Patent GB-1060127-A (GB)
Title: Proof encoder
Filed: 1964-11-05
Abstract: 1,060,127. Selective punching machines. CUMMINS-CHICAGO CORP. Nov. 5, 1964 [Nov. 5, 1963], No. 45095/64. Heading B4B. A coding machine for cheques or the like comprises coding means for applying coded characters at a coding station, setting means for the coding means, a keyboard for entering the information to be coded, transport means for transporting the cheques into the coding station, a feed station for feeding the cheques to the transport means, means for transmitting the keyboard settings to the setting means and for controlling motion by the transport means, means operable incident to the arrival of a cheque at the coding station for stopping the cheque and for initiating action of the coding means, and means responsive to the completion of the coding for transporting the coded cheque out of the coding station. The machine described comprises a keyboard 12, Fig. 1, and a housing 11 within which is disposed transport means 15, Fig. 1a, a perforation detector 16, perforating means 17 and cheque positioning means 18. A diverter 19 causes the cheques to be deposited in a receptacle 20 having a plurality of pockets which are selected by means of push-buttons 21 to 23 on the keyboard 12. The machine is adapted to enter (a) the transaction code (i.e. credit or debit) and amount, Fig. 2a, on a prequalified cheque, Fig. 2, as well as sprocket holes S2 in sequential order with existing sprocket holes 81 or (b) the account number, transaction code and amount, Fig. 3a, on an unprequalified cheque, Fig. 3, as well as sprocket holes S2 extending from the leading edge of the cheque. The transport means 15 comprises drive discs 57, 37, Fig. 5, between which the cheques are fed. The discs 37 are driven from a motor 31, Fig. 4, through mechanism including a feed clutch 32 and a brake 34. The drive discs are mounted on angled shafts 38, 58, Fig. 6, so that the discs crowd each cheque into engagement with a reference edge member 45. To prevent feeding of a second cheque before a first cheque has cleared, the drive discs are arranged in two separate series, an initial series 57, 37 which extends from the feed station and the rotation of which is controlled by a feed solenoid 87, Fig. 1a, energization of which releases a latch 83, and a main series 57a, 37a, Fig. 4, directly associated with the perforator 17 and, which operates as long as the feed clutch 32 is energized. The perforator comprises a head 115, Fig. 8, connected to parallel pivoted links 116, 117 and reciprocated by means of a motor 125 the shaft of which terminates in a worm 126 meshing with a worm-wheel 127 which drives the head 115 through a single revolution clutch 128, an eccentric 130 and connecting rods 131. The punches 142, Fig. 10, are selected by means of selector rings 160 coupled to a shaft 190 and provided with notches 161 to 171 engageable by pivotally-mounted spring-influenced latches 175 selectively releasable by devices 240 each comprising a coil 241 and an armature 243. The shaft 190 is driven by a motor 210, Fig. 12, through a single revolution clutch 215 comprising release and stop latches 217, 218 which are operable simultaneously by means of a ring clutch solenoid 225. For resetting the latches 175, a bail shaft 260, Fig. 12, is provided along which are spaced discs 261 mounting rollers 262, 263, the shaft 260 having mounted thereon a slip clutch 270 and a stop disc 280 having dogs 281, 282 engageable by a latch 283 controlled by a solenoid 285. The machine is provided with an electrical setting matrix 320, Fig. 12, having input or digit lines 321 connected to a commutator 311 the wiper 312 of which is mounted on a shaft 310 coupled to the shaft 190 driving the selector rings 160 and output or column lines 322 connected to the release devices 241, 243 for the latches 175. Switches 331 to 335 are associated with the commutator shaft 310 for triggering and interlock purposes. The presence or absence of sprocket holes in the inserted cheque is determined by means of the detector 16. In the absence of an output signal from the detector, a switch 354, Figs. 1a and 4, is operated by the leading edge of the cheque to cause immediate stoppage of the cheque so that the identifying and proof information is punched in the cheque adjacent the leading edge thereof. However, the switch 354 is made temporarily ineffective by an output signal at the detector 16 so that the cheque is caused to travel a short additional distance with the result that the proof information is punched on the cheque in a clear space which is offset from the qualifying information. In this case, the leading edge of the cheque engages a spring - influenced pivotally - mounted feeler wheel 382, Fig. 19, which normally rides in a groove 383 in a drum 360 provided with sprocket teeth 362 engageable with the sprocket holes S1 in the cheque. When the wheel 382 is engaged by the leading edge of the cheque, a latch 386 engages a sprocket wheel 387 to stop rotation of the drum 360. This ensures that the sprocket holes S2 are punched in sequential order to the sprocket holes S1 The drum 360 is released, after operation of the perforator, by means of a solenoid 400, Fig. 15 (not shown). The perforated cheque is accepted from the drum 360 by pairs of output drive rollers 421, 422 and 431, 432 which convey the cheque to the diverter 19. The operation of the machine is described with reference to Figs. 21a and 21b (not shown).