Patent GB-571620-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to manifolding and copying apparatus
IPC: B41L3/02
Filed: 1944-05-09
Abstract: 571,620. Book-keeping devices. ZSOLNAI, T. May 9, 1944, No. 8824. [Class 16] A manifolding or copying apparatus comprises a base board provided with means for gripping one edge of each of a number of superposed sheets so that the sheets are held in predetermined positions in a direction at right angles to the gripped edges relatively to one another and to a stack of slips, sheets, envelopes, &c. which are held in a magazine in the baseboard so that the top slip &c. is level with the surface of the baseboard. The baseboard comprises a frame 1 having a longitudinal division wall 2 and a pair of lateral walls forming a magazine chamber in which is a fixed platform 22 for the magazine 23 which has an open top and an open end which may be closed by a hinged door 83. A slip &c. support plate 24 in the magazine is normally pressed upwards by springs 25 so as to hold a stack of slips against inturned flanges 26 at the top of .the magazine, and to the plate 24, are fixed two studs 41, 42 slotted to embrace ramps 45 fixed to the platform 22 having cross-pins 43, 44 engaging the ramps so that as the magazine is moved laterally the plate 24 is lowered. Slots in the platform 22 allow the lateral movement of the studs 41, 42. The lateral movement of the magazine is effected by the depression of a finger lever 10 'secured to a shaft 9 connected by link-and-lever mechanism to the bottom of the magazine. The clamping devices for the inner edges of the sheets are secured to a rack 3 slidable upon the division wall 2 and advanced one line space at each actuation of the' lever 10. For this purpose the shaft 9 is connected bv crank and link to a lever 14 carrying a pawl 18 engaging the rack 3. A stop pawl 27 to prevent reverse movement of the rack is also provided and to allow release of this pawl it is connected to a slotted arm 29 engaged by an eccentric 31 which may be turned by a finger-piece 33 to withdraw the pawl 27 from the rack. During this movement, the free end of the pawl 27 engages an arm on the pawl 18 so that this pawl is also withdrawn, allowing free adjustment of the rack by hand. The sheet gripping devices comprise longitudinal bars 49, 50, Fig. 6, mounted to slide vertically in a casing 47 fixed to the rack and pressed downwardly by springs. Links 66, 67 pivoted to the bars are connected to one end of levers 72, 73 pivoted to the casing 47 and provided with key pieces 76, 77. A pair of pads 82, Fig. 5, are carried by the ends of a flat spring 81 passing through slots in pins 79, 80 secured to the side of the casing 47, so that by pressing on the spring between the pins 79, 80 the pads may be raised clear of the rack. In operation, both keys 76, 77 and the spring 81 are pressed downwardly to raise the bars 49, 50 and pads 82. A double-sided carbon sheet is then inserted beneath both bars and the pads and the spring 81 is released to grip the carbon. A transparent' or translucent summary sheet is then placed beneath the bars 49, 50 with an edge engaging the pads 82 and the key 76 is released to grip this sheet. A record card or sheet on which original entries are to be made is then placed beneath the bar 50 with its edge against the bar 49 and the key 77 is released. The column rulings on the summary sheet record card, and slips &c. in the magazine are so arranged as to be in correct alignment when the apparatus is prepared for use as above described. When an entry is made on the record card, copies are made by the carbon sheet on the back of the summary sheet and on the top slip in the magazine. The finger lever 10 is now depressed, moving the magazine outwardly and depressing the support 24 so that the top slip may be removed and at the same time moving the rack bar one step to bring the next line of the summary sheet and record card into position. The key 77 is now depressed to release the record card and allow the insertion of'the next card and the operation is repeated. Instead of a transparent summary sheet, a non-transparent sheet may be used, in which case two single-faced carbon sheets are used.