CONSECUTIVE NUMBERING MACHINE
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, of 52 Chancery
Lane, London, in the, County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of said invention for "CONSECUTIVE NUMBERING MACHINE," a communication
to me from abroad by James Henry Reinhardt, Printer, and George Schmalzried,
Engraver, both of the City of Memphis, County of Shelby and State of Tennessee,
in the United States of America, 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 a numbering device adapted to be used in connection
with any form of type upon any printing press to present automatically at each
imprint taken from the form a different serial number in connection with 'the matter
in the form
It consists of a series of numbering type-wheels mounted in a suitable case with
mechanism for effecting consecutive changes in their positions, in combination with
a spring-seated plunger actuating said mechanism and projecting upward so as to
engage the platen of the printing press when it closes upon the type, whereby
each upward movement of the plunger after its depression by the platen will
operate to set the wheels to a different number
The case is of such a height as that when set up in a form of type, the faces of
the types on the numbering wheels which are uppermost will be in the same plane
with the rest of the type in the form, so that an imprint shall be taken therefrom
Bimultaneously with the rest
The invention consists also in the combination with each of one or more of the
numbering wheels, of a radially-adjusted type-section bearing the cipher, so that
the cipher may be dropped out of line of print and be automatically thrown up
into line when required.
In the accompanying drawings →→
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the consecutive numbering device completa.

page_text: Figure 2, a plan view of the same, representing the device as set in a form of
type
Figure 3, an end view of the device, the end plate of its case being removed and
the plunger detached therefrom and illustrated in perspective
Figure 4, a transverse section in line x, x, and
Figure 5, a similar section in line y, y, of Figure 2
Figure 6, an enlarged side view, partly in section, of one of the numbering wheels,
illustrating the combination therewith of a radially-adjustable type-section
Figure 7, a bottom view of the case and of its swinging pawl-frame, the wheels
being omitted
Figure 8, a longitudinal section in line 2, 2, of Figure 8, showing the spring-
actuated plunger and the pawl-frame in elevation, the pawls themselves not being
shown.
Figure 9, an elevation of two of the type-wheels detached and drawn upon
an enlarged scale, illustrating the lateral flange and ratchet on each, but not the
type
Figure 10, an elevation of the inner face of the detachable side of the case
carrying the stop-pawls, illustrating the application of the springs thereto
A, represents a metallic case divided transversely by a partition, B, into two
compartments, the one adapted to receive the spring-actuated plunger, C, and the
other a series of type-wheels, D, D¹, D³, D³, D, each bearing upon its periphery
numbers from 1 to 9 and a cipher These type-wheels are of equal diameter and
are mounted to revolve loosely upon a central longitudinal rod or shaft, E, which
18 fitted in the wheel compartment of the case somewhat above the centre
thereof
The height of the case and the diameter of the wheels are so proportioned, as
that the face of the uppermost type on each wheel will fall in line of print with
standard type which may be set up around the case, as shown diagramatically in
Figure 2
Each wheel is formed with a circular, concentric-ratchet, a, (see Figures 5 and 9)
projecting from one of its lateral faces and with a counterpart, circular, concentric-
Hange or offset, b, of equal or slightly greater diameter projecting from its opposite
face, so that when the wheels are brought together the ratchet, a, on the one and
the circular offset, b, on the other shall be side by side (see Figures 1, 2 and 9)
Each flange, b, is formed with a single notch, e, of a depth corresponding to that of
the ratchet.
Within the wheel compartment of the case an oscillating frame consisting of two
end-pieces, F, F, is pivoted to swing freely upon the axial rod, E, and connected
at their lower ends by a longitudinal bar or plate, F¹ To this bar a series of
curved pawls, G, G¹³, G³, G³, Gʻ, (see Figures 5 and 7) are secured to project up
between the wheels and rest upon the flanges or offsets, b, b, each being of such a
width as that when resting on the flange, b, of one wheel it shall overlap the
adjacent ratchet, a, of the next wheel to engage the same when permitted to drop
by reason of the notch, e, in the flange The outermost pawl, G, of the series
projecting up outside of the end or unit wheel, D, rests directly upon its ratchet
to engage it constantly
The arm of each pawl is sufficiently elastic to keep it in constant contact with
its appropriate flange or ratchet As the frame, F, F¹, swings in one direction the
pawls are carried forward over the ratchet-teeth As it returns, the pawls engage
the teeth and draw the wheel over The length of the vibration of the frame is so
measured as that each movement will thus cause the wheels engaged by the pawls
to revolve a distance equal to the distance between the type on the wheels
A series of stop-pawls, H, H, rest upon and engage constantly the ratchets, a, a,
to prevent a reverse movement of the wheels. Each pawl, H, is formed upon the
upper arm of a bent lever, H³, (see Figure 5) which 18 pivoted at its bend to the
upper edge of the detachable side of the case opposite to that in which the

page_text: pawls, G, G³, G³, etc, are fitted, and whose lower arm depends at a right angle with
the upper arm and plays in a slot cut in said side of the case (see Figure 10).
Springs J, J, J, (Figures 5 and 10) fitted within the case, bear outwardly against
the end of each lower arm to force it outward and consequently keep its upper arm
and pawl in engagement with the ratchet on which it rests
The oscillating pawl-frame, F, F, 18 made to swing back and forth to actuate the
wheels by means of the plunger, C, fitted to have vertical play in the smaller
compartment of the case A pin or lug, C, is made to project from the inner face
of the plunger to pass through a vertical guide-slot, K, in the partition, B, (see
Figure 3) and engage a notch, L, (see Figure 4) in the adjacent end-plate, F, of the
frame
A spring, M, (see Figure 8) is fitted under the plunger to force it up automatically
When the plunger is upheld by the spring, the pin, C, will operate to swing the
frame back to the upmost (see Figures 4 and 5, and dotted lines Figure 3) A
depression of the plunger will similarly operate to carry the frame forward far
enough to cause its pawls to move over the ratchets to make a new engagement
therewith The subsequent release of the plunger, C, from extraneous pressure will
allow the spring, M, to come into play to force back the frame and thereby cause a
partial revolution of the wheel or wheels engaged by its pawls, G, G G³, etc
Type may be formed or inserted upon the upper face of the plunger to produce
an imprint in line with the numerals on the wheels, and for convenience I combine
also with the plunger an auxiliary type-wheel, P, bearing letters of reference for
use in printing different sets or series of numbered checks or tickets
To avoid, in numbering consecutively with the device, an imprint of the ciphers
on the several wheels preceding the first, before they are required (thus 0005)
I form the type for the cipher for each of said wheels, upon a detachable, movable-
section, R, (see Figure 6) adapted to fit in a radial slot extending to the centre of
the wheel The section is made of such a length as that when inserted in the slot
with its inner end resting upon the periphery of the shaft, E, the type shall be in
line of print. A longitudinal recess or flat face, S, is cut away upon the upper side
of the fixed shaft, E, so that the section, R, when in register with said recess, may
drop inward sufficiently to bring its type out of line for print, (see dotted lines
Figure 6) The movable, radial-section, R, is confined in its slot by means of
a lateral spring, T, which permits also a slight play of the section transversely to
the axis of the wheel As the wheel revolves upon the shaft and the inner end of
the radial section is thereby carried off of the flat face, S, the section 18 forced
outward by the periphery of the shaft into line for print and when in this position
an offset, w, at its outer end will be carried by the action of the spring, T, over the
edge of the slot into a rebate cut therein This offset, w, thus made to engage the
edge of the slot, will serve to support the section in its outer position even when its
inner end is again brought into register with the flat face on the shaft and it will
so remain until by pushing the section over a disengagement is effected of the offset
When forced inward the lateral pressure of the spring, T, will suffice to hold the
section until, being carried as described, away from the flat face of the shaft, it is
again forced outward
Each of the pawls, G, G³, et seq is prevented from dropping into engagement
with its appropriate ratchet-wheel, when the pawl comes into register with the
notch in its supporting flange, b, before the next preceding pawl has dropped to
engage its ratchet,-by means of a lateral lug, m, projecting from the pawl-armı
to rest upon a counterpart lug, n, upon the adjacent precedent pawl-arm so that
when the pawl, G, for example, is upheld out of engagement with its ratchet, its
lag, n, will uphold the lug, m, of the next pawl-arm, G³, even when the latter 18
left free to drop by the notch in its supporting flange. The arm, G³, will in turn
uphold the next, G³, and so on When however the pawl, G, drops the next, C+³,
18 free to drop so soon as permitted by the notch in its supporting flange, b, but
until it drops it will uphold the pawl, G³ This arrangement of supporting lugs

page_text: prevents any movement of the wheels by the pawls other than in their regular
order and succession
As the wheels all turn loosely upon the shaft, E, in one direction they may be
readily turned and set with the finger for any desired arrangement and combination
when it is required to use the device
In the use of the device for numbering consecutively, say from 1 upward, the
wheels are all turned to indicate 0 except the right hand wheel which is set at 1 The
movable cipher-bearing sections in the remaining wheels are then all pushed inward
out of print
The case may now be set and locked up in a form with other type,
if so desired (see Figure 2) and placed in an ordinary printing press. As in the
movement of the press the platen closes upon the type to produce an impression,
the spring-seated plunger, C, will be forced inward, and in its movement will by
means of the pin or piece, C³, engaging the frame, F, F, F¹, cause said frame with
its series of pawls, G, G, G³, etc, to swing back upon its axis and thereby carry
said pawls forward over the ratchets on the type-wheels. The pawl on the first
wheel will thereupon be made to pass from one tooth to engage another, but the
remaining pawls being upheld by the flanges, b, on which they rest will simply
move idly thereon
So soon as released from the pressure of the platen as it is withdrawn from the
type, the plunger, C, will, under the influence of its spring, M, move outward, and in
so doing will swing forward the frame, which, carrying the pawls back with it will,
by reason of the engagement of the first pawl, G, with the first wheel cause it to
revolve and thus bring the number 2, into position for print in place of the
number 1,
When in this manner, by successive movements of the platen of the press, the
figures on the first wheel have been brought successively into line for print, the
notch, e, in the flange, b, on said wheel upon which the pawl, G², for the second
wheel rests, will have been brought into register with said pawl, G¹, and allow it
to drop into engagement with the ratchet on its wheel, so that at the next move-
ment of the frame, this second pawl will actuate the second wheel simultaneously
with the movement of the first wheel and thereby bring the number 1 on the
second wheel into line of print synchronously with the cipher upon the first wheel
The revolution of the first wheel to 0 will however carry the notch in the flange
upon the second wheel out of register with its pawl so that said pawl may not
again engage the second wheel until the first wheel has made another complete
revolution Thus at each revolution of a wheel on the right, the wheel next to the
left is caused to move one degree
At the first movement of each wheel after the radial cipher section therein has
been pushed in out of print, the section is forced out into line and by riding upon
the central shaft remains thereafter supported in this position by the engagement
of its offset, w, as described
The consecutive numbering wheels in themselves and their simple successive
movements by an arrangement of pawls as set forth is not claimed as new
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim 18
1st The combination with the numbering device consisting of a series of wheels
having mechanism substantially as described for effecting consecutive changes in
their positions, of a spring-seated plunger whose movement actuates said mechanism,
so that the changes may be effected automatically by the pressure against the plunger
of the platen of a printing press as it moves against the type on the wheels to
obtain an unprint therefrom, substantially in the manner herein set forth
2nd The combination with the case, A, having two compartments with a slotted
partition between, of a set of numbering wheels, an axial shaft, and a swinging
pawl-frame arranged in one compartment, and a vertically-sliding spring-seated
plunger, C, arranged in the other compartment, having a pin, C³, projecting there-

page_text: from through the partition to engage and move the swinging pawl-frame and
thereby actuate the wheels, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
set forth
3rd The combination with the fixed, centre shaft having a flat face or recess on
one side of the same, of a numbering wheel having the type section bearing the
cipher made radially adjustable and adapted as described to drop into said channel
or ride upon the shaft, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set
forth
4th The numbering wheel having a radially-sliding type-section with a spring, T,
and offset, w, as and for the purpose described