Patent GB-770718-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in electrical control mechanism for controlling drive connection between a driving shaft and at least two driven shafts
IPC: B41L45/00
Filed: 1955-04-18
Abstract: 770,718. Addressing-machines. USSELMANN. F. April 18, 1955 [April 24, 1954], No. 11093/55. Class 100(2) [Also in Group XXIV] In a control mechanism for effecting engagement between a driving shaft and at least two driven shafts required to be angularly synchronized, each driven shaft is provided with a coupling making connection with the driving shaft only in certain defined angular positions of the latter and electrically controlled means for each coupling renders the coupling operative only when its driven shaft is in a predetermined angular position and the driving shaft is in one of its defined angular positions. A ratchet wheel 6, Fig. 1, loose on the driven shaft 1 is continuously driven by the driving shaft 2. Fast on the shaft 1 is a cam disc 8 to which is pivoted a pawl 7 held out of engagement with the ratchet by a latch 9. On momentary energization of a solenoid 14, a pawl 11 is moved counter-clockwise and releases the latch 9, which is thereupon withdrawn by the spring 10 to release the pawl 7, whereupon the shaft 1 and disc 8 are rotated. When the high part 15 of the cam engages a roller on a bell-crank arm 16, a stop 18 engages a pin 19 on the latch to return the latter to locking position, where it is held by the pawl 11. After one revolution of the shaft 1, the pawl 7 abuts the latch 9 and is withdrawn from the ratchet. A further pawl prevents reverse rotation of the shaft 1. In an addressing-machine, shafts for operating the printing mechanism and the plate-feed mechanism are rotated from a common drive shaft each through a coupling as described, the arrangement being such that one or both shafts may be driven, but when both are driven they are always in the same relative angular position, and when either is driven it is in a certain angular relationship to the driving shaft. The couplings for the driven shafts 1, 1a, Fig. 4, arc controlled by solenoids 14, 14a controlled by a switch 25, 25a. Each solenoid is energized provided that its switch 25 on 25a, a main switch 26 (also controlling a motor 27 rotating the driving shaft), a pedalcontrolled master switch 23, and three switches 21, 22, 22a are all closed. The switch 21 is closed automatically by cam action in permitted zones in the rotation of the driving shaft represented by segments a, Fig. 6. The switches 22, 22a are similarly controlled by rotation of the shafts 1, 1a, in zones represented by segments b. The solenoids are thus energized where the segments a and b overlap to ensure engagement of the pawl with the right teeth of the ratchets. When a shaft 1 or la is stationary, its switch 22 or 22a is closed. Thus if both shafts are stationary and are to be rotated, switches 25, 25a and 23 are closed and the solenoids are energized when the switch 21 closes. If, for example, shaft 1 is rotating and 1a is to be rotated, switches 23, 25 are already closed. Switch 25a is now closed, whereupon the solenoid 14a will be energized when switches 21, 22 are closed simultaneously.