US1996636A

US1996636A - Web tensioning device

Info

Publication number: US1996636A
Application number: US709656A
Authority: US
Inventors: George L Bezold
Original assignee: HAMILTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER
Current assignee: HAMILTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER; HAMILTON AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Co
Priority date: 1934-02-03
Filing date: 1934-02-03
Publication date: 1935-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1952-04-02

Description

April 2, 1935. e. 1.. BEZOLD WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 (Z gfNVENTO V MTTORN EYS April 2, 1935. G. L. BEZOLD WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 3, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 14 0174 7- Wed ATTO RNEYS April 1935. L. BEZOLD v 1,996,636

WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 5 WM 7 Wood ATTO RNEYS INVENTOR April 2, 1935. s. L. BEZOLD WEB TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 2, 1935 UNITED STATES WEB TENSIONING DEVICE George L. Bezold, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The Hamilton Autographic Register Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation-of Ohio hpplication February a, 1934, Serial No. 109,656 160mm. (01. 191-133) This invention relates to a device for typewriting machines utilizing continuous length stationery. In this class of typewriting machines the typing unit travels upon rails over a flat platen upon which the stationery is held. The continuous .length stationery, usually in a plural number of compiled strips, is either roll wound or packaged flat by zigzag folding, from which supply pack it is withdrawn and fed over the platen of the typewriting machine presenting several strips in superposed arrangement, and above'the platen is interleafed with manifolding or carbon sheets or strips for making manifold copies of the typing.

The strip stationery usually is provided wi punchings, folding or tear lines in the spacing between the fcrms pre-printed upon the strips, or defining prescribed sheet lengths into which the strip is divided and which are used for gauging the foremost form or sheet length of the several superposed strips appropriately upon the platen and in relative registration. The forward end of the platen carries pins or other anchoring means for engaging and holding the paper. When pins are employed they engage through the punchings in the strip, anchoring the forward end upon the platen so that a rearward tension can be applied to the strip for tautly bringing the same over the platen.

The present invention is directed to a tension device for each web or strip employed, located in rear of the writing platen of the typewriting machine and preferably between the rear extensions of the rails translatably supporting the M- ing carriage, to apply and maintain a yielding rearward pull or tension upon the webs to smooth out anta'utly present the same upon or over the writing platen. 1

An object of the invention is to provide a ten- 40 sion device for continuous length stationery in a typewriting machine for guidingly sustaining the stationery in edge alignment with the platen of the writing machine, and for exerting a yielding tension or back pull thereon to smooth out and tautly present the paper upon the writing platen and constantly maintain the same in such condition while typing thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for applying tension to a web or continuous length of stationery to hold the same tautly over a platen and comprising a pair of parallel rods for grippingly engaging the web therebetween, and as a unit translatably mounted and under tension in one direction to apply a yielding pull upon the webs, one of the rods rotat-' able-or swivelled for contact with the other to impinge the web' therebetween, and separable therefrom by rotating the'same resulting from translating the device in a counterwise direction.

Other objects and advantages of. the invention 5 will be more fully set' forth in the description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a commercial typewriting machine within which the tensioning apparatus of the present invention 10 is installed, preferably within therear rail extension thereof.

a Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section through the improved web tension applying apparatus for handling a group or a plurality of 15 continuous lengths paper webs or strips and mounted within the rearward rail extension of a typewriting machine.

- Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the actuated parts in an adjusted position for releasing the webs or strips so that they can, with freedom, be advanced or adjusted. Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a 'por- 25 in'on of the apparatus with the parts adjusted as shown in Figure 5 and taken on a line 6-6, Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a central section of the apparatus with a section raised to a vertically inclined position for loading. I

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus threaded with webs or strips of different width and one edge of one of the strips guided by a guide collar adjustably fixed upon one of the strip gripping rods of a tension unit.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged plan view of one set of strip gripping rods for a tension unit; and

Figure 11 is a. detailed section taken on line 40 ll-ll, Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings, and to Figure 1 thereof, diagrammatically disclosing a commercial typewriting machine of the class to which the present invention is applicable, I indicates a frame or pedestal upon which the typewriting machine is mounted. The typewriting. machine in general comprises a pair'of horizontally disposed rails 2, upon which the typewriting unit 3 travels. A stationary printing platen or table is fixed appropriately to the frame between the rails and extends within a forward section thereof. '4 indicates-a reel or feeding device for the carbon or manifolding paper strips mounted alongside the rail 2, and li a table or shelf.

The rear sections of the rails are connected together, by several cross connecting rods 6 suitably spaced, which provide supports for sustaining the web or strip guiding and tensioning device of the present invention.

The device is arranged to be conveniently'installed between the rearward extension of the rails and the operative parts connected with a foot treadle of the typewriting machine. The device consists of a pair of spaced side walls or

bars

1, 1, rigidly connected at their opposite longitudinal ends by cross rods 8, I, to forma rectangular frame as the main or outer frame of the device. The edges of the side walls at their opposite ends are notched for interlockingly engaging with the cross connecting rods of the rails of the typewriting machine. The outer frame of the device thus seats or rests upon the cross rods of the rails.

The side walls I, I, of the main frame, each is provided with a downwardly depending arm or bracket 9 rigidly fixed in place, the pair forming journals for rotatively supporting a supply roll of stationery. The lower ends of the bracket arms are suitably notched for removably receiving and journalling a spindle I! of the supply roll of stationery. The framing, however, may if desired, be provided with additional roll supporting brackets.

As shown in the drawings, some of the stationery is roll wound, while other is fiat packed and taken as used from a carton in which the stationery is originally packed for storage shipment.

A second or inner frame is hingedly mounted within the main or outer frame and comprises a pair of spaced sheet metal side walls II, II, connected at their opposite longitudinal ends by cross rods l2, 12, to provide a rigid rectangular frame structure.

This second or inner frame at its forward end is pivotally secured to the main frame, adapting the same to be swung upwardly from its normal horizontal position within the main frame, as shown in Figure 5, to an upright or vertical position as shown in Figure 7 for loading. Its upward swing is limited by stop pins ll extending inwardly from the inner side of the side walls of the main frame and when in its horizontal position within the main frame rests upon pins ll extending laterally or inwardly from the inner side of the side walls of the main frame, or from the depending brackets.

The inner frame 'hingedly carries a series of cooperating cross rods or bars, one set for each of the number of strips of stationery employed and, as illustrated, the device is equipped for handling ten strips. The number, however, is optional, depending upon the capacity required. A separate and independent set of rods is employed for guiding and tensioning each strip of stationery, although unitarily and simultaneously controlled to free the strips when required to adjust or advance the same. As the tensioning means for each strip are of duplicate construction, the description thereof as to specific detail will only be directed to one set.

Each set, therefore, comprises a rigid or nonrotatable rod or bar l having its opposite ends respectively engaged or fixed to the upper ends of a pair of arms or levers l6, each pivoted at its lower end to the outer side of a corresponding side wall I l of the inner frame. The second rod or bar I! is of segmental form in cross section or of a contour to provide. a flat or plane tangential surface l8 adjacent and longitudinally parallel with the fixed rod I! to engage therewith for gripping or impinging the strip when threaded therebetween. The second rod I! at each of its opposite ends is provided with a pintle extension each engaged through the upper or free end of one of the levers ii to swivel or journal therein. The rod has its journal axis preferably eccentric or slightly offset and disposed at an elevation slightly above the plane of the axis of the stationary or fixed rod, adapting the swiveled rod I! to be normally urged by gravity into contact or engagement with the periphery of the fixed rod to bind or impinge the strip therebetween. The strip is threaded upwardly between the rods and then extends forwardly over the swiveled rod and in.a,- direction toward the writing table of the writing machine to which the forward end of the-strip is fixed. Upon any advancing motion of the paper or retarding influence of the rods thereupon, the traction of the strip upon the rod rotatively urges the rod in a direction increasing its grip or impinging hold upon the stationary and fixed rod. The eccentricity of the axis of the swiveled rod or its peculiar contour, serves to elf-balance the rod so that it will swing by gravity to engage or contact its tangential surface with the fixed rod.

Both of the rods, at their respective opposite ends, extend beyond or across the top edge of the side walls of the inner frame to contact therewith and stop or limit the oscillating stroke of the levers and the bars as a tension-applying unit. The levers and rods as a unit are retracted by a pair of springs l9, l9, one for each lever, each having one end fixed to the lever toward the upper end thereof and its opposite end to a corresponding side wall of the inner frame for applying a rearward tension to the strip engaged between the rods for holding the same tautly upon or over the writing table or platen of the writing machine. As shown in Figure 4, the parts are in full retreat position at which the fixed rod contacts with the upper edges of the side walls of the inner frame, limiting the retreat stroke of the levers and rearward traverse of the unit. The springs are positioned so that the tension is not unduly increased for the full arc of movement allowed, thereby avoiding applying an excessive pressure or tension upon the strip which may strain or cause it to tear apart along a fold or tearline between the writing or form spaces and at all times they impart or apply a tension sufficient to hold and maintain the sheet tautly over the writing table.

The gripping or impinging contact of the rods can be positively released for freeing the strips to adjust or advance the same by moving the tension unit forwardly toward the writing table, bringing the swiveled rod into contact or engagement with the top edges of the sidewalls of the inner frame. The opposite ends of the swiveled rod which contact with the upper edges of the side walls of the frame are of cam formation or contour for rotating the rod upon its axis as it is brought to forcibly bear upon the upper edges of the side walls, swiveling the same, swinging its tangential face or fiat portion away from the fixed rod, spacing the rods to a degree suificient torelease or free the strip therebetween so that it can be unrestrictedly advanced or adjusted therethrough.

The tension units of a series are simultaneously translated in a counter direction controlling the swiveled rods of each unit for releasing the strip impingement, by .a pair of rack bars 20, 20, respectively arranged at the opposite ends of the rods along a row of levers l6 at a corre: sponding end of the rods.

A pair of rack bars are employed for equalizing purposes touniformly move the tension units.

Each rack bar at its opposite longitudinal ends is pivotally connected to a respective link 2|. The link 2| for one end of the rack bar is pivotally connected to a side wall of the inner frame, while the link for the opposite end of the rack bar is fixed to a rock shaft 22 journalled in the side walls of the inner frame.

The rock shaft centrally of its length has a crank arm 23 fixed thereon, extending forwardly therefrom and pivotally attached to one end of a connecting rod 24. The opposite end of the connecting rod 24 is pivotally connected at an intermediate point to a treadle lever 25 supported upon a pedestal of the typewriting machine as shown in Figure 1. Each rack bar is provided with a plurality of teeth or tongues 26, one for each tension unit, appropriately spaced apart and extending upwardly from the upper longitudinal edge of the bar for engaging with a pin or lug 21 extending laterally from the inner side of a relative lever 16.

Upon depressing the foot treadle lever 25, the rack bars 20 are unitarily shifted forward carrying the tension units therewith, slacking the strips. When the unit has been moved to engage the ends of the swiveled rod upon the upper edge of the side walls of the inner frame the rod is rotated or swiveled movingits tangential surface away from the fixed rod, releasing the grip upon the strip. The strip can then be adjusted or advanced to bring a second form or sheet length appropriately over and upon the writing platen for typing and issuing the previously typed foremost portion which is torn or severed from the sheet.

Upon releasing the treadle for a retreat of the rack bars, the swiveled rod of the tension unit is again free to swivel or revolve and contact with its companion fixed rod moving by gravity and aided by the traction pull imposed thereon by the sheet which loops over the swivel roll in extending forward to the writing platen.

The tension units, under the action of the springs in a retreating or receding stroke, draw the strip therewith until it becomes taut over the writing table to present a fiat writing surface for making clear writing impression thereon, and thereupon constantly maintained under tension.

To ofl'er greater convenience and access for loading or threading the strips, each between a set of rods of the tension units, the inner frame being pivoted to the outer frame can be swung upwardly to a vertical slightly reclining or inclined position as shown in Figure I. In such position the balance of swiveled rods is changed so,

that they will swivel by gravity in a direction to bring the tangential surface of one rod away from its respective companion rod, thereby automatically separating the rods and providing ample spacing therebetween for freedom of passage of the strip, and as soon as the frame is lowered the rods of each unit are automatically brought together impinging or gripping the paper therebetween,

After such initial loading operation, the operator upon depressing the treadle immediately releases the strips for freely advancing or adjusting 7 the same over the writing platen and immediately upon release of the treadle the strips are again gripped and tension applied thereon ready to proceed with the typing. It is obvious that the. grip rods can be mounted to move in any horizontal line instead of an are as resulting from mounting the rods at their opposite ends upon a pair of levers and the swiveled rod controlled by traction through its peripheral engagement with the top edges of the side walls. Likewise, the double frame structure can also be eliminated if the tension units are directly built intothe typewriter although as an attachment it is readily available in used typewriting machines.

, It is also desirable that the strips be longitudlnally guided to align the edges with the longitudinal edges of the platen or. present the same in parallelism therewith and for handling various widths ofstationery. ,For this purpose a pair of longitudinal guide strips 28, 28, are pro- .vided, positioned intermediate of the inner frame and at their opposite longitudinal ends are adjustably secured to a pair of cross rods of the framing, the guide strips serving a group of paper strips of the same width. When the individual paper strips of a group are of relatively different widths, each strip is individually guided by one or a plurality of guide collars 29 adjustably mohnted upon the fixed rod of a tension unit as shown in Figures 8 and-'9. The swiveled rod is notched at intervals of its length to receive or straddle 'a collar as is shown in Figure 11. The strips of a same or diiferent width can be relatively off-set, one edge aligned .with a longitudinal guide strip 28 and an opposite edge by a collar 29 on the fixed grip rod.

Having described my invention. I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and means located between a supply of continuous length stationery and said typewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over the platen, comprising, a pair of parallel rods between which the paper web is threaded and engaged over onethereof for lead- .ing the web toward the platen, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other and gripping the web therebetween and the impinging force augmented by the tractive action of the web upon said rod,said rods unitarily translatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the paper.

2. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and means located between a supply of continuous length stationery and said typewriter platen for applying-tension to the paper engaged over the platen, comprising, a frame, and a pair of rods adjacently disposed between which the paper web from the supply'to the platen is threaded,'one of said rods journaled to swing by gravity toward the other and contact therewith for gripping-the paper therebetween, said rods carried by said frame and unitarily translatable toward and from the platen and yieldlngly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the paperover the .platen and said frame s'hiftable to a position changing the center of gravity of said journaled rod for automatically swinging it to a retreat positionaway from the other rod for freedom in threading the webbetween said rods.

3. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and means located between a supply of continuous length stationery and said typewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over the platen, comprising, a pair of parallel rods between which the paper web isthreaded and engaged over one thereof for leading the web toward the platen, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other and gripping the webtherebetween and the impinging force augmented by the tractive action of the web upon said rod, said rods unitarily translatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the paper, a stationary rail engageable by said leading rod, and control means for translating said rods as a unit counter to its yielding retreat, engaging the leading rod upon said rail and by traction thereon paper engaged over the platen, comprising, a

frame, a pair of rods adjacently disposed between which the paper web from the supp to the platen is threaded, one of said rods journaled to swing by gravity toward the other and contact therewith for gripping the paper therebetween, said rods carried by said frame and unitarily translatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the paper over the platen and said frame shiftable to a position changing the .center of gravity of said journaled rod for automatically swinging it to a retreat position away from the other rod for freedom in threading the web between said rods, and control means for translating said rods as a unit in a direction counter to its yielding retreat, engaging said journalled rod on an edge of said frame and by traction thereon swiveling the same for separating the rods from contact with one another giving freedom to the web.

5. In a typewriting machine including a stationary platen and means located between a supply of continuous length stationery and said typewriter platen for applying tension to the paper engaged over the platen, comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the paper web is threaded and engaged over one thereof for leading the web toward the platen, said leading rod swiveled for impinging the other and gripping the web therebetween and the impinging force augmented by the tractive action of the web upon said rod, said rods unitarily translatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a, retreat direction for tensioning the paper, and means for positively moving said rods as a unit in a direction toward the platen to slacken the web.

6. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying tension to a web of paper, a frame, a pair of rods adjacently disposed to receive the web of paper therebetween, lever arms pivotally mounted on said frame for relatively supporting said rods in compressive contact to grip the web, and translate the same as a unit, one of said rods as a strip leading rod eccentrically swiveled on said lever arms and engageable with an edge of said frame, means for yieldingly urging, said lever swiveling the same to separate said rods for web freedom therebetween.

7. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying individually to a plurality of webs of paper from a supply source to a platen, the webs of the series presented in superposed arrangement upon the platen and at their forward end secured thereto, a tension unit for each web of the series comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the web is threaded and engagingv over one thereof in a direction leading to the platen, one of said rods eccentrically pivoted and movable by gravity and by the tractive action of the web thereon into contact. with the other for gripping the web therebetween, a rail engageable by said eccentrically pivoted rod, each tension unit translatable toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the web upon the platen and a single control means for all of the tension units of the series for simultaneously moving the units in -a direction to slacken the webs engaging said eccentrically pivoted rod against said rail and by traction thereon swiveling the rodfor separating the rods of each respective unit from contact with one another giving freedom to the webs.

8. In a device of the nature disclosed for applying individually to a plurality of webs of paper from a supply source to a platen, the webs of the series presented in superposed arrangement upon the platen and at their forward end secured thereto, :a frame for supporting a plurality of tension units, a tension unit for each web of. the

series comprising a pair of parallel rods between which the web is threaded and engaging over one thereof in a direction leading to the platen, one of said rods eccentrically pivoted and movable by gravity and by the tractive action of the web thereon into contact with the other for gripping the web therebetween, each tension unit translatable upon said frame toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction for tensioning the web upon the platen,

and a single control means for all of the tension units of the series for simultaneously moving the units in a direction to slacken the webs engaging the eccentrically pivoted rods of each unit against an edge of the frame and by traction thereon swiveling the eccentrically pivoted rods each away from contact with its companion rod for giving freedom to the webs, said frame hingedly mounted adapting the same to be swung to a position at which the leading rod of each tension unit will automatically move away from its companion rod.

9. In a' typewriting machine, a platen over which strip stationery is adapted to be moved and means located between the supply of stationery and platen for applying tension to the portion of the stationery positioned over the platen and held thereon at its forward end, comprising, a pair of rods between which the stationery passes and engages over one rod thereof for leading the stationery toward the platen, said rods mounted for unitary movement in an arc toward and from the platen and'yieldingly urged in a direction from the platen, said leading rod eccentrically journalled for swiveling under the traction pull of the stationery thereon induced by the yielding retreating force of said rods for contacting with the other of said rods and gripping the stationery therebetween for applying a pull on the portion of the stationery on the platen 1,99e,esc

which strip stationery is adapted to be moved and means located between the supply of stationery and platen for applying tension to the portion of the stationery positioned over the platen and held thereon at its forward end, comprising, a frame, a pair of rods between which the stationery passes and engages over one rod thereof for leading the stationery toward the platen, said rods mounted on said frame for unitary movement in an arc toward and from the platen and yieldingly urged in a retreat direction, said leading rod eccentrically journalled for swiveling under the traction pull of the stationery thereon induced by the yielding retreating force of said rods for contacting said leading rod against its companion rod, gripping the stationery therebetween, and applying a pull on the portion of the stationery over the platen of the typewriting machine, said leading rod in a forward translation arranged for contact with an edge of the frame, and by traction thereon to be swiveled away from contact with its companion rod.

GEORGE L. BEZOLD.