Improvements in Blocks for Printing Numbers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 16th Nov.,
1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Blocks for Printing Numbers.
We, EMIL SCHREIER of 23, Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn Circus, Manufacturer
and RUDOLPH AUERBACH of 17, Grünauerstrasse, Berlin, Engineer, 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:—
Our invention relates to blocks for printing numbers and has for its object to
provide for actuating the numeral wheels of such apparatus by the pressure on
the face of the block such pressure occurring during the ordinary process of
printing from the block. For this purpose we provide a sliding rod which is
coupled with the frame which carries the grippers for rotating the numeral wheels.
A second sliding piece which moves in a direction perpendicular to the face of the
block and has its face marked with a dot or asterisk, is connected with the first
named sliding piece in such a manner that a depression of the said second sliding
piere, not exceeding a fraction of a millimetre, suffices for ensuring the proper
operation or "feeding" movement of the wheels whereby the numerals or figures
are controlled.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1, 2 & 3 are, respectively, a side elevation and the elevations of the two
opposite ends of the numbering block;
Fig. 4 is a plan thereof shewing the printing face.
Figs. 5 & 6 are sections on line 1-1 Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a plan of the casing enclosing the numbering mechanism, together with
the engaging or gripper frame;
Figs. 8 & 9 are sections on the line 2-2, Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 illustrates the means for the transmission to the gripper frame of the
pressure exerted upon the second sliding piece having a dot or asterisk when the
numeral wheels are to be shifted ;
Fig. 11 is a section on the line 3-3 Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 represents the mechanism shown in Fig. 10, in its normal position;
Fig. 13 is a section on the line 4-4 Fig. 12;
Figs. 14 & 15 are, respectively, a front and a rear view of one of the numeral
wheels;
Figs. 16, 17 & 18 are an end view, a side view and a plan respectively of the
frame in which the sliding piece bearing the dot or asterisk mark moves.
Figs. 19, 20, & 21 are similar views respectively of the sliding piece marked
with the asterisk or dot; and
Figs. 22 & 23 are an end view and a plan respectively of a sleeve which, is
adapted to throw the zero figure out of gear.
Like letters denote the same parts in all the figures.
a is a frame lever loosely mounted with its two arms upon the pin or pivot w, with
which the casing is fitted for the purpose. Said frame-lever is provided with a
spring-controlled gripping device (Figs. 5 and 9) acting upon the feeding wheels,
arranged in juxtaposition with the numeral wheels the required motion being
imparted to such wheels in the well known manner whilst the frame lever is
performing its corresponding "strokes" or movements.

page_text: The frame lever is operated in the following manner :-
g
The arm of the lever a, which is next to the wall e' of the casing, engages by
means of a peculiarly shaped notch as (Fig. 8), with a wedge-shaped projection '
formed on or secured to the sliding block (Figs. 10 to 13). This block g slides
in a suitable recess provided for the purpose in the said wall e', and is guided
therein by means of a rod g². The extension ³ of this rod g' beyond the said block
as well as its main body, lies within a cavity or channel in which a spring / is placed
(Figs. 7 & 12) which spring is adapted to maintain the slide block in its terminal
position on the right (Fig. 12) and also, thereby, to hold the frame lever a in its
raised position, or, should said frame lever have shifted therefrom, to return it to
such raised position.
7
The sliding piece n, which is marked with a dot or asterisk, and which is
illustrated in Figs. 19, 20 & 21, is located and guided within a vertical recess e³
(Fig. 7) provided within the side wallet of the casing being retained in position by
a frame (Figs. 16, 17 & 18), provided with a guiding slot (Fig. 18) for the
reception of the said sliding piece. In the space between the vertical portion of
the frame and the slide n is interposed a lever r (Figs. 11 & 13) which is adapted
to turn freely on a pivot, with its lower end in contact with the sliding block g.
This lever is bent or curved in such a manner that it invariably remains in contact
with the said block g, no matter what may be its position at the time. The lever
is provided upon its upper curved portion with a cam or tappet », upon or against
which rests the shoulder n' of the slide n.
Owing to this arrangement, the frame-lever a, with the grippers b may be caused
to, perform a complete stroke by only displacing the sliding piece n to a very small
extent.
In order that the sliding piece may not interfere with the vertical movement of
the said lever a it is provided with a slot 12 through which the pin or stud
protrudes; which arrangement, at the same time, prevents the said sliding
piece from dropping out of the mechanism in the event of the latter being
inverted.
The spring-controlled pawls or catches (Figs. 4 to 6) retain the numeral-
bearing wheels in the desired position after they have been moved.
The means for keeping the zeroes of the numbering mechanism out of
'engagement are as follows:"
A sleeve (Figs. 22 & 23), is passed on to the pin w which sleeve is secured
against rotary motion by screws; placed in the sides eel of the casing enclosing
the mechanism (Figs. 7 & 11). This sleeve is, provided with a longitudinal slot q
and at its end has a groove q², adapted to engage with a tappet or stop situated on
the pin w, thereby securing the position of the said sleeve q in relation to the pin or
pivot w.
The zero pieces take the form of sliding blocks (Figs. 14 & 15) inwardly
terminating in hooks t¹ which, for the purpose of throwing, and keeping, the
zeroes out of gear, are adapted to enter the slot of the sleeve q. The depressed
or countersunk zero pieces leave free spaces or channels in the numeral-
controlling wheels ; such channels being provided for the reception of a block m
carrying the sign No. This block m (Fig. 4) is provided with a stop m' at its
lower corner on the left; whereby it is prevented from slipping out; while its
upper left corner is fitted with an incline m² the object of which is to bring about
the automatic displacement of the No. symbol m, the moment a fresh numeral-
wheel is thrown into gear, when the stop or tappet m¹ of the No. plate m is deprived
of its support in consequence of a forward movement of the wheel.
The support or bearing m³ into which the plate m is adapted to slide when all
the wheels are in gear, is fitted with a small support m which the stop m¹ is
adapted to meet, thereby preventing the No. sign from slipping out of the
mechanism and getting lost.
'Numbering blocks or machines constructed according to my invention may be
et up with type, stereos, or electros in a printers "forme" or "chase and the
22

page_text: numbering and printing done in one operation. The numeral wheels may have
numerals in any desired order and arranged to duplicate certain numbers if
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
A block for printing numbers constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, either with or without the device for
shifting the "No." sign along the face of the block, and operating as specified.
Dated this 6th day of September 1895.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
31, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicants.