Patent GB-407086-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in memorandum appliances for recording messages and the like
IPC: B42D19/00
Filed: 1933-08-11
Abstract: 407,086. Memorandum appliances. CHAPPELOW, E. P., 30c, Buer Road, Fulham, and ANDREWS, T. C., 34, Star Road, West Kensington, both in London. Aug. 11, 1933, No. 22498/32. [Class 16.] In a memorandum appliance for recording messages, of the type comprising a casing carrying two rollers, paper passing from one roller over a writing surface on the outside of the casing and then to the other roller, a knob, rack and pinion, or other means is provided for rotating one roller, and a knob or other means is provided for rotating the other, the drive of one roller only including a ratchet-device which normally prevents the paper from being drawn off that roller, and means operable from outside the casing is provided for disconnecting the ratchet-device without moving the front of the casing bearing the writing aperture, so that the paper can be drawn off this roller by rotating the other roller, whereby any messages recorded on the paper can be read. The casing comprises a base a, Figs. 2 and 3, provided with bolts a<2> which pass through a door, desk &c. to which the device is to be attached, a bent plate b forming the front of the casing and apertured at b<1> to enable messages to be written on the paper, a hinged side g', a fixed side h (not shown), and an intermediate wall f situated near the side h and extending the full length of the casing. A plate c is secured beneath the plate b and is bent to form a writing support for the paper, and two housings for the rollers d, e. Each roller spindle is carried at one end in a bearing in the wall f, and at the other end is rounded and received in a cup bearing g carried by the hinged flap g<1>. The spindles of the rollers at the end remote from the flap g<1> are provided with diametrical slots, that end of the supply roller d being engaged by a corresponding projection on a rod which is journalled in the side h and is provided with an outside manipulating knob, and the end of the spindle of the receiving roller e being engaged by a corresponding projection on a short rod k also journalled in the side h but not provided with a manipulating knob. The means for manipulating the roller e to draw the paper across the writing support c comprises a spring- retained rack m, slidable in a housing m<1> on the back of the plate b, operable by a finger-piece m<2> which projects through a slot in the plate b. The rack engages a pinion o, freely mounted on the short rod k, provided with a spring- controlled pawl o<1> which engages a ratchet-wheel o<2> fixed on the rod k. Another ratchet-wheel secured on the rod k is engaged by a spring- controlled pawl p<1> (not shown) to prevent backward rotation of the roller e when the rack m returns under the action of its spring n. A spring m<4> keeps the rack m normally in engagement with the pinion o. Messages written on the paper displayed through the aperture b<1> in the plate b cannot be inspected by an unauthorized person since the hinged flap g<1> is adapted to be locked. The means for disconnecting the ratchet-mechanism from the rod k comprises a lock q, provided on the side member h, having a key-operated plunger or tongue adapted to engage an arm on the pawl o<1>, and also the rack m, to swing them clear of the ratchet-wheel and pinion respectively so that the knob on the short rod engaging the supply roller d may be operated to draw the paper from the roller e to display the message or messages written thereon. In a modification the rack is dispensed with, and the short rod engaging the receiving roller is provided with a manipulating knob situated on the outside of the casing. The short rod carries a simple ratchet-wheel engaged by a spring-controlled pawl which may be held out of engagement therewith by turning a key in a lock. In a further modification, shown in Fig. 9, the short rod k, a ratchet-wheel s, and a pawl s<1> are carried by a spring-controlled hinged flap t instead of being fixed on the side member h. The rod k is operable by a knob on the outside of the flap t. The flap t is locked in the closed position in which the rod k engages the roller e by a lock u. To enable the roller e to be set free from the ratchet-mechanism the flap t must be unlocked. An instruction plate, and a name plate or a card receptacle, may be mounted on the front of the casing ; in addition, a sliding indicator may be provided on the casing to indicate whether the person required is in or out.