IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS FOR NUMBERING PRINTING AND CUTTING TICKETS CHEQUES, AND OTHER SIMILAR AND LIKE ARTICLES PROGRESSIVELY AND CONSECUTIVELY "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Melton Black of Bell Yard City Road in the City
of London for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS
FOR NUMBERING PRINTING AND CUTTING TICKETS CHEQUES, AND OTHER
SIMILAR AND LIKE ARTICLES PROGRESSIVELY AND CONSECUTIVELY
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Melton Black at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th September 1883.
JOHN MELTON BLACK of Bell Yard City Road in the City of London
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS FOR NUMBERING PRINTING AND
CUTTING TICKETS CHEQUES AND OTHER SIMILAR AND LIKE ARTICLES PROGRESSIVELY
AND CONSECUTIVELY
"
The object of this Invention is to produce a machine for numbering and
printing tickets cheques labels and other similar and like articles progressively and
consecutively in a much more expeditious manner than has hitherto been adopted
and with advantages that no other machine of a like nature and object possesses.
The improvement consists in the adaptation of two or more axles as may be
required for the purposes as hereinafter stated or if desired Cylinders, each axle or
Cylinder if so desired contains or supports a series of numeral discs for each ticket,
cheque, label or like article to be printed and which axle or Cylinder if so desired
may contain one or more series of numeral discs provided with numbers and letters
if required around their periphery and which numerals and letters are successively
brought into action by suitable gearing in proper consecutive order from the units
to the tens, then to the hundreds, then to the thousands and so on, These axles
are supported in centres on a strong frame so that they can freely revolve by
suitable gearing and are provided with a series of numbering discs actuated by
suitable gearing, each series of discs representing the width of the ticket, cheque,
label or other like article to be printed and which axles may contain one or more
series of numeral discs according to the number of tickets required to be printed at
one operation

page_text: -
The apparatus for printing the consecutive numbers upon the running strip of
paper passing between the discs and their impression Cylinders are composed of
a series of discs placed transversely across the paper each series of discs are
independently arranged and driven so as to enable them to print in consecutive
order their several numbers on the running strip or ribbon of paper. Take for
example one of the series of the discs printing the numerals is provided with the
numeral type numbers from 0 to 9 these numbers are so placed that the paper
travelling beneath them at the same surface speed receives such numbers with each
and every revolution of the said discs with each revolution also a fixed disc
provided with one tooth gears with and gives one tenth of a revolution to a second
series of discs provided with numerals printing the tens which in like manner
when its intermittent motion has completed one revolution will gear with and give
one tenth of a revolution to the third series of discs provided with numerals
printing the hundreds which said discs also being provided with similar gearing
and type numbers likewise transmits motion to a fourth series of discs printing the
thousands, such arrangement of gearing and discs may be extended so as to
advance the consecutive order of their number printing or may be otherwise
provided with letters or devices, but in every case such discs forming one series are
repeated and arranged in a line across the paper each one of the series representing
one line of consecutively numbered tickets letters or devices which are subsequently
cut up into strips as hereinafter described so as to form continuous lengths of
rolled up consecutively numbered tickets.
The whole series of discs are secured in their places by means of a lock
concentric ring or its equivalent provided with handles which when turned into
position fixes or places the whole of the series of discs in gear and working order
one with the other, but if at any time it is required that the printing shall
recommence from zero or from any number back or forward from that last printed
the said lock ring is forced back in its slot, the action of which throws the whole
of the wheels actuating the numbering discs out of gear and so allows any one or
more of such dises to be turned by hand into a position which will enable them to
commence printing from zero or from any number required
I further employ a series of revolving or other cutters so placed and so driven
that they will divide the strip of paper, cardboard or other like material impressed
with the subject matter back and front and bearing on the face of same the
consecutive numbers on its length into strips the width of the ticket cheque label
or other like article as may be required which may be one or more tickets in width
as herein described which are then passed if required to be perforated or nicked
through two rollers conveniently placed for that purpose and then rolled into rolls
on spools as may be required or severed into single tickets by the action of suitable
transverse cutters.
The arrangement combination and action of the various parts composing the
improved numerical printing Machine may be described as follows:-
A large roller or Cylinder upon which the roll of paper cardboard or other
material to be printed is placed, is mounted at one end of the machine on suitable
bearings The end of the roll which may vary in width according to the number
of tickets to be printed is passed between a first set of printing rollers upon the
upper surface of which it receives the impression of the subject matter on its full
width, passing on it next passes through the series of numeral discs or Cylinders if
so desired herein described which impresses on the surface of the paper cardboard
or other material in register with the subject matter the consecutive numbers and
the letter of the Alphabet to the left of the numeral thousands so as to indicate the
alphabetical series say of ten thousand after which if necessary to impress the
ticket with a duplicate number it passes through a second set of numeral and
duplicate discs similar to those previously described in register with the subject
matter on the face of the ticket when it receives if required the duplicate
impression of the numbers and alphabetical series impressed upon the face of the
paper cardboard or like material by the first series of discs after which it passes
r

page_text: through if required a series of discs or cylinders which will give a distinguishing
number or other device that may be required to be impressed on the face of tho
paper after which it passes under a large heated Cylinder placed slightly beneath
the plane of the line previously traversed which combined with a traversing sheet
of paper or other suitable material receives any "set off" from the face of the
paper before passing through the last printing rollers to receive the impression of
the subject matter on the back of the paper cardboard or other material and which
impression is in register with the impression on the front of the same.
The strip of paper is now passed through circular or other suitable cutters so
arranged as to divide the sheet of paper cardboard or other like material into strips
the width of the ticket, cheque label or other like article as may be required-from
thence, these divided printed strips pass through rollers (if required) which
perforate or nick the paper cardboard or other material at the line where the ticket
is to be separated from the continuous strip, which strips are then received on
spools and wound up in rolls each roll being independent of the other.
:
Or if desired in lieu of rolling the continuous strips of printed tickets into rolls
I adapt to the delivery end of the machine an arrangement of transverse cutters
which will separate or cut the continuous length of paper as delivered into separate
tickets and place them as severed in proper consecutive order into receptacles
placed to receive them and from which the tickets so placed can be taken in
bundles and secured in their consecutive order by pins, string or the like,
When I employ Cylinders as the medium for carrying the numbering discs the
cypher type in that case would deliver their numbers in advance if not removed
out of printing contact immediately they had delivered their impression. In order
to accomplish this each one of the cyphered type of the series of discs commencing
at the second disc printing the tens is provided with a groove fitting a cam ring
upon which the said cypher type when being carried round with the numbering
discs slides, this ring is so arranged and shaped that when the Cypher has at the
time required delivered its impression it will be placed out of position and below
the printing surface by the cam ring which at the proper instant of time lowers the
cypher type sliding thereon out of printing contact.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Melton Black in the Patent Office on the 11th March 1884.
JOHN MELTON BLACK of Bell Yard City Road in the City of London
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS FOR NUMBERING PRINTING AND
CUTTING TICKETS CHEQUES AND OTHER SIMILAR AND LIKE ARTICLES PROGRESSIVELY
AND CONSECUTIVELY
The object of this Invention is to produce a Machine for numbering and
printing tickets cheques labels and other similar and like articles progressively and
consecutively in a much more expeditious manner than has hitherto been adopted
and with advantages that no other machine of a like nature and object possesses
The improvements consist in the adaptation of two or more axles as may be
required for the purpose as hereinafter stated or if desired Cylinders, each axle or
Cylinder if so desired contains or supports a series of numeral dics for each ticket
cheque label or like article to be printed and which axle or Cylinder if so desired
may contain one or more series of numeral discs provided with numbers and letters
if required around their periphery and which numerals and letters are successively
brought into action by suitable gearing in proper consecutive order from the units
to the tens, then to the hundreds, then to the thousands and so on. The said Axles
are supported on a framing in suitable bearings, and are driven by gearing which
will give their several type surfaces an uniform speed in conjunction with their
impression Cylinder or Cylinders-These Axles are provided with and carry a
number of discs or Cylinders each one of which support in suitable bearings around
their peripheries, a series of numbering discs of the description well known
which will when intermittently acted upon print or deliver their numbers in
consecutive order-Or if Cylinders are employed the type numbers will be arranged
so, that the Cylinders themselves whilst revolving round their main axles will
receive their Changes intermittently and so be placed in position for delivering
their numbers in consecutive order in manner as hereinafter described-When discs
are employed each and every one of such discs supports around its periphery a
series of numbering discs which represent the width of, or one line of the tickets,
cheques, labels or other like article to be printed and these discs supporting such
series of numbering discs are so disposed that each axle may contain or support one
or more thereof according to the number or separate lines of tickets required to be
printed at one operation-I also arrange upon other axles working in unison with
the numbering discs a series of discs provided with letters or devices which will
give a distinguishing character to a given number of tickets passed through the
machine, for example when the Machine is employed for printing Railway or Tram
Car tickets the discs provided with a distinguishing letter will be thrown out of
printing contact during the time the first 99,999 are being printed, but when these
numbers again return to zero for a fresh start, the discs provided with letters will
be thrown into printing contact, so that each ticket of the next series of 99,999
passing through the machine will have added thereto the first letter of the
Alphabet or other distinguishing mark so that when the letters of the Alphabet are
used each series of numbers printed will have a change of letter thus enabling each
series printed to have its own special character or distinguishing mark. The
arrangement of printing machine I prefer upon which my improved numbering
and device printing discs or Cylinders should be employed consists of a framing
supporting at one end a large roll or webb of paper cardboard or other material
One end of this roll or webb of paper which may vary in width according to the
number or separate lines of tickets to be printed at one time is passed between a
first set of printing and impression rollers which print upon the full width of its
under surface subject matter by preference advertisements notices or the like
From these rollers the paper webb passes on through and between the series of
numeral and lettered discs and their impression Cylinder herein described where it

page_text: receives upon its upper surface the subject matter suitable for the front of the
tickets together with the progressive consecutive numbering of such tickets and if
desired the Car number or other distinguishing mark after which the webb of
paper now printed upon on both surfaces passes between drying Cylinders or other
well known appliances for removing the "set off" from the printed surface from
whence in its course it is then subjected to the action of revolving circular knives
or Cutters so arranged as to divide the sheet or webb of paper cardboard or other
like material into separate strips or ribbons each one of which will be equal to one
line of the number of lines of the tickets cheques or labels which are being printed
as the webb is passing through the machine, from these circular cutters the divided
ribbons or strips of printed paper are received on to spools or circular bosses placed
side by side on a spindle and secured by screw nuts so as to form a roller-This
roller with the ribbons of paper attached thereto rests in the space or interval
formed by two Cylinders or upon one driving Cylinder so that when such Cylinders
or Cylinder revolve the ribbons of paper accumulate on their respective spools or
bosses and receive a solid and disc like .form-When the spools or bosses have
received their full complement of rolled tickets screw nuts binding them together
on their spindle are released and the spools withdrawn ready for use as
consecutively numbered tickets in the form of a continuous roll or such rolls may
be subsequently divided so as to form when used separate consecutively numbered
tickets
.
In order that the Invention may be well understood and explained in detail
I have hereunto annexed four sheets of drawings-The Fig. on Sheets 1 and 2 being
made to a scale of about One and a half inches to a foot and those on Sheets 3 and 4
about half size, upon these figures letters of reference are marked on corresponding
parts on all the Fig". alike
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figs 1 and 2 represent the printing machine constructed according to my
invention in which numbering discs of the ordinary description are employed and
arranged for delivering in continuous order their consecutive numbers to the Webb
of paper passing between them and their impression Cylinder Fig 1 represents a
front elevation of the general arrangement of the printing machine Fig 2 represents
a part plan view of the same Figs 3 and 4 are details of parts of the Machine
hereinafter referred to
In these Figs a. a, is the framing of the machine at one end of this frame the
roll or webb of paper Cardboard or like material a¹ is supported out of which the
consecutively numbered tickets are subsequently formed One end of this Webb of
paper is first passed between the printing Rollers 6 and its impression roller b¹
The Roller b is provided around its periphery with subject matter type designed
for printing advertisements notices or the like on the back of the Webb of paper
After the back of the Webb of paper has thus been printed upon it passes on in
the direction shown by the arrow over the impression Cylinder c where it first
comes under the action of the subject matter printing roller d and prints on the
front of the Webb of paper with each revolution ten separate impressions of the
subject matter designed for the front of the tickets together with the unit numbers
ranging from 0 to 9 The paper from thence passes under the first and second
series of numbering discs e e¹ these numbering discs are of the ordinary construction
which change with each impression given in consecutive order and they are
supported in bearings or brackets e' secured to the discs e e¹ carried by or keyed to
the axles g and h The disposition or arrangement of the numbering discs upon
their several axles are shewn more clearly in the part plan view Fig 2 in which it
will be seen that for the convenience of printing the numbers in series side by side
throughout the whole length of the Webb of paper such series of numbering discs
are stepped or alternated so that the axle g containing the first series of numbering
discs will complete the number printing on each alternate line of tickets and the

page_text: discs on the axle h containing the second series of numbering discs will complete
the number printing on the intermediate lines of tickets left blank by the first
series of numbering discs
These several series of number printing discs are so geared and driven that they
will deliver their numbers side by side and in register with the units printed by
the subject matter roller & on the axle f
The Ink from the various wells and ducts p is conveyed to the rollers p¹ p¹
inking the type by the carriers or distributors p³ p' which receive their motion
from the eccentric p³ on the axle q through the connecting arms q¹ The changes
given to the numbers from the tens to the hundreds thousand and ten thousand
and also the manner of delivering their impression will be seen more clearly in
reference to the enlarged view Fig 3 which represents the end view of one of the
series of number printing discs together with the tappet and cam surface which
effect the changes of the numbers to the whole of the numbering discs simultaneously
on one axle In this Fig the brackets & supporting the numbering discs are shown
in position secured to the periphery of the disc e on the axle h, m is a lever tappet
in connection with and projecting from the numbering discs this lever is connected
with and actuates the mechanism transmitting to the numbering discs their
consecutive order of printing The position of the tappet lever m on each series
of discs is such that when the said discs are bodily revolving with their supporting
discs e and e¹ round their axles g and they are separately brought in succession
into contact with the cam surface n The contact of which whilst passing along
such surface causes such tappet lever m gradually to yield and give motion to the
ratchets advancing the consecutive order of numbering on the peripheries of the
numbering discs This cam surface n is so placed that the change in the numbers
on the whole line of the series of discs is effected simultaneously and at a time
immediately the numbers have left the surface of the travelling Webb of paper
thereby placing the next numbers in succession for printing in position as they
are carried around their discs e and e' to receive their supply of ink from the ink
roller pin which position the numbers remain until their impression has been
transferred to the paper passing between them and the impression cylinder c the
numbering discs forming one series are ranged at distances apart round their disce
representing one ticket so that with each revolution of the disc e the series of
numbering discs will have delivered numbered impressions representing ten tickets
in consecutive order but supposing these series of numbering discs are repeated so
as to form an aggregate of twenty series on both axles g and h ten series on each
axle and placed as shewn in plan Fig 2 then the number of tickets printed with
each revolution of the axles g and h would be 200 which at the very moderate
speed of 30 revolutions per minute would represent a total of 6000 tickets
consecutively numbered and printed per minute If it is required to impress upon
the face of the tickets in conjunction with the consecutive number a distinguishing
letter of the Alphabet I mount in bearings upon the framing a a fourth axle
similar to those previously described carrying a series of discs ¹ provided with
type letters which are placed as wanted in position by band so that after the first
range of numbers up to 99999 have been run off a distinctive letter can be placed
in position which in action will impress upon the front of the next range of tickets
run through the machine and in conjunction with their numbers a letter of the
Alphabet on every ticket printed and if it is desired that a fixed and given number
(for example the number of Tram Car) should also be printed on the face of the
ticket I provide for this by the addition of a fifth axle k and type disc which is
supported in bearings and acts in manner similar to the axle and printing discs i
and The whole of the Journals supporting the axles f g h i and k are supported
in bearings that are adjustable so that the type surfaces of the discs which such
axles support may be set with the greatest nicety for delivering their impressions
After the Webb of paper has been thus printed upon on both surfaces it passes
between the rollers which remove the "set off" and glaze or smooth the surface
of the paper after which the Webb is passed between and under the action of the

page_text: circular knives or cutters m m which are placed at distances apart on their spindles
representing the width of one line of tickets so that when revolving at a speed
slightly in excess of that at which the paper is travelling the said knives or cutters
will sever or divide the printed Webb of paper into separate strips or ribbons each
one of which will represent one line of continuous consecutively numbered tickets
These continuous strips or ribbons of paper are then secured to and wound on the
Spools or bosses o' on their shaft or spindle there being a separate boss for each
line or ribbon of tickets The bosses on the Spindle equal in number the ribbons
the continuous webb of paper is cut up into which said bosses when bound together
on their spindle-rest as seen on the rollers or cylinders oo which are driven so as
to revolve at the same speed as that at which the Webb of paper passes through
the machine or one cylinder only may be used for this purpose thus causing the
ribbons or continuous strips of paper to be wound on the.spools or bosses of their
spindle The vertical rise of such spindle during the time the ribbons of paper are
accumulating on their several bosses is maintained by the guide slots j into which
the ends of the Spindle project When the full complement of tickets have been
rolled upon their several and respective spools or bosses such bosses are released
and easily withdrawn from the Spindle.
When the Machine is required for the purpose of printing tickets such as Railway
return tickets which have their consecutive number repeated one number being on
one half and the other on the other half or upon labels or the like with a Counterfoil
the numbering discs are duplicated and carried on separate axles in brackets
similar to those printing the letters or devices herein described their position on
the impression Cylinder being such that their numbers on their several discs will
be set and so timed that they will deliver them in register and in position on the
paper cardboard or the like passing between their printing surfaces and the
impression cylinder the division between the two halves of the tickets or the like
by which they are separated being subsequently made by perforators or cutters
which pierce the paper transversely at intervals apart
These improvements can be adapted for printing in consecutive order on two
webbs of paper at one and the same time by increasing the diameter of the discs e
and el so as to enable them to contain double the quantity of numbering discs
round their periphery for instance the unit disc upon which also the subject-matter
type is locked contains upon its periphery the units from 0 to 9 on one half of its
circumference and 0 to 9 on the remaining half of its circumference the remaining
discs provided with the numbering discs round their periphery printing the higher
numbers are similar to those previously described only double in number so that
each series of numbers whilst making one revolution round the main axle ƒ and g
deliver their impressions twice before the change is effected giving them their
consecutive order of printing By this arrangement the discs will be enlarged
and print two rolls of paper cardboard or the like at the same time one webb
running in a line over the top and the other in a line under the bottom of the
said discs.
When the machine is set for printing the webb of paper cardboard or the like
supported on the bracket passes in the direction shewn by the arrows first under
the subject matter printing Cylinder b. b' then under the several subject matter and
number printing discs d. e. e¹. e³ and e³ on the impression Cylinder C after leaving
the type surfaces and impression Cylinder C the webb of paper being then printed
on both sides it passes between the "set off" drums . . where the printed surfaces
are smoothed and receive a finished appearance, thence the webb passes under guide-
rollers to the action of the circular knives m which are mounted on an eccentric
block m¹ the said block being provided for the purpose of removing the knives out
of or into cutting contact with the cutting edges of the drum or cylinder o after
the webb of paper in its traverse has been cut up into ribbons each one of which
represents a line of printed consecutively numbered tickets, such ribbons are received
on their respective spools on the spindle o' and wound thereon so as to represent
continuous rolls of consecutively numbered tickets the uniform winding of the roll

page_text: being maintained by the bearing rollers o³. The machine is driven from the main
driving shaft o' through the arrangement of wheel gearing the pitch line of the
wheels being shewn in fancy dots on Fig: 1. When the paper is being first passed
through the machine the cutting knives are thrown out of cutting contact and the
cam surface n giving the discs their consecutive order of printing is also thrown
back into the position shewn in dots Fig 3 in which position the numbers remain
undisturbed. The knives and numbering discs so remain until the inking and first
impressions are ascertained to be correct after which the cam surface and knives
are returned into position as shewn and the work goes on continuously without
interruption so long as there is a webb of paper passing through the Machine
I wish it to be understood that although I have described herein a machine made
according to my improvements which will print numbers consecutively and pro-
gressively on a running webb of paper in which a subject matter Cylinder is
employed on which the first units from 0 to 9 are placed such units can be arranged
as in ordinary number printing apparatus to print with a disc forming one of the
ordinary number printing discs The said disc when so placed will enable the
number printing apparatus to be placed on one axle and arranged to. deliver their
numbers in register with the subject matter printed on the ticket strip forming the
_running webb of paper. such subject matter being printed on type Cylinders
previous to or after the numbers aro-printed.
These number printing discs may be arranged or supported on a single axlo to
print a series of tickets in a line which are subsequently cut up into strips or
ribbons as described, or they may be arranged to print on a single strip.only.
The machine herein described and illustrated on the drawings annexed employs
as the medium for number printing from the tens upwards an arrangement of
number printing discs well known, the novelty of their use in such machine being
their peculiar disposition and arrangement in connection with the other parts of
such machine whereby the whole is capable of producing a machine for the purposes
herein setforth and described, but as the means employed for printing the
consecutive numbers may be modified or altered without dispensing with the othor
part of the Machine I have on Sheets 3 and 4 shewn the arrangement of number
printing Cylinders previously referred to which may be substituted for the series
of discs e and e¹ on the axles g and h of Figs 1 and 2.
It will be seen that the numbering Cylinders shewn on the sheets of drawings
3 and 4 are placed in a straight line, they are so placed for the purpose of
illustrating as an example the manner of adapting them to a Machino in which
the webb of paper has a rectilinear direction during a portion of its traverse though
it is obvious that the same arrangement for giving the required intermittent motion
to their numbering surfaces may be transmitted to them by a similar arrangement
of gearing when placed in a segmental position on the surface of an impression
Cylinder. On these Sheets 3 and 4 Fig 5 represents a detached front elevation of
the modified form of numbering Cylinders together with the mechanism giving the
change to their type numbers in consecutive order which type Cylinders are
substituted for the numbering discs of ordinary construction previously described
Fig. 6 represents an end elevation and part section of Fig: 5 through the line
✗X shewing more particularly the position and action of the sliding tooth giving
the change to the numbering discs when advancing their consecutivo order of
printing Fig 7 represents a plan view of Fig 5 and Fig: 8 represents a detached
end elevation of one of the Cylinders shewing more particularly the manner in
which motion is given to the gearing for effecting the consecutive order of number
printing.
In these Figs that portion of the printing machine only is shewn which represents
the mechanism giving motion to the Cylinder printing the tens, hundreds, and
thousands as the subject matter Cylinder containing the units from 0 to 9 would
be similar to the printing Cylinder d previously described at Fig 1. The webb of
paper according to the arrangement shewn on these Figs would after having
received its subject matter and unit impressions pass under the series of Cylinders

page_text: A. B. and C. each one of which is provided with similar type numbers around their
periphery from 0 to 9 each Figure on the several Cylinders being repeated in
lines along their surfaces at distances apart representing a width of one of the
ribbons or strips which the webb is subsequently cut up into The axle of the
Cylinders A. B. and C. support the discs A₁ B¹ C¹ which form bearings for the
spindles of the numbering Cylinders D. these spindles are provided with gearing
which maintain the typo numbers whilst printing or delivering their impression in
a locked or rigid position and also at the times required give the Cylinders carrying
such type numbers the necessary and forward advance according to their consecutive
order of printing. The intermittent motion given to the numbering Cylinders at
the times required so as to advance the consecutive order of their number printing
is obtained in the manner following.
The webb of paper when passing through the machine after having received the
type impression of the subject matter and units from 0 to 9 is then brought under
the action of the Cylinders D of the first series A the type numbers of which are
caused to give an intermittant advance of one tenth of their circumference with
every ten tickets printed or every complete revolution of such Cylinders. This
intermittant advance to the numbering Cylinders D is given while such Cylinders
are bodily revolving round their main or supporting axle by means of the geneva
wheels which gear in succession each time round with a fixed tooth projecting
from the fixed boss r¹ around which such wheels r slide, the intermittant changes
thus given to the type Cylinders print their consecutive units in a line vide
Fig 7 and in register with the units previously printed thus advancing the
consecutive order of printing. On the completion of ten revolutions (representing
so many changes to the type Cylinders) up to 99. The next higher consecutive
numbers up to 999 are printed by the units on the Cylinder D of the second
series B and the next higher up to 9999 by the unit type on the Cylinder D of the
third series C but as the intermittant changes given to the Cylinder of the series B
printing the hundreds for advancing their consecutive order of printing are
required to be given only once to every ten revolutions of the Cylinder D of the
series A and the type numbers on the Cylinder D of the series C printing the
thousands once only to every ten revolutions of the Cylinder D of the series B
I have adopted the arrangement of gearing for effecting these changes seen at
Figs 5. 6. and 7 in which it will be seen that the axle A supporting the Cylinder
series A printing the tens has keyed on it the worms which gives motion to the
wheel 8¹ keyed on the shaft t this worm wheel makes one revolution to ten of the
worm 8 and so transmits motion through the shaft t to the wheels u and u¹ driving
the discs v and v¹. The disc v thus driven making one revolution to ten of the
worm 8 and the disc one revolution to ten of the disc v. The rims of the discs v
and are each provided with a notch or recess and their peripheries have
passing against them the bolt vide Fig 6, which during its compressed state
prevents the sliding tooth w (seen at Fig. 6 and 8) being raised by the springs w
but so soon as either of the discs have completed their revolution so as to come
opposite the bolt v³ such bolt is immediately shot into such recess and so relieves
the springs w which instantly forces up or raises the tooth w causing it instantly
to gear with and give one tenth of a revolution to the wheels rr and gearing on
their respective axles driving the type numbering Cylinders of the series B and C.,
The tooth w maintains its elevated position during the time the type Cylinder D
makes one complete revolution when such tooth is forced down and lowered by a
race wheel x on the axle of one of the numbering Cylinders D. where such tooth
is caught and retained by the bolt which is forced by its spring into the
notch w³ and so retains such bolt until the disc against which it bears has again
completed its revolution. It will be evident that as these discs v v² are timed to
revolve at speeds corresponding with the changes required to be given to the type
numbers on the Cylinder D of the series B and C that their notches are so placed
that they will allow of the release of the rising tooth w on each disc at the instant
of time the changes so required are to be given.

page_text: I would here remark that when number printing Cylinder of the series B and C
are employed if there is no special provision for inking the type the lowest
number at which the Machine would begin to print would be 1000 or if an
additional Cylinder beyond C were used the numbering would commence with
10,000 but when it is desired that the numbering of the tickets shall commence at
(1) one then I should prefer that the inking rollers should be arranged to act so
as to come into inking contact with the type at times when the first changes are
given to the type numbering Cylinders for the first 1000 tickets printed. Cleaning
rollers or blotters being applied to the type when the inking rollers are not at
work.
It will be evident that a Machine of the description herein shewn and described
in which a continuous webb of paper of a width representing a number of tickets
is run through the machine that the printing will be performed with greater
facility and expedition than by a machine which only admits of a single ribbon or
strip of paper representing a width of one ticket being printed upon.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention together with the
manner of performing the same I would remark in conclusion that I am aware
Machines for printing and numbering tickets in continuous strips have heretofore
been employed but I am not aware that such printing has been effected on a
continuous webb of paper representing on its width a number of strips which are
subsequently cut up into strips or ribbons each one of which representing one line
of tickets, therefore I wish it to be understood that what I claim as new and as of
my Invention is
First The application adaptation and combination of consecutive numbering
apparatus of the ordinary description employed in series and mounted on two
or more axles and discs which in conjunction with other discs or printing
rollers are so arranged and actuated that they will print continuously on a
webb of paper cardboard or other material tickets cheques labels or the like in
the manner as herein substantially described setforth and illustrated at Figs 1.
2, 3 and 4 of the drawings annexed.
Second The arrangement combination and adaptation of two or more number
printing Cylinders of the description shewn and described at Figa 5. 6. 7 and 8
together with the method of driving the same when applied to a machine for
printing consecutively numbered tickets cheques or the like substantially as
in the manner herein described setforth and illustrated on Sheets 3 and 4 of
the drawings annexed., and
Third The general arrangement construction and combination of the rollers discs
and Cylinders shewn and described in the various Figs of the drawings
employed for printing subject matter and consecutive numbers representing
separate lines of tickets cheques labels or the like on a continuous webb of
paper together with the adaptation thereto of circular knives for cutting the
webb of paper so printed on up into separate ribbons or strips. The whole of
the parts so combined to be operated in the manner and for the purpose as
herein described setforth and illustrated in the drawings annexed
In witness whereof I the said John Melton Black have hereunto set my hand
and seal this the tenth day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighty four
AT