Patent GB-703168-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to intermittently actuated strip feeding apparatus for use with addressing machines and similar imprinting equipment
IPC: B41L47/24
Filed: 1950-12-12
Abstract: 703,168. Addressing and like machines. SMITH & SON, Ltd., W. H. Dec. 12, 1950, No. 30377/50. Class 100 (2) A strip-feeding apparatus for use in conjunction with addressing and like imprinting equipment comprises a yieldable drive e.g. a slipping clutch to the strip feed and an indexing member 17, Fig. 2, connected to the feed and having a series of spaced notches which co-operate with a movable stop 62 by which the feed is controlled, the stop being disengaged from a notch by an active part of the equipment to allow the yieldable drive to effect feeding to the next notch. The strip comprising a series of joined form lengths is fed by rollers 7, Fig. 2, driven by gearing 9, 10, 14, selectively engageable gears 11 or 15, and driving gear 12 mounted on a shaft 50, Fig. 5, rotated by a slipping clutch 49, through further gearing 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 40, from a coupling 35 which interconnects the feeding mechanism with a source of power. The coupling is intermittently energized through successive operating cycles of the addressing machine, complete revolutions of the coupling 35 being defined by a cam plate 36 and spring- urged detent arm and roller co-acting with a notch in the cam 36. The gear 12 is also coupled through interchangeable gears 18, 19, 21, to the notched index plate 17. The notched plate may make 180 degrees or 360 degrees rotation per complete form length depending upon the gearing fitted. The movable stop 62 is released each cycle by a control cam 53, Fig. 8, adjustably fixed to the gear 42, and has a lobe 54 which engages a lever 55 and pivots it about a shaft 57 carrying a lever 58 linked by 59 to an arm 60 fast on a hub 61 to which is also fastened the movable stop 62. The control cam 53 releases the stop 62 on each cycle to effect release of the index plate to allow letter-space feed or feed the strip from the last impression position to the next heading position. In this embodiment it is necessary to step-by-step feed the strip by repeated machine cycles to feed to the next form but in an embodiment having an additional electrically controlled compensating mechanism, the strip may be automatically advanced from the last line printed, wherever it may be, to the next form. This is effected by control from tabs 26, Fig. 13, on the holders H of the address plates. The holder H containing the last address plate to be printed on one form has the tab 26 positioned to be engaged by a selecting pin 28 during downward movement of the machine selector head. This causes, via mechanism 29, the sliding of a slug 30 on a selector drum 30, so that it will engage a lever 69. Rocking of lever 69 engages a switch lever 70 and operates switch 65 causing energization of electromagnets 71, 72, Figs. 2, 3. This draws a link 75 rightwardly, clockwisely pivoting a notched lever 74 held in shifted position by a spring detent 77, 78, A pin 81 on the notched lever closes a second switch 66, Fig. 2, preparing a circuit to a resetting electromagnet 88, Fig. 3, which is energized through a third switch closed during reciprocation of the imprinting head. Energization of solenoid 88 pivots bellcrank 96 and, via link 98 and lever 99, rocks a shaft 100, Fig. 15, whereupon, through lever 102 and a link 104, a lever 58' is pivoted and, by mechanism 59-61, releases the stop 62 from the notched plate 17. The stop 62 is held released by a detent pawl 106 and notched lever 103, permitting a continuous feed until a lobe 86' on a cam 86- at a position equivalent to a position for printing the heading on the next form--engages a lever 101 reversing the shaft 100 and allowing, via lever 102, link 104 and mechanism 58<SP>1</SP>-61, the stop 62 to re-engage the notched plate 17. Simultaneously, a roller 87 on the cam 86 engages a hooked lever 85, Fig. 3, which resets the magnets 71 through the lever 74.