Patent GB-549530-A (GB)
Abstract: 549,530. Ticket-issuing machines. BELL PUNCH CO., Ltd. May 22, 1941, No. 6577. Convention date, Jan. 7. [Class 106 (iii)] A ticket-issuing machine comprises means for guiding a ticket strip, means for feeding the ticket :strip variable distances along said guiding means and means controlling said feeding means to determine the extent of feed characterized in that the said feeding means comprises a stripengaging rotating member uniformly driven in every cycle of operation of the machine, a second rotating member arranged to grip the ticket strip against the first-mentioned rotating member and devices affected by said controlling means to move the members relatively to each other into gripping engagement with the ticket strip for predetermined and variable portions of the cycle of operation. The invention is concerned with the issue of a ticket of the type shown in Fig. 16 comprising a number of sub-tickets, this number being printed on the sub-tickets after the first which is printed with the date. The ticket is perforated lengthwise, and has a number of apertures A. The machine comprises a number of similar units mounted side by side and driven by a common motor. Each unit has five keys 8 and when one of them, corresponding to the number of sub-tickets, one to five, required, is depressed, the corresponding pin 18 depresses its lever 20 which engages the free end of the corresponding lever 48, Fig. 4, notch 54 of which releases the corresponding lever 60 which then rocks clockwise so that part 108 engages cam 110. Lever 48 also rocks yoke 62 which releases lever 70 to rock counter-clockwise to depress plate 74 and close the motor energizing switch as described in Specification 464,563, at the same time pulling link 82 to rock member 156 clockwise to release pin 162 on segment 164 which is then moved outwards by its spring to mesh with motor-driven pinion 165. As gear 172, attached to segment 164, begins to rotate, cam 178 rocks lever 182 to engage plate 74 to maintain the switch closed until the end of the cycle. Early in the cycle cam 122 allows yoke 128 to rock clockwise to a differential amount determined by the engagement of the end 124 of lever 60 and the corresponding step 130. Pin 134 on yoke 128 normally holds lever 326 in its counterclockwise position as viewed in Fig. 2, but movement of the yoke permits lever 326 to rock, the differential movement being transmitted through a rack (Fig. 11, not shown) and pinions 316, 310 and 308 to shaft 298, Fig. 14, under the influence of spring 314,, shaft 298 (also Fig. 15, not shown), bearing type for printing the numerals E on the ticket. At the same time, arm 326 releases pin 330, Fig. 14, to rock shaft 334 to retract pawl 338. Later in the cycle, this action is reversed and pawl 338 acting through gear 342 and pinions 344, 346 advances one or other of gears 348, 350 according to the position of frame 362 to advance the type ribbon a differential amount. A cam (Fig. 9, not shown) now raises the platen to press the ticket strip against the ribbon backed by the type on shaft 298 and by the dating or other slugs 360. When part 108, Fig. 4, drops off the differentially-placed end 118 of its corresponding cam 110, lever 60 rocks yoke 142 to bring feed disc 150 into contact with the ticket strip, the two feed discs 150, 288 gripping and feeding the strip, being driven by a train of gears from the motor. At the same time, cam 212 rocks levers 210 and 206 to remove roller 204 from engagement with starwheel 192 attached to pinwheel 188 which is therefore free to rotate as the strip is fed, the number of sub-tickets being registered on a counter 202. The strip is fed until cam 110 restores lever 60 to its former position, the total movement being slightly greater than necessary to bring the cutting line in alignment with the knives, the re-engagement of roller 204 with starwheel 192 having a corrective camming action, a fine pre-adjustment being provided by screw 234. Early in the cycle, roller 250 had rocked lever 256 to withdraw knife 260 which is now operated by roller 248 to sever the strip, which is delivered through the usual slot in the top of the machine. Near the end of the cycle, as parts are being restored to original positions, cam 100, Fig. 4, engages arm 98 of yoke 62 to return lever 48 and re-engage its notch 54 with lever 60. Cam 176 acts on lever 156, to restore lever 70 and through hook 160 and pin 162 to pull segment 164 inwards out of mesh with driving pinion 165. As gear 172 reaches its final position, lever 182 drops off cam 178 and releases switch plate 74 to stop the machine. Normally key 8 is returned immediately after depression by its spring 16, but if it is held down, the upper end 24 of lever 20 engages its corresponding step 26, as the machine action starts, to swing shoulder 46 clear of lever 48 so that a second operation cannot occur until the key is released and subsequently depressed. If two keys are depressed simultaneously, a ticket will be issued corresponding to the key of higher value. The machine can be locked by rocking lever 36 which moves plate 30 forward and rocks levers 20 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 4. If a key is then depressed, the lower end of the corresponding lever 20 fails to contact its lever 48 and the key is latched down by the engagement of shoulder 31 on the corresponding step of plate 30. If the ticket strip runs out, spring-pressed bell-crank lever 88, Fig. 4, moves into the path of arm 86 to lock yoke 62 to prevent operation of the machine. The guide channel 94 is hinged at 95 to facilitate the insertion of a new strip.