Patent GB-935498-A (GB)
Title: Machine for printing addresses including means for selecting the lines to be stamped off different printing plates
IPC: B41L45/00
Filed: 1960-08-04
Abstract: 935,498. Addressing - machines; platenmachines. FABBRICA ITALIANA MACCHINE AZIENDALI. Aug. 4, 1960 [Aug. 4, 1959], No. 27095/60. Class 100 (2). In an address-printing machine using printing plates each carrying the same number of lines, the plates are moved into registry with a series of pads, one for each line, and these are urged selectively into engagement with the plates to print selected lines. Address-plates 26, Figs. 2 and 4, having matter to be printed arranged in eight lines and linen selecting tabs 163 secured thereto, are fed from a magazine 3 along a slideway 5 to a tab-sensing position, a printing position below a printing head on an arm 2 and below an ink-ribbon 10, and into a container 4. Mounted in the head and corresponding to the eight lines are eight platens 28/1-28/8, Figs. 3 and 4, each guided for vertical movement by comb members 29-32 supported by bars 38-41. Each platen sup. ports a pad carrier 51 carrying a rubber pad and held on the platen by springs 47, 48. The platens are urged downwardly by springs 52, 52<SP>1</SP>, and are normally restrained from downward movement by cams 25/1-25/8 on a shaft 23 accommodated in apertures in the platens and engaging projections 65, and also by latches 55, released by magnets 63. The shaft 23 is driven from a motor 18 through a one-revolution clutch 21 closed when a magnet 22 is energized. A motor 101, Fig. 20, viewed from below, rotates continuously a shaft 98, which causes stepping of the ink-ribbon 10, operation of the sensing mechanism 8, and rotation of cams controlling switches 130/1 and 131/1. The motor 101 also causes, through a clutch 102 controlled by an electromagnet 103, rotation of a shaft 160 carrying cams controlling switches 78/1, 88/1 and 132/1, and reciprocation of an address-plate feeding member 110. A manual switch 14/1, Fig. 12, is actuated by a push-button 14 to energize the magnet 22 for the cams 25. A switch 15/1 is actuated by a push-button 15 to energize the magnet 103 for the clutch 102. A switch 16/1 actuated by a push-button 16 causes energization of both magnets 22 by means of a relay 133 and under control of the switches 130/1, 131/1 and 132/1. The magnets 63 are controlled by sensing mechanism 75, by the switches 78/1 and 88/1, and by a switch 89/1 controlled by a cam 89 on the shaft 23. The sensing mechanism comprises a series of inter-connected sockets 76 connected to the positive terminal of a supply 77 when the switch 78/1 is closed. The sockets 76 can be selectively connected by jacks 161 to sockets 80/1-80/24. Each socket 80/1- 80/24 is electrically connected to the corresponding one of further sockets 80<SP>1</SP>/ 1 -80<SP>1</SP>/ 24  when a tab on an address plate in the corresponding one of twenty-four positions is sensed. The sockets 80<SP>1</SP>/ 1 -80<SP>1</SP>/ 24  are selectively connected by jacks to sockets 82/1-82/8, 83/1-83/8, N and P. The sockets P are connected to a relay 81 which controls contacts for energizing all the magnets 63 to print from a complete plate. The cams 25 are angularly staggered so that the platens move down in succession. Contacts N are connected to the opposite side of the relay 81 and prevent its energization when both contacts P and N are connected to supply. Contacts 83 are connected to individual relays 84/1-84/8 controlling individual magnets 63 for printing from selected lines, and contacts 82/1-82/8 are used to prevent energization of the relays 84. It is thus possible by arrangement of the jacks to print from all or any lines in response to any desired positions of tabs. The shaft 98, Figs. 20 and 21, carries an eccentric which oscillates a blade 141, cyclically releasing a series of twenty-four rods 143/K aligned with the possible positions of tabs 163. Any rod encountering a tab is held down thereby against a spring, and holds closed contacts 151/K, 152/K, thereby making contact between the corresponding pair of sockets 80 when the switch 78/1 is closed. A tab may extend over two adjacent positions. In another form, Fig. 16, the cams 25 (i standing for any numeral 1-8) and catches 92 controlled by the magnets 63 control three-armed levers 90 connected to the platens 28. In another form, the links 61, Fig. 3, instead of being connected to the magnets 63, are connected to a series of hand levers each settable in one of two positions.