Patent GB-201278-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in signature-signing machines
IPC: B41J2/49
Filed: 1922-05-10
Abstract: 201,278. Johnston, T. R. May 10, 1922. Writing-machines, autographic. - A signature - writing machine comprises two cams for moving a fountain pen longitudinally and laterally to form the signature, and a third cam for lifting the pen off the paper, or pressing it into contact with the paper to vary the thickness of the lines; the documents to be signed may be placed on a belt having automatic f e e d - mechanism. A fountain pen f<1> is mounted on a traveller supported by a shaft b<2> to which are secured cams b<1>, c<1>. The traveller consists of collars e<1>, e<2> mounted on the shaft and formed with arms e<7>, e<8> connected by a sleeve e<9> which engages a rod e<10> for preventing rotation of the traveller. The shaft b<2> is revoluble and movable longitudinally in brackets d<3>, d<4>, and is geared by means of bevel wheels a<11>, b<3> to a shaft a<7> carrying a cam a<1>, the bevel-wheel b<3> being feathered to the shaft b<2>. The shaft a<7> is revoluble in a bracket d<2> and is driven by a handcrank a<10>. The shaft a' is moved longitudinally . with the traveller by means of a cam a<1>, which engages a. nose e<4> on an arm e<3> of the traveller, engagement being maintained by means of a spring a<8> connected by a band a<9> to the arm. The pen is secured at the front to a tray f<2> trunnioned in an arm f<4>, which is provided with an arm f<7>, passing through a sleeve e<6> on the traveller and a nose f<6> engaging the cam b<1>, engagement being maintained by a spring on the arm f<7>. The pen is secured at the rear to a tray connected to a rod g<5> sliding in an eye g<6> on a rod g<1> which passes through the traveller and is provided with a nose g<2> engaging the cam c<1>, engagement being maintained by a spring g<3>. The pen is secured to the tray by means of pivoted clips, an adjusting-screw being arranged between the front tray and a collar f<10> on the pen. The documents n<1> to be signed are placed on an endless rubber-blanket h<1> which passes over rollers h<2>, h<3> and is supported by a table j<1>. The blanket is moved intermittently by means of a bell-crank, having an arm k<4> adapted to engage equi-distant pins h<4> on the blanket, and an arm k<3> engaging a rod k<1> suspended loosely from the shaft b<2>. When the shaft is being returned to the starting position, by means of the cam a<1>, the bell-crank rooks, and the arm k<4> engages one of the pins h<4> and moves to the position k<6>, Fig. 1, thereby advancing the blanket. To permit return of the bell-crank, the arm k<4> may have a jointed end k<7>. The bell-crank may be connected by linkage k<10> to a bell-crank k<12> co-operating with a second set of pins h<4> on the blanket. The documents are held in contact with the blanket by means of tapes m<1>, m<2> passing over grooved wheels m<8>, m<4>, m<9>, m<10> carried by shafts m<5> which are mounted in pedestals and are pressed downwards by means of springs. The position of the tapes can be adjusted by moving the grooved wheels along the shafts. The documents pass under a blotting roller p<1>, and are discharged on to a tray r<1>; or, if a single document only is to be signed, it may be withdrawn rearwards without passing under the blotting roller. Indicating- lines h<5>, h<6>, h', Fig. 1, are drawn on the blanket, the documents being so placed that the space n<3> for the signature is in alignment with one of the lines h<5> and is within the lines h<6>, h<7>.