Patent GB-402417-A (GB)
Abstract: 402,417. Ticket printing and issuing machines. SUCKLING, R. H., 19, Heather Gardens, Golders Green, London. May 25, 1932, No. 14778. [Class 106 (iii).] In a manually-operated ticket printing and issuing machine, particularly for use in a totalizator system, the operation of any one of a number of individual (for example runner) keys prints the corresponding one of a number of types, and through a member common to all keys prints further type on the ticket, the printing being effected through a ribbon. The printing block 3 is pivoted at 4 to a fixed table 2, Figs. 1, 3, and normally held up against an adjustable stop 5 by springs 6 anchored at 7 and connected to the individual keys P1-P6, pivoted at 23 to the printing block. Located beneath the keys is a common bar 22<1> connected by plates 22, pivoted at 23 and carrying eccentric pins 24 engaging links 25. The block 3 carries engraved plates 20, 42 and rollers 21 adapted to be set and locked from the outside of the machine, for printing " fixed " data on the tickets ; the types 26 individual to the keys W1-W6 are slidable in the block under the control of biasing springs, and the " win " type 29 and " place " type 43 are carried by brackets 291 and 431 respectively, both pivoted to the block 3. The " place " keys P1-P6 are attached to the corresponding " win " keys W1-W6 and arranged to slide a limited extent with respect thereto. The ticket strip 8 passes from a spool 9 over a jockey pulley 12 pivoted on an arm 13 freely mounted on the spool spindle, between the ribbed feed roller 15 and an idle roller 14 spring pressed thereto, and then between the block 3 and a rubber pad 60 carried by table 2, to the issuing mouth at 17. In operation, the depression of any " win " key, W5 for example, carries with it the " place key P5 and the common bar 221. The eccentric pins 24 rotate about the axis 23 and engaging cam surfaces of links 25 depress the printing block 3 ; the individual type 26 is depressed by the part 27 of key W5 and the " win " type 29 is depressed by the part 30 of the " place " key P5. When the key approaches its lowermost position a projection 31 on the bar 221 strikes an adjustable collapsable arm 32, pivoted to the casing at 62, to move a link 33, which, through toggle links 64, 25, apply intensive pressure to the block 3 and collapses at 32, 33 when sufficient printing pressure has been obtained, permitting links 25 to lift and release the printing block. When the depressed key is released, it returns to normal, the common bar 22<1> is restored by the counterweight 63 and the link 33 is restored by counterweight 34. The ticket is fed by a dog 35 on one of the plates 22. During upward movement of the counterweight 63 the dog 35, which has a bevelled surface, wipes idly past a spring pressed plunger 36 carried by the feed roller 15, but during return of the counterweight engages this plunger and rotates the feed roller to feed the ticket until the plunger is depressed clear of the dog by a tapering edge of the frame of block 3. At this point a spring plunger 37 on counterweight 63 engages a lever 38 on the shaft 39 which is thereby rotated and the guillotine blade 40 rigid therewith severs the ticket. The printing ribbon passes from a bobbin 421 to a bobbin 42, Fig. 2, and is advanced in known manner through a ratchet and pawl mechanism 41 actuated from the shaft 39. Depression of key P5, for example, for a " place " ticket, causes the key bar to slide longitudinally with respect to the " win " key bar W5, after which both " win and " place " keys are depressed. The subsequent operations are as for a " win " ticket except that the part 30 of the " place key now operates the " place " type 43 instead of the " win " type 29. The registering circuits are controlled by a member 44 on the " place " key which depresses plungers 45, 46 to close contacts 50 for " win and " place " tickets respectively. In another embodiment the type block 111, Fig. 4, carrying the printing plates 119 and rollers 118, is fixed, and the adjustable printing platen 112 is operated by a cam 121 rotated by a pawl 123 pivoted to one arm of a bellcrank lever 122 connected by a link 124 to the arm 125 common to all the individual keys 145. The " win " and " place " type plungers 120, (one is behind the other in the Fig.) are pressed into printing position by cams 134. Normally the " win " plunger is in position, the change over being effected through links 138 and 139 (pivoted at 140) by depressing the " win "-" place " key 135 which is held depressed by a projection 136 on arm 125 engaging a pin 137 on link 138. Also, through a bar 141 and link 142, a contact push rod 144 is positioned opposite the " win " or " place " plunger 154. When one of the individual keys 145 is depressed with the common bar 125, a return spring within the air brake cylinder 147 is stressed. A spring 150 is also stressed until the collar 152 on the connecting link 151 engages a roller 153 to release a catch 149 normally locking a lever 148, whereupon the latter is rocked, operates the rod 144 depressing the " win " or " place " plunger 154 to close the " win " or " place " registering circuit, and swings over the corresponding arm 157 carrying the individual type 158 in the direction of arrows 155 through a common hole 156 in the type block 111 to print the variable data on the ticket. The various individual types 158 are detachable and set to print at different angles thereby acting as a code. At the same time the member 125 actuates the platen 112 through links 124, 122 and cam 121 to print the other matter. A roller 127 on bell crank 122 also lifts lever 128 pivoted at 129 whereupon pivotal link 131 raises the guillotine blade 113 against the bias of spring 132 ; a sprung catch 133 holds the blade elevated until release of the depressed key 145, when, after feeding of the ticket, the link 122, in returning to normal, releases the catch and the blade is freed to sever the ticket. The ticket strip 106 is advanced between a feed roller 109 and an idle roller 110adjustably sprung into engagement therewith. As member 125 is depressed, a hook 159 pivoted thereto is carried on to the next driving pin 160 on roller 109 and lifts the feed stop 161 clear of the stop pin 161<1>. When the depressed key is released a spring 163 returns the key and arm 157 to normal and member 125 is returned by the air brake spring 147. The hook 159 rotates roller 109 to feed the ticket which is then severed as described above. A feed check member 162 is provided. The printing ribbon, which passes from bobbin 117 to a similar bobbin (not shown), is advanced through a ratchet mechanism actuated by a pin 164 on link 122 during return of the latter to normal. A pin 166, slidably mounted on member 125, engages a member 167 during the first portion of the downward movement of the arm 125 to depress a plunger 168 so that the previously operated contact plunger 154, held depressed by holders 156, is released. The pin 166 may also be arranged to actuate electrical registering apparatus and, or, a mechanical counter except when actuated by a test key. Levers 169 for locking all keys except the test key are provided, and, with the type rollers 118, may be controlled by a cam stepped electro-magnetically, the keys being free and the type rollers locked in one position, and vice versa. According to the Provisional Specification the " place " keys may be slidable on the " win " keys to two or more definite positions, a printing type being provided for each position so that further printing combinations are possible.