GB2268706A

GB2268706A - Mounting numbering accessories on article processing machines.

Info

Publication number: GB2268706A
Application number: GB9215068A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Rogers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-07-15
Filing date: 1992-07-15
Publication date: 1994-01-19
Also published as: GB9215068D0

Abstract

A numbering accessory (16) is mounted via a bracket assembly (6) to a framework cross-member (28) of a machine. The connection between the attachment (16) and the bracket (6) is via releasably engagable formations (14, 18) which are so disposed as to allow the accessory to be attached in any of a number of different angular positions about its long axis, whereby the direction of the string of printed numbers can be aligned as desired on the article receiving the print. As shown, the attachment can accept a downwardly printing print-head (not shown) in a recess at its lower end, which prints via an ink-ribbon (12) which is guided through the gap between the accessory and the bracket. Lugs (18) (of which the upper two are spring loaded) and notches (14) allow four different orientations, and the bracket can be adjusted vertically via screw (26) and also slid along the bar (28). The attachment can be a numbering/perforating unit. <IMAGE>

Description

A DRIVE UNIT ASSEMBLY FOR A NUMBERING MACHINE This invention relates to a drive unit assembly for a numbering machine, and to a numbering machine when provided with the drive unit assembly.

Numbering machines are knowne They have a drive unit assembly comprising a drive unit, a support bracket for supporting the drive unit in the numbering machine, and a print head mounted on the drive unit. The drive unit normally functions to enable the numbers to be printed by the print head, and also to enable the numbers to be changed when required. Printing is effected through a printing tape.

One of the main disadvantages of the known numbering machines is that it is very complicated to reposition the print head through 900, 1800, and 2700 as is often required during operation of the numbering machine. More specifically, in order to rotate the print head through 900, it is necessary to undo the drive unit from the support bracket, turn the drive unit through 900 and then reconnect the drive unit to the support bracket. In order to rotate the print head through 1800, it is necessary to remove the print head from the drive unit, reverse the position of the print head, and then reconnect the print head to the drive unit. For 2700 rotation of the print head, it is necessary to effect the above mentioned step for achieving.900 rotation and it is then also necessary to effect the above mentioned step for achieving 1800 rotation.In addition to the rotation of the print head being complicated and time consuming, the tape path for the printing tape is complex which may lead to printing tape jams.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a drive unit assembly for a numbering machine, which drive unit assembly comprises a drive unit, a support member for supporting the drive unit in the numbering machine, releaseable connecting means for releaseably connecting the drive unit to the support member such that the drive unit can be rotated with respect to the support member to predetermined positions over a 3600 range, and a tape path which is for a printing tape and which extends between the drive unit and the support member.

With the drive unit assembly of the present invention, the releaseable connector means can easily be employed for rotating the print head through 900, 1800 and 2700.

Preferably, the releaseable connector means comprises female connector portions in the drive unit and male connector portions on the support member. The reverse arrangement may of course be employed.

The drive unit is preferably one in which the female connector portions are apertures or recesses in the drive unit, and in which the male connector portions are arms with notches on the support member.

Preferably, the drive unit includes a flat sided hollow tube member in which the female connector portions are provided.

The drive unit assembly may include a print head connected to the drive unit. Thus the drive unit assembly may be manufactured and sold with or without the print head.

The present invention also provides a numbering machine when provided with a drive unit assembly of the invention. The numbering machine may be a numbering and perforating machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a drive unit assembly for a numbering machine.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a drive unit assembly 2 for a numbering machine (not shown). The drive unit assembly 2 comprises a drive unit 4, a support member 6 for supporting the drive unit 4 in the numbering machine, and releaseable connector means 8 for releaseably connecting the drive unit 4 to the support member 6 such that the drive unit 4 can be rotated with respect to the support member 6 to predetermined positions over a 3600 range.

The drive unit assembly 2 further comprises a tape path 10 which is for a printing tape 12. The tape path 10 extends between the drive unit 4 and the support member 6 as shown and this tape path 10 is a relatively simple tape path when compared with the tape path in known numbering machines.

As can be seen from the drawing, the releaseable connector means 8 comprises female connector portions in the form of apertures 14 in a flat sided hollow tube member 16. The releaseable connector means 8 also includes male connector portions in the form of arms 18 which are provided on and which extend from the support member 6.

The arms 18 are each provided with a notch 20 as shown.

The arms 18 fit in the apertures 14 and the notches 20 securely locate the drive unit 4 on the arms 18 with the notches 20 resting on the lips of the apertures 14.

Because the hollow tube member 16 is provided with the notches 14 on each of its corners, it will be apparent that the drive unit 4 can be easily unhooked from the arms 18, and then rotated through 900, 1800 or 2700 as may be required and can then very simply be rehooked back on to the support member 6. With the tape path 10 being as shown, the rotation of the drive unit 4 to its desired predetermined position'is such as not to affect the printing tape 12.

The arms 18 are held in position on the drive unit 4 by screws 22.

If it is desired to adjust the print head (not shown) positioned in the bottom of the hollow tube member 16, then a pair of knobs 24 can be loosened and a knob 26 can be tightened clockwise to increase print head pressure in a vertical manner and anti-clockwise to decrease print head pressure in a vertical manner.

The drive unit 4 can be clamped to a support bar 28 by a screw knob (not shown) passing through an aperture in parts 30, 32 of the support member 6.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawing has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different types of arms 18 may be employed for locating in different types of apertures or recesses 14. The arms 18 are arranged to be adjustable against springs 34 but other adjustment arrangements may be employed. The present invention is especially applicable for numbering and perforating machines known as SN 7000 series numbering and perforating machines but it may also be applied to other machines if desired.

Claims

1. A drive unit assembly for a numbering machine, which drive unit assembly comprises a drive unit, a support member for supporting the drive unit in the numbering machine, releaseable connecting means for releaseably connecting the drive unit to the support member such that the drive unit can be rotated with respect to the support member to predetermined positions over a 360 range, and a tape path which is for printing and which extends between the drive unit and the support member.

2. A drive unit assembly according to claim 1 in which the releaseable connector means is such as to allow rotation of the print head through 900 , 1800 and 2700.

3. A drive unit assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the releaseable connector means comprises female connect or portions in the drive unit and male connector portions on the support member.

4. A drive unit assembly according to claim 3 in which the female connector portions are apertures or recesses in the drive unit, and in which the male connector portions are arms with notches on the support member.

5. A drive unit assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the drive unit includes a flat sided hollow tube member in which the female connector portions are provided.

6. A drive unit assembly according to any one of the preceding claims and including a print head connected to the drive unit.

7. A drive unit assembly for a numbering machine, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. A numbering machine when provided with a drive unit assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A numbering machine according to claim 8 and which is a numbering and perforating machine.