Improvements in Duplicate Printing Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd May, 1897-Accepted, 27th Nov., 1897
Improvements in Duplicate Printing Apparatus.
A communication from abroad by the AMERICAN ARITIMOMETER COMPANY (In-
corporated) of Saint Louis in the State of Missouri United States of America.
I, ARTHUR THOMAS ASHWELL, of Saint Peters Church Walk, Nottingham in
the County of Nottingham, Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to that class of printing machines in which movable type
are carried to and from a platen, and a strip of paper is fed between the platen and
the type intermittently, and the invention has for its object to duplicate the print-
ing in connection with continuous strips or sheets of paper, where the ordinary
separate loose carbon sheets cannot be employed; and to this end there are com-
bined in any suitable kind of machine, as for instance, a typewriter or a calculating
machine, two independent type ribbons, one fed transversely, the other either
transversely or vertically, together with means for feeding the ribbons and for
feeding superposed strips of raper, as fully set forth hereinafter and as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation in part section of a calculating or adding machine
embodying the improvements.
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the printing frame and parts carried
thereby.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the parts shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2, but in a different
position.
Figure 5 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line 5-5, Fig. 7.
Figure 6 is a detached view of part of the platen turning device.
Figure 7 is an inside elevation of the printing frame and parts carried thereby.
Figure 8 is a plan view.
Figure 9 a detached view in part section, showing one of the devices for feeding
the ribbon spool at one side of the machine.
The frame X of the machine may be of any suitable construction, as may also
the other parts of the apparatus hereinafter to be described, the construction
depending upon the character of the apparatus to which the improvement is adapted,
as a typewriting machine, or a calculator.
The main parts of the improved device are carried by a frame A, swinging
about a shaft 9, supported by the frame X. To the frame A is pivoted at 12,
another frame B, carrying a shaft 10, on which is secured the platen roller 13,
and at the end of the shaft 10, is a ratchet wheel 14, with which engages a pawl 15,
carried by an arm 16, swinging on the roller shaft 10, and provided with a stud 17,
which extends into the slot r, of a sliding cam plate C. To a bracket a, on the
frame A, is pivoted at 20 a lever D, having three arms 21, 22, 23, and a cam pro-

page_text: jection 24. The cam plate C is connected to the arm 23, and the edge of the cam
projection 24 bears on a stud 25, of the frame B.
At the lower part of the frame A, are bearings for a transverse shaft 26, carrying
a ratchet-wheel 27, and on this shaft swing two arms 28, 29, each of which carries
a pawl 30, engaging the ratchet wheel in such manner that when both arms swing
forward on the shaft 26, one of the pawls will engage and turn the ratchet wheel
and shaft, and when they swing backward, the other pawl will engage and turn
the ratchet wheel and shaft, the latter rotating thus intermittently always in the
same direction. Each of the arms 28 29, is connected by a connecting rod 31
with the lower end of the arm 22, of the lever D.
At the opposite end of the shaft 26, is a bevel wheel 32 gearing with a bevel
wheel 33, upon a vertical shaft 34, turning in bearings at the opposite side of
the frame A. At the upper end of the shaft is a type ribbon spool E, connected
only frictionally with the shaft. Thus at the top of the shaft is a nut 35, which
presses upon a spring tension plate 36, to cause it to bear frictionally upon the
upper flange of the type ribbon spool E. The ribbon b, from the spool E, passes
around a guide-roll 36, and around another guide-roll 37, at the opposite side of the
frame to a second spool E, the shaft 37° of which passes through the top and bottom
plates of a frame or bracket a¹, carried by the frame A. A friction spring 38,
bears on the frame a¹, and also against the under face or shoulder of a nut 39,
at the top of the shaft 37", so as to frictionally resist the rotation of said shaft and
its spool. At the lower part of the shaft 37, is secured a ratchet wheel 40, having
teeth beveled in opposite directions to engage a pawl 41, carried by a lever 42,1
swinging upon the shaft 37ª, and from which a stud 43, extends downward into
a slot in the upper arm 21, of the lever D. A spring 44, constitutes a yielding
bearing for a block 42", carrying the pawl, so that the pawl may be set in either
direction to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 40, as shown in full and dotted
lines, Fig. 9. As shown in full lines, Fig. 9, the pawl is so set that as the lever 42,
swings in the direction of its arrow, the spool E¹, will be intermittently turned
in said direction.
The strips of paper y, y', upon which the impressions are to be made are carried
by reels Y, Y, suitably supported on shafts carried by arms G, G₁, and pass together
around the platen 13, and between the latter and the type S, of any suitable con-
struction and operated in any suitable manner. As the form and character and
mode of operating the type are immaterial, these have not been illustrated.
On the frame A, are arranged two bearing bars 50, 50, in such position that the
strips of paper y, y', will be held tightly against the platen, when the latter is in
printing position from swinging the frame B, toward the type, shown in Figs. 1
and 4, but will be relaxed when the frame B swings away to the position shown in
Fig. 2. There is the usual type ribbon b', carried by the usual rolls 51, 51, upon
the stationary frame A, of the machine and passing vertically downward in front
of the type S, Fig. 5, between the latter and the sheet y¹ of paper, while the
ribbon passes horizontally between the two sheets of paper. A guard plate 53,
extends between the bars 50, 50, except at the points where the types S act. A
catch F pivoted to the frame 'A, serves to hold the said frame in printing position
in respect to the frame X, by engaging a bar 56, as shown in Fig. 1, but may
be lifted to permit the frame A, to swing out to insert the paper or get access to
the parts. A cutter blade 55, serves to sever the strips when required.
An arm 59, is upon a rock-shaft 60, of the machine and this shaft is operated
from the operating handle I, dotted lines Fig. 1, in a manner not necessary to be
described. As the arm 59, swings outward, a stud 61, thereof bears on the arm 22,
of the lever 1, (Fig. 4) and swings the latter, a spring 62, swinging back the lever D
when the arm 59 moves back.
In the feeding of the ribbon b, assuming the ribbon to be all wound on the right
hand spool E; as the arm 59 swings forward the stud 61 bears on the arm 22
of the lever D, and swings the latter, the spring 62, bringing back the lever D,
when the arm 59 moves back. As the lever D swings back and forth, it swings

page_text: the lever 42 by means of the stud 43, which extends into the upper arm 21 of the
lever D.
.
With the pawl 41, in the position shown by the full lines, Fig. 9, as the lever 42,
is swung back and forth, the ratchet wheel 40, and the spool E¹ will be inter-
mittently turned in the direction of the arrow, and as the ratchet wheel is turned the
ribbon will be wound on the spool E¹.
The lower arm 22 of the lever D, and its connections to the shaft 26, turn the
shaft 34, carrying the spring tension plate 36. This friction plate, rotating
in the opposite direction from that in which the spool E is turning, as the ribbon b
is being wound off it, and on the spool E¹ tends to keep the ribbon continually
taut.
In Fig. 8 the ribbon is shown feeding from the right hand spool E to the left
hand spool E. When the ribbon is all wound on the left hand spool E¹, the spool
can no longer be turned in the direction of the arrow Fig. 9, and as the lever 42
swings, the centripetal spring 44, yields and allows the pawl 41 to reverse its
position, as shown by the dotted lines.
As soon as the position of the pawl is reversed, the swinging of the lever 42,.
will cause the ratchet wheel 40 and spool E¹ to be turned in the opposite direction
from that indicated by the arrow, and the ribbon will be fed off the spool E¹.
As the ribbon is fed off the left hand spool E¹, it will be wound on the right hand
spool E, driven by the spring tension plate 36. As the movement of the plate 36
is always in excess of the movement of the ratchet wheel 40, and the spool E¹,
the ribbon will be kept continually taut.
When the ribbon b, is all wound off the spool E¹, there will be no change in the
position of the pawl 41; the ratchet wheel 40 and the spool E¹, will continue to
turn as before. As the turning of the ratchet wheel 40 is continued the rewinding
of the ribbon b, on the spool E, will be immediately recommenced.
The position of the pawl 41, will continue to remain the same until the ribbon
is all wound off the spool E, when the position of the pawl will be reversed, as
before described.
It will be seen that the parts are so moved that the ribbon is not fed when the two
sheets of paper are drawn tightly around the platen, and the parts are in position
for printing, which results as the cam projection 24, swings the frame B, to carry
the platen toward the bars 50, 50. By this means the feed takes place only when
the sheets lie loosely in relation to each other and to the ribbon b, so that there is
neither any impediment to the movement of the ribbon nor any tendency of the
ribbon to rub and color the paper. When the frame A with the platen, is in print-
ing position, the overlying strips of paper and the ribbon between them will be
held tightly drawn in contact with the face of the platen and between the latter
and the cross-bars 50, 50, so that the printing will be sharp, distinct and regular.
When the lever D is rocked by the arm 59, the cam plate C, will be lifted,
swinging the arm 16 and carrying with it the pawl 15, so as to turn the platen one
step. As the lever D swings to the position shown in Fig. 2, after the printing
is effected, the first action is to carry the cam projection 24, from the frame B,
and permit the latter to swing under the action of a spring 65, to carry the platen
away from the bars 50, 50, so that the contact of the paper strips and the ribbon b,
is loosened when the ribbon b, is to be fed.
The ribbon is, of course, fed by the usual appliances in the main part of the
machine, and although this ribbon is described as passing vertically downward,
it may be arranged to move transversely parallel to the other ribbon.
While there has been illustrated a particular combination and arrangement of
parts more especially for use with a calculating machine, the combination and
arrangement may be greatly varied, different means of feeding the ribbon may
be employed, and other mechanism than that described may be employed for
reciprocating and turning the platen.
While the ribbon b may be used for making the original copy, this is not always
necessary, as the type may be inked for the primary impression.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a duplicate printing device, means for feeding two superposed sheets
between a platen and the type, a ribbon passing between the sheets, and means
for feeding the ribbon transverse to the direction in which the sheets are fed, sub-
stantially as set forth.
2. The combination of a platen, movable type, and means for feeding superposed
sheets between the two, a ribbon arranged to pass between the sheets, and means
for feeding the ribbon transverse to the direction in which the sheets are fed,
and a second ribbon passing between the platen and the type and means for feeding
the same, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a platen, type, means for feeding superposed sheets
between the platen and type, a ribbon and means for feeding the same inter-
mittently transverse to the direction in which the sheets are fed, and means for
carrying the platen away from the sheets during the feeding of the ribbon, sub-
stantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a platen, type, means for feeding superposed sheets, means
for intermittently feeding a ribbon between the sheets, and presser bars for holding
the sheets and ribbons taut during the printing operation, substantially as set
forth.
5. The combination of a platen, type, superposed sheets and means for feeding
the same between the platen and type, a ribbon, and means for feeding the same
transverse to the direction in which the sheets are fed and for maintaining the
ribbon taut during the feeding operation, substantially as described.
6. The combination of a platen, type, supports for two strips of paper, and
means for carrying them superposed between the platen and type, a ribbon passing
between the strips, and means for feeding it intermittently in a direction transverse
to the line in which the strips are fed, substantially as described.
7. The combination of a platen, type, means for feeding two superposed sheets
between the platen and type, a ribbon passing transversely between the sheets,
rolis carrying the ribbon, and means for imparting motion to either roll to feed
the ribbon in either direction, substantially as described.
8. The combination of a platen, type, and ribbon rolls E E¹, shafts for said
rolls, friction connections between one of the rolls and its shaft, and means for
turning the ether shaft and roll in different directions, substantially as described.
9. The combination of a platen, type, and ribbon rolls E E', shafts for said rolls,
friction connections between one of the shafts and its roll, and driving devices for
turning said shaft in one direction, and devices for turning the other shaft in
either direction, substantially, as described.
10. The combination of ribbon spools, shafts supporting the same, a vibrating
arm, a pawl having a yielding bearing and ratchet-wheel adapted to be engaged by
the pawl in either position to rotate one of the shafts in either direction accordingly
as the pawl assumes either position, friction connections between the other spool
and its shaft, and means for turning the latter shaft in one direction, substantially
as described.
11. The combination with the main frame of a machine, and its type, of a print-
ing frame carrying a platen, means for locking the printing frame in printing
position, and means for moving the platen in the printing frame toward and from
the type, substantially as described.
12. The combination of the platen, bars 5 5, and means for carrying strips of
paper and ribbon between the bars and the platen, and means for separating the
platen and bars when said strips and ribbon have to be fed, substantially as
described.
13. The combination of the main frame, type, and printing ribbon, a printing
frame, platen, means for carrying two superposed strips between the platen and

page_text: type, a second printing ribbon and means for feeding the same transversely between
said strips, substantially as described.
14. The combination of the main frame, type, and type ribbon 6', a printing
frame carrying a second ribbon b, means for feeding the second transversely, and
means for feeding superposed strips of paper on opposite sides of the ribbon b,
substantial as described.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane London Chartered Patent Agent
For the Applicant