Abstract: A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. The motion of the bell crank is resisted by a helical tension spring and the engagement of the bell crank by the lever causes an operator to sense a sudden increase in resistance to displacement. Position transducers are provided on the support frame to sense the position of the lever member and the initial small displacement of the space bar corresponds to single space operation and larger displacement corresponds to repeat space operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for assembling an electric motor in which a unitary housing includes a base section having integral upright end walls. Each end wall is provided with a circular opening which openings are in coaxial alignment. A curable epoxy compound coats the surfaces of the base section and/or end walls for bonding a stator assembly within the unitary housing. The stator assembly is provided with a central bore which is axially aligned with the circular openings by having an alignment pin extending therethrough while the epoxy is in a pliable state. The epoxy is then cured with the alignment pin in position. After curing the pin is removed. The stator is now rigidly attached to the housing with its bore and the openings precisely aligned along the common axis of the motor. A rotor subassembly is inserted lengthwise through the openings and the stator bore with its bearings located in a corresponding opening on the housing for rotatable free support of the rotor in the bore.

Abstract: A pinch valve for selectably controlling flow of fluid through one of two resiliently deformable tubes used e.g., for transporting water in a steam iron. The valve comprises a body member defining a compression surface supporting each one of the tubes. A selector lever is pivotally mounted on the body for selectably moving an integral cam abutment between individual tube shut-off positions. A rocker element supported on the tubes is captively held in the body member intermediate the selector lever and the compression surface for rocking movement between tube pinching positions. The cam abutment continually presses on the rocker causing the rocker to bear upon each one of the tubes on the compression surface. As the selector lever is pivoted, the cam abutment engageably slides along the rocker to rock the rocker between its tube pinching positions. The tubes are thus isolated from sliding contact with the cam abutment by the interposed rocker thereby preventing frictional wear of the tubes.

Abstract: An acoustic transmission member is disclosed for use in an encoding system utilizing acoustic energy wherein diverging sound waves are induced within the member in response to selected actuation of a striker positioned along the member. The time taken by each sound wave to travel through the member is measured in the system to provide an elapsed time interval unique to all strikers for generating a code indicative of the selected input. The acoustic transmission member is a rod formed into a series of coils or helixes with at least one coil length provided and when assembled disposed between adjacent striker positions. The coil configuration defines an expanded path, as compared to the straight linear distance between adjacent strikers, for the sound waves to travel.

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: 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.