Patent GB-683369-A (GB)
Abstract: 683,369. Typewriters &c. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. June 11, 1951 [June 14, 1950], No. 13769/51. Class 100 (iv). [Also in Group XIX] An insertable printing unit for an accounting- machine comprises a plurality of record tapes with a separate printing platen for each tape, and a common operating member is differentially controllable so as selectively to operate the platens to take an impression from a common set of type members on to their associated record tapes. Two forms of the removable printing unit are described, designed for use in an accounting machine of the general type described in Specification 447,481 for the purpose of entering details of cheques paid into a bank on separate record tapes according to the banks on which they are drawn. Both forms incorporate two record tapes which are selected by two keys in the transaction bank of the machine, these keys differentially positioning a pair of notched discs controlling the selection. In the first form (Figs. 1, 7 and 8), an upper tape 135 is led from a supply roll 136, over a platen roll 138, guide rolls and a feed drum 154 to a tear-off outlet 159. A lower tape 175 from a supply roll 176 passes similarly over a platen roll 178, guide rolls and a feed drum 184 to a lower tear-off outlet 191. The platen rolls 138 and 178, together with guide rolls 150, 180 for their respective tapes, are carried between spaced plates 140, 141 centrally pivoted at 142 between arms 143, 144. In operation, the arms 143, 144 are rocked upwardly about pivots 128 whilst, at the same time, the plates 140, 141 are rocked clockwise or counterclockwise from normal (Fig. 1) to roll the platen 138 or 178 over the common set of type wheels 201 to make an impression on the respective tape. Immediately thereafter the arms 143, 144 are lowered (Figs. 7 and 8) and the plates 140, 141 then rocked back to normal. The alternative clockwise and counterclockwise movements of the platen carrier plates 140, 141 are effected by links 219 and 256, the former (Fig. 7) making a right then left excursion under the control of cams 210, 211 on a main shaft 213, whilst the latter (Fig. 8) moves oppositely under the control of cams 250, 251. The free ends of the links are slotted for engagement with a pin 221 on an operating slide 223 having a pin-and-slot connection with the platen carrier plate 140. Normally both links are held clear of the pin 221 by links 287, 267 depending from levers 282, 262 freely pivoted on a shaft 263 and furnished with feelers 281, 261 adapted to engage respective notched control discs 108, 107 differentiallyset by the transaction keys. The shaft 263 is rocked counterclockwise early in each cycle and withdraws stop pins 285, 265 from the levers 282; 262 to release them to the action of springs 284, 264. If the notch 281 of the disc 108 is opposite the feeler 281 (Fig. 7), lever 282 is freed and lowers the link 219 to rock the platen support plates clockwise to make an impression on the upper tape 135. Alternatively (Fig. 8), if the lever 262 is freed by the notched disc 107, the link 256 is lowered and rocks the platen support plates counterclockwise to make an impression on the lower tape 175. In the second form (Fig. 13), the two tapes are taken over platens 365, 395 mounted on support plates 370, 420 depending from pivots 345, 346. An operating slide 439 is adapted to be moved to the right or left under the control of feeler mechanism as in the first construction. When moved to the right, a pin 444 on the slide engages behind the plates 370 to raise the platen 365 to make an impression on the upper tape. When moved to the left, a second pin 453 engages behind the plates 420 to raise the platen 395 to make an impression on the lower tape. Line-feed mechanism. In Figs. 1, 7 and 8 the record-tape feed-drums 154, 184 are adapted to be advanced by spring-actuated levers 292, 312 bearing ratchet pawls 293, 313. One or the other lever is engaged and rocked by the platen operating slide 223, according as the slide is moved to the left or right, the lever advancing its feed drum when returned by its spring. In Fig. 13, the operating slide 439 similarly actuates ratchet pawls 482, 492 for the two record tape feed drums.