Teleprinter Console

The present invention relates to consoles for apparatus such as teleprinters and data printers.

In the case of mobile teleprinters or data printers, such as those used in outside broadcasting vehicles for example, a major problem is presented by the casing used to protect the printer equipment against excessively heavy shocks during transportation. Moreover, a stable console must be made available for the printer equipment at its place of use. It is known in the case of teleprinters to use stable casings for transportation purposes, but these casings have to be removed at the place at which the teleprinter is to be set up and used. As will be readily understood, when removed, these casings constitute considerable obstacles, especially in confined spaces. Consequently, in order to set up the equipment, special consoles are necessary, which involves extra monetary outlay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a teleprinter or data printer console which can be readily converted into a casing for transportation purposes and which is also suitable for installation suspended from a wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a teleprinter or data printer console which includes bracket means which may be used alternatively as a support for the console in a ready-for-use position and as a transportation aid when the equipment is to be moved.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considering the following description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a teleprinter mounted on a console in a ready to use position and embodying the invention herein;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the teleprinter unit and console of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a teleprinter unit mounted in a console embodying the invention herein, wherein the console is mounted on a wall;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in perspective of a console equipped with transporting rollers at one edge thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a console of the type shown in FIG. 1 wherein the support bracket is equipped with transporting rollers.

The invention herein comprises a console for apparatus such as teleprinters and data printers including a box-like base or housing which is arranged to house said apparatus, and a plate which is hinged to one side of said base and which is arranged to serve as a cover member in the housed condition of the apparatus and as an apparatus supporting surface in the ready-for-use condition of said apparatus.

Such a console has the major advantage that it can be readily converted into a casing or crate, so that the complete printer station can be rapidly shifted from one location to another. In its collapsed condition, the console can be stacked very easily and, furthermore, paper rolls, inking ribbons, tools or other accessories can be accommodated inside the console. The installation of a teleprinter by securing it to the plate increases its operational reliability, economy and mobility to a considerable extent, because at each site of operations the same console is available and there is no need to have recourse to temporary expedients. Furthermore, when shifting from one location to another, the teleprinter can simply be folded down into the base.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hinge pivot for the plate can be guided inside the box-like base, by guide rails, in a direction parallel to a side face of the said base, so that the plate can be pushed into the base parallel to said side face to bear against said side face.

In this way it is possible to arrange for the console, and therefore the printer station, to be suspended from a wall, thus facilitating its use inside such vehicles as on-site vans or outside broadcast vans, for example.

The box may be provided with two bracket structures having a stirrup-shaped portion located adjacent the base of the box and capable of being pivoted to form support feet for said box. Also, the box may be recessed adjacent the bracket structures, thereby enabling the brackets to serve as handles. By the provision of the two supporting brackets, the console is rendered particularly stable when set up, and since the brackets also form handles, the console as a whole can be readily carried and stacked.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown in perspective a console which is used in conjunction with a teleprinter. The console comprises a box-like base or housing 1, to which a plate 2 is hinged, said plate serving as a support surface for a teleprinter 3 and as a cover. The teleprinter 3 is attached to the plate 2 and can be pivoted into the box-like base 1 for transportation purposes, in which base the printer is protected against vibration, moisture and dirt. When the printer is to be used, the plate 2, with the teleprinter 3 attached thereto, is swung out and brought to rest against the upper portion of the two bracket structures 5 and a sidewall of box-like base 1. Each of the bracket structures 5 comprise an elongated rod-like member which may be bent into a shape to include an upper support portion 6, a lower stirrup-like portion 7 and an intermediate portion 8 interconnecting the upper and lower portions. The bracket structures 5 are pivotally attached to the face of the base 1 preferably near the edges thereof and adjacent the user and extend along the full height of the base 1. The stirrup-like lower portions 7 serve as feet to increase the stability of the console. Beneath the intermediate portions 8 of the brackets 5 joining the upper and lower portions thereof, hand holes 9 are formed in the base 1, thereby to provide handles by which the base 1 with the printer contained therein can be carried. As will be readily perceived, when not in use, the printer can be housed in the base 1 with the support plate 2 serving as a cover member and the bracket structures 5 swung flat against the front surface of the base 1, to form a readily movable package.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a console for fixing to a wall, for fixing in frames or for erection on a floor or some other supporting surface. In this embodiment, the plate 2 is guided between two guide rails 10 connected to the inner side of opposing side walls of the base 1, and can be pulled out of the base along these rails. For printer operation, the plate 2 is pushed into the base (shown in the figure in full lines) along the guide rails 10, and in this condition the front part of the plate 2 rests upon the internal face 11 of the base 1 so that it is positioned in a stable manner. The overall console is attached to the wall 12 by its rear face by suitable means (not shown). For transportation, the plate 2, with the teleprinter in position on it, is pulled out of the base along the guide rails 10 until it has reached the position shown in the dashed line, and is then swung up about the hinge 13. The plate 2 then forms the cover of the crate or casing, to complete said crate. If the console is not to be attached to the wall in the manner illustrated, but is to be erected in a standing position, then the plate 2 is pivoted through 180.degree. when it has been pulled out, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 4 the box-like base 1 may also be equipped with rollers 14 attached to the lower edge thereof in recesses 15 adjacent the lower stirrup-like portions 7 of the brackets 5. This further facilitates moving the console and its contents requiring only a tilting thereof.

As shown in FIG. 5 in an alternative arrangement, rollers 16 may be attached to the lower stirrup-like portions 7 of the brackets 5. In this arrangement the additional advantage is provided that the brackets 5 may be used as handles during the moving of the console.

It will be appreciated that we have advantageously provided a console arrangement for teleprinters, dataprinters and the like which can be used both as container for the equipment when the latter is to be moved and as a support when the equipment is being used.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that these have been shown by way of example only, and the invention is not to be limited thereto as other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its fullest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.