GB1135587A - Printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1,135,587. Printing apparatus. ADDRESSOGRAPH MULTIGRAPH CORP. 11 May, 1966 [12 Aug., 1965], No. 20946/66. Headings B6C and B6F. In a cylinder printing machine in which sales forms are imprinted with both variable and fixed data, means are provided to prevent operation of the machine unless the elements controlling the setting of the variable data are re-set after the previous printing operation directly to a fresh set of variable data, there being no movement of the elements to zero positionings therebetween. The machine shown basically comprises a fixed box-like base 32 to which is pivotally attached a swingable printing head 33 incorporating a manually actuable roller platen 86. The base 32 houses typesetting mechanisms by which five coaxially mounted type-wheels 63 each bearing ten circumferentially spaced digital printing surfaces may be set at will, movement of studs 66 along slots 67 effecting the necessary operations. The wheels 63 and studs 66 are connected by rack- and-pinion mechanisms, 150, 135-5, Fig. 2, which are engaged on the undersides of the racks by a bail-like member 304, whenever the head is swung down on to the base for a printing operation. If the variable data has been re-set since the previous printing operation the side member 81 of the head 33 depresses a pin 311 which causes the bail-like member 304 to engage and lock the rack-and-pinion mechanisms. On removal of the head after printing the pin 311 returns to its upward position and a further pin 321 also protrudes above the surface of the base, this latter movement being allowed as a lever member 273, which normally holds this pin down whilst the head is in printing position, is swung aside as the head swings into its non-printing position. In order to disengage the bail-like member from the rack-andpinion mechanisms at least one of the typewheels must be re-set in order to push the baillike-member away from the lower teeth 253 of the racks 150. Even then, should the typewheels 63 be improperly aligned printing will not be possible since an upturned flange of the lever member 273 will interfere with free downward movement of the base side member 81. If the type-wheels are aligned, however, a lever member associated with mechanism engageable with the aligned spaces 156 between the digital printing surfaces will throw the lever member 273 outwardly such that the downwardly moving base side member 81 is not impeded but simply depresses the two pins 311 and 321. The forms to be printed are placed upon the printing surface, which comprises the typewheels 63, dating wheels 62 and a fixed surface 54, i.e. the customer's identification card, and inking is effected either by carbon paper or by use of a self-inking roller platen 86. Visual indication of the matter being printed by the type-wheels 63 is viewable in the holes 69 on the top surface 37 of the base 62. The machine may be modified by having a fixed head, the necessary sensing in this type of machine possibly being effected by initial movement of the roller platen. The rack elements 150 may be replaced by chain drives from toothed sector wheels. In such a case the bail-like member 304 could engage the toothed sector wheels. Furthermore, the teeth 253 at the underside of the rack elements 150 may be omitted, the bail-like member 304 being engageable with the top type-wheel engaging teeth.