US1949469A - Transfer sheet control for manifolding machines - Google Patents

Description

Mach 6, 1934. 1.. F. HAGEMANN TRANSFER SHEET CONTROL FOR MANIFOLDING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR; 1 044 IJWI' M 6 W A TTORNEYS.

March 6, 1934. L. F; HAGEMANN 1,949,469

TRANSFER SHEET CONTROL FOR MANIFOLDING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTCR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 6, 1934 TRANSFER, SHEET CONTROL FOR MANI- FOLDING MACHINES Louis Fred Hagemann, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to American Sales Book Company, Limited, Toronto, Canada, a corporation of Ontario,

Canada Original application September 20, 1927, Serial Divided and this application July 25, 1930, Serial No. 470,619

22 Claims. (Cl. 191-134) This invention relates to improvements in machines for making manifold records, and with reference to more specific features it relates to improved means for supporting and controlling the transfer or carbon sheets in interleaved manifolding position with the record strips or work webs.

The invention is illustrated herein as embodied in a writing machine of the well known flat platen type usually employed for billing purposes, but it is to be understood that it may be readily applied to various types of manifolding machines such, for example, as autographic registers, addressing machines, and the like.

It is the general object of the invention to improve and perfect manifolding machines of the class mentioned so as to handle the record and transfer supplies with greater facility, and to improve the durability and ease of the oper- 20 ation of the machine to accomplish the improved manifolding result.

A further and more particular object is to provide improved means for positioning and controlling the transfer or carbon sheets so as to conserve the use thereof and to insure good transfer inscription at all times. T

Another object is to provide for machines of the class mentioned, an improved mechanism for effecting differential control for the positioning of the several transfer sheets.

Still another object is to provide for machines of the class mentioned, an improved mechanism for positioning and controlling relatively large numbers of transfer sheets for efficient manifolding operations.

Another object is to provide an improved control mechanism for transfer sheets wherein the positioning of the sheets may be readily controlled, either by the feeding of the work webs 40 or record strips, 'or by separate and independent means.

A further object of the invention is to provide for machines of the class mentioned, an improved arrangement for controlling a plurality of transfer sheets, either individually or collecforth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference is had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic top perspective view of the upper part of a manifolding machine of the fiat platen type embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective detail view of one of the carbon sheet rolls and its mounting, parts being in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a slight modification.

, The subject matter of this application is dis- '1 closed in the prior pending Hagemann application for improvements in a Manifold record machine, Serial No. 220,664, filed September 20, 1927, patented August 16, 1932, Patent No. 1,872,140. The present application, therefore, is a division of the prior application.

For .a detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the drawings disclosing the upper portion of the frame 5 of a flat platen type of manifolding machine. This frame may be supported by any desired means, such, for example, as the customary pedestal or tripod (not shown). The fiat platen 6 for supporting the work webs in position for receiving inscriptions is shiftable up and down by means of the control member or foot pedal '7 as is usualin machines of this type, the upward shift of the platen being accomplished by means of -a spring. When the platen is raised the record strips or work webs S for receiving the inscriptions lie spread out thereon, and are gripped between the upper face of the platen and one or more overlying pieces or brackets 8 extending longitudinally of the machine frame upon which the typewriting machine may be mounted.

The record strips S as shown are arranged in superposed manifolding relation with each other and may be provided therealong with series of blank forms appropriate for recording the particular business in hand. Each record strip is preferably provided with apertures 8' arranged therealong. These apertures may be arranged in two series more or less, and are adapted to cooperate with feeding mechanism for controlling aligning and positioning the strips as more fully disclosed in' the prior Hagemann application, referred to. The record strips S may bev led into the machine from a supply such as the zig zag folded supply pack S2 in which the several strips are folded together in interleaved relation. This supply pack may be supported in the machine in any preferred manner. Transfer sheets, such as carbon sheets 0 are interleaved in manifolding relation with the record sheets S, preferably having carbon or transfer material on their underfaces to transfer the inscriptions to the upper faces of the successive record strips.

It will be understood that a downwardly striking typewriter may be supported upon the frame for back and forth shifting movement, and for movement from side to side, wherewith typing may be effected on different portions of the uppermost record strip lying above the platen in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

In the present embodiment of the invention the transfer sheets C are mounted at the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, and extend from the carbon sheet supply mechanism onto the platen 6. Transfer sheet roll carriers or plates 9 and 10 are supported and are reciprocatingly translatable upon the upper edges 11 of laterally projecting members 12 of the frame 5. The roll supporting plates 9 and 10 have downwardly, forwardly inclined slots 13 arranged opposite each other in pairs. Each carbon sheet extends to the platen from a rotatable supply roll 14, coiled upon a core or sleeve 15, receiving therethrough a squared shaft 16 rotatable therewith. Journals 1'? are provided on the roll shaft whereby said shaft may be inserted in or removed from the slots 13, which thus provide bearings for the roll shafts. Collars 18 may .be provided on the roll shafts to limit longitudinal movement of said shafts.

At one end the journal of each roll shaft 16 extends outside of the adjacent carrier plate and has keyed thereto a toothed ratchet wheel 19, the outer end of each shaft being provided with a knob or handle 20 for effecting individual rotation of the supply rolls. A pawl 21 is provided for the ratchet wheel 19 of each roll shaft 16, being preferably pivotally mounted on the supporting plate 10. Each of these pawls has a tooth engageable with the teeth of the respective ratchet wheel 19 so as to restrain rotation of the carbon sheet roll, in a direction to deliver carbon sheets between the record strips.

Each pawl also preferably has a handle 22 for moving the pawl toward or away from ratchet wheel engaging position. There may be as many supply rolls 14 and shafts 16 as needed for the particular characterof business in hand, provision being made for five such rolls in the present embodiment. The supporting plates 9 and 10 may be retained on the supporting edges 11 by keeper brackets or lugs 23 secured to the inner faces of the frame extensions 12, and said supporting plates are preferably united by cross frame members or tie rods 24, thus forming a unitary longitudinally oscillatable supporting frame for the carbon supply rolls. The tie rods 24 may be reenforced and stiffened by means of the braces or frame members 25. These members 25 as shown are preferably positioned adjacent to the edges of the record strips S passing over the carbon sheet rolls 14 so as to form guides engageable with the adjacent edges of the record strips to maintain the latter in correct position as they pass over the rolls 14 to the writing platen 6.

For shifting the carbon supply carrier or frame in opposite directions, a bar 26 is provided having teeth 27 forming a rack engaging a. pinion 28 fixed on an operating shaft 29, appropriately mounted in the frame extension and preferably provided with an operating handle 30 for manual operation thereof.

Outwardly projecting from the supporting plate 10 are headed rack bar supporting and guiding pins 31, passing through longitudinally elongated slots 32 in the rack bars, thus permitting a lost motion movement of the rack bar, or a limited free longitudinal movement thereof relatively to the carbon supporting frame. A plurality of pins or pawls 33 are mounted upon and carried by the rack bar 26, being in position for engagement respectively with the teeth of the ratchet wheels 19 when the rack bar is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 so as to prevent rotation of the carbon sheet supply rolls, thus to control or check the feeding of the carbon sheets in the direction of forward record strip feed.

Mounted upon the extension frame 12 is a rotatable shaft 34 having a controlling handle 35 in accessible position for manual operation thereof. Latch members 36 are mounted upon the shaft 34, being pinned or otherwise anchored thereto so as to rotate therewith, and being forked as indicated at 37, at their free ends whereby the tines span and engage over the adjacent tie rod 24 of the carbon sheet supporting frame. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the latches 36 are engaged with the tie rod so as to restrain the carbon sheet carrier both against forward and rearward movement. In practice the engaging face of the inner tine 37', as shown in Fig. 3, may be inclined as indicated at 38, so that when the carrier is urged to the right with sufficient force the latches 36 will be thrust from engagement with the tie rod 24, thus permitting advance movement of the carbon sheet carrier.

Feeding mechanism may be provided for drawing the record strips S forwardly from the zigzag supply pack S over the carbon sheet supports to writing position on the platen 6. It is clear, however, that for some purposes the record strips may be drawn forward manually as is frequently done in this type of manifolding machine. A feeding mechanism for the record strips indicated generally at 39 may be positioned forwardly of the platen, engaging these strips to feed and align them as fully described in the prior copending Hagemann application above referred to.

The main rotary feed shaft 40 mounted in a suitable supporting frame may be provided with a knob or handle 41 for manual operation thereof and with a driving toothed gear 42 worm driven by a small electric motor 43. The main feed shaft 40 carries rotary feed discs 44 spaced apart and cooperating with the upper feed roll 45 driven by gears, one of which is mounted on the feed shaft 40. The motor 43 receives energy from a suitable source 46 and is automatically controlled by a switch 47 operated by the operating pedal 7. Since the feed mechanism is not specifically claimed herein and is fully described in the said copending Hagemann application, it need not be further described herein.

A blocking strip 48 of soft and thin flexible material, as paper, may be inserted between one of the record strips and the next adjacent transfer face of the carbon sheet. In Fig. 1 the blocking strip 48 comes from a strip supply spool 49 rotatable on a supporting rod 50, the free end being in blocking position. The spool may slide along rod 50 to different positions, or an additional spool of such strip may be employed. As

the blocking strip lies between a record strip and a transfer face of a carbon sheet and is in contact with such record strip it prevents transfer of printing impression to the area of such record strip lying immediately thereunder.

When the blocking strip is soft, as is paper, it nevertheless permits record strips lower down 19 receive the impression. More or less of the printing data may thus be blocked out depending on the size and position of the blocking strip. If sufliciently large, it will serve to block out printing on an entire bill area. A plurality of blocking strips may be used if desired and may be inserted at different depths in the pile of superposed record ;trips. In this wise, the part of the whole of the typewritten data may be blocked from being printed on any one or more of' the record strips.

The operation of the improved mechanism to support and control the transfer sheets will be understood from the foregoing description and for clsarness and emphasis may be summarized a follows.

When the record strips S are forwardly fed the platen 6 is normally in lowered position so as not to retard their advance. In case the used portion of one of the carbon sheets needs replacing, the pawl 21 controlling that particular sheet may be released from its ratchet wheel 19. Thereupon (while the detents 33 are in released condition as shown in Fig. 1) continued advance of the record strips will also advance the released carbon strip by virtue of the interengagement of the record and carbon sheets and of the influence of the moving record strips over the respective rotary carbon sheet rolls 14, until the unused or fresh portions of the carbon sheet arrive in writing position on the platen. When gripped by the feeddiscs 44 the used or depleted portion of the carbon sheet may be fed forwardly by the feeding mechanism with the record strip and subsequently torn oif. Should the carbon strip be advanced too far, or morethan is necessary, it can easily be retracted by reverse rotation of the carbon roll through the operating knob. 20.

If it is desired to replace used portions of all of the carbon sheets by fresh portions, latches 36 are first released whereupon manual rotation of the shaft 29 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawings, will advance the carbon supporting carrier as a unit. The latches 36 may be automatically released upon application of sufficient turning force to the shaft 39 by engagement of the rod 24 with the inclined faces 38 of the latches as above described. When the record strips are again advanced, the loose portions of the carbon sheets made by this advance of the carbon carrier will be moved forwardly and straightened out in smooth condition between the record strips, thus bringing fresh or unused portions of all of the carbon sheets into manifolding position. Thereafter the carrier maybe manually returned to its original position and the latches 36 again placed in holding position. This return movement is preferably effected independently of the rack and pinion 27, 28 to permit the rolls to turn to feed out additional lengths of carbon sheets. The detents 33 may then be set in holding position by reverse rotation of the shaft 29.

Another preferred manner of advancing all of the carbon sheets together to present fresh partsthereof in manifolding relation with the record strips may be effected by releasing the latches 36 from carrier holding engagement with the tie rod 24. When thus released, the carbon supporting frame or carrier may be moved forwardly toward the platen with the forward feeding movement of the record strips either by actuation of the feed rolls 44 as mentioned above, or in any other desired manner. The carbon sheet rolls 14 may also be released to rotation by releasing the detents 21 and .33 from engagement with the ratchet wheels 19, and the carbon sheet carrier may be advanced, if desired, by means of the rack and pinion 27, 28. When detents 21 and 33 are thus released all of the record and carbon strips or sheets may be forwardly fed together as a unit for a complete form length or for any desired distance, thus causing the carbon rolls 14to rotate so as to advance fresh lengths of carbon sheet into inscription transfer position over the platen. At the end of the feed cycle or other advancement of the strips, the record and carbon strips may be torn off by any appropriate means such for example as mentioned in the above prior Hagemann patent. The carbon sheet carrier is now moved rearwardly, that is, away from the platen by operation of the rack and pinion 27, 28, thus setting the detents 33 in roll locking position so that the carbon sheets are retracted during this rearward movement of the carrier so as to bring their forward ends backward slightly from the forward ends of the record strips, and from the grip of the feeding mechanism, which may, at this time, be released as set forth in the prior Hagemann patent. During this retraction of the carbon sheet carrier the record strips may be restrained if necessary, from retraction with the carbon sheets by holding said record sheets in their forward position in any desired manner. It will be observed that all of the record and transfer strips may also be simultaneously advanced in the manner just described when both sets of detents 21 and 33 are in releasing position. It is advantageous however, to release the latches 36 and to move the carbon sheet carrier forwardly as described, as by this means the forward ends of the carbon sheets may be very readily retracted from the adjacent ends of the record strips and from the grip of the feeding mechanism in case such mechanism is employed.

It will also be observed that the carbon carrier may be moved longitudinally forwardly or backwardly by means of the operating shaft 29 acting through the shifter bar 26. When the shifter bar is thus moved forwardly, the pawl pins 33 will move to disengage the respective ratchet wheels 19 so as not to obstruct the forward rotation of the carbon rolls. However, when the .shifter bar 26 is retracted to retract the carbon =carrier, the pin pawls will engage the respective ratchet wheels to prevent rotation of the carbon rolls thus simultaneously retarding all of the carbon sheets.

From the foregoing it will be observed that any one of the transfer sheets may be individually adjusted to bring fresh portions thereof into manifolding position, or two or more of the transfer sheets may be similarly adjusted. Also, all of the transfer sheets may be simultaneously adjusted as a unit for a similar purpose. It will therefore be seen that the transfer sheets may be individually or collectively adjusted as the requirements of the work may demand for the most efficient manifolding operations, thus assuring clean legible copies at all times.

matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention and all intermediate variations of the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a ratchet wheel carried by each of said tansfer sheet supports, a detent for each of said ratchet wheels, means for reciprocating said carrier, and means controlled by said reciprocating 'means for collectively controlling said detents.

2. In a writing machine, in combination, a-

carrier adapted for reciprocal movement, a carbon-sheet supporting shaft'rotatably mounted on said carrier, means, including a ratchet wheel, on said shaft and a pawl on said carrier, adapted to restrain rotation of said shaft in one direction, said pawl movable, at will. into an out of restraining position, means including a manually actuatable rod, reciprocal movement of which rod is adapted to reciprocate said carrier, and means operable by said rod to restrain rotation of said shaft in the direction restrained by said pawl.

3. In a writing machine, in combination, a carrier adapted for reciprocal movement, a carbon-sheet supporting shaft rotatably mounted on said carrier, means, including a ratchet wheel, on said shaft and a pawl on said carrier, adapted to restrain rotation of said shaft in one direction, said pawl movable, at will,-into and out of restraining position, means including a manually actuatable rod, reciprocal movement of which is adapted to reciprocate said carrier, means operable by said rod to restrain rotation of said shaft in the direction restrained by said pawl, and a latch manually operable into and out of position restraining movement of said carrier, movement of said carrier in one direction being adapted automatically to disengage said latch.

4. In a Writing machine, in combination, a carrier adapted for reciprocal movement, a carbon-sheet supporting shaft rotatably mounted on said carrier, means, including a ratchet wheel, on said shaft and a pawl on said carrier, adapted to restrain rotation of said shaft in one direction, said pawl movable, at will, into and out of restraining position, means including a manually actuatable rod, reciprocal movement of which is adapted to reciprocate said carrier, means'operable by said rod to restrain rotation of said shaft in the direction restrained by said pawl, a latch manually operable into and out of position restraining movement of said carrier, movement of said carrier in one direction being adapted automatically to disengage said latch, and a carrier supporting frame detachably connected to the frame of the machine.

5. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, independent means for individually rotating said supports for individual transfer sheet adjustment, means for individually restraining rotation of said transfer sheet supports in adjusted-position, and additional means for collectively restraining rotation thereof.

6. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, means for individually controlling rotation of said transfer sheet supports, manual means for effecting reciprocation of said carrier, and means controlled by said last mentioned means for collecsupports.

7. In a manifolding :clevice, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, means for individually controlling rotation of said transfer sheet supports, means for collectively controlling rotation thereof, and a releasable latching mechanism for holding said reciprocating carrier. i

8. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, means for individually controlling rotation of said transfer sheet supports, manual means for effecting reciprocation of said carrier, means controlled by said last mentioned means for collectively controlling rotation of said transfer sheet supports, and a releasable latching mechanism forholding said reciprocating carrier.

9. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, -'a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, manual means for effecting reciprocation'of said carrier, and means controlled by said manual means for collectively. controlling rotation .of said transfer, sheet supports.

1,0. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon' said carrier, a separate detent for checking rotation of each of the transfer sheet supports, a supporting bar connected to said carrier and carrying each;of said detents, and unitary means for reciprocating said bar and carrier'and simultaneously collectively operating said detents.

11. In a manifolding device, in combination; a flat platen, supporting means for supporting a typewriting machine for movement along' said platen, a transfer sheet supply carrier, a supporting structure supporting said carrier for translatory reciprocating movement transversely of the machine, a plurality of carbon sheet supporting shafts mounted upon said carrier so as to be translatably adjusted with the Iattenmeans for effecting translatory reciprocating adjustment of said carrier and shafts, means for individually rotating said shafts for carbon sheet adjustment, means for individually locking said shafts after rotary adjustment thereof, and locking means collectively controlled by said carrier adjusting means for collectively locking said shafts.

12. In a manifolding device, in combination, a flat platen, supporting means for supporting a typewriting machine for movement along said platen, a transfer sheet supply carrier, a supporting structure supporting said carrier for translatory reciprocating movement transversely of the machine, a plurality of carbon sheet supporting shafts mounted upon said carrier so as to be translatably adjusted with the latter; means for effecting translatory reciprocating adjustment of said carrier and shafts, means for individually rotating said shafts for carbon sheet adjustment, means for individually locking said shafts after rotary adjustment thereof, locking means for collectively locking said shafts, and means for operating said collective locking means in sequence with adjustment of said carrier.

13. In a manifolding device, in combination, a

reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a detent for checking rotation of each of the transfer sheet supports, and common means for reciprocating said carrier and operating said detents to check and to release the respective sheet supports.

14. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a detent for checking rotation of each of the transfer sheet supports, a rack bar operatively connected to said detents and having a lost motion connection with said carrier, and means for reciprocating said rack bar thereby to reciprocate said carrier and to control operation of said detents.

15. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a ratchet wheel carried by each of said transfer sheet supports, a rack bar having a lost motion connection with said carrier, a detent pin carried by said rack bar for each of said ratchet wheels, and means for reciprocating said rack bar thereby to reciprocate said carrier and to move said detent pins to and from co-operative position with reference to the respective ratchet wheels.

16. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a ratchet wheel carried by each of said transfer sheet supports, a rack bar having a lost motion connection with said carrier, a detent pin carried by said rack bar for each of said ratchet wheels, means for reciprocating said rack bar thereby to reciprocate said carrier and to move said detent pins to and from co-operative position with reference to the respective ratchet wheels, and a plurality of independent pawls on said carrier for independently controlling rotation of said transfer sheet supports.

17. In a manifolding device, in combination, a reciprocating carrier, a plurality of transfer sheet supports rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a

detent for checking rotation of each of the transfer sheet supports, a rack bar operatively connected to said detents and having a lost motion connection with said carrier, means for reciprocating said rack bar thereby to reciprocate said carrier and to control operation of said detents, and a plurality of independent pawls on said carrier for independently restraining rotation 'of said transfer sheet supports.

18. In a manifolding device, in combination,

' carbon sheet supply mechanism for supplying a carbon sheet between traveling record strips, said supply mechanism including a carbon supply carrier mounted for translatory reciprocating movements to permit the carbon sheet to advance with the record strips 'and'to retract it relatively to said strips, a plurality of carbon supply rolls rotatably mounted upon said carrier, individual locking means for said supply rolls individually releasable to permit selective advancement of the carbon sheets, a releasable latching device to restrain said carrier against said advance movement with the record strips, means for recipro cating said carrier and roll locking means operatively connected for operation by said last mentioned means for restraining rotation of the rolls in strip feeding direction.

19. In a manifolding device, in combination, carbon sheet supply mechanism-for supplying a carbon sheet between traveling record strips, said supply mechanism including a carbon supply carried mounted for translatory reciprocating movements to permit the carbon sheet to advance with the record strips and to retract it relatively to said strips, a carbon supply roll mounted on said carrier, means for reciprocating said carrier, and roll locking means operatively connected for operation by said carrier reciprocating means for restraining rotation of said roll in strip feeding direction.

20. In a manifolding device, in combination, a

plurality of rotary transfer sheet carriers mount- I ed for positioning transfer sheets in interleaved manifolding relation with record strips, collectively operated releasable locking means for collectively securing said carriers against rotation to prevent advancement of the respective transfer sheets carried thereby when the record strips are advanced, and independent locking means for each of said carriers for locking each carrier against rotation independently of the remainder thereof, so as to provide for selective advancement of certain of the transfer sheets and to maintain the remainder against advancement.

21. In a manifolding device, in combination, a platen, carbon sheet supply mechanism for supplying a carbon sheet between traveling record strips, said supply mechanism including a carbon sheet supply carrier mounted for translatory reciprocating movements toward and away from the platen, a rotary carbon sheet support mounted on said carrier, locking means for locking saidrotary support against carbon sheet advancement therefrom, and automatic lock oper ating means for setting said locking means in locking position when said carrier is being moved away from the platen, so as to retract the carbon sheet with the carrier.

22. In a manifolding device, in combination, a platen, a carbon sheet supply mechanism for supplying a carbon sheet between traveling rec ord strips, said supply mechanism including a carbon sheet supply carrier mounted for translatory reciprocating movements toward and away from the platen, a rotary carbon sheet support mounted on said carrier, locking means for locking said rotary support against carbon sheet advancement therefrom, and lock operating means automatically operable incident to reciprocating movements ofsaid carrier to release the locking -means when the carrier is moved toward the LOUIS FRED HAGEMANN.

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