Abstract: Polarity of transducer signals is controlled in encoding apparatus of the acoustic rod type, e.g. where key-actuated strikers impact an acoustic bar having a transducer at each end of the bar, the impact giving rise to divergent acoustic waves. The wave fronts of these acoustic waves are sensed by the transducers, the output signals of which are used to produce codes corresponding to the actuated key. By varying the shape of the bar at each point of impact, the polarity of the wave fronts can be controlled so as to distinguish the operation of adjacent strikers and thus provide correspondingly coded outputs or can be combined with elapsed time sensing systems to afford more reliable encoding even in the presence of lot-to-lot differences in the bar material's acoustic wave properties--differences aggravated by temperature changes.

Abstract: Encoding apparatus for a business machine includes a resilient striker for inducing diverging sound waves within a rod by impact with it at a given location. Transducers positioned along the rod on each side of the striker and at unequal distances from it, convert the sound wave fronts into a first and a second output signal having a predetermined time interval between them which is dependent upon the location of impact with the rod. The transducers are connected to a logic unit which includes an oscillator-driven binary counter. The first output signal starts the counter and subsequent arrival of the second output signal determines the elapsed time, the counter output at that instant being a binary code value usable for any desired purpose: control, display, etc.

Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an appliance having an electrical heating element, the overtemperature protector being formed basically of just a spring blade positionable to bring a contact on the surface of the blade into circuit-energizing engagement with a fixed contact, and an insulator-capped fusible pin retaining the blade in that position. Excessive heat in the appliance softens the pin, allowing the spring blade force on the insulator cap to shear the pin and interrupt the circuit. The overtemperature protector is preferably incorporated in a thermostatic control, the fixed contact being supported on a lateral extension projecting from one circuit element of the thermostat assembly and the spring blade being supported within the assembly with an insulating spacer separating it from the thermostat element having the lateral extension. The spring blade is preferably sickle-shaped for compactness despite having a long length for low force to minimize effects of creep of the fusible pin.

Abstract: A key mechanism arrangement for use in a keyboard of a business machine wherein a snap motion occurs in response to depression of a keylever. An elongated resilient member is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a member. One end of the resilient member is coupled to the keylever for bias support thereof, while the free end cooperates with a restraining means, to first prevent its movement during initial keylever depression to store energy and then quickly released, causing the free end to snap against a member of a utilization apparatus. The resilient member restores the key mechanism arrangement to a rest position upon release of the keylever. Four embodiments are disclosed all having the same mode of operation. In three of the embodiments the restraining means includes a means of latching the free end of the resilient member and then selectively releasing that end actuated by further depression of the keylever.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus in which strikers actuated by the keys of a keyboard, for example, impact selected ones of a group of parallel bars (equivalent to sonic delay lines) at points substantially equally distant from single transducers located on each bar. A timer controls transfer of data signals--the transducer output of the bars--to a display, a printer, etc. The transfer includes storage in a multibit electronic latch.

Abstract: Electrophotographic members prepared by coating a paper or film with a slurry of photoconductive metal-compound particles, e.g., zinc oxide particles, dispersed in a liquid vehicle containing a solution of resinous binder having carboxyl groups. Viscosity of the coating slurry is controlled and/or stabilized by incorporating into the slurry a viscosity stabilizing agent comprising a chelate precursor which forms with the binder a chelating agent having the property of complexing metal ions, e.g., zinc ions, by formation of a ring structure incorporating the metal ion. Suitable viscosity stabilizing agents include: ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and its salts.

Abstract: A platen variable apparatus is disclosed for rotatably adjusting a platen in step increments and in fine amounts in a typewriter. The apparatus includes an individual hub member rotatably mounted on a platen extension and having teeth thereon intermeshed with teeth of a flexspline fixed on the platen extension. A coarse adjusting member is fixedly coupled on the platen extension for positively rotating the platen in step increments controlled by a detent. A rotatable fine adjusting wheel has an internal wave generator surface that cooperates with the flexspline for moving the flexspline relative to the hub member which adjusts the platen in fine amounts.

Abstract: A direct connection provides coupled movement from a keylever to an interposer of a simple key action in a typewriter. The connection includes an abutment integrally constructed on the keylever inserted within a recess on the interposer to effect movement of the interposer when the keylever is caused to move. Depression of the keylever pushes the interposer downward against a pawl that will engage a rotating power roll to cause initiation of a print movement of a typebar. The keylever while being restored by an underlying spring, will then pull the interposer upward to rest. The keylever and interposer are in planar alignment that is maintained by having the connection contained within a slot of a support member in the typewriter.

Abstract: A low silhouette keyboard having a plurality of keylevers arranged in rows and in parallel relationship to one another are suspended, guided and biased to restore by opposing flexible support members. The keylevers are "T" shaped which includes a cross arm constrained between the flexible support members, and a leg portion which projects through slots in a single guide comb. The keylevers are suspended in cantilever fashion being biased upward limited by an upstop. Reciprocation of any keylever in any row is a path substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flexible support members. Keytouch of all keylevers is substantially simultaneous and uniformly adjustable by providing means for varying the upward biasing force applied thereto.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for a typewriter has a linkage for incrementally feeding a ribbon, a power roll rotated by a motor and a control member actuated by a printing mechanism for connecting the power roll to the linkage to incrementally feed the ribbon. The control member is also actuated by a carriage shift mechanism when shifting a carriage from an upper case position to a lower case position for connecting the power roll to the linkage to incrementally feed the ribbon.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for typewriters operable to incrementally feed a ribbon with a dual segment continuous motion ribbon feed. The ribbon is advanced an initial segment by a power actuated linkage and advanced a final segment by a spring urged arm acting on a multi-toothed cam. The initial segment feed occurs when a bellcrank is pivoted, and through a linkage, urges a ribbon metering shaft to rotate which, in turn, feeds the ribbon. Simultaneously, a spring biased cam follower is gradually displaced by the multi-toothed cam which is supported on the metering shaft. The final segment feed occurs as the spring biased cam follower is rapidly displaced down a cam surface of a tooth on the multi-toothed cam.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost U-shaped hook termination for enclosed resistance elements useful in household appliances. The termination is particularly useful with a releasable contact shaped to enter the enclosure end. The effects of out-of-squareness of the end can also be minimized.

Abstract: A machine for simultaneously making typewritten and magnetic records, for editing magnetic records, and for automatically making typewritten copies of the magnetic record. A magnetic memory (a disc, say) is driven by the motor in the typewriter with the drive arrangement having a flywheel for reducing variations in memory speed, and a writing and reading transducer head is moved concomitantly with line feed of the printed record. The magnetic recording medium has concentric (or parallel) storage tracks so that each line appearing on the printed record is separately recorded in a different storage track of the memory to provide for easy editing and allow a simplified system for recording and playback.