Patent GB-213600-A (GB)
Abstract: 213,600. Shipley, B. M. March 29, 1923, [Convention date]. Line-spacing mechanism. - In a cash register having provision for printing upon a voucher-strip either a single-item transaction or a transaction consisting of several items and their total (see Fig. 13), two alternative strip feeds are provided, one to give a long feed prior to the first or only impression upon the voucher, and the other to effect a short feed for line-spacing between the items and total when a multiple item transaction is concerned. The machine is controlled for release bv either of two keys; the " singleitem" key is used for single-item transactions and also for releasing the machine in total-printing operations and this results in conditioning the feed mechanisms so that in the next operation of the machine the long feed will be effective. When the first item of a multipleitem transaction is to be entered, the " "multiple-item" key is employed and this causes, after the feeding movement has taken place, the disablement of the long feed mechanism and puts the short feed into effective position ready for the succeeding item-entering and printing operation. In printing the total of the items the short feed causes the total to be impressed below the items with the same line-spacing but, owing to the use of the single-item key, the machine is left in condition for long feeding in the next operation whatever the nature of this may be. The voucher-strip passes from roll 655, Fig. 6, and between the feed rolls 660, 661 through the severing mechanism over the type wheels 445 and between an electrotype 676 and a platen 672. The long feed is imparted to the feed rolls whenever a broad floating pinion 710, Fig. 8, is in engagement with a pair of wheels 707 loose on shaft 709. One of these wheels is geared with the feed rolls and the other is driven by Geneva mechanism and two-pins on a disc slidable on but rotated by the main printer shaft 371. The short feed is given by a pawl 732 carried by one arm of a bell-crank lever 712, the other arm of which carries the floating pinion. When the multipleitem key is in use to release the machine the Geneva drive is disabled and the pawl feed mechanism rendered operative in preparation for the next operation of the machine .and this changeover is performed by the sliding along the shaft 371 of the Geneva driving pins and of a cam 725 for rocking the pawl lever 712. The sliding movements are effected by the usual arm 746, Fig. 1, carried by the pitman 747 and controlled as to its effective action upon the pin 752 on the sliding rod 568 by a notched rack differentially positioned by the release bank. Thus when the single-item key has been depressed the rack prevents the rise of the arm 746 and consequently the rod 568 and the feeding mechanisms remain in the long feed position. On the other hand, when the multiple-item key is used the rack is so placed that a notch in it allows the arm to rise so that the sliding of the rod to the right can occur and the short feed substituted for the long feed. During printing totals it is necessary to reinstate the long feed and for this purpose a second hooked arm 763 is carried by the pitman 747. This arm is linked by pin and slot 765 and a spring 769 with the shaft 1025 rocked counterclockwise in two stages by the total-taking lever mechanism and in its final movement the shaft permits the hooked arm to seize the pin 752 and on the return stroke of the pitman during the second cycle of the total-taking operation to slide the rod 568 to the left and thus restore the long feed. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) contains also the following subject-matter, which does not appear in the Specification as accepted :- Hammer - impression arrangements. - This subject-matter is now comprised in Specification 232,250. Ink-ribbon mechanism.-Automatic means for preventing the seam of the endless ink-ribbon from standing at the printing line includes the usual provision of two metal buttons 1015, Fig. 30 (Cancelled), adapted to engage and lift an arm 1017 rigid with arm 1012. When this contact occurs the arms are rocked to disengage, toe 1011 from a pin 1010 on a link 1006 pivoted to the feeding pawl for the ribbon and raised and lowered by pin-and-slot connection with the consecutive-numbering mechanism. This link may now descend farther than usual to give the ribbon the extra feed necessary to carry the seam beyond the printing line.