of interposer 49 to the right, back to a restored condition. When the mechanisms are down in the latched condition, extension 46a will be down far enough so that it contacts the leading sloped edge of the lug 48a on interposer 48. As interposer 49 moves to its restored condition, which is to right in FIG. 20, it will cause extension 46a to move against the leading edge of lug 48a, thereby moving interposer 48 downward. When inter-poser 48 moves downward, the lug 4811 will come in contact with the cycle bail 26 and initiate another print cycle, as previously described. At this time, keylever pawl 46 is positioned in such a manner that the ratchet tooth 46b becomes engaged with the check pawl 51 to hold keylever pawl 46 in a proper operating position.

With the tripping of cycle bail 26, the machine goes through a printing cycle to print the letter H, filter shaft 31 is rotated, portion 32 of the filter shaft is rotated against edge 480 of interposer 48, FIG. 1, forcing interposer 48 to the front of the machine, which is to the left in FIG. 2c. The apex of lug 48a on interposer 48 thereby moves out from under the extension 4611 on keylever pawl 46. The lug 45a on latch 45 will remain latched with the latch portion 4% on interposer 49.

Referring now to FIG. 2d the condition of the mechanism just following the movement of interposer 48 to its restored condition is shown. Lug 48a on interposer 48 comes in contact with extension 46a during the movement of interposer 43 to its restored condition, which is to the right in FIG. 2d. As a result of the movement of interposer 48 and its associated lug 48a, extension 46a of keylever pawl 46 is moved to the right against the leading sloping edge of lug 50a on interposer 50. Check pawl 51 also becomes engaged with the ratchet tooth 460 on keylever pawl 46.

When keylever pawl extensions 46a is moved to the right by lug 48a, it exerts force against lug 50a of interposer 50. As a consequence, interposer 50 is moved downward into an actuated condition. As seen in FIG. 2a, a lug 50b on interposer 50 comes in contact with the cycle bail 26 and initiates another print cycle. During this cycle, the letter E will be printed. Lug 45a of latch 45 remains latched under the latch portion 49b of interposer 49 at this time.

When cycle bail 26 is moved downwardly, the cycle clutch is tripped, filter shaft 31 rotates, and the two-bladed portion 32 comes in contact with an edge 58d of interposer 50, FIG. 1, moving interposer 50 toward the front of the machine, which is to the left in FIG. 2d. As a result of this, the lug 500 on interposer 50 moves out from under extension 46a on keylever pawl 46. When interposer 50 returns to its normal position, that is, during its movement from left to right in FIG. 2e, lug 50a forces extension 46a of keylever pawl 46 to the right, thereby engaging the check pawl 51 with the tooth 46d on keylever pawl 46. Latch 45 is formed with an extending lug 45b which is positioned for engagement with the extension 46a on keylever pawl 46. When keylever pawl 46 is moved to the right by lug 50a on interposer 50, extension 46a moves against the extending lug 45b of latch 45. This movement of the latch 45 to the right in FIG. 2e effectively disengages the ear 45a of latch 45 from the latch 4912.

When this happens, the entire assembly including keybutton 36, keylever 7, and latch 45, as well as keylever pawl 46, can then move upwardly to their normal restored condition as shown in FIG. 2A. The movement of the assembly upward to the normal restored condition, moves keylever pawl 46 out of engagement with the check pawl 51, and keylever pawl 46 can then return to the position shown in FIG. 2a, where extension 46a is positioned directly above the top edge of lug 4911 on interposer 49.

The actuation of the mechanism associated with keybutton 17 for printing the word AND would occur in a manner similar to that described for the printing of the word THE. Also, if other automatic word mechanisms are provided in the typewriting apparatus of FIG. 1, they would operate in a comparable manner.

It can be seen that a greatly simplified mechanism has been provided which is selectively operable under opera for control for either printing a single character, or a predetermined succession of characters forming words or syllables, as desired.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, an automatic spacing operation can be initiated following the printing of the last character in a sequence of characters. Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that interposer 50 has an extension 500 that is positioned to come in contact with the bail 40. Since this is an optional feature, the extension 500 is shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 26. When provided, however, extension 50c serves to trip the bail 40 during the last cycle of the automatic typing sequence when interposer 50 is moved to the front of the machine which is to the left in FIG. 1, by the filter shaft blade 32. The tripping of bail 40 will cause a spacing operation to take place through the space bar operating arm 41 and associated mechanisms 42 and 43 that were discussed above in connection with the Palmer application. A spacing operation then takes place without any printing.

In addition to the aforementioned features, it is therefore possible to have an automatic word or syllable typing mechanism, with the optional feature of a spacing opera tion following the automatic typing sequence.

The mechanism disclosed herein is adaptable to suit a variety of purposes. For example, the mechanism need not be confined to the sequential ty ing of different characters, but may be set up for the typing of a predetermined number of the same character. Thus, it might be desirable for the typist to be able to type a particular number, such as two or three, underline characters in sequence in response to the single depression of the underline character keylever to the Repeat position.

As another alternative, certain typing procedures might require the typing of characters and performance of functions in a predetermined intermixed fashion. Perhaps after typing digital information of particular length such as two digits, it might be required to backspace the typewriting apparatus and underline the digits. This might occur as in the following example: Type digit: 12 (for example); depress backspace key to repeat position; machine action: backspace, backspace, type underline character, type underline character, space; Result: 12. The machine is now ready for the typing of the next digit.

In this case, the Backspace keylever involved would have four interposers associated with it. Two interposers would be actuated in sequence to initiate the backspacing operation and two interposers would be actuated in sequence to select the underline character for printing, thus providing an intermixed sequence of functions and character printing.

Many similarly useful variations can be derived from the same basic mechanism.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

control means, said control means being settable from a restored condition to a particular one of two operating conditions, and said control means having a common actuating member extending therefrom; selection mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including a plurality of actuatable character selecting interposers, each of said interposers having a lug of predetermined configuration extending therefrom in proximity to and at a predetermined distance from said common actuating member; and means controlled by said control means for actuating a single one of said interposers when said control means is in one of its operating conditions in order to select a particular character for printing, and for actuating a plurality of said interposers in turn when said control means is in its other operating condition in order to select a particular sequence of characters for printing.

2. Apparatus for typing a sequence of characters comprising:

a movable bail member;

a selection mechanism, said mechanism including a plurality of actuatable interposers, each said interposer having a lug of particular configuration positioned thereon at successively greater distances from a predetermined point of reference, and each said interposer having a cycle lug extending therefrom and positioned to move said bail member when each said interposer is actuated;

printing means for printing individual characters, said printing means being selectively settable under control of said selection means during successive operating cycles;

drive means, said drive means being operable in individual cycles of operation in response to movement of said bail member to drive and selecting means and said driving printing means in succession;

keylever assembly associated with said interposers and movable to first and second operating conditions;

rotatable keylever pawl, said pawl extending from said keylever assembly in close proximity to the lugs of all said interposers, and said keylever pawl being operable when said assembly is moved to its first operating condition to actuate a single one of said interposers in order to select a particular character and. to thereby trip said cycle bail for printing said character, and said keylever pawl being operable when said assembly is moved to its second operating condition to actuate a plurality of said interposers in succession, thereby selecting a particular sequence of characters and thereby actuating said drive means in order to print each said character in an individual cycle of operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 which further comprises:

escapement means, said means being operable following each printing cycle to space said printing means in order to position it for printing the next character selected;

and means operable under control of the last interposer actuated in a printing sequence for actuating said escapement means in order to provide an extra space following the printing of the last character.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 which further comprises:

means for latching said assembly to maintain it in its second operating condition during successive cycles of operation of a printing sequence;

and means for [returning said assembly to its restored condition following the printing of the last character in a selected sequence.

5. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

means for performing predetermined typewriting functions;

control means, said control means being settable from a restored condition to a particular one of two operating conditions, and said control means having a common actuating member extending therefrom; selection mechanism associated with said printing means and said function means, said mechanism including a plurality of actuatable character selecting interposers, each of said interposers having a lug of predetermined configuration extending therefrom in proximity to and at a predetermined distance from said common actuating member;

- and means controlled by said control means for actuating a single one of said interposers when said control means is in one of its operating conditions in order to select a particular character or function, and for actuating a plurality of said interposers in turn when said control means is in its other operating condition in order to select a particular sequence of characters and functions.

6. Apparatus for typing a sequence of characters comprising:

a movable bail member;

means for performing predetermined typewriting functions, said means also being selectively settable under control of said selective means during successive operating cycles;

drive means, said drive means being operable in individual cycles of operation in response to movement of said bail member to drive said selecting means, said printing means and said function means;

a keylever assembly associated with said interposers and movable to first and second operating conditions;

a rotatable keylever pawl, said pawl extending from said keylever assembly in close proximity to the lugs of all said interposers, and said keylever pawl being operable when said assembly is moved to its first operating condition to actuate a single one of said interposers in order to select a particular character or function and to thereby trip said cycle bail, and said keylever pawl being operable when said assembly is moved to its second operating condition to actuate a plurality of said interposers in succession, thereby selecting a particular sequence of characters and functions in individual successive cycles of operation.

7. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

a selection mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including a plurality of actuable character selecting means interdependently arranged, and operable in successive cycles to select individual characters for printing;

control means selectively settable from a restored condition to a particular one of two operating conditions;

means controlled by said control means for actuating a single one of said character selecting means when said control means is in one of its operating conditions, and for actuating a plurality of said character selecting means in sequence when said control means is in the other of its operating conditions;

means for latching said control means to maintain it in its other operating condition during successive cycles of operation;

and means for returning said control means to its restored condition following the printing of the last character in a selected sequence.

8. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

a selection mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including .a plurality of actuatable character selecting means interdependently arranged, and operable in successive cycles to select individual characters for printing;

control means selectively settable from, a restored condition to a particular one of two operating conditions;

escapement means, said escapement means being operable following the printing of each character to space said printing means in order to position it for printing the next character selected;

and means operable under control of the last character selecting means actuated in a printing sequence for actuating said escapement means twice in order to provide an extra space following the printing of the last character.

9. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

a selecting mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including a plurality of character selecting interposer means each movable from a rest position to an actuated position, and interdependently arranged in a predetermined order for operation in sequence in successive cycles to select individual characters for printing, each of said interposer means, when operated, having associated means for conditioning a predetermined related interposer means for operation in a succeeding cycle, or, in the case of the last operated interposer means, for effecting a restore operation;

key control means selectively settable from a restored condition to a particular one of two operating conditions;

and actuating means controlled by said control means when said control means is in one of its operating conditions for actuating a single one of said character selecting interposer means, and controlled by said control means when said control means is in the other of its operating conditions for actuating said plurality of character selecting interposer means in the conditioned sequence established by said interposer means.

10. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

a selection mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including a plurality of character selecting means, each movable from a rest position to an actuated position, and interdependently arranged in a predetermined order for operation in sequence in successive cycles to select individual characters for printing, each of said selecting means, when operated, having associated means for conditioning a predetermined related selecting means for operation in a succeeding cycle, or, in the case of the last operated selecting means, for effecting a restore operation;

and actuating means controlled by said control means when said control means is in one of its operating conditions for actuating a single one of said character selecting means, and controlled by said control means when said control means is in the other of its operating conditions for actuating said plurality of character selecting means in the conditioned sequence established by said respective selecting means.

11. Apparatus for typing single characters or sequences of characters, comprising:

character printing means;

a selection mechanism for said printing means, said mechanism including a plurality of character selecting means, each movable from a rest position to an actuated position and interdependently arranged in a predetermined order for operation in sequence in successive cycles to select individual characters for print- 1 l 1 2 ing, each of said selecting means when operated, References Cited by the Examiner r s ceeding cycle, or, in the case of the last operated 2,209,556 7/1940 Bendorfi X selecting means, for effecting a restore operation; 5 2,717,686 9/1955 Seeber 197 7 control means selectively settable from a restored con- 2798584 7/1957 Kennedy dition to an operating condition; 2,850,136 9/1958 Seeber et a1. 1977 and actuating means controlled by said control means 2879876 3 1959 Palmer et 19716 When said control means is in its operating condition 2,919,002 12/1919 Palmer 197 16 for actuating said plurality of character selecting 10 means in the conditioned sequence established by said ROBERT PULFREY Exammer respective selecting means. E. S. BURR, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR TYPING SINGLE CHARACTERS OR SEQUENCES OF CHARACTERS, COMPRISING: CHARACTER PRINTING MEANS: CONTROL MEANS, SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING SETTABLE FROM A RESTORED CONDITION TO A PARTICULAR ONE OF TWO OPERATING CONDITIONS, AND SAID CONTROL MEANS HAVING A COMMON ACTUATING MEMBER EXTENDING THEREFROM; A SELECTION MECHANISM FOR SAID PRINTING MEANS, SAID MECHANISM INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ACTUATABLE CHARACTER SELECTING INTERPOSERS, EACH OF SAID INTERPOSERS HAVING A LUG OF PREDETERMINED CONFIGURATION EXTENDING THEREFROM IN PROXIMITY TO AND AT A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM SAID COMMON ACTUATING MEMBER; AND MEANS CONTROLLED BY SAID CONTROL MEANS FOR ACTUATING A SINGLE ONE OF SAID INTERPOSERS WHEN SAID CONTROL MEANS IS IN ONE OF ITS OPERATING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO SELECT A PARTICULAR CHARACTER FOR PRINTING, AND FOR ACTUATING A PLURALITY OF SAID INTERPOSERS IN TURN WHEN SAID CONTROL MEANS IS IN ITS OTHER OPERATING CONDITION IN ORDER TO SELECT A PARTICULAR SEQUENCE OF CHARACTERS FOR PRINTING.