US1364963A - Check writer - Google Patents

Description

L. M. TODD.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23. 1917.

1 ,364:,963. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEET SSHEET I- LEANUS M22200 [XV/1170A.

FHA TTO/h-V/i Y L. M. TODD. CHECK wmmz.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 191?.

1,364,963. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2'- k {REE 7 [NI/EN TOR.

H75 .4 fro A NE V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE.

LIBANUSM. TODD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TODD PROTECTOGRAPH COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A COREORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITER.

.{kpplication filed April 23, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LIBANUS M. Toni), of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-lVriters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable any person skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to printing apparatus and more particularly to a variety of hand stamp adapted for printing legends upon checks and other commercial papers and commonly known as a check writer.

One object of the invention is to provide a convenient machine of the class described, having few and simple parts and which will be reliable in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a .machine of the class described, in which the usual automatic mechanism for feeding the work is replaced by a simple and manually operated mechanism for accomplishing this operation.

These and other objects of the invention are fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and illustrating one embodiment of the invention, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a similar view partly broken away to show the feeding mechanism and other interior parts.

Fig. 4: is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 14 of Fig. 3, with portions broken away to show interior parts.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the pawls and ratchet for actuating the feeding mechamsm.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the pawl springs for the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a spring detent for the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the presser roll device for holding the work.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the machine partly broken away, illustrating a modified form of feeding mechanism.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a casing for inclosing and sup- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

Serial No. 163,901.

porting the operating parts, having preferably a lower base portion 10 and an upper portlon v11, partially separated from the lower base portion to form a work receiving slot 12 above a bed 13 on the base portion '10 for supportingthe work.

A platen lever 14:, Fig. 3, is supported for a rocking movement in a vertical plane by a shaft 15 journaled at its ends in the side walls of the base portion of the casing. The forward end of this lever is provided with a head 16 in which is firmly supported in any convenient manner a platen 17 in the form of a bar, the upper side of which forms an impression surface. The work bed 13 is provided with a slot (not shown) through which this platen bar 17 is adapted to be raised for impressing the-work against the type forms in the casing above, in the position shown in Fig. 3. The rearend ofplaten lever 14 has pivotally connected thereto at 18 a link 19 (Fig. 9) which is pivoted at 20 at its upper end to a crank plate 21 fixedly pinned to a shaft 22 rotatably journaled at its ends in the side walls of the rear of the upper portion of the casing. This shaft 22 is the main operating shaft for the impressing mechanism and extends without the casing at one side thereof and has fixed thereon an operating crank 23, carrying at its end an operating handle 24. In order to normally maintain the platen in lowered position, there is provided. a spring 25 coi ed about the shaft 22 and bearing at its ends against the crank plate21 and the rear of the casing.

It will now be apparent that under the action of this spring. the platen is normally held in retracted position with the operating handle 24 in raised or initial position and that when the handle24 is swung forwardly and downwardly, the mechanism described will serve to raise the platen throu h the printing bed and press the work against the type forms in the casing above, which will now be described.

Journaled" at its ends in the side wa ls of the upper forward portion of the casing is a shaft 26 having fixed thereon a type carrier or wheel 27 provided on its periphery with a plurality of separate type forms 28, extending side by side in spaced relation parallel with each other and with the axis of the type wheel.

The present embodiment of the invention is herein shown as adapted for printing upon checks, drafts and similar commercial papers, the exact amount for which such papers are drawn and expressed in words, as for example Twenty one dollars seventeen cents. To this end the type forms 28 on the type wheel include a series of forms, each of which comprises the letters for printing a complete word expressing one of a range of numbers, as One, Two, Three, etc these numbers being adapted for combination to express any desired monetary value within certain limits. There is also provided on the type wheel a type form for printing a line of stars, or other conventional limiting mark, to prevent the fraudulent addition of words at the beginning of a written amount. Also type forms are provided for printing the words Hundred, Dollars and Cents and any other characters which it may be desired to employ in this manner for printing a wider range of amounts or amounts expressed in different denominations.

()ne end of the type wheel shaft 26 is extended beyond the side of the casing and has fixed thereto a knob 29. conveniently formed for manually turning or setting the type wheel so as to bring the desired type forms selectively and successively into printing position. at the lower side of the wheel above the work bed 13. In order to indicate the position of rotary adjustment of the type wheel, or in other words, to show which of the type forms is in printing position, there is provided an indicating device, comprising a dial 30, Fig. 1, formed on the periphery of one end of the type wheel and. having thereon figures and other suitable symbols for representing the respective type forms. these symbols on the dial being so arranged with reference to the type forms that when any given type form is in the printing position described, its corresponding symbol shows between the points 31 of the indicating finger fixed on the side of the casing and projecting adjacent the dial which is clearly visible through an opening 33 provided in the casing for this purpose.

In order to maintain the shaft 26 against endwise movement in its bearings in the casing and also to simplify assembling, the shaft 26 is reduced at its left end where it passes through the casing in order to form a shoulder bearing against the inside of the casing. Fastened to the reduced end of the shaft outside of the casing is a cap piece 35 resting against the casing. the cap piece and shoulder on the shaft cooperating to limit endwise movementof the shaft in both directions.

To center and hold. the type wheel with the selected type form in accurate printing position, there is provided a bracket 36. Figs. -.land 9, loose on the shaft 26 and held against rotation on the shaft by means of a screw 37, this bracket being formed with a substantially cylindrical chamber 38 having fitted therein a ball 39. A spring 10, pressing against the upper end of the chamher and against the ball, urges the latter outwardly into engagement with an annular series of centering notches ll formed on the inner surface of a flange projecting at one end of the type wheel. These notches are so placed with reference to the corresponding type forms on the periphery of the type wheel, that when a given type form is moved approximately to printing position, the ball 39 is pressed by its spring into a corresponding notch and serves to draw the selected type form accurately to printing position and hold it in this position.

The means for inking the type forms comprises an ink roll 42, Fig. 3, journaled on a stud 13, fixed on and extending horizontally from a bracket 41:4, pivotally supported on a spindle e5, carried by a bracket 46, which in turn is fixed on a cover plate 47. The latter is pivotally supported on the casing at 13 so as to close an opening 19 formed in the upper wall of the casing, a finger piece 50 being provided for convenience in raising the cover plate and inking roll for obtaining access to the latter to clean or ink it. A spring 51 is provided, bearing against the cover plate and against a lug 52 on the bracket so-as to urge the inking roll into position to contact with the type, when the cover plate is closed, during the rotation of the type wheel. The ink roll is, for the sake of convenience, readily removable from the free end of the stud. 43.

The printing faces of the type and the impression surface of the platen may be corrugated or otherwise formed so that the fibers of the paper will be disrupted and in condition to readily absorb the printing ink from the type faces and to become thoroughly impregnated thereby. The printing is thus incorporated into the body of the paper itself and thereby made more diiiicult of erasure. A suitable construction for this purpose is disclosed in my prior Letters Patent of the United States, No. 793,2 granted June 27, 1905, so that a detailed de scription thereof is unnecessary herein.

The feeding mechanism preferably eludes one or more rotary feed wheels Fig. a pair of such wheels being shown in the present case as carried by the hub 5 1, fixedly pinned on the shaft journaled in the frame work of the base portion of the casing. These feed wheels 53 project slightly at the tops of their peripheries through slots provided for that purpose. in the printing bed 13 so as to engage the under side of the work.

Fixed to the casing above the work slot is a bracket 56, Figs. 3 and 8, having extensions 57 carrying" a' spindle 58. Pivotally supported on the spindle 58 is a lever 59, having at one end a convenient finger piece 60 and at its other end a pair of spaced lugs 61, carrying a spindle 62. J ournaled on this spindle is a pair of presser rolls 63 adapted to bear against the upper side of the work and hold the same in contact with the feed wheels 53. One or both of these sets of rolls may be knurled to assistin gripping the work. A spring 6% is coiled about the spindle 58 and serves to urge the presser rolls 63 downwardly against the work. A slight pressure on the finger piece 60 serves, however, to raise the rolls 63 to permit the insertion or removal of the work.

The means for actuating the feed wheels include a member or lever 65 pivotally mounted on a stud 66 projecting outwardly from the side wall of the casing. (Figs. 2 and 3.) The lever 65 extends parallel with the side of the casing and has its forward end shaped to form a finger piece 67 extending forwardly and outwardly from the easing so as to be readily accessible. The rear id of this lever carries a bracket 68 pivotally supported thereon by means of a pin 69 and provided with a pair of spaced lugs 70. Pivotally supported by these lugs are a pair of depending pawls or racks 71 and 72, Figs. 3 and 5. The pawl 71 has fixed in its lower end a stud 73 which extends loosely through a slot 74 in pawl 72 and is provided *ith a head so that each of these pawls is guided at its lower end by the other through the action of the stud 73. Fixed to the side of the casing is a spring clip 75, Figs. 4 and 6, having a pair of resilient fingers 76 extending inwardly and bearing against the outer edges respectively of the pawls 71 and 72, so as to hold each pawl with its toothed edge in engagement with the ratchet wheel 77. fixed on the shaft 55.

It may be seen by reference to Fig. 5, that the teeth of pawls 71 and 72 are relatively staggered so that each tooth on pawl 72 is opposite the middle of the interval between the teeth on the pawl 71; thus but one of these pawls is in actuating mesh with the ratchet wheel at a time, but the staggered arrangement of the teeth serves to provide teeth for engagement with. the ratchet at one-half the interval between the teeth on either pawl'alone, this in effect producing teeth of a finer pitch than could be provided in practical construction. and serving to de crease the extent of any lost motion between the ratchet and the pawls when the latter are moved to engage and move the ratchet.

A second spring clip 7 8, Figs. 3 and 7, is fixed to the bottom of the printing bed and is provided with resilient fingers 79 which engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 77 to serve as a detent to prevent reverse rotation of the shaft 55. Fingers 79 are offset relatively to each other 1n the same manner and for the same purpose as in the case of the teeth of pawls 71 and 72. It will be noted that as the bracket 68 is supported for pivotal movement in the plane of the lever 65, and the pawls 71 and 72 are supported for swinging movement in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of the bracket, there is thus formed, substantially, a universal joint which insures an unrestricted vertical movement of the pawls under the actuation of the lever 65.

A spring 80 2) coiled about the stud 66, is attached at one end to the casing and bears at its other end upon the lever 65 so as to hold the latter yieldingly with its finger piece 67 in raised position. "When the finger piece is manually depressed, it will be apparent that the pawls 71 and 72 are raised, without turning the ratchet wheel. 77, into position for rotating the latter however, under actuation of the spring 80 when the finger piece 67 is released.

The releasing of the finger piece therefore permits the springSO to rotate shaft 55 and the feed wheels 53 fixed thereon, the latter serving to feed the work which is held in engagement with their peripheries by the presser rolls 63. In this manner the work is fed between the printing members, in the direction of the reading line, between the printing impressions for the purpose of providing a new space for each impression.

As the words printed are of varying length,

as for instance, the words One and Seventeen, it is necessary to control the extent of rotation of the feeding wheels in connection with each impression in accord-- ance with the length of the particular work impressed and the means for this purpose will now be described.

The cap or hub 35, fixed on the exterior end of shaft 26, has fixed thereon a gage plate or disk 82 having in its periphery a plurality of shoulders or stops extending varying radial distances from the center shaft 26. Each one of these shoulders or stops corresponds with one of the type forms and its radial distance from the center of shaft 26 is inversely proportional to the length of its respective type form; that is to say, for the longer typo forms, such. for instance as that for printing the word Seventeen, there are provided stops. at lesser radial distances from the shaft and vice versa. Cobpcrating with the shoulders of the gage 82 is finger 83, (Figs. 3 and l), projecting above the gage and guided for vertical movement toward and from the latter by engagement in the slot 8 1 formed in the casing. This finger 83 projects from the plate 85, which has formed in its center portion. an elongated slot- 86 engaging about the cap 85. fixed on the shaft 26, so as to be guided during its vertical movement by the cap. The lower end of plate 85 is provided with an extension 87 in which is fixed a small stud or pin 88, engaging a slightly elongated opening in the lever so that during the reciprocation of the latter, the plate is given a guided vertical movement by the lever. Upon the depression of lever 65, the finger S3 is moved downwardly into engagement with the stop shoulder of the gage corresponding to the particular type form in printing position, thus limiting the downward movement of lever 65, and consequently the upward setting movement of the pawls 71 and 72, and thus controlling the extent to which the feed wheels are rotated upon release of the actuating lever, as the latter, upon its release and subsequent ascent, comes to a fixed position, determined by the contact of the lever with the cap 35. Thus if a short word, such as One is brought to printing position and impressed upon the paper, and the lever 65 then depressed, finger 83 engages with one of the higher stop shoulders of the gage and thereby limits the reciprocating movement of the actuating lever 65 and controls the extent of rotation of feed wheels 53 so that the work is fed a small distance in accordance with the short length of the word printed. If, however, one of the longer words has been selected for printing, the gage 82 has thereby been set or adjusted so that the finger 88 strikes one of the lower stops of the gage, which permits a greater movement of the lever 65 id consequently a greater rotation of the feed wheel 5 For the purpose of assisting in the location of the work in the work receiving slot so that an impression will be made on the desired line of the work, there is provided a pair of spacel lugs 89 projecting upwardly through slots in the printing bed from a sliding plate 90 loosely supported against the lower side of the printing bed and manually adjustable to different distances from the front of the machine, so that the lugs 89 may be adjusted to serve guides during the insertion of the work and to keep the latter moving in a straight line during the feeding movement. The means whereb the plate 90 is adjustably held is not shown and described herein as any one of a number of devices known in the art for permitting such sliding adjustment may he used.

To inclose and protect parts of the feeding mechanism there is provided a guard 91 fixed to the upper portion of the casing, as best seen in Fig. 2. Also to as ist in retaining the plate 85 in proper working position there is formed on the plate a lug 92 (Figs. 3 and 4-), which, during the slid ing movement of the plate, is in contact with the inner surface of the guard 91.

The operation of the machine will be clea from a brief explanation 1n connection with the above description of its construction. The finger piece 60 having been depressed to raise the presser rolls and the work having been located in the machine, with its edge against the guide lugs 89, and in position to receive the impression of the first character, the type wheel is then adjusted by means of the knob 29 and with the aid of the indicating device, to bring the initial type form to printing position. This setting of the type wheel, as explained, also sets the gage 82 to control the feeding movement. The operating handle is then pulled forwardly, thereby straightening the toggled link 19, rocking the platen lever, and raising the platen so as to press the work against the type term above, which has been inked during the setting movement of the type wheel by the inking roller 42. The operating lever is then released and spring 25 retracts the platen, freeing the work for the feeding operation, which is produced by e tn actuation of the finger piece 67 of lever The rocking of this lever sets the pawls to a position controlled by contact of finger 83 with gage 82, and upon release of finger piece 6? spring 80 returns actuating lever 65 to initial position, and the pawls 71 and 72 rotate the ratchet wheel 77 and feed wheels 53, thus advancing the work the proper distance. The next word is then selected and impressed in the same manner until the entire legend has been printed upon the paper, after whivh the finger piece 60 is depressed to release the work, which is then withdrawn witli the desired legend impressed thereon.

A] modified form of construction of the feeding mechanism is illustrated in connection with 9. In this construction the shaft 93, carrying the feed wheels 53, is extended forwardly through the front of the lower portion of the casing and is there provided with a knob 94 suitable for rotation by hand to rotate the feeding wheels and feed the work. In this form of construction the gage for determining the extent of feed is omitted and the extent of feeding movement is determined directly by sight, the printing point being partially visible from the left side of the machine so that the work may be fed until the last word printed is carried out of printing position and a new space provided at the proper interval for the next word. The same form of presser rolls for the work and means for raising the same are provided as in the preferred construe tion. The type wheel shaft 26 in this construction is held against endwisc movement in the casing by a retaining plate 81. secured to the casing and formed to engage in a locking the shaft in position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a printing apparatus, a type carrier provided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and a platen common to said forms, means for determining the type form to be printed from and effecting a relative movement of the type carrier and platen to print, a gage movable as an incident to determining the type form to be printed from, a differentially rotatable work feeding wheel, a manually operated member and actuating connection between said member and the feeding wheel, and a device connected to the manually operable member and cooperating with the aforesaid gage to differentially limit the extent of rotation of the feeding wheel.

2. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel movable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying length, selectively, to printing position, a platen for individual cooperation with said type forms; operating means for effecting a relative impressing movement of said type wheel and platen; a gage movable with said type wheel; a rotary feed wheel; a pivotally mounted member provided with a finger piece for manual operation; an actuating connection between said pivotally mounted member and said feed wheel; and a device connected with said pivotally mounted member and cooperating with said gage for controlling the extent of rotation of said feed wheel according to the length of the type form printed.

3. In a printing apparatus, a type. wheel rotatable to bring any one of a plurality of type forms of varying lengths to printing position, a plat-en cooperating with the form at said position, means for effecting a relative printing movement of the type wheel and platen, a gage adjustableto different positions by turning the type wheel, a rotary feed wheel, a manually operable pivoted lever, an actuating connection between the pivoted lever and the feed wheel, and means carried by the pivoted lever and cooperating with the aforesaid gage for de termining the extent of rotation of the feed wheel.

4. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel rotatable to bring any one of a plurality of type forms of varying lengths to a common printing position, a platen cooperating with the form at said printing position, means for effecting relative printing movement of the type wheel and platen, a gage movable as an incident to rotating the type wheel, a dif ferentially rotatable work feeding wheel, a manually operable centrally pivoted lever, an actuating connection between said pivoted lever and the feed wheel, and a device connected to the lever and cooperating with the aforesaid gage to limit the movement of the lever in one direction whereby to regulate the extent of movement imparted to the feed wheel.

5. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrier adjustable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying lengths selectively to printing position, a platen cooperating with the type form at said position, means for elfecting a relative printing movement of the type carrier and platen, a gage set by adjustment of the type carrier, a rotary work feeding wheel, a manually operable element, means whereby the gage clifferentially limits the extent of movement of the manually operable element, and connec tions for transmitting the differential movement of said element to the work feeding wheel.

6. In a printing apparatus, the combina tion of a type carrier adjustable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying lengths selectively to printing position, a platen cooperating with the type form at said position, means for operating the platen to take impressions from the type at said position, a gage movable with and in axial alinement with the type carrier, a difierentially rotatable work feeding wheel, a manually operable lever, means cooperating with the gage for dilferentially limiting movement of the manually operable element and connections including a ratchet and pawl for trans mitting said differential movements to the rotary worl: feeding device.

7. In a printing machine, a rotatable work feeding wheel, a ratchet wheel rigid therewith, a manually operable member, a pair of racks carried by the manually operable member and cooperating with the ratchet wheel the teeth of the two racks be ing staggered with reference one to the other to permit engagement of either but not both with the ratchet.

8. In a printing machine, rotatable work feeding wheel, ratchet wheel rigid therewith, a manually operable member. a pair of racks carried the manually operable member and cooperating with the ratchet wheel, the teeth of the two racks being staggered with reference one to the other to permit engagement of either but not both with the ratchet, and a retaining device cooperating with said ratchet and having ratchet engaging portions offset with reference to each other whereby to permit engagement of either but not both portions with the ratchet.

9. In a printing apparatus, a type carrier provided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and a platen common to said forms, means for effecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen to determine the type term to be printed from and to print from the determined torm. a gage movable as an incident to determining the type form to be printed from, an element differentially movable in engagement with the work to feed the work between the type carrier and platen, a manually operable member and connections for actuating said work feeding element, and ears moving with the manually operable member and cooperating with the aforesaid ige limit diiierentially the movements of the member and work feeding element.

10. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel movable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying lengths, selectively, to printing position, a platen for individual cooperation h said type forms, operating means for relative impressing movement of the ty e wheel and platen, a gage movable 1 said type wheel, element movable in einent with the work to feed the work 1 the type wheel and platen, a movable member provided with a linger-piece for manual operation, an actuating con- 11 between said member and said teedent, and a device actuated by the operable member and cooperating gage for controlling the extent of it of the "feeding element according ength off the type "form printed from. A z printing apparatus, the combi- 1 with a'type carrier provided with ne forms of various lengths and a platen on to said "forms, of means for eil'ect- 1 at v movements of the type carrier rj' select the type term to be ted from and to print from the selected manually operable mechanism tor 1g the work between the type carrier platen iji twe n impressions, and a work controlling gage set by the type select- I means controlling the extent of the movements oi said mechanism acto the lengths of the type forms All,

apparatus, the combir p carrier provided with oi? varying lengths and a platen union said terms, oi means for effect rela' movements of the type carrier platen to select the type form to be led fro and to print from the selected ,1 adjustable as an incident to seting the type form to be printed from, an element differentially movable in engagement with the work to feed the work between the type carrier and platen, and devices manually operable under the control of the gage or effecting the differential movements of the work feeding element.

13. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrier provided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and platen common to said forms, of means for efl'ecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen to select the type form to be printed from and to print from the selected form, a work feed controlling gage automatically adjusted in selecting the type form to be printed from, a lever manually movable to varying extents depending upon the adjustment of the gage, and work feeding mechanism connected for actuation by said lever.

14. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrier provided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and a platen common to said forms, of hand operated means for effecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen to select the form to be printed from, hand operated devices for effecting relative printing movements of the type carrier and platen, a work feeding gage adjustable to dilierent controlling positions by the type selecting means, and hand operated work feeding mechanism for feeding work between the type carrier and platen, the movements of said feeding mechanism being variably controlled by the work feeding gage.

15. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a platen, of a type carrier provided 'with type forms of different lengths.

and adjustable to set any desired form opposite the platen, a work feeding gage provided with feed controlling portions graduated to correspond with the lengths of the type forms and adjustable to set any desired portion at a controlling position, common means for adjusting the type carrier and gage, means comprising a hand operated member for effecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen to make impressions, and means comprising a hand operated member movable to different extents depending upon the portion of the gage in controlling position for feeding the work between impressions.

LIBANUS M. TODD. Witnesses:

E. H. CUMrs'roN, Jr., T. L. CoUoH.

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