Patent GB-338038-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to an address-printing machine with means for operating a calculating machine
IPC: B41L47/58
Filed: 1929-12-17
Abstract: 338,038. Adrema Maschinenbauges. Dec. 22, 1928, [Convention date]. Calculating-machines with keyboard mechanism; statistical cards. -An address-printing machine A has means for operating a calculating-machine C through the stencil plates 11, the data to be computed being represented on the plates by holes or projections 24. As the printing plates pass through the address-printing machine, these holes are read (at B) to actuate, electrically or mechanically, the keyboard 9 of the calculating-machine. The plates, fed from hopper 2, are printed at 8, there being a skipping device operated by the presence or absence of lugs under the plates in the known manner to skip plates from which printing is not desired. The machine makes three cycles of operation in the time a plate passes from 8 (11<1>, Fig. 2) to B (11<11>, Fig. 2), the plates finally dropping through an opening 4 into a collector. 6 is the keyboard for operating the switch of the skipping device. The apparatus is designed to compute on six denominations, 10 being the actuating key of the calculator; the latter may, however, be hand-actuated. When a lug is present on a printing plate, contacts 13 are closed, magnet 7 is energized and its armature 14 causes the printing head 1 to effect printing. This armature also closes contacts 15 in circuit 16 and energizes magnet 17 which renders the reading device B effective three cycles later when the plate just printed from has reached the reading device. A ratchet wheel 30, Figs. 2 and 4, has teeth and pins 31 equal in number to the teeth. This wheel is rotated one tooth each machine cycle by part 38 and rod 37 connected to the rod 39 which feeds the plates 11. Normally pins 31 are in position 31<1>, Fig. 4, but when magnet 17 is energized its armature 18 projects the pin opposite to it into position 31<11> where it is in the path of a pawl 28. Hence, three cycles later, the projected pin actuates pawl 28 to release a pin 52 on the plate-reader 21, and the latter rises under spring action to read the plate, which was previously printed from. A cam subsequently restores all projected pins 31. The reader 21 has fifty-four feelers 23, attached to arms 22<1> pivoted on 21, and pulled by springs 25 into contact with the lower face of the printing plate. If, when 21 rises, a feeler 23 meets a hole 24, contacts 22 remain closed, but if the unperforated plate is met, the corresponding contacts 22 are opened. The closed contacts 22 then energize the circuits 26 of the corresponding magnets 27. Over each key 42, Fig. 6, of the calculating-machine is a rod 44 adapted to be operated by a corresponding magnet 27. Normally the parts are as shown in Fig. 6, but when a magnet 27 is energized its attracted armature 45 places a rigid part 45<1> over the rod 44. Subsequently the whole device 43 carrying parts 27, 44, and 45 is lowered. If a magnet 27 has been excited by a corresponding hole 24 the part 45<1> forces the corresponding key 42 down to set the number, but in all other cases the keys 42 press the rods 44 freely through holes in the top of 43. The device 43 is lowered by two magnets 48 which are energized through a circuit 49 which is completed by contacts 50, these latter being closed by the reader 21 as it reaches the upper limit of its stroke. Subsequently part 21 is pulled down and relatched by a cord 41 attached to rod 37 when the latter returns to the left. On reaching its lower position the member 43 depresses the actuating key 10 of the calculator. This key may, however, be electromagnetically operated by a special circuit closed from machine A or part 43.