IE862904L

IE862904L - Imprinting dockets

Info

Publication number: IE862904L
Application number: IE862904A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Joseph O Callaghan; David Mcmanus
Priority date: 1986-11-05
Filing date: 1986-11-05
Publication date: 1988-05-15
Also published as: GB2197260A; IE59467B1; GB8722367D0; ZA877196B

Abstract

The travelling carriage of apparatus for imprinting data from a credit card onto a docket comprises an inverted U-shaped member (14). At least one rotatable imprinter roller (22) is mounted to pivot about shaft (31) is well (23) of the carriage body. End edges (39) of the roller mounting (36) engage an abutment (40) on the side wall (41) of well (23) to restrict pivoting in one direction. This restriction ensures that roller is maintained in contact with docket during passage of carriage in one direction, Fig. 5; preferably, a second imprinter roller mounted along same axis has the reverse arrangement for printing in opposite direction of movement. Bed (2) includes a device for displacing the credit card for return to customer at the end of an imprinting cycle, Figs. 7 to 12. <IMAGE> [GB2197260A]

Description

~ ✓ H O i - 1 - "Imprinter apparatus" The present invention relates to imprinter apparatus, and in particular to apparatus for imprinting data from a credit card onto a docket, although needless to say, it is not limited to such apparatus. 5 In general, such imprinter apparatus comprises a bed to receive a credit card and docket onto which data embossed on the credit card is to be imprinted. A merchants plate with embossed data is also normally provided in the bed of the machine and the merchants 10 data is also imprinted onto the docket. A carriage which comprises one or more imprinter rollers is slidable on tracks on each side of the bed. As the carriage is moved from one end of the bed to the other, imprinting takes place. Where two imprinter 15 rollers are provided, it is normal for one imprinter roller to imprint in one direction, and the other imprinter roller to imprint in the opposite direction. This reduces by half the effort required to move the carriage across the bed in any one direction. The 20 imprinter rollers are normally rotatably mounted on pivot brackets in the carriage. In general, the carriage comprises a large number of components which have to be hand assembled. In practice, because of the number of components required to set the apparatus 25 so that it gives an even imprint a considerable number 59467 2 of adjustments have to be made. The problem with this is that because so many adjustments are needed, firstly the setting up of such imprinter apparatus tends to be relatively complex, and can, in general, 5 only be accomplished by a skilled person.

Furthermore, because of the large number of adjustments required, known devices tend to go out of adjustment relatively easily. In general, to get them back into adjustment, it normally requires a skilled 10 person.

There is therefore a need for imprinter apparatus which overcomes this problem.

Another problem with imprinter apparatus is that in many cases the merchant, having imprinted data from 15 the customers credit card, may inadvertently omit to return the credit card to the customer. Accordingly, there is also a need for apparatus to overcome this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing 20 imprinter apparatus which overcomes these problems.

According to the invention there is provided imprinter apparatus for imprinting data from a card to a docket, the apparatus comprising a bed having a docket receiving area and a card receiving area, a pair of 25 side tracks extending sidewardly from and along respective sides of the bed, a carriage movable over the bed to imprint data from the card to the docket, at least two bearing rollers being provided on each of two opposite sides of the carriage corresponding to 30 the side tracks for engaging the respective side tracks so that each side track is sandwiched between 3 the two rollers on the corresponding side of the carriage for guiding the carriage over the bed, the carriage comprising a body member extending transversely of the bed, a well extending through the 5 body member for accommodating at least one imprinter roller, the imprinter roller being rotatably mounted on a pivot member which is pivotally mounted in the well about an axis transverse of the bed, stop means on the pivot member engagable with a corresponding 10 stop means in the well to restrict pivoting of the pivot member in one direction, thereby maintaining the printer roller in contact with the docket to cause imprinting as the carriage moves across the bed in one direction, the pivot member being free to pivot in the 15 other direction to allow the imprinter roller to clear the bed and prevent imprinting as the carriage moves in the opposite direction.

Preferably, at least three bearing rollers are provided on each of the two opposite sides of the 20 carriage, one of said at least three bearing rollers engaging one face of the corresponding side track and the other two of the said at least three bearing rollers engaging the other face of the corresponding side track. Advantageously, four bearing rollers are 25 provided on each of the two opposite sides of the carriage, two of the said four bearing rollers engaging one face of the corresponding side track, and the other two bearing rollers of the said four bearing rollers engaging the other face of the corresponding 30 side track.

In one embodiment of the invention the carriage comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having a pair of side webs joined by a main web extending 4 transversely of and above the bed, the body member being supported in the U-shaped bracket, and the U-shaped bracket carrying the bearing rollers and being in rolling engagement with the bed. 5 Preferably, the bearing rollers are provided on each side web of the inverted U-shaped bracket of the carriage.

Preferably, the pivot member supporting the imprinter roller is pivotal on a shaft which is slidable 10 upwardly and downwardly relative to the bed in slots in a pair of opposing side walls of the well.

Advantageously, an adjustment means is provided for adjusting the distance of the pivot shaft from the bed. 15 In a further embodiment of the invention the pivot member is provided by a U-shaped bracket having a main web extending between a pair of side webs, the pivot shaft engaging the two side webs, and a shaft extending between the side webs to rotatably support 20 the imprinter roller. Preferably, the stop means on the pivot member is provided by end edges of the respective side webs, and the stop means in the well is provided by a wall defining the well.

In a further embodiment of the invention a card 25 receiving means is provided in the bed for receiving the card, the card receiving means being movable to displace the card from the card receiving area in response to movement of the carriage as it approaches the end of an imprinting cycle. _ 5 - Preferably, the card receiving means is pivotal from a position in which the card is adjacent the card receiving area to a position where the card is displaced from the card receiving area. 5 Advantageously, the card receiving means is provided by an elongated card receiving member longitudinally mounted in the bed adjacent the card receiving area and axially pivotal in the bed, the card receiving member having an elongated slot axially disposed to 10 receive the card.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of imprinter apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a detail of the imprinter apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the 20 detail of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the detail of Fig. 2, - 6 - Fig. 5 is a sectional view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 with portion of the apparatus in a different position, 5 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of imprinter apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the imprinter apparatus of Fig. 7, 10 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 7, Fig. 10 is a sectional end view of the apparatus of Fig. 7, Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 with portion 15 of the apparatus in a different position, and Fig. 12 is a plan view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 6, there is illustrated imprinter apparatus according - 7 - to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The imprinter apparatus 1 comprises a bed 2 of injection moulded plastics material. A carriage 3 is movable longitudinally from one end 4 of the bed 5 2 to the other end 5 and back again for imprinting.

In this case, the apparatus 1 is for imprinting data embossed on a credit card and on a merchants card onto a docket (neither of which is shown). A card receiving area provided by an anvil 6 is provided in 10 the bed 2. The merchants data on a merchant's plate (not shown) is secured to the bed 2 at 13 by screws (not shown) through a hole 7 and slot 8. A docket receiving area in the bed 2 is indicated by the reference numeral 9 and members 10 integrally moulded 15 with the bed 2 extend upwardly to retain a docket (not shown) in position during imprinting. A pair of side tracks 12 on each side of the bed 2 are integrally moulded with the bed 2 and guide the carriage 3 as will be described below. 20 The carriage 3 comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket 14 of sheet metal having a main web 15 joining a pair of side webs 16, see Figs. 2 to 6. A pair of bearing rollers 17 rotatable on pins 18 on each side web 16 engage the underside of the track 12. A main body 25 member 20 of injection moulded plastics material is secured to the U-shaped bracket 14 by screws 21 through slots 19 in the side webs 16. A pair of - 8 - bearing rollers 35 rotatable on pins 36 on each end of the body member 20 bear on the top surface of the tracks 12. Thus, the tracks 12 are effectively sandwiched between the bearing rollers 17 and 35. The 5 slots 19 in the side webs 16 which accommodate the screws 21 permit vertical adjustment of the body member 20 relative to the inverted U-shaped bracket 14 to facilitate tightening of the bearing rollers 17 and 35 onto the tracks 12. A pair of adjusting screws 47 10 engage threaded holes 48 in the body member 20. Holes 49 in the main web 15 of the bracket 14 provide access to the screws 47. By adjusting the screws 47 up or down, the body member 20 is adjusted down or up relative to the bracket 14. When the bearing rollers 15 17 and 35 are sufficiently tight on the track 12, the screws 21 are tightened to retain the body member 20 in position relative to the bracket 14.

A pair of imprinter rollers 22 for imprinting onto the docket (not shown) are accommodated in wells 23 in the 20 body member 20. The imprinter rollers 22 are rotatably mounted on shafts 28 in identical U-shaped pivot members 29 and 30 which are pivotal on transverse pivot shafts 31. Recesses 32 in end walls 33 of the body member 20 and a recess 34 in an 25 intermediate wall 35 of the body member 20 form slots to slidably accommodate the pivot shafts 31 to facilitate vertical movement of the pivot shafts, as - 9 - will be described below. Each U-shaped pivot member 29 and 30 comprises a pair of side webs 36 joined by a main web 37. Each transverse pivot shaft 31 extends through the side webs 36 and the shafts 28 for 5 supporting the imprinter rollers 22 also extend between the side webs 36. Stop means formed by end edges 39 on the side webs 36 of each of tne pivot members 29 and 30 abut corresponding stop means provided by abutment members 40 on an adjacent side wall 41 of 10 each well 23. The end edges 39, as can be seen in Fig. 5 restrict pivotal movement of the pivot members 29 and 30 in the direction of the arrow A. This accordingly forces the imprinter roller 22 into engagement with a docket on the bed 2. However, both 15 pivotal members 29 and 30 can freely pivot in the opposite direction, namely the direction of the arrow B, so that the imprinter roller 22 can clear the bed 2, thereby avoiding imprinting, see Fig. 6.

As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the pivot members 29 20 and 30 are mounted so that their pivotal movement is restricted in opposite directions, and their free pivotal movement is provided also in the opposite directions. Thus, the imprinter roller 22 of the pivot member 29 imprints in one direction of the 25 carriage 3, namely the direction illustrated by the arrow C, while the pivot member 30 pivots freely in this direction, see Fig. 1. On reverse movement of the carriage 3, namely, in the direction of the arrow D, the imprinter roller 22 of the pivot member 30 imprints, while the pivot member 29 is free to pivot. Accordingly, as the carriage 3 is moved in the 5 direction of the arrow C, namely from the end 4 to the end 5, on the carriage 3 commencing movement, the imprinter roller as a result of friction between itself and the bed causes the pivot member 29 to pivot against the abutment members 40. Thus, further 10 movement of the carriage in the direction of the arrow C causes the imprinter roller 22 of the pivot member 29 to imprint. As the carriage 3 is moved in the reverse direction, namely from the end 5 to the end 4 in the direction of the arrow D, the pivot member 30 15 is moved into abutment with the abutment member 40, thereby causing the imprinter roller 22 of the pivot member 30 to imprint. Accordingly, this halves the effort required for imprinting in each stroke.

Adjustment means to adjust the distance of the 20 imprinter rollers 22 relative to the bed 2 for adjusting the imprinting pressure are provided by four adjusting screws 43 which bear on the ends of the pivot shafts 31. The screws 43 engage inserts 44 of plastics material which are mounted in the main web 15 25 of the U-shaped bracket 14. The inserts 44 grip the adjusting screws 43 with a friction grip, thereby avoiding any danger of the screws 43 loosening during - Ill - operation. Downward pressure of the screws 43 on the shafts 31 bring the imprinter rollers 22 into firm engagement with the bed 2.

A handle 45 formed by a cover of injection moulded 5 plastics material is mounted over the U-shaped bracket 14 for gripping the carriage 3 to move it across the bed 2. A handle 46 is provided on the end 4 of the bed 2 for gripping the bed during movement of the carriage 3. It has been found that the handle 46 is 10 particularly advantageous, as it permits the imprinter to be used while hand held.

In use, a credit card is placed on the anvil 6 and a docket is placed on top of the credit card 6 in the docket receiving area 9. The ends of the docket are 15 inserted under the members 10. The carriage is moved from the end 4 in the direction of the arrow C towards the end 5, thus causing the imprinter roller 22 in the pivot member 29 to imprint. As the carriage 3 is moved in the reverse direction, namely the direction 20 of the arrow D, the imprinter roller 22 on the pivot member 30 imprints.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 12 there is illustrated an imprinter apparatus 50 according to another embodiment of the invention. This imprinter apparatus 50 is 25 substantially similar to that described with reference -12- to Figs. 1 to 6 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between this imprinter 50 and that just described is that a receiving means to receive a credit card is 5 provided in the bed 2 of the apparatus 50. The receiving means is provided by a card receiving member 51 which is pivotally mounted in the bed 2 adjacent the anvil 6 in mounting members 59. A card receiving slot 52 extends axially in the card receiving member 10 51 to receive a card. On pivoting of the card receiving member 51 in the direction of the arrow E, the card is displaced upwardly from the anvil 6, as can be seen in Figs. 9 and 10. A credit card is illustrated in the card receiving slot 52 in broken 15 lines, and indicated by the reference numeral 57. The card receiving member 51 in this case is responsive to the carriage 3 returning to the end 4 of the bed 2 at the end of an imprinting cycle. As the carriage 3 reaches the end 4, the member 51 is pivoted upwardly 20 to displace the card from the anvil 6. A camming means provided by a spud 53 extending upwardly from the card receiving member 51 engages a corresponding camming means, namely an angled cam plate 54 depending downwardly from the body member 20 of the carriage 3. 25 The angled plate 54 is so shaped that as the carriage 3 approaches the end 4 of the bed 5, the spud 53 is engaged and moved under the action of the plate movement 54 to pivot the card receiving member 51 in - 13 - the direction of the arrow E.

In use, with the carriage 3 at the end 4 of the bed 2 a credit card is inserted in the card receiving slot 52 and the credit card and card receiving member 51 5 are pivoted downwardly by applying downward pressure on the credit card until it rests on the anvil 6, see Fig. 8. The docket is then placed on the bed 2. A docket is illustrated in Fig. 8 by chain dotted lines 58. The carriage is moved to the end 5 over the 10 docket and credit card and is returned to the end 4. As the carriage 3 is approaching the end 4, the cam plate 54 engages the spud 53 to move it in the direction of the arrow E, thereby pivoting the card receiving member 51 upwardly in the direction of the 15 arrow E. Thus, the credit card card is displaced upwardly from the anvil 6. The card receiving member 51 remains in that position until the next credit card is inserted into the slot 52 and both are pivoted downwardly again. 20 The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it virtually eliminates any danger of a credit card being left in the anvil 6 after a transaction. By virtue of the fact that the credit card is pivoted upwardly, as well as displacing the docket at the same 25 time, it also highlights the fact that it is there, thereby inviting its removal. - 14 - It will be appreciated that while the imprinter apparatus of Figs. 7 to 12 has been described as having credit card receiving means, this is not essential to the invention, it may be omitted without 5 departing from the scope of the invention. Where card receiving means are provided, any other suitable means could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is envisaged that in certain cases portion of the anvil or indeed the 10 entire anvil may be pivotal for displacing the credit card upwardly. Indeed, in certain cases, instead of being pivotal, the portion of the anvil could be movable upwardly under, for example, spring pressure or the like. In certain cases, it is envisaged that 15 portion of the anvil may be attached to the card receiving member 51. It will also, of course, be appreciated that other suitable arrangements for pivoting the pivot member could be provided besides the camming means described. In certain cases it is 20 envisaged that a cam member may be provided on the pivot member, and a cam follower could be provided on the carriage. The important aspect of the card receiving means is that it should be responsive to the carriage completing its imprinting cycle. Indeed, in 25 certain cases, it is envisaged that where an entire printing cycle only required one pass of the carriage in one direction, then an arrangement would be -15- provided to cause the card receiving member to pivot upwardly as the carriage neared each end of the bed.

Further, it will be appreciated that while a particular shape and construction of carriage has been 5 described, other suitable constructions could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, other suitable shapes of U-shaped bracket could be used. Similarly, other shapes of main body member could be used. The important thing is that the 10 wells should be provided through the body member.

Needless to say, materials other than plastics for the body member and metal for the U-shaped bracket may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, it will be appreciated that 15 pivot members of other than U-shaped construction or other construction may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the pivot shafts may be biased upwardly by springs or the like to engage the 20 adjusting screws. Additionally, it will be appreciated that other suitable adjustment means besides adjusting screws could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. While in both embodiments of the invention four pairs of 25 bearing rollers have been provided, this is not necessary, in certain cases, it is envisaged that single bearing rollers may be used at each of the ends - 16 - of the carriage. In another case, it is envisaged that two pairs of bearing rollers may be provided on the U-shaped bracket, single rollers may be provided at each end of the main body member, or vice versa. 5 It will also of course be appreciated that while the imprinter rollers have been mounted to imprint one in one direction and the other in the other direction, they could be mounted so they would both imprint in the same direction of motion of the carriage. 10 Further, in certain cases, only one imprinter roller may be provided.

It will also, of course, be appreciated that imprinter apparatus with beds of other shape and construction could be used, and similarly, it will be appreciated 15 that materials other than injection moulded plastics material may be used for the bed.

While particular adjustment means have been described for adjusting the tightness with which the roller bearings grip the track, any other suitable adjustment 20 means could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further, it is envisaged that other suitable stop means besides the arrangement illustrated for restricting pivotal movement of the pivot members in -17- one direction could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 18

Claims

1. CLAIMS 1. Imprinter apparatus for imprinting data from a card to a docket, the apparatus comprising a bed having a docket receiving area and a card receiving 5 area, a pair of side tracks extending sidewardly from and along respective sides of the bed, a carriage movable over the bed to imprint data from the card to the docket, at least two bearing rollers being provided on each of two opposite sides of the carriage 10 corresponding to the side tracks for engaging the respective side tracks so that each side track is sandwiched between the two rollers on the corresponding side of the carriage for guiding the carriage over the bed, the carriage comprising a body 15 member extending transversely of the bed, a well extending through the body member for accommodating at least one imprinter roller, the imprinter roller being rotatably mounted on a pivot member which is pivotally mounted in the well about an axis transverse of the 20 bed, stop means on the pivot member engagable with a corresponding stop means in the well to restrict pivoting of the pivot member in one direction, thereby maintaining the printer roller in contact with the docket to cause imprinting as the carriage moves 25 across the bed in one direction, the pivot member being free to pivot in the other direction to allow the imprinter roller to clear the bed and prevent 19 imprinting as the carriage moves in the opposite direction.

2. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which at least three bearing rollers are provided on each of 5 the two opposite sides of the carriage, one of said at least three bearing rollers engaging one face of the corresponding side track and the other two of the said at least three bearing rollers engaging the other face of the corresponding side track. 10

3. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which four bearing rollers are provided on each of the two opposite sides of the carriage, two of the said four bearing rollers engaging one face of the corresponding side track, and the other two bearing rollers of the 15 said four bearing rollers engaging the other face of the corresponding side track.

4. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having a pair of side webs joined by a 20 main web extending transversely of and above the bed, the body member being supported in the U-shaped bracket, and the U-shaped bracket carrying the bearing rollers and being in rolling engagement with the bed. 20

5. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the bearing rollers are provided on each side web of the inverted U-shaped bracket of the carriage.

6. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in 5 which the pivot member supporting the imprinter roller is pivotal on a shaft which is slidable upwardly and downwardly relative to the bed in slots in a pair of opposing side walls of the well.

7. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which 10 an adjustment means is provided for adjusting the distance of the pivot shaft from the bed.

8. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the adjustment means is provided by a pair of spaced apart adjusting screws rotatable in inserts which grip 15 the screws with a friction grip, the inserts being mounted in the main web of the inverted U-shaped bracket, the adjusting screws engaging the pivot shaft.

9. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding 20 claim in which the pivot member is provided by a U- shaped bracket having a main web extending between a pair of side webs, the pivot shaft engaging the two side webs, and a shaft extending between the side webs 21 to rotatably support the imprinter roller.

10. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the stop means on the pivot member is provided by end edges of the respective side webs. 5

11. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the stop means in the well is provided by a wall defining the well.

12. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a pair of imprinter rollers is 10 provided, each imprinter roller being rotatable on a corresponding pivot member.

13. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which a pair of wells are provided in the body member, one for each pivot member. 15

14. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the stop means are arranged so that one imprinter roller imprints in one direction of motion of the carriage over the bed, and the other imprinter roller imprints in the other direction. 20

15. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a handle extends from one end of the 22 bed.

16. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a card receiving means is provided in the bed for receiving the card, the card receiving 5 means being movable to displace the card from the card receiving area in response to movement of the carriage as it approaches the end of an imprinting cycle.

17. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the card receiving means is pivotal from a 10 position in which the card is adjacent the card receiving area to a position where the card is displaced from the card receiving area.

18. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 in which the card receiving means is provided by an 15 elongated card receiving member longitudinally mounted in the bed adjacent the card receiving area and axially pivotal in the bed, the card receiving member having an elongated slot axially disposed to receive the card. 20

19. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which a camming means is provided on the card receiving member engagable with corresponding camming means on the carriage for pivoting the card receiving member. 23

20. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 in which the camming means comprises a cam follower on the card receiving member engagable with a 5 corresponding camming member extending from the carriage, so that on engagement of the camming member with the cam follower the card receiving member is pivoted to displace the card.

21. Imprinter apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 in 10 which the cam follower is provided by a spud extending from the elongated card receiving member and the camming member is provided by an angled member depending from the carriage.

22. Imprinter apparatus substantially as described 15 herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

23. Imprinter apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 7 to 12 of the accompanying drawings. 24 Dated this 17th day of September 1987 F.F. GORMAN & CO. BY: EXECUTIVE Agents for the Applicants, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2.