Patent GB-537299-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to printing mechanism
IPC: G06K1/12
Filed: 1939-12-14
Abstract: 537,299. Typewriters, &c. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Dec. 14, 1939, No. 32262. Convention date, Dec. 14, 1938. [Class 100 (iv)] [Also in Group XVIII] Type-wheel machines; hammer-impression arrangements; line-spacing and web-feeding mechanisms. - A printing-machine such as a cash register for printing characters, and corresponding code-marks for controlling photoelectrically another machine comprises a set of settable character-printing devices in direct mechanical connection with a set of code-printing devices, means for impressing the selected characters and code-marks on a strip, and means for feeding the strip to space the impressions and bring the impressed characters into position for optical projection on to a screen, the projected image enabling the operator to check the accuracy of the setting. In a modification characters and code-marks are printed on separate strips. In the key-set crank-operated cash register shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each numeral type-wheel 57 gears with a slide 65 so arranged that when the type-wheel is set, the slide is raised to position a spot-type 69 thereon one or more steps above the numeral printing line in correspondence with the value of the set numeral. Each type-wheel is associated with setting-means controlled by a bank of keys 10 and comprising a sector 12 which is geared to the type-wheel and is provided with a stop-pawl 9, and a slidable plate 15 in connection with a lever 16 which is normally restrained by a hook 27 on a sliding latch 25 on the framework. On depression of any key, a detent 13 is released, the latch 25 is displaced to release the lever 16, the plate 15 moves into engagement with a segment 23 on a rock-shaft 14, and the sector 12 and type-wheel are rotated until the stop-pawl 9 engages the depressed key. Thereupon, the lever 16 moves the plate 15 into engagement with one of a series of notches 17 and locks the sector and type-wheel. The selected numeral and spot-types on the wheels 57 and slides 65 are impressed on a translucent strip 42 through an ink ribbon 71 by means of a reciprocating platen 64. The strip 42 passes from a supply reel 113 to a winding-reel 115 and engages, by means of marginal perforations, sprocket-wheels 107, 108 on shafts 109, 110. The shaft 110 has a pinion engaging a mutilated pinion 119 geared to the operating-crank. When the crank is given a complete turn, the pinion 119 makes one revolution, the shaft 110 remaining stationary until impression has occurred, and being then turned through a half-revolution to feed the strip downwards and thereby space one set of typeimpressions from the subsequent set. The pinion 119 has a Geneva-disc 120 which co-operates with a disc on the shaft 110 to lock the latter after the feed-movement. The platen 64 is secured to a plate 86 on a tube 87 slidable in another tube 88 which can slide in a sleeve 89 and abuts on a spring 90. The tubes are connected by a retracting spring 95 and have slots engaging a rock-arm 93 co-operating with a dropcam on a shaft 101 which makes one revolution at each operation of the crank. The arm 93 retracts the tubes and stresses the spring 90, and then permits the spring to shoot forwards the tubes, the tube 87 making a short additional movement by momentum to effect impression. At the end of each cycle, the line of printed numerals remains in register with a slot 137, and an enlarged erect image of the line is projected on to a translucent screen 127 by a lens-andmirror system 143, 136, 144, 140, 141. The cash register shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 9 comprises type-wheels 57 and spot-type slides 65 for printing on a strip 142 (not shown) cash-receiving transactions only and corresponding spots. The cash register comprises also another set of typewheels 157 for printing all transactions, but not spots, on another strip 150, the transactions being projected on to a screen 127 by a lens-andmirror system 143, 136 ... 141. The type-wheels 157 are arranged in reverse order to the type-wheels 57 and are connected thereto by telescopic tubes 154. The type-wheels 157 have positive types. One of the type-wheels 57 and one of the type-wheels 157 are provided with types for printing " Cash" &c. The feed-shaft 110 for the strip 142 and the operating shaft for the platen associated with the type-wheels 57 are driven through a clutch 168 controlled by an arm 167 on a shaft 163 which is coupled to a slide 153 having a flange 159 co-operating with cash-receiving transaction keys 151. On depression of the amount-keys and one of a set of outgoing-transaction keys 152, type-wheels in each set 57, 157 are positioned, but the clutch 168 is not engaged so that the strip 142 is not printed upon or fed. The transaction is however printed on the strip 150 and the feed-mechanism thereof is operated. On depression of amount-keys and one of the cashreceiving transaction keys 151, the slide 153 is depressed, the clutch 168 is engaged, a transaction and spots are printed on the strip 142, a transaction is printed on the strip 150, and both strips are fed. The type-wheels 157 are associated with a platen 164 on a bail 186 abutting on a bail 187 in connection with another bail 199 which co-operates with a cam 195. The bail 199 is connected to an actuating-spring 190 and is also connected by a spring 195 to the bail 186. During rotation of a shaft 101M, the bails are retracted in opposition to the spring 190, and are then swung forwards by the spring. On arrest of the bails by a stop 189, the bail 186 swings further by momentum, and the platen effects impression on the strip 150. After impression, the strip 150 is fed downwards to bring the printed line into register with a slot 137M, and early in the next cycle is fed upwards to bring the printed line into position one linespace below the printing line. The strip passes from a supply-reel 213 to a winding-reel 215 and co-operates with sprocket-wheels 207, 208 mounted on a shaft 209 and the shaft 110M. The reels are driven from the shafts 209, 110M by belts 179, 223. Pinions 191, 192 on the shafts cooperate with teeth 210, 211 on a slide 200 which is reciprocated by co-operation of a slot 221 in the slide with a pin 212 on a disc 217 making one revolution per cycle. The slide has slots 225, 226 engaging rollers 227, 228 on inter-connected bell-cranks 229, 230, the bell-crank 229 having a foot 232 in ,the path of a shoulder 233 on the disc 217, and the bell-crank 230 having a cam 237 which engages a low part 238 of the disc until mid-cycle. The bell-cranks rock the slide and thereby bring the teeth 210, 211 into engagement with the pinions 191, 192 during downward and upward movement of the slide, the strip being thereby alternately fed upwards and downwards. Ink-ribbon mechanism.-The ribbon 71, Figs. 2 and 3, consists of a wide endless band and is directed in a rectangular path by guides 73, 74. The ribbon is fed by co-operation of a pressureroller and a rib 78 on a rubber roller 79 which is geared to the operating-crank. The feed can be varied by adjusting the pressure-roller.