Patent GB-190303024-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Printing Checks or Drafts.
Inventor: MUTSCHLER FREDERICK
Filed: 1903-02-09
Granted: 1903-07-23
Abstract: 3024. Mutschler, F. Feb. 9. Type-writers ; platen presses; printing on cheques &c.-Relates to mechanism for printing on cheques in words and figures the amounts for which they are drawn, and also the date and the consecutive number of the cheque. An impression is made at the same time on a record strip. Fig. 1 shows the device in front elevation. The cheque is inserted through a slot A‹. One or more of the setting-levers A<1> .... A<5>, which project through slots a<1> .... a<5> in the casing A, are brought opposite the word or words to be printed, e.g. " three hundred fourteen," the levers B<1>, B<2> are adjusted to print the odd cents in figures, the lever B<2> is adjusted to print "dollars," "francs," or otber denomination, and the levers B<4> ... B<8> are adjusted to print the whole amount in figures. The hand-lever C is then depressed, and a platen rises against the type-blocks and number-wheels, so that the amount is printed in words and figures at the same time. The same movement effects the printing of the date and the consecutive number. The levers A', B\ &c. operate toothed segments 1<a>, 1<b>, &c., Figs. 3 and 9, turning on a common shaft D. The segments 1<b>, 2<b>, 3<b>, &c. gear with segments on a shaft E<0>, such segments being formed integrally with segmental typeblocks adapted to print numerals from 0 to 9, or, in the case of the lever B<3>, the denomination " dollars," " francs," &c. The segments 1<a>, 2<a>, 3<a>, &c. gear with wheels D<1>, D', D<3>, &c. supported on the same shaft E<0>. The type-blocks T3 &c. which print the words are not formed integrally with the wheels D<3>, but have teeth t<10> upon the back, which mesh with the teeth of the wheels. Fig. 5 shows a type-block detached, and Fig. 4 is a view of the inside of the support T<0>, showing one type-block in position. When the lever A<3> is depressed, the wheel D<3> is rotated, and the type-block T<3> moves downwards on its support T. As soon as the first type on the block come: opposite the platen P, the perforated portion t<12> which connects the toothed back t<10> with the type-bearing face t<0> escapes from the ends of the projections t<20>, and the type block, although still supported by the surface T‹, is free to slide laterally along it. The perforation t<13> engages with an arm s<1> extending from a slide s<3>. When the selected levers A<1> &c. have been depressed, certain type-blocks will thus be engaged with arms s<3>, and all such type-blocks will be free to slide laterally. To prevent the possibility of obstruction to this movement, an aligning-bar R on a shaft r sets the teeth of all the wheels D', D', D<3>, &c. accurately in line. The lever C being depressed and the shaft c rocked, the following operations take place :-The cam-surface c<1> rocks the arm r<10> and shaft r for the purpose already described ; the crank c' actuates a lever W through a yielding spring W' and pushes a slide V towards the right so as to push the selected type-blocks together through the medium of linked slides s', a<2>, s<2>, &c., and prevent the formation of gaps between the words ; and the cam slot c<10> effects the rocking of the lever Q<1>, and so pushes tho slide Q with its wedges q beneath the platen P to make the impression. Spring-pressed arms a<12> snap into teeth a<11> to ensure proper alignment of the typeblocks and numeral-wheels. A bar e disengages them at the close of the operation, and allows the springs d to return the segments to the normal position. The slides s<1> &c. resume the normal position when the slide V returns, so that the type-blocks T<3> &c. return to their proper places on the support T<0>. The slide V bears on its under surface a series of type, such as crosses, which fill up all the space on the left of the assembled typeblocks to avoid the formation of a gap when the cheque is printed. The impression takes place through an inking-ribbon I wound on the spools I<1>, I<2>. A record strip R<1> of translucent paper takes an impression from the other side of the ribbon. The consecutive-numbering apparatus Y is shown in Fig. 9. It is of known form, and moves with the platen, a block U being provided as an impression surface. The dating-device operates in a like manner. The feed-roller for the record strip, and the spool I' for the ribbon are both fed by ratchet mechanism controlled by the movements of the platen. The support T<0> may be dispensed with if the teeth on the lower and rear portion of the drums D<3> &c. are made of dovetail pattern to interlock with the teeth on the type-blocks.