US1245191A - Printing mechanism for cash-registers. - Google Patents

Description

F. M. (JARR LL. PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3I. I9Ib- I 1 ,245', 1 91 Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. I915.

1,245; 1 91 Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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APPLICATION EIIETI MAR. 31. 19H).

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PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 3i. 29H).

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APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. I9I5.

Patented N (W. 6, 1917.

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PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLKIATION FILED MAR-31.1915.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917 I0 SHEETSSH EET 6.

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APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. I915- Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1915.

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PR INTXNG MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3!. 1915)- Patented News, 1917.

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' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3|. 1915)- 1,245,191

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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cash registers,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

FRED M. CARROLL, or DAYTON, COMPANY, or DAYTON, OHIO,

OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER A CORPORATION OF OHIO, (INCORPORATED IN 1906.)

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR CASH-REGISTERS.

exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in and has particular relation to printing mechanisms therefor.-

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved selecting mechanism for controlling the operations of a plurality of accounting devices. One advantage of this feature of the invention is that it per l: mits arranglng the accounting devlces 1n:

groups or rows and the placing of the selection under the control of a plurality of key banks or a plurality of other manipulative devices such as, for example, the adjustable levers often used instead of banks of keys.

In the present embodiment, this selecting mechanism is used in connection with a plurality of record strip devices. As will be more clearly apparent later, however, the mechanism is not limited to this one use, but may be used readily to control the selective operation of other forms of accounting or entry retaining devices.

v The record strip devices are, in this instance, arranged in two parallel rows, one containing nine and-the other ten devices, with the differential mechanism of two key banks of a cash register connected to effect the selection ofany one of the devices. -One bank controls the row and the other the device which is to be operated in the row. Owing to the factthat there are, but two rows of the record strip devices, one of which is always in efl'ective position when the difi'erential mechanism of the row selecting bank is at the normal or zero position, it is necessary to have only one key in the row selectin bank, this key being operated when it is desired to bring the other row of devices to effective position. After the construction is fully understood, however, it will be apparent that by making a few obvious changes more rows of record strip or other devices may readily be added and a controlling key for each of the rows inserted in the row controlling bank.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application fil ed March 31, 1915.

unty of Montogmery and,.

upon While V Patented Nov. 6, 1917. Serial No. 18,366.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for connecting the selected accounting device to the main operating mechanism. In the present embodiment of the idea one of the devices which is adjusted when selecting the desired record strip device for operation is arranged also to form the connection and operate the selected platen.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for operating a set of type carriers so that they may be caused to print upon any one ofa plurality of record strips. Inthe present instance the type carriers are in the form of bars mounted for differential adjustment in a carriage which is also differentially adjustable directly from 1 one position to another to determine the record strip to be printed it is not essential, the differential adjustment of all of the type carriers to set up items may be effected simultane- 'ously with the movement of the carriage so when the carriage comes to rest the that item will have been set up opposite the strip on which it is to be printed.,

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism whereby printingagainst any desired one of a series of platens may be effected by a minimumrelative movement between the type carriers and the platens. In the illustrative embodiment the type carriers are providedwith two sets of type so spaced apart with reference one to the other and to the platens that the printing line of one set only can beeflective at a time and successivesteps of movement in the same direction of the devices for. effecting the relative movement'between the type v 'carrier and the platens will-result in the printing lines being brought alternately to effective relationship with the platen mechanism. In this way each set of type will cover a part only of the series of platens and the movement necessary to print against all of the platens in succession is only half as great as if a single set of type was provided to cooperate with all of the platens.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism whereby any desired one of a series of accounting devices may .be selected for actuation by a minimum relative movement between the actuators and the accounting devices. In the illustrative machine the actuators are adjusted to select the accounting device to be. operated and the actuators are. provided with a pluralit of engaging means sospaced apart with re erence one to the other and to the accounting devices'that only one of the engaging means is effective at a time and successive steps of movement of the. actuators in the same direction will result in said eriigaging means-being alternately rendered e ective. By this construction any desired'one of the accounting devices may be selected for actuation with a total range of movement of the actuators only half as great as if but a single one'ofthe engaging means was pro- 'vided.

Another object of the invention'is to provide an improved means for supporting and feeding an ink ribbon common to all of a number of impression devices where said devices are arranged in groups and the general construction does not permit the use of a ribbon wide enoughto extend across all of the groups; In the present embodi- 'ment of the idea'the ribbon support is arranged to hold an endless ribbon of the same width as a single row of the impres-' sion devices in'such a way that a portion of the ribbon is above each of the rows. The ribbon and its. supportive carried on one of the invariablymoved devices comprised by the machineand suitablemeans are provided whereby. this invariablemovement actuates mechanism to drive the ribbon in a constant direction', thatis, without reversal of the ribbon feed. w

Still another objectis to provide devices for insuring equal-movement in the same lateral direction'bf-'alljipoi'ti'ons of bars 'or slides to which power isapplied at a single point in such a waythat there mi ht, if no such equalizing. devi'ceiwere provi ed, be a rotary or otherwise irregular movement. In the illustrative machine these equalizing devices are applied to plates slidably mounted in a frame with means connected at different points along the edges of the plates for-sliding the plates up and down. The equalizing devices insure the same vertical movement of both ends of'the plates and thereby prevent the plates from binding in the guiding frame.

With these and incidental objects in view,

the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in. appended claims, and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of the specification.

Of said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken at the right of the tens of dollars key bank of the improved machine.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the This section is. taken on substantiallyithe same plane as the section shown in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mac ine showing part of the key board and having the casing broken away to show the general arrangement of the printing devices. In this view the record strip container is run out to the rear from under the type carriers to the position where it may be removed from the machine.

Fig. 4; shows-in rear elevation certain features of the reg ster foroperating the ty carriers and for selectively actuating t e record strip platens.

Fig. 5 is a lower left hand portion of a rear elevation of the machine with the casing of the ,record strip container broken out to show two of. the strip feeding mechanisms.

Fig. 6 shows a right handportion of the rear elevation of the machine.

Fig. 7 shows a lower rear portion of a right side elevation of the machine. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section through the record strip container taken on the same plane as Figs. 1 and 2, with certain of the parts omitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 9 is a detail of some of the mechanism for adjusting one of the type carriers and includes the means for equalizing the movement of the type carriers operating slide. I

Fig. 10 is a detail of mechanism for eflecting actuation of the selected record strip platen and feeding devices.

Fig. 11 is a detail View showing one of the supporting bars for the type carriers with" the type carrier and its operating bell crank motion type, that is, its keys may be operated to set up conditions which are entered in the machine by subsequent operation of the operating mechanism. Said machine has seven key banks. right of the key board are for entering amounts while the two banks at the left are the clerks number keys, The units number bank has a full set or nine keys, while The five banks at the the tens number bank has but a single key.

'A key may be operated in either number bank or the two number banks may be 0 erated simultaneously, so the machine is 0 viously intended to take care of the transactions of nineteen clerksw An independent record strip is provided for each clerk and depression of the proper key or keys to adjustable directly from one position to an :other: The movement of said carriage, also the movement of the type bars to set up items, isin 'aright and left direction across the back of the machine. The rows of record strip devices extend parallel to the direc-' tion of movement of the type carriers and their carriage and the entire set of strip devices is movable front and back in the machine to bring either of the rows under the type carriage. The movement of the type bar carriage from one position to another along the row, in operative relation thereto is controlled by the units number keys'While the frontand back bodily movement to bring either row of strips under the type carriers is controlled by the tens number'banks of keys. J Bythis construction printing relationship may be established between the type carriers and any record strip in either of the rows.

Each of the nineteen record strips has an independent platen and the type bar carriage carries devices for actuating the platen for the strip to be printed upon. Adjustment of the carriage from one position to another not only positions the type to print on the desired record strip but also adjusts the actuating devices to establish operative relationship between the actuating devices and the platen'to be operated. Further operation of the machine then lowers the actuating devices to bring lugs thereon into position to be engaged with the element carrying the platen for the record strip to be printed upon. The entire set of strip devices is then given a bodily movement to engage said platen carrying element with thelugs and this engagement is maintained while the actuating devices are reciproca-ted' an invariae ble extent by the main operating mechanism.

This reciprocation positively raises and lowers the platen to take an impression from the type carriers and restores the platen to nor side of a container or box consisting of two 'front and back in the machine.

vertical halves hinged together at the bottom and set into a frame which is movable From the rolls the strips pass up over their platens 0rd strip devices in the container brings their platens in two parallel rows and the front and back movementof the frame carrying the'container is the movement above mentioned for bringing either rowunder the type carriers and platen actuating devices. It will be remembered that this movement is controlled by the tens number bank. When it is desired to remove the record strips or replenish the supply of paper the traveling frame may be runback out of the machine by means operated independently of the control key bank so that the container may be lifted out of theframe and'opened up like a book to give access to the strips.

In addition to the front and'back movement of the travelin frame the strip container has a slight leftand right movement of invariable extent in the frame. This is the movement hereinbefore mentioned whereby the platen to be operated is engaged with and disengaged from the actuating de-, vices. This right and left movement is imparted by the main operating mechanism through suitable connections at each and every operation of the machine.

The differential mechanisms of'the units and tens number banks also control the setting of the type carriers for these two banks in such a way that the setting of the two type carriers in question is simultaneous with the adjustment of the type carrier carriage and the front and back movement of the record strip container. The other type carriers are differentially ad usted in the carriage under the control of the differential mechanisms of the five amount banks, which differential adjustment may also be simultaneous with the movement of the type carrier carriage and the forward and back movement of the record strip container, although this'is not essential. The mechanism may. if desired. be arranged so that the adjustment of the type carriers is started one afterthe other, the cents carrier first, then the dimes carrier and so on. g V

The foregoing statement is thought to give a good general idea of the construction and operation of the improved machine. The various features willno'w be described in detail.

Differential lllcchtz nisvn.

As shown in Fig. l of the drawings the machine to which the improvements have been applied has key controlled differential mechanism of the type shown in an application for-Letters Patent of the United States filed June 7, 1913, by William A. Chryst, Serial No. 772,276. This mechanism is substantially the same in all the banks, the main difference being that, for reasons above stated, the tens numberb'ank has but a single key instead of nine as provided for each of the other banks.v In such a machine all of the mechanism is driven from a shaft 1 which is common to-all of the banks. This shaft is given a complete rotation at each operation by means either of an operating handle or a motor as may be desired. To said'shaft is fastened a pair of cams 2 and 3 for each bank. Cooperating with each pair of cams is an element 4 pivoted at 5 to the adjacent frame and carrying oppositely'ex tending anti-friction rollers 6 and 7 rlding tion movement of the elements 4' will be.

transmitted to said segments and the segments will at each rotation of the shaft 1 be rocked first clockwise and then anti-clockwise through an arc of about 90. As shown in the application above mentioned, the pairs of cams 2 and 3 may, if desired, be given ,a slightly spiral arrangement about the shaft 2 so that the segments 9 will not all be started simultaneously.

Loosely mounted upon the rod 10 and adjacent each of the segments 9 is an element 11 having two sets of teeth 12 for actuating totalize'rs (not shown) and carrying ivoted transfer elements 13. Pivoted to the element 11 is a bell 'crank 14 and an arm 15. Said arm and the upwardly extending arm of the bell crank 14'have'attached thereto pivots supporting a plunger 16 which is at all times drawn toward the central rod 10 by aspring 17. Formed on the segment 9 is a lug 18 above which the rear end of the plunger 16 is normally seated. When the segment is moved clockwise as above described the engagement of the plunger 16. with the lug 18 causes the element 11 to be carried along until a block 2O rigid on the forwardly extending arm of the bell crank strikes the depressed key 22. Continuation of the clockwise movement of the segment 9 causes the bell crank 11 the segment 9 until the anti-clockwise or.

to the lower end of a link 28 pivoted at 29 to a segment gear 30 (Figs. 1 and 2). Said segment rs are loosely mounted 'on a rod '31 exten ing across the machine.- If the parts are in the positions shown in .Fig. 1

and the element 11 is then adjusted to posi tion it with reference to a depressed key, it will be apparent that the link 26 will be carried into engagement with a collar 33 on the rod 10 and that further movement of thevelement 11 will cause the se ent gear '30 to be drawn downward until t e element 11 comes to a stop. At the end of the clockwise movement of the element 4 a stud 34 carried by a forwardly extending ortion of said element will engage the un er side of the link 26 and insure its being in contact with the collar 33. As the stud is then immediately carried out of engagement with the link by the anti-clockwise move-.

ment of the element 4, it is apparent that when the element 11 is returned to its normal osition the links 26 and 28 will swing loose y on their supporting pivots and permit said return movement without disturbing the setting of the segment gear 30. If

at the next operation the element 11 is not carried far enough to bring the link 26 into contact with the collar 33, the stud 34 will move the link the rest of the distance. It will be seen, therefore, that this construction'provides a means whereby the segment gear 30 will be adjusted from the position in which it wasleft at the end of the preceding operation directly to the new position, that is, the segment gear is not returned to a normal starting point at each operation. Suitable means, not shown, are provided whereby if no key is operated in a bank the plunger 16 will be disengaged from the lug 18 on the segment 9 and projected into the lowest one of the notches 24 V so as to prevent movement ofthe element 11 past the zero position. When the element 11 is stopped at zero in this way the cl0ok wise movement of the element 4 and stud 34 will adjust the segment 30 from any position at which it may have been left at the end of the preceding operation directly to the normal or zero position in which it is shown in Fig. 2.

As hereinbefore stated, the type carrier carriage and actuating devices connected thereto are differentially adjusted-from one seven plates 41 (Figs. 2,

position to another to effect printing on any desired strip in a row, the type carriers are adjusted in the carriage to set up the item to be printed on said strip and the entireset of record strip devices is given a bodily movement front and back in the machine to bring either row of the devices under the type carriers. The mechanisms whereby these things are accomplished are all actuated by the segment gears 30. The construction and operation of the type carriercarriage and the type carriers will be explained first.

Type Carrier Mechanism.

The type carrier carriage is made up of 4, and 11), blocks 42 serving to space the plates apart at their ends. and a pair of side rails 43, all rigidly secured together by pins 4&1 so as to'form a unitary structure. Both of the side rails 43 have ball races 44 cooperating with races 45 in rails 46 fastened to the stationary supporting plates 47, the arrangement being such that the carriage is free to move in an endwise direction, that is, back and forth across the rear of the machine.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, each of the segment gears 30 is in mesh with a. spur gear 48. The right hand one of these gears meshing with the segment gear 30- for the tens number bank, is fastened to a shaft 51 extending across the machine. The other gears 48 are rotatably mounted .on 'said shaft. Rigid with all seven ofthe gears 48 are bevel gears 52 meshing with bevel gears 53 fastened to the inner ends of short shafts 54 rotatably mounted in the supporting frames or plates 4?. Differential adjustment of the segment gears 30 as hereinbefore described will, it is clear, effect corresponding differential rotation of the shafts 54 and, in addition to rotating its shaft 54, the difi'erential movement of the tens bank segment gear 30 Will also cause differential rotation of the shaft 51. The reason for rotating said shaft 51 will appear later.

Secured to the shaft 57 for the units number bank is a spur gear 55 meshing with a rack 56 (Figs. 2 and 4) fastened along the upper edge of a plate 57 secured tor-th'e-rear, or, as viewed in said figures, the right hand one of the side rails 43 forming a part of the movable type carrier carriage. The differential rotation of the units number shaft 54% by its segment gear 30 will, of course, cause differential adjustment of the type carrier carriage and by tracing the mechanism all the way back to the units number keys it will be apparent that the construction so far described provides a satisfactory means for adjusting the mov- (Figs. 3 and at), that is, the'gear' mechanisms is jacent plate 41 (see also able carriage from the position in which it was left at the end tion directly to a position corresponding to the units number key operated.

As hereinbefore stated, the type carriers are in the form of bars mounted for differential adjustment in a movable carriage. The carriage and the means for moving it have just been described. A type bar is provided for each of the seven banks of the machine and they are so connected to the differential mechanisms of their respective banks that they may be adjusted to set up items at the same time that the set of bars'i's being moved bodily by adjustment of the carriage to bring the item in printing relationship to the desired record strip. It has also been explained that the record strip platens for t-akin'g the impression are arranged in two parallel rows, one containing nine and the other ten platens and that one or the other of these rows is at all times under the type carriers. The reason why there are but nine platens in one of the rows will be made clear hereinafter. The two rows of platens are of equal length and the platens are spaced apart equal distances in the. rows. in order to make it possible to print against any desired platen in a row with a minimum movement of. the type bar carriage, each type bar 61 (Figs. 4, l1 and 11 is provided with a set of type at either with reference one to the other on the bars i that the type printing digits of the same value are separate a distance equal to live and one-half of the platen spaces.

The differential movement of the type bar carriage and the adjusting movcnnnt of the type bars themselves conform to this ar rangement of the type, that is. a step of movement of the key controlled differential equal to approximately onehalf of a platen space. By this arrangement of the mechanism and type each set of type will cover five of the platens in a row and when the printing line (if one set of type is in operative relationship to a platen the printing line of the other set will clear the nearest platen by one-half of a platen space.

As bcst'shown in Fig. 11, each of the type bars 61 hastwo horizontal slots 62 into which project studs 63 fastened to the ad Fig. 4). These plates 41, is will be recalled, form part of the movable type bar carriage. Pivoted at 3% to an upwardly extending arm 65 formed on each plate 41 is a bell crank 66. Fastened to the lower end of the downwardly extending arm of said bell crank lever is a stud 6? projecting laterally into a vertical slot 68 inthe type bar (31. It is apparent that the type bar 61 may be adjusted to difi'erent positions on the supporting .studs 63 by movement of the bell crank 66 about its pivot 64. The means for operating the bell cranks to differentially position the type bars will next be described.

The up er arm 71 of each of the bell cranks 66 as attached thereto a stud 72 extending laterally into a long horizontal slot 73 in a plate 74. There are seven of these I plates, one for each type bar, and theyv are all mounted for sliding vertical movement in the slots of guide frames'75 (Flgs. 3, 4, 9, and 11) supported by the rods 70 fastened to the printer side plates 47. Extending upwardly from each plate 74 is an arm 76 one edge of which carries rack teeth 77 meshing with a pinion 78 fastened to the corres onding shaft 54. Differential rotation 0 the shafts 54 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, will, it is apparent, cause plates 74 to be lowered differentially and as the plates are lowered they will rock the bell cranks 66 about their pivots 64 thereby effecting. adjustment of the connected .type bars on the su porting studs 63. The connection forme by the studs 72 and slots 73 in the plates 74 permits movement from one position to another of the type bar car- ;riage to which the bell cranks 66 are pivyoted while at the same time the bell cranks may be rocked about their pivots by move ment of the plates 74 to adjust the type.

In this way the type bars are adjustable by their differential mechanisms to set up items ential adjustment of the type bar carriage and the differential or item setting move ment of the units number bank type bar. It is clear that this-simultaneous movement of the type bar carriage and'the units number bank type carrier provides a means whereby the units type bar may be positioned to print; any desired digition any desired one of the series of record strips resting at the time under the carriage.

I Equalizing Devices. I As shown in Figs. 4 and 9 the rack arms 76 of the plates 74 are positioned at different points on their respective plates to bring the racks into coiiperative relationship with the pinions 78 carried by the corresponding shafts 54. The nature of the connection moved bodily by adjustment of the formed by the rack arms and the pinions is such that, if no means were rovided to prevent it, all points of the p ates would not have the same vertical movement and the tendency would be for the plates to bind in the guide frames 75. such binding equalizing devices are provided. To this end extensions 81 formed on the plates 74 and cooperating with the guides 75 carry at their upper ends studs 82 engaging open slotsin the ends of levers 83. These levers are pivoted on rods 84 supported bv the printer side plates 47 and are' equipped at their inner ends with intermeshing toothed segments. It is clear that this construction provides a means whereby power applied to any point of a plate 74.

will be transmitted through the levers 83 to effect equal vertical movement of both ends of the plate.

Platen Operating Demces.

The devices for selectively actuating the To prevent any platens comprise two plates 85 (Figs. 2, 4,

and 6) having vertical slots 86 into which project short studs 87 secured to the side rails 43 forming part of the movable type bar carriage. The rails 43 and 46 are separated a sufiicient distance to make roomfor the plates 85 while the portion of the plates between the rails is short enough to permit endwise movement of the plates without lnterference from the balls in the ball raoe's formed in therails 'Each of the actuator plates 85 has two long horizontal slots 88,

(Figs. 4 and 6). Into the left hand ones of these slots (Fig. 4) project studs 91 carried .by the lower arms of bell cranks 92 pivoted on a rod 93 mounted in the printer side plates 47. The right hand slots 88 (Fig. 6) surround studs 94 attached to one of the arms of multi-armed elements 95 journaled on a rod 96 which is also supported by the printer side plates 47. Long links 97 connect upwardly extending arms of the bell cranks 92 with the downwardly extending arms of the multi-armed elements 95; From the mechanism so far described, it is apparent that because of the connection formed by the slot 86 and stud 87 differential adjustment of the type barcarriage as above described-will also eifect differential adjustment of the plates 85 on the studs 91 and 94 also that if the multi-armed elements 95 are oscillated first anti-clockwise (Fig. 6) and then clockwise the result will be firstto lower and then raise the plates 85. This movement of the elements 95 is imparted twice at each operation of the machine by suitable connections to the main operating one end said lever is equipped with an antifriction roller "103 projecting into a cam groove 104 formed in the side of'a disk 105 fastened to the main driving shaft 1. Itwill be recalled that said shaft is given a complete rotation at each operation of the machine. The free end of the lever 101 rests between ears 106 (Figs. 3, 6, and 10) formed on a yoke 107 rigidly fastening toj gether the two long arms 108 of the multiarmed elements 95. As shown in Fig. 7, the configuration of the cam groove 10 1 is such that during the latter half of the rotation of the shaft'l' the lever 101 will be oscillated twice on its pivot, each oscillation consisting of first an anti-clockwise and then a clockwise movement with a slight pause at the end of each of the anti-clockwise movements. These movements of the lever, because of the engagement of its free end with the cars 1013 on the yoke 107, is transmitted to the elements 95 and 92 and the plates 85. The result is that the plates 85 are lowvered to a certain position, held stationary an instant in the lowered position, then re .turned nearly to normal, then again lowered to the same position as before and held stationary in that position for an instant before they are raised to their normal positions. These movements of the plates 85 are s multaneous, in fact, owing tothe rigid previously explained the yoke connection between the multi-armed elements 95 the plates 85 are for all practical purposes parts of a unitary structure for actuating the platens.

Each ofthe plates 85 is provided with two Lshaped actuating lugs 111 (Figs. 2, 1, and 5) the lugs at the same ends of the plates forming a platen operating pair. The lugs are so positioned with reference one to the other on their respecth'e plates 85 that they are, like the two sets of type on the type bars, separated a distance equivalent to five and one-half of the platen spaces, the pair of lugs at either end of the plates cooperating with but five of the platens in a platen row and when one pair of the lugs is in positiontomaerate a platen the other pair will be one-half of a platen space away from the position in which they would be effectiye to operate one of the platens. As connections be tween the difierential mechanism controlled by the units number keys and the type bar carriage to which the actuator plates 85 are connected are so proportioned that a step of movement of said differential devices moves the carriageand consequently the actuator plates 85 a distance equal to one-half of a platen space. This movement of the ac tuator plates, .in connection with the arrangement of the lugs 111 on the plates, provides a means for selecting any one of the ten platens for operation by a minimum movement ofthe actuator plates. The construction of the differential mechanism and intermediate connections also provides a meanswhereby the actuator plates may be moved by an operation of the machine directly from the position in which they were left at the end of the preceding operation to the position corresponding to the units number key operated. This adjusting move ment occurs during the first half of the operation of the machine or before the actuator plates are given the two vertical movements above mentioned. I

The nineteen platens 112 for taking in1-- prcssions from the type carriers are each mounted in a carrying element 113 (Figs. 2, 3, and 8) suitably mounted for sliding vertical movement in record strip box or container. As best shown in Fig. 8 said container consists of two vertical halves hinged together at or near the bottom by links 115 pivoted as at 116 to the end plates of the container. The bottom portions 117 of the container have slots 119, as shown in Fig. 8, under the links the sides 111 of the the links thereby making it possible to,

when a container is out of the machine, spread it open like a book so as to have free access to the interior when removing the printed records or supplying fresh paper.

The container, when in the machine, sets in a rectangular opening in a traveling frame 118 having ball races in the end portions thereof coeperating with ball races 120 in rails 121, fastened at one end to frames 122 supported by fl'l'Od 123 across the machine and at the other to the adjacent main frame of the machine. As shown in Fig. 3 the end portions of the frame 118 extend far enough toward the front of the machine to support the record'strip container when the container is run to the extremerear to permit lifting the container out of the frame. The means for moving the frame 118 to the extreme rear operates independently of the difierential devices of the machine and will be described later. The connections whereby the container is adjusted by the tens number bank dilferential mechanism, comprises a rack 121 rigidly attached to the right hand end of the frame 118 (Fig. 6) said rack being normally attached to its upper end a bevel gear 133 number bank are at the normal or zero position the traveling frame 118 is in its for- Ward position, that is, with the rear row of record strip devices under the platen actuators and type carriers as shown'in Fig. 2.

If the machine is operated with only a units number key depressed the record strip devices remain in this position. If, however, the machine is operated with the key in the tens number bank depressed, the resulting movement of the tens number bank segment gear 30 will, because of the rotation of the shaft 51, 132, and 127, cause the pinion 125 to rack the traveling frame 118 toward the rear of the machine and bring the other row of record strip devices under the type carriers and platen actuators. As shown in Fig. 3, the single key in the tens number bank is at the top of the bank. By placing it at the top, instead of at the bottom where it would ordinarily be, the full nine steps of movement of the element 11 and segment gear 30 of the tens number bank may be used to effect the front and backmovement of the traveling frame 118, while if the key was placed at the bottom of the bank said front and back movement of the traveling frame would have to be effected by a single step of movement of the tens number bank segment gear 30. The latter arrangement obviously would be unsatisfactory, as moving the frame 118 and record strip devices by a single step of movement of the segment gear" 30 would result in too quick a movement of the frame and would cause the machine to run com paratively'hard at that particular point in the operation.

When the container is set down'in the traveling frame 118, it is supported by two pairs of rollers or wheels 129 rotatably mounted on the sides of the container and resting upon two short tracks 130 formed on the side members of the frame. The inside length of the rectangular opening in the frame 118 is enough greater than the length of the record strip box or container to permit a slight-endwise movement of the container on the tracks 130. At the right hand end of the container, as viewed from the rear, Fi 6, is a bar 136 in the lower edge of whic is a slot 137 (see alsO Fig. 7). Into said slot projects an anti-friction roller 4 138 mounted on the rearwardly extendin arm 139, Figs. 6, 7 and 10, of a bell cran lever 140, pivoted as at 141 to an arm rig d with the extension of the machine frame in which the shaft127 is journaled. The bar form a notch 153.

the actuator plates are lowered a container, but it is long enough for its slot 137 to remain in engagement with the roller 138 when the container is moved to the rear of the machine by the tens number bank differential mechanism. The slot 137 is open at its forward end, that is, the end nearest the front of the machine, so that when the frame 118 and the record strip box are moved to the extreme rear to permit removal of the box, the slot will pass out of engagement with the roller 138. The other arm 142 of the bell crank 141 is connected by a short link 143 to the lower end of a bell crank 144 pivoted at its upper end to the lug 102 on the machine frame (see Figs. 6, 7, and 10). The other or forwardly extending arm of the bell crank 144 carries an antifriction roller 145 (Fig. 7) projecting into a cam groove 146 formed in the side of the disk 105' opposite the side in which the cam groove 104 is formed. The shape of the cam groove 146 is such that almost immediately after the first half of the operation of the machine is completed the bell crank 144 is rocked clockwise (Fi 7 on its pivot, thereby through the lin 143 rocking the bell crank 140 clockwise (Fig. 10) on its pivot. This shifts the container toward the right as viewed from the rear of the machine machlne after which the parts are all restored to their zero positions.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, each of the vertically movable platen carrying elements 113 is -provided with extensions. 151 and 152 the latter extension serving in connection with the body of the element 113 to Theseextensions' cooperate with the L-shaped lo 111 on the platen actuating plates 85. en the plates 85 are first lowered as above described, the lugs 111 are brought down to a position where the shifting movement imparted to the con-' tainer by the bell crank 140 will carry the extensions 151* and 152 of the platen to be operated above the lugs 111 on the actuator plates. The engagement thus effected is maintained while the actuator plates are raised and lowered to operate the platen.

When the plates are in. the lowered position a after 0 erating the platen the bell crank 140 shi s the container back to its normal 'gagement of one of the'lugs 111 with the when r the impression is taken the platen carrying elenotches 153 affords ameans whereb ment 113 will be positively lowered to its normal position. 7 As shown in Figs. 3 and 5 one of the recrd strip devices is omitted from the rearmost row. This row isthe one that is under the type carriers and platen actuatorswhen the tens number bank segment gear 30 is at the zero position, and the point where the platen is missing is the one with which the right hand lugs 111 (Fig. of the actuator plates would be in operative relationship when the units number bank segment'gear 30 controlling the movement of the actuator plates is at the normal or zero position. It

.is apparent that ifthe machine could be operated with-both of the segment gears 30 held at the zero position, a record strip desvice at the point where the device is omitted would be operated when the record strip container isshifted and the actuator plates reeiprocated. A machine look (not shown) is provided, however, which prevents operation of the machine unless at least one of the number keys is depressed. As a result either the platen actuators or the record strip container or both will be moved from the zero positions in which they are shown and a record strip device at the point corresponding tothe Zero position of the two number bank differential mechanisms would be useless because it would never be operated.

Record Strip Feeding Devices.

The rolls of paper for the nineteen record strips are carried by supply rollers 155 (Fig. 8) rotatably mounted on studs 156 arranged in.double horizontal rows and projecting inwardly from the sides 114: of the record strip container. From the supply. roller each strip passes up over the top of its platen carrying element 113 and platen 112, down between a feeding roller 157 (Fig. 5) and a tension roller 158. The feeding roller 157 is rotatably mounted on a stud 161 secured to the platen carrying element 113 while the tension roller is rotatably mounted on a rod 162 sup orted in the downwardly extending arms of a yoke-shaped frame 163. Said frame is journaled in a stud 164 also fastened to the platen carrying element 113. A torsion spring 165 wound around the stud 164 engages the frame 163 and a spring pin in the platen carrying element 113 the arrangement being such that the roller 158 is always held against the roller 157., At-

tached to one end of the feeding roller 157 is a ratchet wheel 166. Cotiperating with the teeth of the ratchet wheel is a spring pressed pawl 167 pivoted at its lower end on a stud 168 fastened to the side 114 of the record strip box or container. From this construction it follows that when the platen carrying element 113 is raised by the actuating lugs 111 the pawl 167 will be operated by its spring to cause the end of the pawl to engage the next tooth of the ratchet wheel and when the platen carrying element between the supply rolls to a space provided for the purpose at the bottom of the container.

inking Ribbon Mechanism.

An endless ribbon 175 (Figs. 3 and 5) for inking the type is carried by a removable frame arranged to hold a single strand of the ribbon above 'each row of platens 112. Said frame consists of end members 176 and 177 connected together by side rods 178. The rods 178 are rigidly fastened in the members 176 but are capable of a sliding endwise movement in the members 177. Springs 181 compressed between pins 182 in the rods 178 and the member 177, tend at all times to force the members 176 and 177 apart, the purpose being to provide a means for keeping the inking ribbon under tension. The member 177 has a downwardly extending portion 281 (Fig. 6) having two verticalopen ended slots (not shown) each engaging the shanks of two screws 282 fastened in vertical alinement in the end of the record strip box. The heads of the screws prevent horizontal movement of the member 177 away from the container. The. end member 176 has two vertical slots (not shown) to engage studs 18?) fastened to the left hand end (Fig. 5) of the record strip container. Only one of the studs 183 and two of the screws 182 appear in Fig. 5 be cause the other studs and screws are in horizontal alinement with the ones shown and are, of course, concealed from view. The studs 183 are cylindrical in shape and long enough properly to support the member 176 even though said member should be moved some little distance away from the end of the container by the action of the tensioning springs 181.

Rigid with the end members 176 and 177 of the ribbon frame are extensions 184 (Fig. 3 in each of which is rotatably mounted a pair of short shafts 180 to each of which is fastened a ribbon feeding roller 185. Fastened to the adjacent ends of the shafts 180 are bevel gears 186. Meshing with the pair of bevel gears 186 at either end of the ribbon frame is a bevel gear 187, both of the gears 187 being fastened to the opposite ends of a shaft 188 extending longitudinally of the ribbon frame and journaled in the end members 176 and 177 and the extensions 184 thereof. The shaft 188 is in two sections, one of which is rigid th a sleeve 191 and the other of which has a squared end (not shownlloosely inserted in a similarly shaped hole in the sleeve so that while the sections of the shaft rotate as aunit they do not prevent movement of the member 176 by the ribbon tensioning springs 181.

Rigid on the shaft 180 for the rear right hand feeding roller 185 (Figs. 3 and 6) is a ratchet wheel 192. Adjacent the ratchet Wheel is a plunger 193 mounted for both endwise and rotary movement in a guide 19 1, rigid with the extension 184. A spring 195 in the guiding hole for the plunger is fastened by a pin 196 to the inner end of the plunger 193 and is held at the other end by a pin 197 which extends through the wall of the guide into the plunger hole. The arrangement is such that the spring 195 at all times has a slight tendency to force the plunger 193 outward or to the right (Fig. 6), but is at the same time always under a slight torsional stress tending to rotate the plunger. in its guide. The latter function of the spring is to hold a pin 198 fastened to the plunger in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 192. The exposed end of the plunger contacts a plate 199 fastened to the frame 122. When the record strip container is shifted to engage the selected platen with the actuating lugs 111, the plunger 193 will be held stationary by the plate 199 and the square side of the pin 198 will engage the teeth of the ratchetwheel 192, rotating the ratchet Wheel and the shaft 180 to which it is attached. This movement is transmitted by the bevel gear 186 fastened at the end of the shaft 180 to the bevel gear 187 fastened to the shaft 188 causing rotation of the shaft and gear 187 to drive the other three bevel gears 186 and the feeding rollers 185 rigid therewith. By tracing the movement from the ratchet wheel 192 through the bevel gearing to the various feed rolls it will be seen that the feed rolls are all driven simultaneously and to an equal extent. The endless ribbon is wound over these rollers in such a way that move.- ment of the rolls will advance the ribbon in a constant direction, that is, Without any reversal of the movement of the ribbon;

As shown in Fig. 3, the plate 199 is long enough to cooperate with the plunger 193 when either of the rows of platens is under the type carriers. At its rear edge the plate 199 is beveled slightly and the end of the plunger 193 is rounded so that when the traveling frame 118 and record strip eontaincr are restored to normal from the position in which they are shown in Fig. 3, the beveled edge of the plate 199 will cooperate with the rounded end of the plunger to cam the plunger back to its normal position in the guide 19 1. It should be stated here. however. that the spring 198 is compressed but a very little when the plunger 193 is in normal contact with the plate 199, so that when the plunger is moved out of contact with the 'plate the spring will project it only a short distance beyond its normal position in the plunger guide.

The sides 211 of the ribbon frame extensions are divergent so that so far as the outside lines are concerned'said extensions when viewed from the'top are substantially V-shaped. The upper and-lower edges of the sides 211 are parallel and inclined slightly as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. \Vhen a new'ribbon is to be put on the entire frame is lifted oil of the supporting screws 182 and studs 183 and the old ribbon removed. The new ribbon is then laid across the top of the sides 211 of either one of the exten-. sions and drawn under the lower edges of the sides 211 and up over the feeding rollers 185 at that end of the frame. The two strands of ribbon are then carried to the opposite end of the frame where the ribbon is laid across the top of the other pair of sides 211 and looped down under the lower edges of said sides and up over the second pair of feeding rollers 185. Before looping the ribbon over the sides 211 and feeding rollers 185 at the second end of the frame the springs 181 are compressed to bring the; two pairs of'feeding rollers 185 to less than the normal distance apart. After the ribbon is in position the springs are permitted to expand and tension the ribbon after which the frame is set back in position on the record strip container. Supporting wires 212 attached to the end members 176 and 177 of the ribbon frame hold' the ribbon up out of contact with the platens.

When in position the ribbon at either end of the frame is in the shape shown in Fig. 12' wherein the portion 213 corresponds to the part laid across the sides 211, the portion 21 1 to the parts extending down across the sides 211, the portions 215 to the parts drawn under the lower edges of the sides 211 and up over the feeding rollers, and the portions 216 to the strands carried over the guide wires 212 to the other end of the frame.

f ontainer t0 the Extreme Rem".

The mechanism for moving the traveling frame 118 and record strip container to the extreme rear position in which they are 120 shown in F ig. 3 comprises a gear 221 (Figs.

5 and 7) secured to. a short shaft 222 mounted for both endwise and rotary movement in a sleeve 223, rigid with a downwardly extending arm 224- integral with the stationary side rail 121 for the traveling frame 118. Rigid with the gear 221 is a collar having an annular groove 226. Engaged with and straddling the reduced portion at the bottom of said groove is the forked end of

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