US1486674A - Ribbon-inking machine - Google Patents

Description

marl-11,1924. L 1,486,674'

F.- G. MEYER RIBBON INKING MACHINE I Filed Ju ne' 8. 1922 5' Sheets-Sheet 1 F. G. MEYER RIBBONQINKINGI MACHINE I Filed June' 8, 1922 5 Sheets-Shee t 2 March 11 1924.

' 5 Shee' ts-Sheet 3 F. G. MEYER RIBBON INKING MACHINE Filed June a 1922 a ANN March 11 1924. 1,486,674

. F. G. MEYER RIBBON INKING MACHINE I Filed June 8 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. '11, 1924.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK GEORGE KEYED, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUIBIA.

BIBBON-INKI'NG IAGHINE.

Application filed June 8, 1922. Serial 110. 566,890.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GEORGE MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington; irrtheDistrict of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Ribbon-Inking Machines;

an .I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled,

in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for inking typewriter ribbons and the like and has for one of its objects to provide an apparatus of this character which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and more eflicient in operation than those which have been heretofore proposed.

A still further object of the invention is tov provide an inking machine which will be relatively small and compact and which may be efliciently employed in oflices for the purpose of preparing typewriter ribbons used therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be used to produce ribbons bearing a single color ink or the well known multicolored ribbon and which will produce either kind just as efiiciently as the other.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 1

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views;

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of an apparatus made in accordance with the resent invention;

Fig. 2 1s a plan view of the parts in Fig. 1-; I

Fig. 3 is a central, vertical, sectional view shown taken a proximately on the plane indicated by the ine-3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail, horizontal, sectional view through the member which prevents the mixing of the different colored inks prior to their application to the ribbon, the

said view being taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 55 ofFig. 3,;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view 0 the inking rollers showing a single ink reservoir in place within the machine and the other parts in position for producing a single color ribbon;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational viewof a slightly modified form of an ink reservoir;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 8-+-8 of Fig. 7;

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sec tional view illustrating a still further modified form of an ink reservoir showing the same in place in the machine; and,

Fig. 10 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Referring now more especially to Figs. 1 to5 inclusive the-numeral 11 indicates a base to which is secured in any suitable manner, as by the screws or bolts, 12, the vertical side frame members, 13 and 142 These said frame members are substantial duplicates and journalled therein in suitable bearings is a main' ower shaft 15 which carries at one end a rivingjpulley or wheel 16 aroundwhich passes a belt 17, which may be driven from an electric motor orother source of power not shown.

The said shaft 15 carries at its other end an elongated pinion gear 18 which meshes with, a gear 19 rigid with a shaft 20 also journalled in the said side frame members, 13 and 14, parallel to the said main shaft 15. The gear 19 also meshes with a compan on gear 21 carried b a transversely extending shaft 22, which atter shaft is preferably journalled in the said side frame members, 13 and 14, directly above the shaft 20.

The said shafts 20 and 22 carry the inking rolls, 23 and 24, respectively, of metal or other suitable material, the peripheries of which rollsare normally in engagement at their point of tangency. The upper 22 is preferably journalled eccentrically in the bearing members 25 which are rotatabl mounted within the frame members 13 an 14. and the said bearing members are provided with leverarms' 26 to which otally secured the submantially vertically extending. rods 27 which carry at their lower ends a Suitable weight 28, wherebypressure exerted by the upper roll 24 upon the lower roll 23 at the point of contact may be controlled.

Rigidly secured to the base 11, adjacent its left-hand end, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are the bracket members 30 in which is journalled the transverse shaft 31, which carries a pair of L- shaped arms 32 and 33. The shaft 31 is provided throughout a portion of its length with a slot 34. extending diametrically therethrough in which slot is mounted a pair of racks 35 and 36.

The rack 35 is rigid with the Lshaped arm 32 while the rack 36 is rigid with the companion arm 33, and both of the said racks mesh with a pinion or gear 37 carried by a Stub shaft 38 provided with the finger member 39', whereby rotation may be imparted thereto.

s will be readily understood, whenever the shaft 38 is rotated by means-of the member 39 the pinion 37 will cause the racks 35 and 36 to move in opposite directions thereby causing the L- shaped arms 32 and 33 to either approach or recede from one another,whereby the distance between them may be varied at will.

The said arms are provided with a spindle or shaft 40 which is readily removable and which is adapted to form a journal for the reel or spool 41 upon which is wound the nninked ribbon 42. The other arm of the members 32 and 33 is provided with a revoluble spindle 43 which serves as a guide roll to guide the said ribbon 42, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 3.

In order to further guide and tension the ribbon during its travel through the machine there is provided between the side frame members. 13 and 14, a plurality of rods 0r rolls, 44, 45, 46, 47. and 48. all of which are suitably journalled within the said side frame members. These said roll members are provided with suitable lateral guide members which, in the case of the . rolls 44 and 46 take the form of a pair of substantially rectangularplates. 49 and 50. slidably mounted upon the rolls 44 and 46 and laterally adjustable by means of the oppositely threaded rod 51. which passes loosely through the side frames, 13 and 14, and is journalled in a longitudinally extend ing member 52, as will be clear from Fig. 2.

It will be readily apparent that. by rotating the said rod or shaft 51 in one direction or another the said members 49 and 51 may be adjusted laterally to accommodate ribbons of different widths.

The ribbon 42 may be further guided around the rolls 47 and 48 by merely extending these members 49 and 50 to the 7 right, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, to points adjarent the said rolls 47 and 48, or the said rolls may be provided with independent 1 ,a-eeeve adjustable ide bushings 53 and 54, as is best shown in Fig. 2.

The frame members 13 and 14 are provided at the right, as seen in Figs. .1 and 3, with the upwardly inclined extensions and 56 in which is journalled a transverse shaft 57 slidably carrying a pair of l. shaped members, 58 and 59. These said members are substantially the same in construction as the members 32 and 33 above described, and are adapted to be brought together or separated by means of a rack and pinion construction 60 controlled by a finger member 61 similar in every respect to that described in connection with the said members 32 and 33.

The said members 58 and 59 carry a guide roll 62, as well as a removable spindle 63 which is adapted to receive the reel or spool 64 upon which the inked ribbon is wound. The said spindle 63 passes through the frame members 13 and 14 and is provided at one end with a pulley 65, around which passes a belt 66 driven by means of a pulley 67 rigidly mounted upon the main power shaft 15, see Figs. 1 and 2.

Secured to the base 11 between the guide roll 46 and power shaft 14 by means of screws or bolts 70 and 71, is an L-shaped supporting member 72 preferably formed of resilient metal. This member extends upwardly, as is best shown in Fig. 3, and at its upper end is provided with a pair of angle brackets 73, rigid therewith. which brackets pre slotted to receive the vertical plate mem- )er 0.

The riight-hand edge of this said plate, as seen in 1g. 3, is cut to accurately conform to the peripheries of the two inking rolls, 23 and 24, and its normal position is in contact with the surfaces thereof. The said plate is pivotally carried upon an adjustable screw 76 which passes through the l.-shaped supporting member 72, and the position of the said plate may be controlled by means of the adjusting nuts 77 which are threaded upon the said screw.

By manipulating this adjustment to spring, the vertical arm of the member 72 any desired pressure of the plate '75 against the rolls 23 and 24 may be obtained. The plate together with its support 72 is preferably located substantially on the center line of the device so that the said plate engages the rolls 23 and 24 medially.

In order to supply ink to the mechanism 1 provide a pair of ink trays or reservoirs. 80 and 81. which are removably mounted between the side frame members 13 and 14. These said trays or reservoirs are provided with the revolubly mounted rolls. 82 and 83 respectively, the ends of which rolls are provided with gear teeth, 84, and 85, which are adapted to mesh respectively with the pinions 86 and 37, carried by the transverse gears 19 and 21 to may be supplied inks.

shaft 88 journalled in the sideframe members 13 and 14, as will be clear from Figs. 3 and 4.

The said shaft 88 carries a gear 89 which meshes with the elongated gear 18 carried by. the main power shaft 15 whereby power may be supplied torevolve the gears 84, 8.5, 86, and 87, as will be readily understood. The parts are so designed and constructed that the outer peripheries of the pinions 86 and 87 are tangent to the periphery of the lower inking roll 23, thereby causing the tips of the pinion teeth to just touch the surface of the said roll.

As the parts are revolved the ink contained within the reservoirs 80 and 81 will be picked up by the rolls 82 and 83 and their gear teeth 84' and 85 and transferred to the pinions 86 and 87 and from the said pinions it will be deposited in broken lines upon the surface of the roll 23 upon which it will spread laterally to completely cover the said surface.

The trays or pans 80 and 81 are sufficiently wide to catch any ink which may work off the ends of the said roll 23 or its companion roll 24 and drop downwardly, thus preventing the loss of any surplus ink which may be fed to the said rolls.

The operation of the device as thus far disclosed will be clear from the fore oing but it may be briefly summarized as fol ows:

It being desired to produce a two colored ribbon the trays 80 and 81 are filled with inks of the desired colors and placed in the machine in operative position, as shown in Figs. 3.and4. The uninked ribbon or tape having been wound on the reel or spool 41 the latter is placed upon the spindle 40 and the said ribbon is threaded through the machine, substantially as illustrated in broken lines in F igs.\ 2 and 3, and its end suitably secured to the, spool 64.

Power being then supplied to the apparatus from the motor, not shown, by means of the belt 17 and pulley 16, the shaft 15 will revolved together with its gear 18. ThlS said gear will transmit motion through the the inking rolls 23 and 24 which will be revolved'in opposite directions. The gear 18 will also revolve the gear 89, which through its shaft 88 will transmit motion to the pinions 86 and 87, which 1n turn will revolve the gears 84 and 85 of the inking feeding rolls 82 and 83.

The movement of the latter as above explained will causeink to-be deposited on the said pinions 86 and 87 and by them upon the lower inking roll 23 whereby its surface with the different colored As above explained the said inks will spread-over the surface of the roll'23 in all direct ions and they are prevented from mixing or overlapping prior to their application to the ribbon 43 by means of the division -plate 75 which engages the surface of the said rolls up the point where the ribbon is brought in contact with the ink upon the surface of the roll 23.

After the said surface has deposited its ink upon the ribbon, a suflicient amount of the said ink has been removed to prevent all danger of its mixing durin the remainder of the revolution and the IlbbOIl passes on around the guide rolls, 48 and 62 to the receiving spool 64, as will be readily apparent.

Ribbons that have been actually made by this machine show a veryclea-r and even line where the two inks meet and they are remarkably free from breaks due to the inks not completely covering the ribbon up the said line.

In order toaccurately position the dividing line between the two inks in the center of the said ribbon a lateral adjustment is provided whereby the entire ribbon feeding and guiding mechanism mayv be shifted transversely of the device. This said adjustment comprises the threaded rods 95 which are swiveled in the longitudinally extending member 52 and which are threaded respectively into one of the brackets 30 and into the frame member 14, as will be clear from Fig. 2.

These said threaded rods are interconnected by means of gear connections 96 and a shaft 97 so that byturning either of the said rods the entire ribbon feeding and guiding mechanism may be shifted laterally of the device.

Should it be desired to produce a single colored ribbon instead of a two colored ribbon the machine lends itself readily thereto for by merely removing the screw 71 and loosening the screw 70the plate 75 together Withits support 72 may be swung around at ri ht angles from its position il ustrated in Fig. 3 to that illustrated in Fig. 6, in which position it is entirely inoperative. Then by filling both of the trays or pans, 80 and 81 with the same color ink or by substituting a single tray or pan 98, see Fig. 6, for the two trays a ribbon having but a single color may be produced in the same manner as was the two colored ribbon.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of an ink receptacle or reservoir in which not only the large inking rolls 82 and 83 are carried by the trays but also the small inking pinions, 86 and 87. This construction may be preferable in some instances and both forms have been found to give very good results.

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have illustrated a still further modified form of inking device comprising a reservoir 100 having a central dividing wall 101 providing two chambers 102 and 103 for receiving the different colored inks. The said receptacle 100 may be susill pended by means of a transverse rod 104i supported in the side frame members 13 and 14: and the inks may be fed from the said chambers 102 and 103 through suitable spouts or passages 105 and 1% respectively directly to the surface of the ink roll 23.

Of course when this form is employed suitable receptacles should be placed beneath the rolls 23 and 2a to catch any surplus ink which may drip therefrom. It will thus be seen that this invention provides aeomparatively small and inexpensive machine which is. adapted to produce typewriter ribbons bearing either a single color ink or inks of two or more colors. .Th machine is small and compact and may be readily and efficiently employed in business oiiices and other establishments where a large number of typewriter ribbons of various kinds may be constantly required.

lt will also be noted that both of the ink rolls 23 and 24 are solid rolls and that the plate member '3'5 does not engage a groove Within them. Their surfaces are unbroken throughout thereby materially reducing the cost of their production without in any Way impairing their eiiiciency or operation.

it is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as Well as the arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore it is not wished to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What. is claimed is.

l. A device of the class described comrising a solid inking roll having an un-- roken surface, means for supplying ink at a plurality of points on said surface, and a plate member resiliently engaging sa d surface for preventing the mixing of said ink prior to its application to'the ribbon.

2. A device of the class described comprising a solid inking roll having an unbroken surface, means for supplying ink at a plurality of points on said surface, a plate member resiliently engaging said surface for preventing the mixing of said ink prior to its application to the ribbon, and means for adjusting the pressure of said plate against said surface. I

3. A machine of the class described comprising a pair of solid rotatable inking rolls. means for supplying inks of diderent colors to said rolls at separated points on their surfaces, means engaging the surfaces of both of said rolls for preventing the mixing of said inks prior to their application to the ribbon, and means whereby said last named means may be readily disengaged from said surfaces and rendered inoperative for making single color ribbons. I

4. A machine of the class descrimd comessrs prising a pair of solid inking rolls, mean: for supplying inks of difierentcolors to said rolls at separated points on their surfaces, means comprising a plate member engaging the surface of one of said rolls for preventing the mixing of said inks rior to their application to the ribbon, an means comprising a pivoted support whereby said last named means may be moved out of engagement with said roll and rendered inopcrative for making single color ribbons.

5. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a frame; a pair of inking rolls rotatably mounted in said frame; means for rotating said rolls; means for supplying ink to one or said rolls at separated pomts upon its surface; a sprm pressed plate engaging the surfaces of sai rolls for preventing the mixing of said ink; and means for controlling the pressure of said plateagainst said rolls.

6. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a frame; a pair of inking rolls rotatably mounted in said frame; means for rotating said rolls; means for supplying ink to one of said rolls at separated points upon its surface; a pivoted spring pressed plate engaging the surfaces of said rolls for preventing the mixing of said ink; means for controllin' the ressure of said plate against said rol s; an means whereby said late may be moved out of engagement with said rolls, for making single color ribbons. i

7. In a machine of the class described, a frame; a pair of inking rolls rotatably mounted in said frame zmeans for feeding a ribbon between said rolls; means for rotatmg said rolls; means for supplying ink to one of said rolls at separated points upon its surface; an adjustable ivoted spring pressed plate carried by sai trams engagmg the surfaces of said rolls and said ribbon intermediate their edges; means for shiftin said ribbon laterally of said rolls to contro the point of engagement of 'said late therewith: and means whereby said p ate may be readily disengaged from said rolls and rib bon tor makingsingle color ribbons.

8. A machine of the class described comprising a frame; a pair of inking rolls rotatably mounted in said frame; -a readily removable ink reservoir carried by said frame; a drum provided with a gear rotatably mounted in said reservoir, both ada ted to pick a ink therefrom; a gear meshing with said rst named er and engaging the surface of one of said rolls, adapted to transiter ink from said drum and first named gear to the surface of said roll at separated I points thereon; and means tor driving said rolls and said second named an FREDERHCK GEOR E WYER

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