US3712527A

US3712527A - Method and apparatus for handling tape

Info

Publication number: US3712527A
Application number: US00066350A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Luperti; R Reid; A Waber
Original assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Current assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date: 1970-08-24
Filing date: 1970-08-24
Publication date: 1973-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-23
Also published as: CA946012A

Abstract

A tape is advanced by power means and the extent of advance of the tape is controlled by preset means actuated by the travel of the tape. When used in conjunction with a printer the tape comprises a print-receiving strip divided by lines of tear, such as perforated lines, into units of equal length, and the leading end is raised into contact with a flat printing head which may be employed to print on one or two unit lengths of the tape strip; the return movement of the support means of the tape strip is employed to actuate the power means, and the control means is preset to limit the advance of the tape to a distance equal to one or two unit lengths of the printed tape strip. A tape clamping means is deactuated and actuated as the tape drive means is actuated and deactuated.

Description

Luperti et al.

[54] METHOD A D APPARATUS ron HANDLING TAPE [75] Inventors: Harry E. Luperti, Wilton; Robert R. Reid, Easton, both of Conn.; Anthony Waber, Long Island City, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, llnc., Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 66,350

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Henpel et al. ..226/135 Lane ..226/l35 1 Jan. 23, 1973 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant ExaminerGene A. Church Attorney-William D. Soltow, Jr., Albert W. Scribner, Martin D. Wittstein and Louis A. Tirelli [57] ABSTRACT A tape is advanced by power means and the extent of advance of the tape is controlled by preset means actuated by the travel of the tape.

When used in conjunction with a printer the tape comprises a print-receiving strip divided by lines of tear, such as perforated lines, into units of equal length, and the leading end is raised into contact with a flat printing head which may be employed to print on one or two unit lengths of the tape strip; the return movement of the support means of the tape strip is employed to actuate the power means, and the control means is preset to limit the advance of the tape to a distance equal to one or two unit lengths of the printed tape strip.

A tape clamping means is deactuated and actuated as the tape drive means is actuated and deactuated.

SHEET 1 OF 6 INVENTORS HARRY E. LUPERTI ROBERT R.- REID ANTHONY WABER Qmw PATENTED JAN 2 3 I975 PATENTEUJM123 197s SHEET 2 BF 6 PATENTEDJAH23 191a 3.712.527

sum u 0F 6 HARRY E. LUPERT ROBERT R. REID ANTHONY WABER Z 2 HTTIIRNA'Y PATENTEDmzs I975 3.712.527

SHEET 5 OF 6 INVENTORS HARRY E. LUDERT! ROBERT 9.. REM) ANTHONY WABER PATENTEDJAH 23 I973 SHEET 6 BF 6 VIII/1,

INVENTORS HARRY E. LUPERTI ROBERT R. REID ANTHONY WABER IITTIIRNA'Y.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING TAPE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel system and apparatus for handling tape, to present to an operator longer or shorter lengths. The invention is not limited to the use made of the lengths. They may, for example, be written on, or printed on, after or before being presented to the operator. If provided with an adhesive backing they may be employed as labels and applied to another object such as a package. This invention gives flexibility to the length of written or printed matter which may be put on a label since it provides a label of a length proportionate to the length of the written or printed matter. While not necessarily limited to use with a postage meter the invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a postage meter of the flat bed printing type and for such use the tape is desirably a composite tape comprising a first strip which has pressure sensitive adhesive on one face and is divided into units of equal length by transverse lines of tear such as, for example, perforated lines, and a protective second strip covering the adhesive face of the first strip and having a series of slots along one edge which when the tape is advancing engage and drive control means selectively preset to deactuate the power means after the tape has advanced a distance equal to one or two unit lengths of the first strip.

An object of this invention is to overcome a deficiency of the prior art and provide a tape handling system and apparatus by which a tape may be advanced selectively by power means a greater or lesser distance.

Another object of the invention'is to provide a novel tape handling system 'for use with a flat bed printer to selectively provide longer or shorter lengths of printed tape.

Another object of the invention is to utilize slots in an advancing length of tape to actuate means for controlling thedistance the tape is advanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device operable after printing onone or more unit lengths of the leading end of a tape .to advance the tape a preselected distance equal to the length of the number of units which have been printed on.

Another object-of the invention is to handle a tape which is divided into units of equal length by transverse lines of perforations,and the leading end of which has been printed on one unit, or, on twosuccessive units, to selectively advance theprinted tape a distance equal to the length of the number of units which have been printed on, and to a position the printed unit or units to be severed from the remaining portion of the tap.

Another-object of the invention is to handle a composite tape comprising a first tape strip with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing and a second tape strip which overlies the adhesive backing of the first tape strip, by applying power to the'second strip to advance it and utilizing the advance of the second strip to advance the first strip I and to actuate means for controlling the length of advance of both strips.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for guiding and supporting a length of tape so thatthe leading end portion of the tape may be raised and lowered in a vertical planewithout advancing the tape horizontally, and to employ the reciprocal movement to trigger advance of the tapea preselected distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide brake means for clamping a length of tape between successive forward movements and to release it simultaneously with the application to the tape of an advancing force.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for deactuating tape advancing means if the tape is accidentally severed or if the cover .of the tape handling apparatus is not closed.

The invention will be best understood by reading the following description in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the front cover partly cut away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view partly in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the drum assembly which controls the tape length, the brake assembly, and the tape take-up reel and drive;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing the brake assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross section on the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken on the lines .6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the control drum and the tape track support and its vertical slideway;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 looking down on the track support and its slideway;

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken on the lines ;8-8 of FIG. 2 showing the relationship between the tape guide means and the brake means for holding the tape in position when it is not being advanced;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing particularly the vertically reciprocable tape track and its vertically slideable support means in relation to the motor controlling switch means and its supporting bracket and showing also means for opening the switch when the front cover is not in closed position, or if the tape becomes severed within the machine;

FIG. 10 shows the lever arm of FIG. 9 in switch deactuation position;

FIG. 11 shows a length of composite tape T disposed as it is on the track, with print receiving strip t-l divided into units of equal length by transverse lines of perforation, and with the laterally extending margin of protective strip t-2 provided with slots which are aligned withthe lines of perforation, and withstrip t- 2 doubled back as strip 1-1 is separated from it and extends forwardly;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing particularly leading end of the lower guide member in relation to the brake operating means and the control drumgand FIG. 13 is a schematic viewiof the motor and solenoid controlcircuit.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In the embodiment ofthe invention described herein the tape is a composite tape comprising, aprint-receiving first strip which has a backing of pressure sensitive adhesive and-is dividedinto units ofequal length by lines of tear in the first strip. lt should be noted, however, that the said slots need not be aligned with the lines of tear in the first strip but need only to be spaced apart the same distance as the lines of tear in the first strip.

The composite tape is initially threaded through the apparatus to be described and in the process the tape is advanced from a source of supply such as a tape roll mounted on a first reel, and over guide means and a vertically reciprocable track, and at the outer end of the track the protective second strip is separated from the first strip and is lead back and its free end is engaged with a second reel which is power driven to wind up the second strip and thereby advance both strips. The free end of the print-receiving strip, which has been projected from one end of the machine, is torn off at a line of tear which is disposed adjacent the point of separation between the two tape strips and also adjacent the end of the machine.

Apparatus embodying the invention is shown in conjunction with a postal meter which has in it a printing head adapted to receive either a shorter linear printing insert for printing on one unit of the print-receiving tape or a longer insert for printing simultaneously on two consecutive units of the print-receiving tape. The postal meter is disposed on a bed within a frame which is side by side with the embodiment of this invention. The face of the postal meter is recessed and in being assembled with the tape handling apparatus it is moved so a reciprocal platen within it is positioned directly beneath a vertically reciprocable tape track extending from and forming part of the instant invention. The structure and operation of the postage meter is not part of this invention and its platen may be raised and lowered in any suitable way, as for example by cam mechanism (not shown). It is only important here that the track which comprises part of this invention rises and falls with the postage meter platen.

With the tape threaded through the tape handling apparatus and a postage meter properly assembled with it, a label printing and advancing operation is initiated by the operator depressing a key of the postage meter thus actuating its platen and elevating the tape track of the instant invention and bringing the tape which is on the track into contact with the printing head (not shown) which is within the postage meter.

In falling back to its lower position the tape supporting track causes actuation of a switch which turns on a motor. The rotation of the motor shaft turns a reel on which the protective second strip is wound up, thereby unwinding the composite tape from a tape supply reel and advancing it a predetermined distance through guide means and over the said track. A control drum which is rotated by the advancing tape has means which may be manually preset to control the extent of advance of the tape before deactuating the motor.

Closing of the switch which actuates the motor and turns the take-up reel simultaneously actuates a solenoid and swings a spring actuated brake from a tape clamping position thereby allowing the tape to advance. Deactuation of the motor simultaneously deactuates the solenoid and permits the brake to again clamp the tape and prevent it from being accidentally advanced. Means are also provided which are responsive respectively to forward movement of the tape track, and to the position of the front cover of the described apparatus to open the motor control switch and prevent operation of the system if for any reason the tape becomes severed within the machine or if the front cover is open.

DESCRIPTION In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a housing including a base 10 on which three compartments are defined, compartment B being behind compartment A and separated from it by the vertical wall 12, and compartment C being disposed alongside compartments A and B. Most of the working parts of the illustrated embodiment are within compartment A, and a cover member 14 extends over the front of compartment A and is hinged to the base 10 by hinges b so that it can be swung forward into a horizontal plane to give access to the interior of compartment A. A rod 16 is pivoted at its front end to a bracket 18 projecting rearwardly from cover 14 and extends through wall 12 and at its rear end is pivoted to the bracket 20 extending rearwardly from wall 12. Rod 16 extends through a slot 24 in vertical member 22 which is mounted on swinging bracket 52 and coacts with other means to be described to prevent operation of the machine unless the cover is closed. Compartment C has a platform 30 disposed horizontally intermediate the base 10 and the top of the surrounding wall 32, providing a seat for a postage meter 34 which may be of known kind and is not part of this invention and accordingly is not described herein in detail and is used only to show how the postage meter is interrelated to the actuation and function of the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention.

Within compartment A and mounted on wall 12 is a reel 40 adapted to receive and provide a rotatable support for a spool 42 of tape T, and a rotatable take-up reel 44 which is mounted on shaft 46 extending through wall 12 and connected to motor M shown disposed in compartment B. Motor M is controlled by a normally closed switch 48 which is pivotally mounted on swinging bracket 52 to be described. Also supported from wall 12 are the upper and lower

tape guide members

60 and 62, the lower guide member having an opening at 64 to permit a brake member 66 to be moved toward and away from the under surface of upper guide member 60 to clamp and release a length of tape as will be described. The lower guide member 62 is extended beyond guide member 60 and in the extended portion an elongated slot 68 is provided. Teeth or cogs 70 on the periphery of a rotatable drum 72, which is disposed above guide member 62 and is preset to control the length of tape advance, extend into slot 68 through spaced slots 74 along a margin of tape disposed on guide 62 and travel through the slot as the drum is rotated by the advancing tape as will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 11 tape T is a composite tape comprising a print receiving strip t] which is divided into units 76 of equal length by lines of perforations 78 extending across the tape providing lines of tear, and a protective tape strip :2 which extends over the adhesive backing 79 of tape strip :4.

Longitudinally aligned with guide 62 is a vertically reciprocable tape track assembly which comprises the horizontal track sub-assembly 80 and the vertically extending member 84 which is mounted in a vertical slideway 96 defined by a pair of channel members 98 disposed in opposed relation on wall 12 and on a standard 90 extending up from the base 10. The channel members 89 are mounted on wall 12 and standard 90 for lateral adjustment by pin and slot connections 89. Pins 92 extending laterally from member 84 extend into, and travel in, the respective channel members.

The horizontal track sub-assembly 80 comprises a lower flat elongated member 80, and a upper flat, elongated member 80,, which is superimposed on lower member 89,, and is assembled to it by pin and slot means 82 which permit limited longitudinal movement of upper member 80,, on lower member 80 A length of felt or other suitable cushioning material 80 is provided on the upper track member 80,, to cushion contact between a printing head, which is within the postage meter and not shown, and a length of printreceiving tape positioned on the track and lifted into contact with the printing head as will be described. The extreme outer end of upper track member 80,, is angled upward providing a short lip 94 over which a tape travels while advancing a preselected, measured distance. Lip 94 also causes and facilitates separation between two layers or strips t-l and t-2 comprising the composite tape T illustrated in FIG. 11.

It will be noted that although the track support member 84 and its vertical slideway 86 are within compartment A, the track 80 extends into and substantially through compartment C, and over a vertically reciprocable platen 36 of the postage meter 34, as is shown in FIG. 1.

The left end portion 81 (as seen in FIG. 9) of lower track member 80 is extended rearwardly and bent down along the vertical member 84 to which it is secured by screws 85. The upper track member 80,, extends beyond the lower track member 80,, and at its left end has a wider portion 110 which is bent down along its front edge providing a flange 112 which is cut away to provide a mounting on its inner surface for one end of a spring 1 14 the other end of which is attached to the bent down end portion 81 of the lower track member 80,, which is cutaway to permit the spring to be attached to its inner surface. T

Beneath the wider portion 110 of the upper slide member 80,, is a bracket 118 defining the rearwardly projecting arm 120. The rear end of the wider portion 110 of the upper track member 80,, is bent down forming an extension 122 which has in it the vertically extending slot 124 in'which rides a pin 126 by which horizontal movement of the upper track member is communicated to the lower part of the two-part sensing and switch deactuating arm 128.

Extending from the rear edge of the upper track member 80,, and bent forwardly over the track is a guide and tape hold-down member 130 which at its free front end is bent upwardly providing a curved portion 132 which facilitates inserting a strip of tape edgewise under the hold-down and onto the track.

SWITCH CARRYING SWINGING BRACKET The swinging bracket 52 mounted on wall 12 on pivot 54 is disposed within compartment A adjacent the left end of the vertically reciprocal tape track and

support assembly

80, 84. Mounted on bracket 52 for swinging movement with it is a normally closed switch 48 having along leaf switch actuating arm 50.

Also mounted on the swinging bracket 52 are, the pivoted catch 134, and the member 22 which is responsive in its position of cover 14. Miember 134 is a short arm pivoted at its upper end on pivot 136. Adjacent its lower end the catch is stepped outwardly along its edge which is opposed to the track assembly defining a seat 138 on which the track assembly rests momentarily at the top of its upward movement, as shown in FIG. 9 long enough for the printing head within the postage meter 34 to print on one or two units 76 of tape strip t-l. The edge of the catch below seat 138 is inclined and is disposed above arm when the track is in its normal, unelevated position and so is contacted by said arm and swung in a clockwise direction when the track assembly rises. A spring 140 coiled around pivot 136, between catch 134 and the swinging bracket 52, opposes clockwise movement of the catch and tends to restore it to its vertical position and so tends to move the catch seat 138 under arm 120 as the track assembly rises.

The actuating member 22 which adjacent its lower end has slot through which extends the rod 16 connected between cover 14 and wall 12, is connected to the bracket 52 by the pin and slot connections 142. The upper end of member 22 is bent forwardly over the projection or flag 164 extending laterally from the upper portion of safety control switch deactuating lever 128.

A long spring 144 connected between pin 146 on wall 12 and the comer 148 of bracket 52 serves to dampen swinging movement of the bracket and to restore it to its rest position.

SAFETY CONTROL SWITCH DEACTUATING LEVER The safety control switch deactuating lever 128 is a two part member comprising a lower part 150 and an upper part 152. The lower end of upper part 152 is pivotally connected to the upper end of lower part 150 by pivot pin 154. The two part lever 128 is pivotally mounted on wall 12 by pivot 156. The upper part 152 of the lever assembly is preferably a flexible spring arm adapted to be swung into contact with, and to raise the switch arm 50. The

parts

150 and 152 are further interconnected by spring 158 which extends around pivot 154 between the two parts, and has its ends connected to the parts respectively, thereby tending to hold the two part lever in longitudinally aligned relation as shown in FIG. 9. An extension 160 from the lower portion of the upper part 152 curves around in front of the left hand edge of the lower part 152 and serves as a stop limiting the return swinging movement of the upper part relative to the lower part in the direction away from switch arm 50. A lateral finger or flag 162 projects from the lower end of the upper part 152 under the overturned upper end 164 of member 22, which is mounted on swinging bracket 52 by pin and slot connections 142 and is raised or lowered by the opening or closing of the front cover member 14. When overturned end 164 of member 22 presses down on flag 162 the upper part 152 of lever 128 is swung clockwise and strikes and raises switch arm 50, thereby opening normally closed switch 48.

As mentioned above the tape strip extending around the far end oftrack member 80,, exerts pressure tending to move member 80;, to the left of member 80 ll" the tape strip breaks, force of spring 114 will cause track member 80 to move forwardly, and this action will signal the break in the tape by swinging lever 128 and opening switch 48.

in the lower part 150 of lever ann 128 but above pivot 156 is a longitudinal slot 166 in which is seated the enlarged eccentric head 168 of pin 170 which extends forwardly through the slot 124 in the bracket 122 which extends down from the rear side of the left end of upper track-member 80, thus linking the upper track member 80,, to the sensing and switch deactuating arm 128 and causing the latter to sense and be responsive to horizontal movement of the upper track member 80,, at any time, including when the track member is moving in a vertical plane.

THE DRUM Above the portion of lower guide 62 which defines the elongated slot 68 a drum 72 is mounted for rotation on the enlarged portion 181 of shaft 180 the rear end of which is reduced in diameter and extends through the wall 12 and the tubular boss 182 extending forwardly from wall 12, and is secured to the wall 12 by the nut on its threaded rear end. The front end of shaft 180 is triangular and extends well into the tubular member 188 the inside diameter of which is shaped to conform to the triangular shape of the shaft. Tubular member 188 projects rearwardly from the control head 186 and at its rear end carries the vertically disposed crosshead 190. The whole sub-assembly comprising control head 186, tubular member 188 and vertical crosshead 190, is movable forwardly and rearwardly on shaft 180 a short distance. Fixed on shaft 180 beyond the range of movement of the sub-assembly is a crosshead 192 which is disposed horizontally.

Carried by the drum are pins 200 which are operative when fully projected rearwardly. The number of pins which are operative can be varied by pushing in or pulling out the control head 186 which as shown has the finger bar 187 to facilitate the pushing in, and particularly the pulling out action.

Projecting radially from the drum 72 around its periphery and in the vertical plane of elongated slot 68 in guide 62 are teeth 70 which when tape T is advancing over the lower guide 62 successively enter the spaced slots or holes 74 along a margin of the tape. The moving tape thus engages the teeth successively causing the drum 72 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. As the drum rotates the pins 200 which are fully projected rearwardly are operative to successively contact switch arm 50 and raise it to open position. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention four pins 200 and four teeth 70 are shown, but the number of pins 200 and the number of teeth 70 employed can be varied in other embodiments according to the number of difierent incremental units 76 of tape desired to be fed during each machine cycle as along as the peripheral distance along the outer surface of drum 72 between the centers of teeth 70 is equal to or less than the distance between the centers of slots 74.

Extending through the drum adjacent its periphery and disposed radially around shaft 180 at equal angular distances are four bores 198 through which respectively the pins 200 extend. Each pin has intermediate its ends a portion of increased diameter forming a ring boss 202 around the pin the outer surface of which is rounded transversely of the ring. Extending circumferentially around the drum 72 and transversely of the bores is a slot 204 which opens into each of the bores. A coil spring 206 is disposed in slot 204 and extends across and partly into, each bore, and yielding resists passing of the ring bosses 202 thus preventing uncontrolled movements of the pins axially in the bores 198. For centering the pins within the bores 198 circular flanges 212 are provided around the portions of the pins which travel within the front portion of the bores; the intermediate portions 214 of the bores 198 are reduced in diameter to conform to the ring bosses 202; and at their rear ends the bores are further reduced in diameter to provide bearing 216 for the rear ends of the pins respectively. Spaced from the rear end of each pin is a head 208 which limits its forward movement.

On the front end of each pin 200 two axially spaced

heads

220 and 222 are provided. It will be noted that each of the

crossheads

190 and 192 is long enough for its ends to respectively extend into the spaces between the heads of two pins which are spaced apart as the pins pass over the respective ends of the crosshead, but is of less width so that it does not extend into the spaces between the heads of the other two pins which are spaced apart 180 but disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of the two pins which are passing over the respective ends of the crosshead.

The horizontal crosshead 192 serves to insure that two opposing pins of the four pins 200 illustrated will be fully projected rearwardly from drum 72 at all times although the other two pins 200 may be fully projected rearwardly or may be withdrawn from operative position depending upon the position of the control head sub-assembly on shaft 180.

When the head 186 is pushed in all four pins 200 will be fully projected rearwardly. The front ends of all four of the pins 200 will lie in the same vertical plane and as the drum rotates the

heads

200 and 222 on all four pins will pass on opposite sides of the ends of both crossheads as the pins pass over them. Since the four pins are aligned with the teeth 70 which are spaced apart a distance equal to or less than the spacing between successive lines of perforations 78 across tape strip t-l a pin 200 will strike and raise the switch arm 50 of the normally closed switch 48, thus deactuating the motor M and stopping the travel of the tape T, after each advance of the tape a distance equal to the length of one unit 76 of said tape strip. Since the drum is rotated by the travel of the tape its rotation will stop immediately when switch 48 is opened leaving a pin 200 disposed against the switch arm 50 and holding it in open position. When the bracket 52 is swung clockwise to initiate another advance of the tape, switch arm 50 is freed from the pin 200 which has been holding it in open position and the next pin 200 will not strike switch arm 50 until the tape has advanced a distance corresponding to the distance between fully projected pins.

When the control head 186'and its sub-assembly are pulled out as shown in FIG. 3, the ends of the vertical crosshead engage the inner sides of heads 220 on the two pins which are then passing over the ends of that crosshead and pull those two pins forwardly. The

heads

220 and 222 on those two pins will be in front of the plane of horizontal crosshead 192 and their rear ends will not strike the switch arm 50 as the drum rotates. The position of the other two pins 200 remains unchanged and their rear ends will project rearwardly enough to strike the switch arm 56 as they rotate with the drum. Since the distance between the two rearwardly projected pins corresponds to the length of two units 76 of tape strip t-l a pin 200 will strike the switch arm 50 after the tape has advanced a distance corresponding to the length of two units 76 of tape strip t-l.

THE BRAKE The core 230 of solenoid S is normally extended and brake 66 is normally in tape clamping position. When the solenoid is actuated its core is drawn in causing unclamping of the tape.

Core 230 has a depending strap 232 which at its lower end is pivoted on shaft 234 which is mounted on and projects forwardly through wall 12. A pin 236 extends from the strap 232 through an arcuate slot 238 in wall 12 and its forward end engages in a notch 242 in the side'of the upper portion of a lever member 240 mounted for rotation around hub 244 on shaft 234.

The lower tape guide 62 is supported adjacent its end which is its left end as seen by the viewer, on shaft 234 which extends through

bearings

246 and 248 provided for it respectively at the leading end extension 247 of the down turned front margin of guide 62 and by the bent over portion 249 extending down from the guide 62 adjacent its rear margin. Lower guide 62 is urged to swing counter clockwise by a spring 250 which extends around hub 244 and has one end anchored to the flag 252 projecting from the lower guide member. The other end 251 of spring 250 bears against the anchoring pin 254 projecting from wall 12.

The curved forward end portion of guide 62 is cut away to provide an opening 64 through which a brake shoe 66 may be swung to move toward and away from the upper guide 60to clamp a length of tape against the upper guide or release it for forward movement.

The brake shoe 66 is mounted for rotation around hub 244 and carries a pin 256 which projects from the rear of brake shoe-66 and engages a bracket am 258 affixed to the lever arm 240, thereby causing the brake shoe 66 to rotate with, and in the same direction as, the upper part of the lever arm 240. As shown the bracket arm 258, which is roughtly S shaped, is secured to the lower end of lever arm 240 by a screw 260 which extends beyond the lever arm 240 and provides an anchor for one end of spring 262. The other end of spring 262 is attached to the flag 264 extending from the lower guide member 62 (FIG. 8). Spring 262 tends to rotate lever 240 in clockwise direction to return core 230 to its normal extended position and to restore the clamping action of brake shoe 66, and does so when solenoid S is deactuated allowing its core to move outwardly.

A hand grip 266 is also shown by which the brake shoe 66 can be swung manually to non-operating position for convenience in inserting a length of tape T between the guide members in setting up the apparatus. The hand grip may be extended rearwardly (FIG. 4) to provide a guard 268 (FIG. 4) to prevent a person's hand or fingers being inserted under the leading end portion of lower guide 62.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 the hand grip 266 is connected by bracket arm 276 to a hub 272 which is rotatable on shaft 234. Pin 256 which extends from bracket arm 256 through brake shoe 66 also extends through bracket arm 270 and thus rotary movement of hand grip 266 and its bracket arm 270 is communicated to the brake shoe 66.

Hub 272 is urged to move axially against a pin 274, which extends vertically through shaft 234, by spring 276 which extends around the shaft, on the far side of hub 272 from pin 274. On the face of hub 272 opposing pin 274 are two angularly related grooves 280 and 282 (FIG. 5). Groove 280 extends vertically and pin 274 is normally engaged in it and holds the hand grip assembly in its normal position with the brake shoe in tape clamping position. Pressing down on the hand grip 266 causes hub 272 to rotate moving it out of engagement with pin 274 and swinging the brake shoe 66 away from clamping position until groove 282 registers with and engages pin 274 thus holding the hand grip assembly in its lower position with the brake show swung away from its tape clamping position.

As indicated in FIG. 12 solenoid S is actuated to release the brake shoe 66 when Motor M is actuated to advance the tape T. 1

SETTING UP AND OPERATING In setting up the apparatus a spool of tape T is placed on a rotatable reel 40 and a leading end portion of the tape is drawn from the spool and inserted between upper and

lower guide members

60 and 62, brake member 66 being swung out of the way to allow this to be done, and under drum 72, with its marginal spaced slots 74 vertically aligned with the elongated slot 68 in the lower guide 62, and is inserted under the track guide and holddown 130 and extended over track member b and over its upturned lip 94 at its far end. The tape is drawn out far enough so tape strip t-2, which at this point is separated from tape strip t-l, can be led around the far end of track member 8012 and back under the track and secured to reel 44 on which it is wound each time Motor M operates, thus also advancing tape strip t-1. The leading end portion of strip t-l, corresponding to the length of strip t-2 which has been doubled back-under the track, is now torn off at a line of tear 78 substantially at the end of track member 80b and over lip 94 and the apparatus is ready to be operated. When coupled with a postal meter of known flat bed printing type, the apparatus operates to advance the tape to project strip t-l beyond lip 94 a distance equal to the length of one or two units 76 of tape strip t-l depending upon whether the drum control head 186 is pushed in or pulled out. If control head 166 is pushed in a printed label comprising one unit length of strip t-l will be projected from the machine in position to be separated by the operator along the second line of tear.

After the control head has been positioned in or out .depending on the desired length of printed label, a trip bar 300 on the postage meter is depressed to actuate suitable means within the postage meter to raise and lower its platen 36. Since the postage meter has been placed on floor 30 with its platen 36 disposed under the track 80 of the instant invention, rising and falling of platen will cause the track assembly also to be raised and lowered. At the end of its upward movement the track assembly rests momentarily on the seat 138, defined by arm 134 which is pivotally mounted on swinging bracket 52, while the tape contacts, and is printed on, by a printing head which is within the postage meter and is not shown since it is not part of this invention.

Raising of the track assembly does not cause tape T to be pulled forwardly or to break because the track in its normal, unelevated position is below the lever of guide member 62, as noted above, and can rise the same distance above guide member 62 without placing longitudinal stress on the tape.

Immediately after a printing operation, as platen 36 falls, the weight of the track assembly is exerted on member 134 through seat 138 and this causes swinging bracket 52 to be swung clockwise on its pivot mounting 54 allowing the track arm 120 to slide off seat 138, this action being aided by the incline on the edge of 134. When bracket 52 swings clockwise, it frees the arm 50 of normally closed switch 48 from the rear end of one of the pins 200 (FIG. 9) projecting from drum 72, allowing the switch to close and complete an electric circuit which actuates simultaneously motor M and solenoid S, rotating brake shoe 66 to free tape T and allow it to move forward as strip t-2 is wound up on take-up reel 44 thus advancing the entire composite tape. After the motor M and solenoid S have been actuated and the track has fallen the bracket 52 is returned to its initial position by the action of spring 144. The peripheral teeth 70 on drum 72 are successively engaged by the spaced slots 74 in the margin of tape strip t-2 causing the drum to rotate. After the drum has rotated a distance equal to the length of one unit of tape strip t-l, or equal to the length of two units of tape strip 1-1, depending on the setting of control head 186, one of the pins 200 fully projected from the drum will strike and raise switch arm 50 which is again positioned so that it extends into the rotary path of the ends of the fully projected pins 200, thus opening switch 48 and ending the advance of the tape. The printed label comprising one or two unit lengths of tape strip t-l may then be separated and the apparatus is ready to repeat its operation as soon as it is again actuated by causing another vertical reciprocation of the tape supporting track assembly.

As stated above, lifting of switch arm 50 opens switch 48 and deactuates motor M, and this occurs once for each rotary advance of control drum 72 since the switch arm extends into the rotary path of the rear ends of those pins 200 which are fully projected rearwardly from the drum. Lifting of the switch arm 50 and deactuating of motor M also occurs if for any reason tape extending through the apparatus is severed at any point between the brake shoe 66 and the take-up reel 44, and also when the front cover member 14 is in open position. In either of the latter two situations the upper end of a sensing arm 128 is swung against the under surface of the switch arm 50 and raises it.

Sensing arm 128 is a two part arm. If a break occurs in the tape the pressure of the tape strip t-2 against the end of track member 80b is relieved and spring 114 causes the track member to move longitudinally. This movement is communicated to the lower part of arm 128 and the whole arm is swung clockwise on pivot 156 and raises switch arm 50. If the cover 14 is open the upper part 152 of arm 128 is swung clockwise on pivot 154 and raises switch arm 50.

For inserting tape between the upper and

lower guide members

60 and 62 the brake member 66 may be conveniently swung out of the way and held out of the way be depressing hand grip 266 thus rotating its hub 272 and bringing slot 282 in its face into register with pin 274 (FIG. 5).

Ratchet means are provided in connection with reel 44. This action is helpful particularly in initially attaching the free end of tape strip 1-2 to the take-up reel 44 and rotating the reel manually to place a few turns around the reel.

On the rear face of the flange of tape-up reel 44 are teeth 44a which engage teeth 45a on ratchet member 45 which is fixed on drive shaft 46. Reel 44 is pressed inward by spring 47 to keep the teeth 44a on the flange engaged with the teeth 450 on member 45 and thereby provide a ratchet action to prevent the turning of takeup reel 44 in the counter clockwise direction.

There has thus been provided a system and apparatus by which the above mentioned objects are accomplished in a thoroughly practical and dependable way.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising:

support means for a length of tape;

means for advancing the tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means;

control means for said drive means;

a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiate operation of said drive means; and

a second operating means engaged and driven by the advancing tape for said control means and adapted to terminate operation of said drive means,

said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radially projecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuating pin projecting from said drum and spaced radially from the axis of rotation of said drum whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancing tape until said pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of the motor.

2. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising:

support means for a length of tape;

means for advancing the tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means;

control means for said drive means;

said means for advancing the tape comprising a take up spool, said drive means comprising an electric motor drivingly connected to the take up spool, said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radially projecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuating pin projecting from said disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to successively enter slots in the tape as the tape is advanced whereby the movethe said contacting means being spaced apart a predetermined distance to contact the switch arm as the drum is rotated and stop the advance of the tape after it has advanced a desired distance as indrum and spaced radially from and parallel to the dlcated y the pacing between said contactin axis of rotation of said drum whereby rotation of means the drum is caused by the advancing tape until said Apparatus for advancmg a composite tape haYmg pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of upper layer i l a protectwe backmg layer a deslred the motor distance comprising:

3. Apparatus for advancing a multilayer tape desired Support means a length distance comprising: means for advancing the tape,

5 on means for a 16 n th of ta drive means for the tape advancing means;

gf for advancing g p p means for actuating the drive means;

drive means for the tape advancing means which medags actuated 22 f 3 control the comprises an electric motor in a switch controlled 22: 15:; c J t e tape as a vanced the circuit said switch havin an actuatin arm held in an open circuit conditior i motor actsating means means for moYmg the support means lqnglmdmauy If I com rises means for mov in the switch to free its pl-lotecuve layer of the tape Smp breaks thus arm said holdin mgeans and emit the relieving the pressure exerted on an end of the sup switch to close the circr iit, and motor deactuating a? by the protective tape layer extendmg around means t: fi t' for t'j h fg a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means; arm an re rnmg 1 o a posr ion w erem sar and sw'tch ii g A g l h means communicating longitudinal movement of the ii f actuate e :h vancmg t 3 th support to the sensing arm and causing it to deacdrive (paeans a ter e tape as a vance e mate the dnve means 6. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a said tape having a series of longitudinally spaces slots desired distance comprising;

and the drive means deactuating means being a rosupport means f a length f tape; tary member having radially projected fingers means f advancing h tape;

drive means for the tape advancing means; means for actuating the drive means; means actuated by the advancing tape to control the ment of the tape is transmitted to the rotary member and causes it to rotate, said drive means deactuating means further comprising means which as the rotary member rotates, contacts the switch arm and moves it to open circuit position.

4. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance;

a cover member movable between a closed position and an open position;

a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means;

and

desired distance comprising: 40 means responsive to the position of the cover support means foralength of tape; member communicating to the sensing arm the means for advancing the tape; position of the cover member and causing the v drive means for the tape advancing means which sensing arm to deactuate the drive means when the comprises an electric motor in a switch controlled cover member is open.

circuit, said switch having an actuating arm held in 7. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a an open circuit condition, motor actuating means comprising means for moving the switch to free its arm from said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, and motor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch arm and returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit; and

means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance,

said drive means deactuating means being a rotatable drum having around its periphery at spaced intervals means adapted to be successively engaged, as the tape advances, by means carried by the tape,

desired distance comprising:

support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for driving the tape advancing means; control means for said drive means;

a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiate operation of said drive means; second operating means, said second operating means including a rotatable drum having radial projections disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter cooperating openings in the tape, and switch actuating means carried by said drum, whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancing tape until rotaswitch arm contacting means carried by the drum, f said w h actuating means terminates the said switch arm normally projecting into the Operatlo of Sam meansrotary. path of said switch arm contacting means,

Claims

1. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means; control means for said drive means; a first operatIng means for said control means and adapted to initiate operation of said drive means; and a second operating means engaged and driven by the advancing tape for said control means and adapted to terminate operation of said drive means, said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radially projecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuating pin projecting from said drum and spaced radially from the axis of rotation of said drum whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancing tape until said pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of the motor.

2. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means; control means for said drive means; a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiate operation of said drive means; and a second operating means engaged and driven by the advancing tape for said control means and adapted to terminate operation of said drive means, said means for advancing the tape comprising a take up spool, said drive means comprising an electric motor drivingly connected to the take up spool, said second operating means comprising a rotatable drum having radially projecting fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter slots in the tape and at least one switch actuating pin projecting from said drum and spaced radially from and parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancing tape until said pin contacts said switch to terminate operation of the motor.

3. Apparatus for advancing a multilayer tape desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means which comprises an electric motor in a switch controlled circuit, said switch having an actuating arm held in an open circuit condition, motor actuating means comprises means for moving the switch to free its arm from said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, and motor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch arm and returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit; and means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance, said tape having a series of longitudinally spaces slots and the drive means deactuating means being a rotary member having radially projected fingers disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to successively enter slots in the tape as the tape is advanced whereby the movement of the tape is transmitted to the rotary member and causes it to rotate, said drive means deactuating means further comprising means which as the rotary member rotates, contacts the switch arm and moves it to open circuit position.

4. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means which comprises an electric motor in a switch controlled circuit, said switch having an actuating arm held in an open circuit condition, motor actuating means comprising means for moving the switch to free its arm from said holding means and permit the switch to close the circuit, and motor deactuating means comprising means for contacting the switch arm and returning it to a position wherein said switch opens the circuit; and means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance, said drive means deactuating means being a rotatable drum having around its periphery at spaced intervals means adapted to be successively engaged, as the tape advances, by means carried by the tape, swiTch arm contacting means carried by the drum, the said switch arm normally projecting into the rotary path of said switch arm contacting means, the said contacting means being spaced apart a predetermined distance to contact the switch arm as the drum is rotated and stop the advance of the tape after it has advanced a desired distance as indicated by the spacing between said contacting means.

5. Apparatus for advancing a composite tape having an upper layer and a protective backing layer a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means; means for actuating the drive means; means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance; means for moving the support means longitudinally if the protective layer of the tape strip breaks thus relieving the pressure exerted on an end of the support by the protective tape layer extending around it; a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means; and means communicating longitudinal movement of the support to the sensing arm and causing it to deactuate the drive means.

6. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for the tape advancing means; means for actuating the drive means; means actuated by the advancing tape to control the drive means after the tape has advanced the desired distance; a cover member movable between a closed position and an open position; a sensing arm operable to deactuate the drive means; and means responsive to the position of the cover member communicating to the sensing arm the position of the cover member and causing the sensing arm to deactuate the drive means when the cover member is open.

7. Apparatus for advancing a multi-layer tape a desired distance comprising: support means for a length of tape; means for advancing the tape; drive means for driving the tape advancing means; control means for said drive means; a first operating means for said control means and adapted to initiate operation of said drive means; second operating means, said second operating means including a rotatable drum having radial projections disposed at spaced intervals around its periphery and positioned to enter cooperating openings in the tape, and switch actuating means carried by said drum, whereby rotation of the drum is caused by the advancing tape until rotation of said switch actuating means terminates operation of said drive means.