An Automatic Numbering and Cheque-printing Machine.
Year: 1890

page_text: CUMPLEIN DE MOITICATION,
An Automatic Numbering and Cheque-printing Machine.
1, WILLIAM WILSON HORN, of the Firm of Horn & Son, of 151 Strand, London,
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (a communi-
cation to me from abroad, by William Easdown Smith, of Bridge Street Sydney in
the Colony of New South Wales, Australia, Manufacturing Stationer and Printer)
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention, primarily, is to combine in one operation the processes
of numbering and printing cheques, railway and steam boat tickets, drapers check
books labels, documents, and the like, where consecutive numbering is required in
combination with printed matter or letter press. It is also also adapted to the
printing of consecutive numbers or a series of the same numbers when such may be
required to be printed alone or in other forms than in association with letter press.
By means of the mechanism of my apparatus, (which is shown in the accompanying
drawing) I am able to print and number cheques, tickets, and the like at one and the
same time in an ordinary double crown Wharfdale printing machine or other printing
machines driven by hand, steam, or other motive power without any alteration to the
mechanism of such printing machines. My apparatus (as shewn) simply takes the place
of the ordinary type frame upon the movable table of the printing machine and is held
in position by the known methods used for securing the type frame. The actuating
motion for operating the mechanism for producing the consecutive numbering is
imparted by a simple attachment secured to any convenient part of the foundation
framework or rigid part of the printing machine. All attachments to the rotative or
rotary cylinder used on printing machines for numbering and printing are dispensed
with in my apparatus. My mechanism being self contained operates so as to continue
the process of consecutive numbering at the moment when the printed sheet is
removed from the machine and before the inking process begins again. By a simple
movement of the mechanism hereinafter explained the numbers may be rendered
stationary for the purpose of printing any required quantity of the same number
and the work of consecutive numbering afterwards continued at the will of the
person operating the machine. The numbering mechanism may be used in com-
bination with either ordinary letter press, electro type, or copper plate, and the
numbering may be continued either in sets of similar figures or consecutive, as
may be desired while being used in conjunction with such letter press, electro type
or copper plate.
My apparatus consists of an outer frame composed of rectangular bars of iron, steel
or other suitable metal rigidly secured to transverse bars at each corner.
Attached
to the outer frame is an inner movable frame, to which a reciprocating or sliding
motion is imparted by means of a compound lever placed at one end of the apparatus,
the movement of the said lever being obtained by attachment with a connecting rod
placed at one side of the outer rigid frame, the propulsion of such connecting rod
being affected with a movable paul attached to the foundation framework or rigid
part of the printing press. Inside of the transverse bars which forın part of the rigid
outer frame I place other bars parallel therewith each pair being secured alternately
(at suitable distances apart) to the inner frame and the outer rigid frame. The bars
shewn nearest to the actuating lever are secured to the inner movable frame and are
made to move in the desired direction when motion is imparted to the compound
lever.
The inner transverse bars are secured to the outer framing and are always rigid.
Such is also the case with the upper transverse bars forming part of the outer
framing previously referred to.
Distance rods are connected at each end to the upper and inner transverse bars by

page_text: screws placed in the parallel slot or space between the said transverse bars, and
may be moved laterally for adjustment to any desired position. These distance rods
are provided with slots cut their entire length parallel to the thin edge of the bar.
The object of these slots being to secure the letter press electro type biock or
copper plate of the cheque, document, or the like, which it is desired to print and
number. To the upper and lower transverse bars are attached other distance rods
similarly held in position as those just described, but provided with a round rod.
These are so placed that the casing containing the numerals may slide thereon and
be adjusted to their required position, these rods forming part of the movable frame
are set in motion by the frame and are made to move sufficiently to actuate the
slides, springs, levers, and pauls, contained in the casing containing the numerals.
To the outer and inner transverse bars, and on either side of the distance rods for
actuating the numerals, are placed suitable strips of steel or other metal dovetailed on
the edges to receive the casings containing the numerals, the said strips form guides
for the said casings to slide upon and to prevent their displacement, the said casings
being further secured to the said bars by holdfasts placed on each side. Separate
distance bars of both kinds are provided so that the apparatus may be used for other
than the ordinary class of work if desired and for the purpose of carrying on if desired
the operation of numbering alone, or the printing from the block and type alone.
To the upper ends of the rectangular bars forming part of the inner movable frame
(herein before referred to) are attached round rods encircled with spiral springs whose
office is to return the movable frame to its restful position after each movement of the
connecting or impulse rod. The said rods pass through guides secured to the outer
rigid frame, the ends of the rods projecting sufficiently to receive holdfasts to which is
attached a transverse bar, for the purpose of keeping the side rods parallel, and to
minimise the friction incidental to the sliding motion.
The casings containing the numerals are constructed with end plates to receive
a centre spindle. In one of the end plates is inserted a screw stud, for the purpose
of attaching the casings to the distance rods. In the other end a dovetailed groove
is formed, parallel to the under side of the casing, and also parallel to the slot in
the distance rods. This dovetailed groove is provided with an accurately fitting
slide, having an external and internal crank pin formed thereon, the external pin
receives its motion from a gripper fitted upon the round distance rods, the inner
pin serves to operate the actuating or impelling pauls (of varying lengths) placed
within and attached to the tumbler. Above the slide, and securely fastened to the
end of the casing is a guide, which can be made to move freely along the round
distance rods. This guide covers the end of the centre spindle which carries the
tumbler for operating the various pauls the outer double ratchet wheel, and, the
numerals with the single ratchet wheels between them. The tumbler is fitted with
a spring lever, so arranged as to partially resist its upward movement when set
in motion by the inner pin of the guide, and to cause it to return to the desired
position for operating each successive paul.
Upon one side of the casing are placed retarding pauls, held in position by single
and double flat springs to prevent a backward motion of the numerals.
At a certain part of the circumference of the numeral plates grooves are cut, to
receive the requisite letter which it is desired should be associated with the numerals.
When the numerals finally reach the maximum number, the requisite letter is made to
occupy a position provided for it in a groove attachment fixed to the upper surface of
the end plate having the screw stud.
My invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which similar letters
used throughout the different views indicate similar parts, and in which
Figure 1 is a plan of my apparatus shewing generally the combination of the
various parts.
Figures 2 and 3 are a plan and side view of the clamp and paul which is secured to
the rigid framework of the printing press.
Figure 4 is an end view of the side frame of a printing press, shewing clamp in
position with paul attached thereto.

page_text: Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are a plan, two side, and two end elevations in detail of the
casing containing the numerals and their actuating mechanism.
In Figure 1, A. A. is the rigid outer frame. B B and B', lower and upper
transverse bars. C. C. inner movable frame. D. round ends of inner movable
frame (C. D, spiral springs surrounding D. D' round pins inserted in the lower
ends of inner movable frame C. C. E, guides for round ends D. F holdfasts secured
to end of D. for holding transverse har G. G transverse bar securing ends of inner
movable frame C. C. Hand H transverse bars secured to inner movable frame.
I and inner transverse bars secured to rigid outer frame A. A. The transverse
bars B2 and I are provided with division lines to facilitate the rapid adjustment of the
distance rods when setting out the different classes of work. J. J and J distance
rods attached to the upper transverse bars B1 and B2 and inner transverse bars I and I'
of the outer rigid frame A A and provided with parallel slots cut their entire length.
J and spare distance rods to be used when occasion requires. K foundation
blocks of letter press, electro type, or copper plate, secured to distance rods J and J.
Land L round distance rods secured to transverse bars H and H' for actuating the
numerals. M and M' dovetailed strips attached to transverse bars B¹ B2 I and I¹
and used for securing the casings containing the numerals.
N and N casings
containing the numerals and their actuating mechanism. O outer part of compound
lever attached to connecting or impulse rod. O¹ inner part of compound lever shewn
dotted. 02 rollers on end of O and O1 to give uniform pressure to movable
frame CC. P, connecting or impulse rod. Q, guide for impulse rod secured to
outer frame A R ferrule on end of impulse rod.
In Figures 2, 3 and 4 S is the foundation framework or rigid part of the printing
press. T and Tangle piece and parallel plates of clamp attachment. U slotted plate
carrying paul attachment. V paul for actuating impulse rod P by striking ferrule R.
W regulating screw for adjustment position of paul V.
In Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, X and X' are the end plates of casing containing the
numerals. Y. centre spindle carrying the numerals and pauls. Z screw stud for
securing the casings N and N. a, dovetailed groove formed in end plate X. slide
provided with external and internal crank pins. c gripper attached to round distance
rods Land I for operating external crank pin on slide b. d guide attached to end
plate X.
e tumbler containing pauls for operating numerals. spring lever con-
trolling the movement of tumbler e. actuating or impelling pauls. ' spring
attached to pauls g.
h retarding pauls. and j, single, and double flat springs
securing retarding pauls h. kouter double ratchet wheel. I, single ratchet wheels.
m, numeral plates. n, groove in numeral plates for holding requisite letter. o, groove
attachment fixed to upper surface of end plate X. p, holdfasts on each side of
casings N and N. 9, dovetailed groove formed to receive strips M and M'.
The mechanism of my apparatus is made to operate in the following manner.
When it is desired to combine the processes of printing and numbering, the framing
is placed upon the travelling table of the printing machine and secured in the same
manner as an ordinary type frame. The paul Vis then adjusted by attaching it to
the rigid framework S by means of the parts T T and U. The paul V is placed in
such a position in line with the connecting rod P that when the travelling table is
moving, the ferrule R upon the end of the connecting or impulse rod shall be brought
in contact with paul V just sufficiently to give the requisite motion to the compound
lever O and O'. As this lever moves, the rollers O are thrust simultaneously against
the transverse bar EI of the inner movable frame C, and as the frame moves forward
the spiral springs D' are compressed so as to impart a backward motion upon cessation
of the pressure of the paul V. The forward action of the frame C gives motion to
the round rods Land L so that they are thrust into sockets or guides provided for
them at the opposite endi, and as the grippers, c, are attached to these rods, a move-
ment is imparted to the internal mechanism of the casings N and N'. The slide, b,
with its external and internal crank pins is thus made to reciprocate, its first action
causes the tumbler e, to oscillate sufficiently to move the pauls g, these pauls being
of varying lengths and their corresponding ratchet wheels being suitably placed, will

page_text: .
cause the numbers to rotate in the following manner. The first stroke changes the
position of the first numeral plate änd when that plate has completed its circuit the
second paul operates so as to move the second numeral plate, which remains in a
restful position until the first numeral plate has made another circuit, when the
second numeral plate is again operated by the second paul, and ratchet wheel. This
operation is continued until the whole of the figures in the first and second numeral
plates have been used, when the third numeral plate is made to operate by the third
paul and ratchet wheel and thus the operation is continued till all the numerals have
been brought into use. The pauls being provided with the spring y are prevented
thereby from engaging the ratchet wheels when the tumbler e is being thrust
backwards by the spring lever f, and will only engage with the said ratchet wheels
during the upward stroke of the tumbler. The single and double flat springs i and j
operating the retarding pauls h, exercise a controlling influence upon the numeral
plates so that as each alternate number is moved it is retained in the desired position.
The grooves provided in the numeral plates are at the commencement of the opera-
tion placed in line so that an associated letter such as is ordinarily used for numbering
cheques and the like may be printed first in association with the units, and when the
second numeral plate revolves it is pushed along the groove so that it
may be
associated with the tens, and so on until the whole of the numerals have been used,
when it will occupy the groove provided for it on the upper surface of the end
plate X¹.
When the paul V has been once adjusted the operation of numbering can be
carried on continuously as the action is automatic, that is to say that for every
movement made by the impulse rod and the compound lever a corresponding move-
ment is produced within the casing containing the numerals, it will thus be evident
that if it is desired to print large quantities of the same number all that is required
to be done is to disengage the paul V so that no contact is made with the
ferrule R.
My apparatus is adapted to work with either a single set of numerals or many sets,
and, providing the ratchet wheels with their actuating or impelling pauls in all cases
correspond to the number of figures upon the numeral plates, the process of continuous
numbering may be carried on almost indefinitely. The letter press, electro type or
copper plate is in all cases, (when it is desired to associate it with the numerals)
secured in the position shewn, by attaching it to the parallel distance rods J and J.
As these distance rods form part of the rigid outer frame A A the movement made by
the inner frame C C does not affect the printed matter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish to state that
the form of my apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing may be varied in
accordance with its adaptability to the various classes of printing machines in use I
therefore do not claim the precise form or shape but I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a Wharfdale or other printing machine, the use and application of a framework
fitted with mechanism for consecutive numbering and printing in substitution for
the ordinary type frame placed upon the movable table of such machine and operated
by a movable paul attached to the rigid framework or foundation part of the printing
machine as described and for the purposes set forth.
2. The application to a Wharfdale or other printing machine of a rectangular frame-
work placed upon the movable table and having longitudinal and transverse bars,
containing in combination letter press and numbers, the said numbers being made to
operate by a compound lever actuated by an impulse rod, operated simultaneously by
the backward and forward movements of the table of the printing machine as herein
described and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a combined numbering and printing machine applied to a Wharfdale or other
printing machine the mechanism consisting of an outer rigid frame and an inner
movable frame, used in combination with a compound lever for operating the inner

page_text: movable frame, to which is attached, upon distance rods, the letter press, electro type,
or copper plate, and the numbering mechanism, for the purpose of printing and
numbering simultaneously as described and shewn.
4. In a combined numbering and printing machine taking the place of an ordinary
type frame the use and application of casings containing numerals, the said casings
being fitted with slides, springs, levers, and pauls each actuated simultaneously by
the movement of the inner frame, in combination with a compound lever, attached
to an impulse rod, operated by a movable paul attached to the rigid framework
of a Wharfdale or other printing machine, as described and for the purposes set
forth.
5. In a combined numbering and printing machine taking the place of an ordinary
type frame and consisting of an outer rigid frame and inner movable frame fitted
with letter press and numerals in combination, the use and application of a compound
lever attached to an impulse rod, operated by a movable paul, as described and for
the purposes set forth.
6. In a combined numbering and printing machine as described in claim three the
use and application of a movable paul attached to the rigid framework of a printing
machine for the purpose of operating an impulse rod attached to a compound lever
imparting motion to an inner frame containing numerals and letter press, for the
purpose of operating the said numerals at the will of the operator, as described and
shewn.
1
" 1
1 A
1000
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.