Patent GB-895296-A (GB)
Title: Automatic feed device for record controlled addressing machines and like machines
Inventor: LANE HENRY ROBERT ARTHUR
Filed: 1958-01-02
Abstract: 895,296. Feeding webs; selective printing. GRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY Ltd. March 31, 1959 [Jan. 2, 1958; Aug. 20, 1958], Nos. 124/58 and 26721/58. Classes 100(1) and 100(4) Relates to a feed device for attachment to machines which print one or more different classes of data on paper fed through the machine in continuous lengths, the printing operations being controlled manually or by a record card, plate, or the like. An automatic control device for such a machine comprises an electrically operated detector adapted, when operated, to actuate a switching device which functions to halt the feed of paper in the required position for a printing operation, the detector having one or more operating circuits corresponding in number to the number of different classes of data, a programme control member operatively associated with the detector and which functions in synchronism with the paper feed and which bears a set of programme selection means graded according to the number of different classes of data, each selection means being adapted, when in operative register with the detector, to initiate the operation of the circuit or selected circuit, of the detector, when the paper is feeding to the said required position, a trigger switch device operable to restart the paper feed, and electrical switch means operable to render, or maintain, operative the circuit, or an appropriate one of the circuits of the detector according to the particular data classification of a record card or plate so that such circuit is in a condition to be operated by the next following programme selection means of the corresponding data classification to halt the paper feed at the next required position. The detector may be electronic, electromagnetic or electromechanical. The embodiment relates to a known addressing machine; photo-electric detection means is used and two classes of data ("head" and "list") are printed. The programme control member comprises a transparent disc 15 carrying opaque marks 21 (for "list") and 22 (for "head") constituting the programme selection means when the disc is rotated from the paper feed shaft 27 via gearing 37, 40 to intercept the light path between lamp 16 and photo-cells 11. Paper form lengths to match differing programmes are arranged by changing gear 37 between the paper feed shaft and the programme disc, gear 40 being mounted on a spindle located in arcuate slot 47 cut in side plate 29 and normally locked by nut 48. The feed shaft carries pin wheels such as 35. Circuits 12, Fig. 4, are connected to electronic switch 13, e.g. a bi-stable multivibrator via sense relay 14. "Head sense" switch 24, connected with a known sensor, is actuated to operate relay 14 only when a "head" record plate has been sensed by the machine and is about to be printed; or in machines with an electrically operated sensor relay 14 may be operated by the sensor pulses. Relay 14 is normally set to connect switch 13 to that circuit 12 which registers with list marks 21. On detection of a mark relay 23 is actuated to release clutch 33, see also Fig. 1, and apply brake 17 to halt the paper in the required position, manually operated switch 9 being normally closed but providing for the making of adjustments to the paper feed shaft. Paper feed is re-started by trigger switch 25 which is automatically operated once per printing cycle of the machine to cause switch 13 to energize the clutch solenoid and de-energize the brake solenoid. In order to avoid wasted forms due to some record plates ("skip" plates) in a run not being called upon to print, and due to inherent waste time at the beginning and end of a run, the "non-print" condition of the sensor temporarily opens normally-closed skip switch 26. The detector may comprise phototransistors and the programme control member may be a tape or sheet with marks fixed or punched thereon. Or a magnetic pick-up may be used in conjunction with a magnetically-recorded programme on wire, tape or disc. Manual control may be added by switches in parallel with the trigger and head sense switches.