Patent GB-739910-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record-controlled type printers
IPC: B41L47/58
Filed: 1953-01-13
Abstract: 739,910. Record-controlled printing machines. MAUL, M. Jan. 13, 1953 [Jan. 15, 1952], No. 1031/53. Class 100 (4). Record controlled machines.- In a record-card controlled printing machine the sensed data is printed either on the record card or on a separate sheet by the same printing mechanism. The printing mechanism may comprise thirty type wheels assembled as a unit which can be transversely moved from the path of the record cards to the path of the separate sheets comprising, e.g. lists, envelopes or account cards. The printing unit is settable in a single position for printing on the record card but may be set to different transverse positions relative to the separate sheet. Alternatively, the paths of the record cards and the separate sheets are not offset transversely but lead the cards and sheets to separate parts of the type-wheels, the zero positions of which are changed according to whether cards or sheets are being printed. As shown, the record card, Fig. 2, comprises three decks of data, each deck having six positions for perforation codes, which, through a sensing and clutching mechanism, cause a drive to rotate each of thirty typewheels differential amounts according to the number and value of each perforation in each column. After the machine is started, the record cards are fed from a hopper 113, Fig. 7, through a sensing position bI (used for comparing a code on a card with that of the preceding card) to a data sensing position bII where the various rows of perforations in all columns are sensed row by row, the card being fed by a ratchet drive one row at a time by each revolution of a shaft 62, Fig. 5. Three revolutions of the shaft are required for the space between decks and twenty-seven revolutions to feed a complete card. Each revolution of shaft 62 effects a rotation of the type wheels by amounts which vary according to which row is sensed. The variable rotation to the type wheels is obtained by moving the pivot 18 of a link 14 oscillated by a crank 11 on the shaft 62. The pivot 18 is moved for each row of sensing by linkages 23, 28 and an arm 17 attached to a ratchet wheel 12 which is rotated by a rocking pawl 32 actuated by a link 30 from an eccentric on shaft 62. A snap action arm embraces screws 36 to secure the ratchet in each position. The other end of the link 14 is connected to a lever 13 driving a sector 25 and a pinion 27 which is thus rotated different amounts, depending on the setting of the pivot 18 by the ratchet 12. Pinion 27 drives a pair of hexagonal shafts 44, Fig. 7, on which are slidably mounted gears 45 for driving individual clutches 46, mounted in staggered formation on the type unit. If there is a perforation in the column of the card, corresponding to the particular typewheel, it is electrically clutched to the drive from the shaft 45 and is set accordingly. This occurs for each row until the type-wheels are in the correct position whereupon printing occurs by the operation of either a hammer 214, Fig. 7, or one positioned to effect printing on the separate sheets. Each hammer is actuated by its own electromagnet which is automatically switched in circuit by the position type unit. The. printing corresponding to the data in any column of the three decks may be suppressed by operation of a corresponding key. The typewheels are restored by a notched sleeve 82 engaging pawls 83 on the type-wheels. The card is finally delivered into a hopper having a card support 116 guided by rollers 117 and urged upwardly by a spring 118. A contact m opens and stops the machine when the hopper is full. Line-spacing.-A pawl 191, Fig. 11, on a bellcrank 189 effects line spacing feed to gears 198, 202 and feed rollers 138 to advance the separate sheet. The amount of engagement of the pawl with the ratchet wheel is adjustable by means of a shield 198. Feed-roller rotation.-Between each.address on the separate sheet is a long feed which comprises a gear sector 162, Fig. 11, which makes one revolution per card and engages an idler gear 163 driving a gear 164 and crank arm 166 to which is adjustably mounted a link 169. Link 169 rocks a sector 171 which drives gears 140 and feed rollers on shafts 102. If an address occupies more than three lines it is completed on a second card and in such cases the long feed to the separate sheet is disconnected by shifting the gear 163. This is effected by pivoting the armature, of a magnet K which operates if certain data on a card in the " comparing " sensing position bI agrees with corresponding data in the sensing position bII.