Patent GB-1100779-A (GB)
Title: Coin operated tape embossing machine
IPC: B41J3/38
Filed: 1966-11-30
Abstract: 1,100,779. Coin-freed embossing machine. DYMO INDUSTRIES Inc. 30 Nov., 1966 [8 Dec., 1965], No. 53576/66. Heading G4V. [Also in Division B6] An embossing machine for plastics tape includes a feeding mechanism for feeding the tape past the embossing mechanism manually operable levers for actuating the feeding and embossing mechanisms, a latch plate for locking said mechanisms in an inoperative position, and a coin-controlled mechanism for moving the latch plate to a second position whereby the levers are freed for operation. The tape is fed from a reel by feed roller 145 between male and female embossing dies 183, 182 and cutting means 203, 205 to outlet 200. A toothed wheel 147 on the feed roller co-operates with a leaf spring 149 to ensure step-by-step movement of the tape. Pawl and ratchet mechanisms 150, 166 and 155, 176 (Fig. 16) at the ends of the feed roller, drive the feed roller on operation of " ppae" " and " finish " levers 160 and 173, respectively. The male and female dies are carried by circular plates on a shaft 181. The latter is rotatable to bring a selected character adjacent the embossing station. The lower plate 183 is slotted radially whereby actuation of the " emboss " lever 190 to lift a hammer 195, flexes the male die towards the female die to emboss the tape. The lever 190 carries a member 132 overlying the lever 160 so that each actuation thereof also depresses the " space " lever to advance the tape. Depression of the lever 210 severs the embossed tape from the strip. Coin-controlled latch plate.-A latch plate 240 is slidably mounted to co-operate with extensions 160F, 190F and 210F of levers 160, 190 and 210, and a slide 252 adapted to be reciprocated by the lever 170, Fig. 13. A pawl 260 is spring-loaded towards the latch plate. As shown, only the cutting means are actuable by lever 210, the levers 160, 170 and 190 being locked in position. Insertion of a coin in the machine actuates a solenoid to move the latch plate to the left, aligning the levers 160, 190 with notches 244, 243 and freeing the slide 252, Fig. 14 (not shown). The levers 160, 170 and 190 are now free for actuation and the cutting lever locked. After the lever 160 has been actuated a predetermined number of times, the latch plate is moved to the right to lock the levers 160, 190 and 210, Fig. 15 (not shown). In this position the pawl 260 engages a notch 245 in the latch plate. Operation of the " finish " lever 170 feeds the tape a short distance and pivots the pawl 260. The latch plate now returns to its initial position in which the " cutting " lever 210 is free. The " finish " lever may be operated at any time prior to the value of the coin being exhausted. Coin-control circuit.-Initially, a lamp 306 is energized through a flasher arrangement 309 to indicate that the machine is ready to receive a coin and the solenoid 330 energized to withdraw plunger 331, Fig. 16. An inserted coin falls down shoot 225 to close contacts 304, 335 momentarily. A relay 310 is operated to close hold-on contacts 311, 313; contacts 314, 316 energizing lamp 306 continuously; and contacts 317, 319 operating relay 336 and a lamp 340. The contacts 312, 313 are opened to de-energize solenoid 330 and place plunger 331 in the coin path. Additional coins are deflected to a return path 227. The relay 336 opens contacts 337, 338. A solenoid 380 is operated through normally closed contacts 375, 376 and contacts 317, 319 to move the latch plate 240. Actuation of the " space " lever 160 directly or through the " emboss " lever 190, closes a switch 370 in the circuit of a solenoid 360. The latter steps a ratchet 365 on a shaft 367 carrying cams 368. The lower cam 368 closes switch 373 on its first step. After a predetermined number of steps the switch 374 is closed, contacts 375, 376 opened and contacts 375, 377 closed. Closure of switch 374 energizes solenoid 330 to withdraw plunger 331 whereby a second coin may be inserted if desired. Contacts 375, 377 complete the circuit of lamp 350 to indicate that the value of the first coin has been exhausted. The circuit of lamp 340 is broken by opening contacts 375, 376. Depression of the " finish " lever 170 opens contacts 390, 391 to break the circuit of relay 310. The circuit is restored to its initial condition with the latch plate 240 preventing further operation of levers 160, 170 and 190. If the " finish " lever 170 is operated before the ratchet 365 has been stepped said predetermined number of times, the ratchet 365 is stepped the remaining amount by the solenoid 360 through its make and break contact 371, switch 373 and contacts 318, 319.