Patent GB-310352-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to number-printing machines for bank-notes or the like
IPC: B41F3/86
Filed: 1928-01-24
Abstract: 310,352. Fraine, H. G. de, and Chamberlain, S. B. Jan. 24. 1928. Type-wheel actions.-In a type-wheel machine of the flat-bed type for printing numbers within spaces provided therefor in un-numbered banknotes and the like, a reciprocating bed which co-operates in known manner with an inking- roller and impression cylinder is provided with a set of type-wheels each of which is set by a rack movable longitudinally upon the table, the setting movement of the racks being performed by keyboard-controlled abutments which engage their ends as the bed approaches one end of its travel, and the re-setting or zeroizing movement. being performed during the return of the bed by means independent of the abutments and before the front ends of the racks engage them for setting the type-wheels for printing a different number on the next cheque &c. Two or more interconnected sets of type-wheels controlled by a common keyboard may be provided for printing the same number in two positions on a cheque. The reciprocating bed 12, Fig. 1, carries two sets 14, 15 each consisting of six type-wheels for setting up numbers composed of six digits, each type-wheel having on its periphery the number 0-9, and six sets of key-operated plungers 16<1> numbered correspondingly to the type-wheels are arranged in a group 16. Slidingly mounted on the bed 12 are a series of six plates arranged in two groups of three, indicated at 17, 18 respectively, and each plate has a front portion 19 which coacts with the plungers 16'. Integral with the three plates 17 are rack-bars 20 which engage peripheral notches between the characters on the type-wheels, and rearward extension 26 on the rack-bars are provided with teeth to engage pinions 22 secured on parallel shafts 23 carrying pinions 24 at their other ends to drive three rack-bars 21 which each engage a type-wheel of the set 15. The result is that when the bed 12 is moved to the left and the plates 17 strike depressed plungers 16', the rack-bars 20 are moved to set three of the type-wheels 14 and a similar setting is transmitted to the corresponding type-wheels of the set 15. In a similar manner the setting imparted by the sliding plates 18 and racks 25 to the other three type-wheels of the set 15 is transmitted to the corresponding wheels of the set 14. Notches 40 are provided on the underside of the rack-bar to engage spring- controlled pivoted detents 41 which hold them in position. The type-wheels may also be engaged and hold in a set position by the edges of two horizontal plates 43, 44 on a member 42 which is mounted slidably upon a rod 45 and is urged towards the type-wheels by a spring 46 on the rod 45, a spring-controlled pivoted detent 47 being disposed beneath the bed 12 to restrain the member 42. Before zeroizing is effected, and immediately the bed 12 commences to return from the printing position beneath the impression roller 13, the type-wheels are disengaged from the plates 43, 44 by a trip 49 which engages a projection 48 on the member 42 and pushes it and the plates 43, 44 rearwardly, allowing the detent 47 to be raised by its spring to hold the member 42, as shown in Fig. 2. the detent 49 is mounted on a member 50 which is pivoted on the side 10 of the machine and is subsequently lifted out of the way of the projection 48 by a cam surface on the sliding-bed 12. After the type-wheels have been set the detent 47 is released by a roller 53, whereupon the type-wheels are again held. Zeroizing is effected by a buffer or block 27 at one end of a ever 28 which is connected by a link 31 at its other end to a block 32 slidable upon a rod 33, a spring 34 being interposed between the block and a similar block 35 on the rod 33. A plate 36 pivoted on the side 11 of the frame carries a pivoted trip 37 which, when the bed is moving to the left, meets the block 35, whereupon the lever 28 is swung round, the buffer 27 striking the ends 26 of the rackbars and moving them to set the type-wheels to zero. Upon further movement of the bed the plate 36 and detent 37 are raised out of engagement by a roller thereon engaging a cam surface on the bed. A spring 30 normally holds the block 27 away from the ends of the rack-bars. The keyboard may be disposed at a distance from the machine and the rack-setting abutments actuated by electromagnetic means.