US1350428A

US1350428A - Machine

Info

Publication number: US1350428A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1920-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 1937-08-24

Description

C. G..TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPUCATION FILED SEPT 23. I918- 1 350,428, Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

3 SHEEISSHEET I.

INVENTOR '4 zmfisa 71am- ATTORNEY c. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED SEPTv 23. l9l8.

' Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEE] 2.

ME m 5 A TTORNEY C. G. TIEFEL.

CHECK WRITING MACHlNE.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 23. 1918.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

N TOR lNl/E LHARLE'EEZYVEFEL.

UNITED STATES Ragnar OFFICE- CHARLES GgTIEFEL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TODD PROTECTOGRAPI-I COMPANY, INC., O1?"R0CHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GHEGK-WRITIN G MAGI-IINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 24, 1920.

I Application filed September 23, 1918. Serial No. 255,274;

To all whom z'tmay concern:

Be it known that I, GiiAnLiis G. Tmrnn, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Rochester, in the county of, Monroe and State of New York have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in Check- Writing Machines;

and Thereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same;

The broad object of the invention is to provide a small, compact machine which, while it will perform most of the functions of such machines now on the market, can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for va riably feeding. the work in machines which are constructed to print words or other designations Varying in length.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type inking mechanism comprising an ink applying roller or corresponding device and means whereby the supply of ink therefor may be controlled and distributed.

Still another object of the invention isto provide an improved mechanism for securing correct alinement of a type support with a platen.

\Vith these and incidental objects in view the invention consists in the novel construc tion and arrangement 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 referencc to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

Of said drawings:

' l igure 1 is a front view of the assembled machine.

Fig. 2 isaright side View of the assembled machine.

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section through the machine and shows particularly features l ig. 5 IS a partial top plan view of the machine with the casing cut away.

Fig. is a vertical section on the line (1 1g. 7 w th some of the parts proecting and others broken away to expose parts behind them to view. a

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section on the line 7-7 (Fig.6).

. receiving slot 22. The portions 20 and 21 of the casing cover and provide supports for the different parts of mechanism hereinafter described.

Rigid with a shaft 23 journaled in the portion 21 of the casing is a type wheel or drum 24 with type forms 25 on its periphery. Each of these type forms is to print a separate word of group of characters.

They extend in the direction of the axis of the drum 2 l'and vary in length according to the words they are to print. For example the type form for printing the word One is considerably shorter than. the type form for printing such words as Seventeen and Eighteen.

'Fastened to the left hand end of the shaft 23 is a knob 26 by means of which the shaft and drum 241 may be rotated to different positions. Rigid with the. knob 26 and type drum 24L is an indicator 27 bearing indicia representing the different type forms. Fastened to the casing is an index 28 to guide the operator. The arrangement is such that when the type drum 24: has been adjusted to position the desired type form opposite an impression bar or platen 31 the corresponding character on the indicator 27 will be opposite the index 28. 7

The impression bar or platen 31 is long enough to cooperate with all of the type lines regardless of the differences in length and it and the type may be constructed in accordance with Patent 7 93,249 issued to Libanus M. Todd, June 27, 1905, so that the fibers of the paper or other material printed upon will be disrupted and thereby rendered more capable of absorbing ink taken from the type. The platen 31 is adjustably mounted in a bar 32 extending transversely of a lever 33 fastened on a shaft 34 pivoted at its ends in the side walls of the base 20. A spring 35 wound around the shaft 3 2 has one end extending through a hole (not shown) in the shaft and its other or free end coperating with a lug 36 attached to or integral with the base 20. At its rear end, the lever 33 is slotted as shown at 11, Fig. 7 to receive the lower end of a link 42. The lever 33 and the link 12 are connected by pivot pin 43. Fastened to a rock shaft 4% is a casting slotted as indicated at 46, Figs. l and 5 to form a pair of arms at opposite sides of the upper end of the link 42. A pin 4-7 extending through the arms and the link forms a connection whereby movement of the rock shaft 44 is transmitted through the link 42 to the lever 43 in such a way as to move the platen 31 in and out of printing relation with the type forms on the drum The rock shaft 44 may be given its rocking movement by means of a handle 51 fastened to the right hand end of the shaft. The spring 35, previously mentioned, is at all times under considerable tension and normally holds the platen and parts associated therewith in the positions shown in the drawings. In this position an adjusting screw 52 (Fig. 7) in an arm 53 integral with the platen lever 33 is in contact with a suitable extension or boss 5a on the machine base. When the operating handle 51 is drawn forward the rock shaft will be moved counterclockwise, Fig. 4, to an extent limited by an adjusting screw 55 engaging the rear wall of the casing. The screw 55 extends through an arm 56 integral with the casting d5, previously described as being fastened to the rock shaft A. It is clear, therefore, that by changing the setting of the adjusting screw 55, the extent of the upward 'movement of the platen 31 and thereby the amount of impression may be regulated.

Ink is applied directly to the type forms by rolls 61 and 62. The roll 61 is rotatable on a rod 63 supported at its ends in the side arms 64 of a yoke loosely suspended from a rod 65. Mounted on the rod 65 is a spring 66 which tends at all times to hold the roll 61 in contact with the type forms 25 so that during rotation of the drum the type will be inked.

The roll 62 applies ink to the type in the same way, that is, by being held in contact with the type forms and applying ink to the type as the drum 24 is rotated. The roll .ment of the plate 73 by the spring is limited by engagement of an extension 81 of the plate with a rod 32.

Projecting from the plate 73 is a stud 83 upon which is rotatably mounted an ink roll 64. The ink roll 84 is to receive the fresh supplies of ink and for that purpose, the top of the casing is provided with a door 35 hinged on the rod 82. The ink supply roller 34 is normally out of contact with the ink supplying roller 62 but may be moved into engagement therewith whenever a desired by raising the door 85 far enough to carry a downwardly extending flange 86 at the rear of the door against the upper edge of the extension 81 of the plate 73, thereby rocking the plate 73 on the rod 72 and pressing the roll 84 against the roll 62. If desired, the door 85 may be held open with the rolls 3% and in contact and the type drum rotated by means of the knob 26 thereby driving the roller 62 and causing its entire surface to receive ink from the supply roll 8 1.

As previously stated, the type forms 25 are of different lengths. In order to give maximum protection and at the same time print in such a way that amounts may be easily read, it is desirable that the paper or material printed upon be fed distances varying according to the lengths of the words printed. The mechanism for feeding the work comprises a pair of wheels 91 rigidly connected by a sleeve 92 fastened to a shaft 93.

The shaft 93 is j ournaled at its forward end in a lug 9% formed on the machine base and is rotatably supported at its other end by the wall of the casing. The wheels 91 may be knurled or otherwise roughened to give a good gripping surface.

Coiiperating with the wheels 91 are small wheels 95 rigid together and rotatable upon a pin 96 mounter. i the end portions of a hood 97. The hood 97 is integral with arms 93 (Fig. 12) pivoted at 99 to lugs 100 on a plate 101 attached to t 1e side of the machine casing. Resting upon the inner ends of the arms 93 is a plate 102 provided with a slot 103 (Fig. 6) surrounding the shaft 23. Resting against the upper end of the plate 102 is the under side of a lever 104 pivoted at 105 to the machine casing and extending forward through an opening in the casing. A spring 106 tends at all times to hold the wheels 95 in contact with the wheels 91, but,

when it is desired to insert the work, the wheels 95 may be raised out of engagement with the wheels 91 by pressing down upon a finger piece 107 attached to the forward end of the lever 104 thereby thrusting the plate 102 down and lifting the rollers 95 far enough to permit insertion of the work.

The work is advanced between imprints by rotating the shaft 93 variable distances depending upon the lengths of the words printed. Rotative movement is imparted to the shaft 93 by the teeth 111 of a rack 112, the teeth 111 meshing with the teeth of a gear 113 loose on the shaft 93 but rigid with a disk 114. The disk 114 carries a spring actuated pawl 115 cooperating with the teeth of an internal ratchet 116 in a member 117 fastened to the shaft 93. The pawl 115 cooperates with the ratchet 116 in such a way that movement of the rack 112 in one direction will cause the'pawl to ride idly over the teeth of the ratchet 116 and movement of the rack in the opposite direction will drive the member 117 and shaft 93 to rotate the wheels 91 and feed the work. The external periphery of the member 117 is provided with ratchet teeth cooperating with a spring pressed pawl 118 (Fig. 7) to prevent backward rotation'of the shaft.

Movement is imparted to the rack 112 and the extent of movement is controlled by devices on the main operating shaft 44 and a differentially stepped plate 121 rigid with the type drum 24. The plate 1 1 is so ar ranged that when the type form to print a certain word is opposite the impression bar 31, the plate 121 will be set with a corresponding shoulder to limit the feed a corre- 81:)Ol1tlll1g extent.

The rack 112 has a series of teeth 122 engaging an operating member in the form of a gear sector 123 loose on the main operating shaft 44, the teeth. 122 being held in engagement with the gear sector by a flange 1.25 (Fig. 6) formed on a mounting plate 126 to engage and guide the rack. Also meshing with the teeth of the gear sector are teeth 127 on a separate rack 128 slidablo in a guide 129 formed on the mounting plate 126. Secured to the rack 128 is a plate 131 having a finger 132 slidably mounted at its forward end in a support 133 formed on the mounting plate 126.

Secured to the main operating shaft 44 is a hub 134 rigid with an arm 135. Formed on the sertor gear 123 is an extension 136 and wound around the hub 134 is a torsion spring 137' (see also Fig. 6), the ends of which engage lugs 138 and 139 formed respectively on the arm 135 and'the extension 136 of the gear sector 123. The tension of the spring 137 tends at all times to rotate the gear sector 123 and arm 135 in opposite directions but such movement is normally limited by engagement of a lug 141 projecting laterally from the gear sector element with the upper edge of the arm 135. The spring 137 is strong enough to hold the lug 141 against the arm 135 during rocking movement of the shaft 44 until the forward end of the finger 132 moving with the rack 128 is stopped by one of the shoulders on the differentially stepped plate 121. When the finger engages a step further movement of the sector gear 123 is prevented but movement of the shaft 44 and arm 135 relative to the sector gear is permitted by the spring 137.

During movement of the rack 128 and finger 132 to engage the latter with one of the steps on the plate 121, the rack 112 will be raised and the pawl carrying disk 114 ro tated to carry the pawl 115 idly over the teeth of the internal ratchet 116. -During the fore part of the return movement of the operating shaft 44 the gear sector 123 will remain stationary until the arm 135 engages the lug 141, whereupon the rack 112 will be thrust downward to its starting point and cause the pawl 115 to drive the work feeding shaft 93. At the same time, the rack '128 will be drawn rearward to its normal position, that is, the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6.

The finger 132 not only cooperates with the differentially stepped plate 121 to determine the length of the feed but it also serves first to aline the type drum with the impression platen and then lock the drum against movement until after the printing impression is completed. For this purpose, there is provided a series of shoulders 142 (Fig. 6) projecting laterally from the right end of the type drum 24 into the plane of movement of the finger 132. These shoulders are beveled so that if the type drum 24 should be slightly out of correct position for printing, forward movement of the finger 132 will correct the adjustment before the printing platen engages the type. Further movement of the finger 132 carries it between the adjacent shoulders 142 and, it is apparent, prevents rotation of the type drum until the finger 132 is returned to substantially its home or starting position.

In order to provide a means whereby in assembling the alinement of the type drum 24 may be regulated to accurately position the type faces opposite the impression platen 31, the mounting plate 126 is adjustable about the shaft 44 on which it is loosely mounted. As shown in Fig. 6, the mounting plate is provided with a slot surrounding the shaft of a bolt 143. This slot and bolt provides a means whereby the forward end of the finger 132 may be raised and lowered and the mounting plate then fastened so that the finger cooperating with the beveled shoulder 142 will turn the type drum slightly in the proper direction to give correct alinement of the type and platen.

In machines of the kind herein described, it is important that the impression platen 31 be raised firmly into engagement with the type form in printing. This means that the operating shaft 4P1 should be given an invariable extent of movement at each and every operation. It is also important that the operating shaft be given such a movement because of the fact that if a partial movement of the shaft was possible, the operator might accidentally cause a partial feed of the paper and thereby leave a gap between words which could be filled in "to alter the value of the document. In order to insure such invariable movement of the rock shaft 4 1, a full stroke device is employed which is so constructed that it compels full movement of the shaft 14 in one direction before mov ment of the shaft in the opposite direction is possible.

This full stroke device mentioned comprises a segmental toothed ratchet plate 145 rigid on the shaft 4%. Rigid with the toothed segment 145 and shaft 1 1 is a hub 1-1-6 with oppositely extending portions 147,

each carrying an adjustable screw 148.

These screws cooperate with a portion 149 formed at right angles to a plate 150 pivoted at 151. At its forward end and formed at right angles to the plate is a tooth 152, Fig. 11, engaging a spring pressed ball 153 carried by a cap 15% adjustably mounted in the side wall of the portion 21 of the casing. Adjacent the plate 150 and loose on the pivot 151 are two pawls 156 and 157 crossed in the manner of a pair of scissors and provided respectively with lugs 161 and 162 normally held in engagement with the edges of the plate 150 by a spring 163. The parts are so constructed and arranged that when the point of one pawl is in engagement with the segmental ratchet plate 1&5 the point of the other pawl is barely out of engagement with the teeth and it requires only a slight rocking movement on the pivot 151 to disengage one pawl and engage the other.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the rock shaft 4A is at its normal or home position ready for an operation. Such an operation will involve first rocking the shaft in a counterclockwise direction, during which time the spring 153 will hold the nose of the pawl 156 in engagement with the teeth of the segment 1 15 and prevent retrograde movement of the shaft. At the end of the movement in that direction the upper adjustable screw 148 will engage the top of the flat portion 149 of the plate 150 and rock the plate 150 and pawls 156 and 157 on the pivot 151 thereby depressing the ball 153 until the tooth 152 passes over the top of the ball when the spring behind the ball will assist in completing the move ment of the parts. When this movement has been completed, the point of the pawl 156 will have been disengaged from the toothed segment 145 and the point of the pawl 157 moved into engagement so that during the return to the normal movement of the shaft, that is, the clockwise movement (Fig. the point of the pawl 157 will be effective to prevent retrograde movement of the shaft. Just as the shaft 1 reaches its normal position the lower adjustable screw 1 18 will swing the plate 150 and pawls 156 and 157 back to the position in which they are shown in the figure last mentioned.

In describing the construction of the different features of the mechanism, it has been necessary incidentally to describe the operation to such an extent that it is thought that the statement of operation usual at this point may be omitted.

While the construction herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfil the objects hereinbefore stated, it is not the desire to be limited to the one embodiment as the invention is capable of various changes and modifications, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved shaft and means for effecting said movements, of a paper feed actuating member on saidshaft, a spring transmitting movements of the shaft to the member while permitting movement of the shaft relative to the member as the member is arrested, work feeding devices connected for actuation by movements of the member, a printing couple for printing words of different lengths and means for selecting the words to be printed, and devices controlled by the selecting means for differentially limiting movements of the feed actuating member.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved rock shaft and means for rocking same, of an operating member journaled on the shaft, a torsion spring connecting the member and the shaft and transmitting movements of the shaft to the member until the member is arrested while permitting movement of the shaft relative to the member after movement of the member is arrested, work feeding devices operatively connected to said member, a printing couple for printing words of different lengths, manipulative devices for determining the word to be printed, and means controlled by said manipulative devices for arresting movement of the operating member at different points in the movement of the rock shaft.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved rock shaft and means for rocking same, of a toothed operating member journaled on the shaft, a torsion spring connecting the member and the shaft and normally transmitting movements of the shaft to the member when the shaft is rocked in one direction, work feeding devices geared to said operating member, a printing couple for selectively printing words of different lengths, and means controlled by said couple for arresting movement of the operating member at different points in the movement of the rock shaft.

4:. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved rock shaft and means for rocking same, of a gear segment journaled on the shaft, a torsion spring connecting the segment and the shaft and normally transmitting movements of the shaft to the segment when the shaft is rocked in one direction, work feeding mechanism geared to the gear segment, a plunger finger driven by the segment, a printing couple for printing words of different lengths, manipulative devices for determining the word to be printed, and a differentially stepped plate adjustable by said manipulative devices to position different steps in the path of the finger whereby to limit differentially the movement of the gear segment and work feeding devices.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rock shaft andmeans for rocking same, of a gear sector loose on the shaft, a spring for transmitting. movements of the shaft to the gear sector, a rack geared to the gear sector, work feeding devices driven by said rack, a type carrier and platen for printing words of different lengths, and means controlled by said type carrier for arresting movement of the gear sector at different points in the movement of the operating shaft.

6. The combination with a rock shaft and means for rocking same, of a gear'sector journaled on the shaft, a spring normally transmitting movements of the shaft in one direction to the gear sector by permitting movement of the shaft relative to the sector, a work feeding rack geared to the sector 'and work feeding devices driven by said rack, a plunger bearing. rack geared to the gear sector, a type carrier constructed to print words of different lengths, and a differentially stepped plate adjustable under control of the type carrier and in the path of the plunger rack to differentially limit movement of the gear sector and thereby determine the extent of movement of the work feeding rack.

7. The combination with an invariably movable operating shaft and means for moving same, of a toothed operating member, means for yieldingly transmitting movements of the operating shaft to said member, a rack geared tothe operating member, work feeding devices permanently connected to and driven by said rack, a type carrier carrying type for printing words of different lengths, devices for setting the type carrier according to the Word to be printed, and means controlled by said devices for controlling the extent of movement of the operating member and work feeding devices.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rock shaft and means for rocking same, of an operating member journaled on the shaft, means for yieldingly transmitting movements of the rock shaft to the operating member, a rack reciprocated by movements of the operating member and work feeding devices driven in one direction by said rack, a type carrier provided with type to print words of different lengths, and means controlled by said carrier for differ entially arresting movements of the operating member to determine the extent of movement to be given the work by the work feeding devices.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with. a plurality of type forms for printing words of different lengths and means for selectively printing from said type forms, said means including an invariably moved operating shaft and means for operating same; of a toothed operating member loose on the shaft; means yieldingly transmitting movements of the operating shaft to the member; an adjustable differentially stepped plate to correspond to the lengths of the various type formsp work feeding devices; a rack driven by the operating member to actuate the feeding devices; a second rack driven by the operating member and a finger carried by said second raclr to cooperate with the differentially stepped plate.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with. a type carrier; of type forms thereon for printing words of different lengths; means for selectively printing from said type forms, said means comprising a rock shaft and means for rocking same; a gear sector journaled on the shaft; a torsion spring connecting the sector and the shaft and normally transmitting movements of the shaft to the member; a rack driven by the gear sector; work feeding devices actuated by the rack; a differentially stepped plate adjustable according to the lengths of the words to be printed and a second rack driven by the gear sector to extents determined by the differentially stepped plate and thereby determining the extent of the work feed.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a printing couple constructed to print words of different lengths and means for determining the words to be printed, of an invariably moved main operating shaft and means for moving same, a gear sector loose on the operating shaft, a spring connecting the gear sector and shaft to yieldingly transmit movement of the shaft to the sector, work feeding devices, a rack driven by the sector and connected to actuate the feeding devices, a second rack driven by the sector and means controlled by the printing couple for stopping the second rack at different points in the movement of the operating shaft to determine the extent of movement of the work feeding devices.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable type carrier provided with type forms for printing words of different lengths and means for rotating the carrier to determine the word to be printed, a platen operable to take impressions from the selected type form, means comprising an invariably moved shaft for operating the platen, a gear sector loose on the shaft, a resilient connection for trans mitting movement of the shaft to the gear sector, work feeding devices driven by the sector, an element for determining the length of the feed driven by the gear sector, and a control member rotatable with the type carrier and cooperating with said determining element.

l3. In a machine of the class described, the coniliiination with a rotatable type carrier, of type forms on said carrier for printing words of different length, a platen, means for rotating the type carrier to set any desired type form opposite the platen, an ink applying roller in contact with the type carrier and rotated by rotation of the type carrier, an ink supply roller normally out of engagement with the ink applying roller, a casing, a door in said casing for gaining access to the ink supply roller, and means whereby opening said door will move the ink supply roller into contact with the ink applying roller whereby rotation of the type carrier will drive both rollers to distribute the ink.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an adjustable type carrier, of an ink applying roller in contact with the type carrier, an ink supply roller, a support for said supply roller normally holding said supply roller out of contact with the ink applying roller, a casing, a door in said casing, and means whereby opening the door will move the support to carry the ink supply roller into contact with the ink applying roller.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved shaft and means for effecting said movements, of a paper feed actuating member on said shaft, a springrendered effective to actuate the member by movements of the shaft, work feeding devices connected for actuation by movements of the member, devices for printing words of different lengths and means for selecting the words to be printed, and devices controlled by said selecting means for differentially limiting movements of the feed actuating member.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with an invariably moved shaft and means for effecting said movements, of a paper feed actuating member on said shaft, means for transmitting movements of the shaft to said member while permitting movement of the shaft relative to the member if said member is arrested, work feeding devices connected for actuationby movements of the member, devices for printing words of different lengths and means for selecting the words to be printed, and devires controlled by said selecting means for differentially limiting movements of the said actuating member.

17. In a. machine of the class described, the combination with a shaft having a rocking movement of invariable extent and means for effecting said movements, of a paper feed actuating member on said shaft, means for transmitting movement of the shaft to said member while permitting movement of the shaft relative to the member if said member is arrested, work feeding devices connected for actuation by movement of the member in one direction, devices for printing'words of different lengths and means for selecting the words to be printed, and devices controlled by said selecting means for differentially limiting the movement of the feed actuating member to determine the length the feed.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a platen, of a type support provided with type forms to print words of different lengths, said support being adjustable to set any desired form opposite the platen, a paper feed control member adjustable to correspond with the length of the type form opposite the platen, alining shoulders on the type support, an element movable between said alining shoulders to aline the type support with the platen and hold it against movement during printing, and a mounting for said element adjustable to regulate the alinement of the type and platen.

19. In a'machine of the class described, the combination with a platen, of a type support adjustable to set any desired type opposite the platen, alining shoulders on the type support, a pivoted mounting plate and means for holding it in different positions on its pivot, and an element mounted for reciprocatory movement on said plate, cooperating with the alining shoulders on the I type support.