Patent GB-986135-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to printing apparatus for accounting or like machines
IPC: G06C11/04
Filed: 1961-06-12
Abstract: 986,135. Selective-printing apparatus. ZEISS IKON BUROMASCHINEN G.m.b.H. June 12, 1961 [June 11, 1960 (2)], No. 21167/61. Heading B6F. Type selection; impression devices.-A printing apparatus for accounting machines wherein the same information is printed on two sheets but is differently arranged, comprises an axially-fixed platen, two or more printing units independently movable parallel to the platen axis, tabulating means for the printing units and a fixed keyboard for setting the type of the units. For printing numbers comprising one or more digits, a key 11, Fig. 1, corresponding to the first digit is depressed and actuates one of an arcuate row of ten members 18 so as to project one of a row of type-setting members 20 in a carriage 19 containing a number of rows of members 20. When the key 11 is released, the carriage 19 moves one step in direction a, Fig. 3, and the key corresponding to the second digit is depressed to project a member 20 in the second row. The operation is repeated for the remaining digits in the number. A shaft 29 carrying a number of gear-wheels 21 corresponding to the number of setting members 20 and having stops 21<SP>1</SP>, is now rotated. By abutment of a stop 21<SP>1</SP> with a member 20, each wheel 21 is rotated a distance corresponding to a number key depressed. The rotation of each wheel 21 is transmitted to corresponding gear-wheels 26, 26<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 3, of two printing units 23, 23<SP>1</SP> by means of gears 24, 27, 27<SP>1</SP>, slidably mounted on square shafts 25. The movement of the wheels 26, 26<SP>1</SP> is transmitted to type-wheels 28, Fig. 4, through intermediate gears 39 so as to position the required type opposite a platen 33 carrying the paper to be typed, the setting of the two units being the same. The parts of each printing unit are axially slidable on their shafts so that each unit is movable across the platen independently of the other. Each type-wheel unit 28 is carried by levers 36 actuated by a cam 38 to move the unit into contact with the paper on the platen. Tabulating; suppressing printing.-The printing units are pulled to the right, Fig. 5, by springs, and are held in their initial leftward positions by catches 34. A tabulator drum 30 carries axial rows of tabulator stops 31, each row determining the spacings of successive numbers printed by the units 23, 23<SP>1</SP>. After one number is printed by both units, the carrier 32, Fig. 4, of the drum 30 is momentarily tilted anticlockwise, so that the units slide to the next tabulator stops thereupon the next number is set and printed. If printing of a number by one of the units is to be suppressed at a particular position, a cam 30<SP>1</SP> on the tabulator drum pivots a lever 42, Fig. 4, anticlockwise so that as the printing unit concerned tabulates, an inclined edge of the lever 42 moves anticlockwise a lever 41 in the unit. A hooked end of the lever 41 engages a stud 40 on the levers 36 carrying the typewheels 28 and prevents movement of the levers to effect printing. Combined column and line printing.-One unit 23 may print successive numbers one below the other, whilst the other unit prints the same along a line. For this purpose, a two part platen is used, that part engaged by the unit 23 being line-spaced after each number is printed, and the unit 23 being held in its initial position by the stop 34.