GB1578694A - Device in form printers to introduce and align a perforatet form band - Google Patents

Description

(54) DEVICE IN FORM PRINTERS TO INTRODUCE AND ALIGN A PERFORATED FORM BAND (71) We, KIENZLE APPARATE GMBH, a German Body Corporate of Villingen-Schwenringen, Germany do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a device in form printers for introducing and aligning a perforated form band driven by means of a sprocket device.

It is a general experience that it is not so easy a problem to introduce a perforated endless form band as this might appear at first sight. Since the form bands are relatively wide the human eye cannot recognize at first sight which holes on the two sides of the form band parallel to the front edge thereof correspond to each other. For this reason it frequently happens that when such a form band is introduced the right sprockets of the sprocket wheels or of a tractor device are brought into engagement with the fourth hole counted from the front edge of the form. band whilst on the left hand side the corresponding pin is brought into engagement with the fifth hole. When the form is clamped and the driving means switched in it is to be noted after a very short time already that the form is skewed.As a consequence naturally the whole process of introducing the form must be repeated since, of course, the transport device cannot function properly when the form has been incorrectly introduced.

It is another problem that the form bands very often comprise several superimposed layers so that the form bands as long as they have not clamped have a considerable thickness since there is air in between the layers which adds to the difficulties when introducing the form bands before beginning with the work.

In order to avoid the disadvantages of known devices the present invention may simplify the process of introducing perforated form bands into a printing device. The device according to the invention provides an input guide device pivotally mounted between an input position in which it is pivoted out of engagement with the sprocket device and a working position in which is brings the perforated form band into engagement with the sprocket device and aligning means for aligning the form band normal to the input direction which aligning means are in positive connection with the input guide device so that they are effective in the input position and ineffective in the working position.

By providing the form transport device in accordance with the invention with a pivotal input guide guiding the form band also laterally and with also pivotal aligning means it is possible to introduce the form bands into the input guide device in its input position until they are aligned and then to pivot the input guide device so that the form is auto; matically aligned to the sprocket device the sprockets of which have previously been adjusted to an initial position. When introducing and aligning the form bands the input guide device is in such position that this process is not hampered by the pins of the sprocket device.

Since the form band is to be introduced manually, of course, the input guide devil is designed to be manually pivoted whereby the alignment means by a corresponding positive connection thereto are brought out of there effective position.

Several embodiments of the invention are possible. In one of these embodiments of the invention the alignment means are stops limiting a movement of the forms in the input guide device in its input position transverse to the transport direction which stops are arranged behind the sprocket device. When pivoting the input guide device the stops are also pivoted to an ineffective position.

In another embodiment of the invention the alignment means are projections arranged at the input guide device at the lateral distance corresponding to the distance of the perforations of the form band and in front of the sprocket device and an alignment marking arranged at or adjacent to the printing support.

Further advantages and features of the invention may be taken from the following description of two embodiments of the in; Invention and from the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 shows an alliover view of one ernbodiment of the form transport device with the printer, while Fig. 2 shows a section through the' device in accordance with the invention as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partiaL view of another embodiment of the invention, while Fig. 4 is a lateral view of the embodiment accoiding to Fig. 2.

A needle printer 1 (Fig. 1) cooperates with a fixed printing support 2 in the form of a roller. The needle printer 1 is tabulated transversely over the roller 2 for printing purposes thereby producing its printing points. It goes without saying that instead of the needle printer also another printing device may be used.

The form band 3 is guided by means of a guide plate 4. It is a perforated form1 band which is driven by a sprocket device 5 comprising a right hand pin wheel 6 and a left hand pin wheel of which only the pins 8 may be recognized. The sprocket device 5 is mounted on a shaft 7 and by means of a motor and a clutch (not shown) the sprocket device 5 can be clutched to the shaft 7 to drive the form band 3. Connected to the sprocket device 5 there is a hand wheel 9 which carries markings 10 at a distance corresponding to the printing lines. At the guide plate 4 there is an alignment marking 11 so that it is possible by turning the sprocket device 5 by means of the hand wheel 9 to align the pins 8 so as to take a correct initial position before the motor is clutched in.

To introduce the form band 3 there is an input guide device 12 comprising an upper guide plate 13 and a lower guide plate 14 which are connected to each other via lateral parts 15'. The guide plates 13 and 14 have a mouth 15 opening to the front side and serving to introduce the form band 3. The guide plates 13 and 14 are provided with lateral cut-outs 16 and 17 so that the pins 8 of the sprocket device 5 can enter therethrough. The upper guide plate 13 of the input guide device 12 is provided with an edge turned upwards so that it may simultaneously serve as a handle for pivoting the input guide device 12.

The printing support 2 is provided with two recesses 18 along its axle. In each recess 18 a stop lever 20 is mounted on the bearing shaft 19 for the printing support 2. Each stop lever 20 is provided with a stop 21 the stops 21 being the alignment means In accordance with the invention. The stop levers 20 are connected to each other via a bar 22.

The lever 23 is linked to the bar 22, that means bar 22 is guided in a longitudinal hole of lever 23. The lever 23 is mounted on a fixed bolt 24 and is connected by means of a pin and slot connection and another lever 25 to the input shaft 12. The input guide device 12 is pivotally mounted on the shaft '19 of the printing support 2 by means of two angle levers 26.

The device works in the following manner: As long as no form has been introduced the motor is normally switched off respectively the clutch driving the sprocket device 5 is unclutched. In this position the sprocket device may be adjusted by means of the hand wheel 9 being adjusted with one of its markings 10 to rhe marking 11 at the housing.

The pins 8 of the two pin wheels 6 are then in the correct position to take up the form band. The input guide device 12 is pivoted by means of its upper guide plate 13 to the upper position as shown in Fig. 2. Due to this pivoting movement the levers 25 and 23 and also the stop levers 20 are turned from there ineffective position as shown in Fig. 1 to their effective position as shown in Fig. 2.

The new form band 3 can now be introduced.

From Fig. 2 it becomes clearly visible that pin wheels 6 remain untouched thereby. The upper and lower guide plates 13 and 14 as well !as the lateral part 15' of the input guide device 12 guide the form band 3 till it is aligned by touching the two stops 21 in the printing support 2. When the input guide device 12 is now pivoted from the input position as shown in Fig. 2 to the working position as shown in Fig. 1 the form 3 can be introduced into the pin wheels 6 so that the perforations 'are engaged by the pins 8.

The form is properly aligned and can now immediately be transported to any desired line position, if not a printing shall be effected already in the first line. When pivoting the input guide device 12 from the position according to Fig. 2 to the position according to Fig. 1 also the stops 21 are moved to their ineffective positions.

In Fig. 3 and 4 another embodiment of the invention is shown. In accordance with Fig.

1 and 2 the aligning means for the horizontal edge of the form band 3 are represented by stops which were arranged within the input guide device 12 but behind the sprocket transport device in the form of the pin wheels 6.

The stops were pivoted from their input position to an ineffective position when the input guide device 12 was swung to the working position. In the embodiment according to Fig.

3 and 4 the stops have been replaced by a marking 30 at the printing support 2 or anywhere near the printing support which marking 30 is to be recognized as a line running axially all along the whole roller. Instead of a marking 30 naturally it is possible to use also an alignment bar which may simultaneously be used as a guide means for the form band 3. Apart from that, of course, the lower guide plate 14 of the input guide device 12 is provided with projections 31 these projections being arranged at the two sides at the distance of the guide perforations of the form band 3 so that always one hole 32 within the perforations may be taken up by the projections 31. In this embodiment the pin wheels are no longer adjusted by manual operation.

This is effected automatically by the motor when the form hand is put in. The motor which is a step switch motor in this case drives the shaft 7 and thereby also the pin wheels 6 in a step-by-step manner. On the same shaft 7 an adjustment wheel 33 has been fixed which cooperates with a first switch 34, that means the switch 34 is operated each time, one of the teeth 35 of the adjustment wheel 33 has reached a position in which one of the pins 8 of the pin wheels 6 has attained an initial position. It should be mentioned at this instance that the step switch motor drives the shaft 7 in so many small steps that a plurality of steps always represents one line.

The switch 34 is mounted at an arm 36 of the lower guide plate 14 of the input guide device 12. At the same arm. 36 a second switch 37 is arranged which is provided with a switching lever 38 projecting through an opening of the lower guide plate 14 into the input guide device 12. As soon as a form band 3 is manually introduce into the input guide device 12 the switching lever 38 is pivoted so that the switch 37 is dosed. This means that the step switch motor is switched in and the shaft 7 is moved on by steps. As soon as one of the teeth 35 and thereby also one of the pins 8 has achieved an inirial or basic position the switch 34 is operated so that the motor is switched off again.This is a process which is automlatically effected whilst the form is put in requiring no attention by the attendant.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and 4 the person handling the printer introduces the form band into the input guide device 12 the form being not only guided by the upper and lower guide plate 13 and 14 but also by the lateral parts 15'. The form is pushed on manually until its front edge is visually aligned with the marking 30. Then the form band is let down to the lower guide plate 14 and is brought into engagement by means of two of its perforations 32 with the projections 31. The form is now inserted and aligned. It is only necessary to manually pivot the input guide device 12 by pressing on the upper guide plate 13 so that the input guide device 12 is pivoted downwardly on its bearing axle 19. This means simultaneously that the form band is also automatically engaged with the pin wheels 6 so that it is aligned for the printing process.While pivoting the input guide device 12 the lower guide plate 14 releases the form band 3 since the projections 31 go out of engagement with the perforations 32 as this may be seen from Fig. 3. Simultaneously also the switch 34 comes out of engagement with the adjustment wheel 33 another switch 39 being closed which gives a signal that the aligning process has been concluded and that the printing process may start.

In reviewing the two embodiments of the invention according to Fig. 1 and 2 on the one hand and Fig. 3 and 4 on the other hand it becomes clear that with a minimum of manual operations the form bands can be inserted and aligned in a manner which securely avoids any kind of skewing of the form band. Also it is possible to start with printing already on the first form of the band which has been inserted without any loss of paper.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1) A device in form printers for introducing and aligning a perforated form band driven by la sprocket device, wherein an input guide device is pivotally mounted between an input position in which it is out of engagement with the sprocket device and a working position in which it brings the perforated form band into engagement with this sprocket device and wherein aligning means are provided for aligning the form band in a direction normal to the transport direction which aligning means are positively connected to the input guide device so that they are effective in the input position and ineffective in the working position thereof.

2) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the aligning means are stops which are arranged normal to the transport direction of the form band in input direction behind the sprocket device and which are pivotally connected to the input guide device via mechanical linkages.

3) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the stops are mounted in recesses of the printing support effecting the alignment of the form band to the first printing line in their effective position.

4) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the aligning corresponding to the distance of the perforations of the form band and arranged in input direction in front of the sprocket device, and wherein there is an alignment mark at or adjacent the printing support.

5) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sprocket device comprises sprocket wheels.

6) A device according to Claim 4, wherein the sprocket wheels are manually adjustable by turning a hand wheel relatively to a marking arranged at the housing.

7) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sprocket wheels are driven by a step

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. also an alignment bar which may simultaneously be used as a guide means for the form band 3. Apart from that, of course, the lower guide plate 14 of the input guide device 12 is provided with projections 31 these projections being arranged at the two sides at the distance of the guide perforations of the form band 3 so that always one hole 32 within the perforations may be taken up by the projections 31. In this embodiment the pin wheels are no longer adjusted by manual operation. This is effected automatically by the motor when the form hand is put in. The motor which is a step switch motor in this case drives the shaft 7 and thereby also the pin wheels 6 in a step-by-step manner. On the same shaft 7 an adjustment wheel 33 has been fixed which cooperates with a first switch 34, that means the switch 34 is operated each time, one of the teeth 35 of the adjustment wheel 33 has reached a position in which one of the pins 8 of the pin wheels 6 has attained an initial position. It should be mentioned at this instance that the step switch motor drives the shaft 7 in so many small steps that a plurality of steps always represents one line. The switch 34 is mounted at an arm 36 of the lower guide plate 14 of the input guide device 12. At the same arm. 36 a second switch 37 is arranged which is provided with a switching lever 38 projecting through an opening of the lower guide plate 14 into the input guide device 12. As soon as a form band 3 is manually introduce into the input guide device 12 the switching lever 38 is pivoted so that the switch 37 is dosed. This means that the step switch motor is switched in and the shaft 7 is moved on by steps. As soon as one of the teeth 35 and thereby also one of the pins 8 has achieved an inirial or basic position the switch 34 is operated so that the motor is switched off again.This is a process which is automlatically effected whilst the form is put in requiring no attention by the attendant. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and 4 the person handling the printer introduces the form band into the input guide device 12 the form being not only guided by the upper and lower guide plate 13 and 14 but also by the lateral parts 15'. The form is pushed on manually until its front edge is visually aligned with the marking 30. Then the form band is let down to the lower guide plate 14 and is brought into engagement by means of two of its perforations 32 with the projections 31. The form is now inserted and aligned. It is only necessary to manually pivot the input guide device 12 by pressing on the upper guide plate 13 so that the input guide device 12 is pivoted downwardly on its bearing axle 19. This means simultaneously that the form band is also automatically engaged with the pin wheels 6 so that it is aligned for the printing process.While pivoting the input guide device 12 the lower guide plate 14 releases the form band 3 since the projections 31 go out of engagement with the perforations 32 as this may be seen from Fig. 3. Simultaneously also the switch 34 comes out of engagement with the adjustment wheel 33 another switch 39 being closed which gives a signal that the aligning process has been concluded and that the printing process may start. In reviewing the two embodiments of the invention according to Fig. 1 and 2 on the one hand and Fig. 3 and 4 on the other hand it becomes clear that with a minimum of manual operations the form bands can be inserted and aligned in a manner which securely avoids any kind of skewing of the form band. Also it is possible to start with printing already on the first form of the band which has been inserted without any loss of paper. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1) A device in form printers for introducing and aligning a perforated form band driven by la sprocket device, wherein an input guide device is pivotally mounted between an input position in which it is out of engagement with the sprocket device and a working position in which it brings the perforated form band into engagement with this sprocket device and wherein aligning means are provided for aligning the form band in a direction normal to the transport direction which aligning means are positively connected to the input guide device so that they are effective in the input position and ineffective in the working position thereof.

2) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the aligning means are stops which are arranged normal to the transport direction of the form band in input direction behind the sprocket device and which are pivotally connected to the input guide device via mechanical linkages.

3) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the stops are mounted in recesses of the printing support effecting the alignment of the form band to the first printing line in their effective position.

4) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the aligning corresponding to the distance of the perforations of the form band and arranged in input direction in front of the sprocket device, and wherein there is an alignment mark at or adjacent the printing support.

5) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sprocket device comprises sprocket wheels.

6) A device according to Claim 4, wherein the sprocket wheels are manually adjustable by turning a hand wheel relatively to a marking arranged at the housing.

7) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the sprocket wheels are driven by a step

switch motor and are in driving connection with an adjustment wheel.

8) A device according to Claim 7, wherein there is a first switch at the input guide device which is operated by the form band, a second switch cooperating with the adjustment wheel in the input position of the input shaft, both switches oontrolling the motor circuit to adjust the sprocket wheels.

9) A device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

10) A device as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described.