US2072133A - Portable manifolding device - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1937. J. Q. SHERMAN 2,072,133

PORTABLE MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1953 Z Sheets-Sheet 1 March 2, 1937. J. Q. SHERMAN PORTABLE MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED 26 Glaims.

This invention relates to autographic registers for producing manifolded records, and more particularly to a portable register or holder and for a supply of continuous strips of printed forms which are issued from the holder in superposed registering relation with portions of transfer material interleaved therebetween, ready to receive written inscriptions.

The present device, which is of small size, compact form, and light in weight, is adapted to be readily and easily carried from place to place and is especially intended for the use of sales people, deliverymen, checkers, and others who may find it desirable to issue tickets or record slips while moving from place to place.

The present manifolding apparatus comprises a box-like housing, preferably of aluminum or other light weight sheet material, having dimensions approximately equal to those of the largest size packet of record material 'to be contained therein and provided with an adjustable top or cover which serves as a writing tablet, over which successive portions of the record strips are disposed upon withdrawal from the box or holder.

For illustrative purposes, but without necessarily limiting the invention, the printed forms are shown in the drawings impressed alternately upon opposite sides of the respective strips, the strips being issued alternately from opposite ends of the box or container into overlying relation with the top or cover, forming the writing tablet.

This top or cover is provided at each end with a retaining bar by which the free ends of the issued portions of the strips are clamped. The interleaved portions of transfer, material are attached to a reversible carrier located within the magazine or holder for supply strips, and which also serves as a guide for the several record strips.

Althought intended as a portable register or manifolding device, it will be obvious that the present manifolding register may be stationarily located on top of a table or desk or may be embedded therein with its top substantially flush with the surface of a table, desk or counter, in

locations where the more cumbersome type of register would be highly objectionable or impractical.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of manifolding devices whereby they will not only be cheap in construction, but'will be more efiicient and convenient in use, of light weight and compact form, devoid of working parts or mechanism, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention to is provide a holder or container over the writing tablet or top thereof.

'A further object of the invention is to provide improved guide means for the record strips and mounting means for carbon or transfer sheets interposed between the strips.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a reversible carrier for transfer material, automatically responsive in accordance with the direction of withdrawal of the record strips from the holder or container.

A further object of the invention is,to provide a manifold pack that is cheap and economical to use in the register. v

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the portable register or manifolding device, forming the subject matter hereof, with the extended portion of' the record strips disposed over the writing tablet ready to receive an inscription. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the terminal forms of the record strips withdrawn from the holder, ready for reversal over the top or writing tablet, the clamp or holder strip and top being in disengaged position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, with the top or' writing tablet raised, and the record strips turned to expose the interleavedtransfer sheets and their mounting means. Fig. 5.discloses a perspective view of one modification of the record material supply packet. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of another modification of the record material supply packet. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the transfer material folder.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference,throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I is the box-like container to receive a packet 2 of superposed strips 3 which are collectively folded in reverse directions at spaced intervals into zigzag formation.

Hinged to the box I is a lid or cover 4, which, when in closed position, forms a writing tablet. The ends of the box I are shown of slightly less height than the sides thereof to afford at each end of the container an exit opening 5, through which the terminal portions of the superposed strips extend from the interior of the box or container and thence over the top or cover 4. When successive forms are printed alternately on opposite sides of the strips, as is shown in Fig. 5, then the strips will be withdrawn first from one end and then from the other end of the container I and exit slots 5 or other clearance are necessary at both ends of the container to permit aligning adjustment. At each end of the top or cover 4 there is pivotally mounted, concentric with the hinge of the lid or cover, a clamp bar Ii. The terminal portions of the lid or writing tablet 4 are preferably depressed out of the normal'plane thereof, as shown in Fig. 2 to receive the clamp bars 6 to securely grip the free ends of the record strips beneath the bars 6 within the depression 1. The cover or writing tablet 4 is flanged at its free margin for overlapping engagement with the side wall of the container or box I, with which it retains its engagement by.

its inherent tension. The clamp bars 6 likewise overlap the margin of the cover or writing tablet 4 and engage therewith under inherent-spring tension to hold them in their closed or strip gripping position. I

Medially disposed within the container or box I is a substantially U-shaped frame 8, shown in detail in Fig. '7, the upturned ends ofwhich abut upon the inner faces of the side walls of the container or box I. Out-turned marginal fingers 9 are provided upon the frame or mounting 8, which are engageable in any one of several marginal notches I 0 in the side walls of the container whereby the frame 8 is engageable therewith indifferent positions of relative adjustment.

Pivotally connected to the upturned ends of the frame member 8 are rotary heads II interconnected with each other by spaced rods I2 to which are attachedstrips I3 of transfer material which extend thence out of the container or box I intermediate the superposed record strips '3, which latter are guided over, under and between the rods I2, as is shown particularly in Fig. 4.

As the printed forms are disposed alternately upon opposite sides of the strips, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the transfer sheets I3 are double faced. These transfer strips I 3' are fixedly secured to the rods I2 by suitable clamping means, by pasting or by carriers mounted thereon to whichthe strips I3 are secured. The mounting for the transfer sheets is reversible about its pivotal connection with theframe 8 and readily'accommodates itself to withdrawal of the strips in' either direction from the box or container.

.In using the register, after each writing operation is completed-the lid of thecontainer or box is raised and the next succeeding set of superposed forms is withdrawn. Succeeding sets of forms are extended first'about one end of the lid as may be, which by such alternation is made to always engage the interior of the fold, and by a slight pressure of the hand while adjusting the strips, such engagement of the margin or edge of the top or clamp in the fold of the strips is utilized to insure accurate registry of the forms on the writing tablet, The short transfer sheets,

being stationarily anchored within the container With the above manifolding pack the carbon 1 or transfer sheets must be carbonized on both sides so that each succeeding set of forms is brought over the writing lid or top, first from one end of the container for one set, and then from the other end for the next set, so that the carbon paper when the forms are written upon will properly copy. When continuous length interleaved carbon strips are used, the pack is placed in the container and one set of forms extended over'the edge of the container, the lid 4 is closed down and the/forms placed in writing position over the writing lid 4, being held in position by the clip or clamp bar 6 at the opposite edge.

After the forms have been written upon they are released from their position over the writing tablet to pemiit the opening of the lid 4 and then, while still grasping the forms, the lid is removed, the next set of forms lifted from' the container, after which the lid is closed down, the unwrittenset of forms placed and clamped thereon, and the written forms detached. If desired, the written forms may be detached prior to the clamping of the succeeding unwritten forms. Where the continuous form carbon is used, the carbon strips are preferably provided with tabs I4 so that the carbon sheets can be easily withdrawn from the forms after said forms have been detached.

Where continuous transfer strips are not interleaved, the short carbon sheets I3, which are anchored upon the spaced rods I2 carried by the rotary heads II, must be carbonized on both sides as in continuous length carbon strips. When the forms are alternately drawn from one side of the container or the other, the assembly of the carbon sheets I3 will turn over to follow the record sheets in either direction. In using this assembly device, the printed forms are dra n, prefer ably while the lid of the container is open, through the assembly of stationarily anchored carbon sheets i3 until the printed forms are sufficiently closed inFigs. 4 and '7.

The various copies of the written to ms, after being detached, are preferably, in part or whole, stored on the under side of the container and held in'position by a clip leaf holder I5, hinged to the container at 16 and biased against the bottom of the container by a suitable spring not shown.

Cross reference is made to copending companion applications, Serial No. 729,034, filed June 6, 5 1934, Serial No. 677,629, filed June 26, 1933, Serial No. 741,578,..filed August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,579, filed August 27, 1934, and Serial No. 741,580, filed August 27, 1934.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible'of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

I While in order to comply with the statute, the

invention has been described in language more 20 understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means andconstruction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in anyof its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1 A register foruse with superimposed continuous strips of printed forms having succeeding forms printed on opposite sides so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation the forms all face the same direction, said register including a compartment for storing a pack of the zigzag folded strips, a writing tablet mounted on said container forming a lid therefor, said container and lid being arranged to provide clearance at either end to permit the sheets to extend from the 40 container over the lid from either end thereof.

2. In a register for use with superimposed continuous strips of printed forms having succeedin forms printed on opposite sides so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation the forms all face the same direction, the combination of a container, for storing a pack of the folded strips, said container having openings in opposite ends with a lid for the container over which the succeeding forms are drawn from opposite ends in the writing position through the openings in either end, said lid being pivotally attached to the container.

3. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including a container for said stack of strips, said container having spaced openings through which the strips may extend, and a lid therefor arranged to have succeeding forms withdrawn from opposite ends of the lid through said openings so as to present the succeeding printed forms facing in the same direction. i

4. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including I a container for said stack of strips having spaced exit openings extending therein so that succeeding fomis may bewithdrawn from opposite ends thereof to present the succeeding printed forms facing in the same direction, and a writing table associated with said container over which withor less specific as to structural features, it is to be drawn portions of the strips may be disposed face uppermost.

' 5. An autographic registerfor use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are-stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including a container for said stack of strips, a tablet associated with said register having a clearance passage under each end into the container, clamping members associated with the ends of the tablet for clamping the free ends of the record strips withdrawn from either end as they overlie the table.

6. In a register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the. strips.

are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, the combination of a writing tablet arranged to receive forms from either end,- and clamping members associated with the ends thereof, the writing tablet being shaped to receive the clamping members whereby one of the clamping members presents a smooth writing surface flush with the writing surface of the tablet when theother is used 'in clampingthe strips.

7. In a register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, a writing tablet and a pair of clamps mounted, one at each end of the tablet, the writing tablet beinge'so shaped that as the forms are extended over'the tablet from either end thereof the free ends of the forms may be clamped by one clamp while the other clamp extends the writing surface of the tablet.

8. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including a container for said stack of strips, a tablet associated with said container having passages underneath either end thereof so that the forms may be drawn over either end so as to present the printed surface and permit the alignment of the forms at the folds against the edge of thetablet when in closed position, and a carbon-sheet holder mounted in saidcontainer for supplying transfer material to the strips. 4

9. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when .the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register'including a receptacle to receive a packet of said zigzag folded strips, and having exit openings in its opposite ends through which succeeding portions of the strips may be alternately withdrawn from opposite ends of the receptacle, a writing tablet overlying the receptacle over which the succeeding withdrawn portions may be 'reversely folded in-alternating directions to writing position according to the end of the receptacle from which they are withdrawn and means beneath the writing tablet for presenting transfer material in.

manifolding relation with the withdrawn portions of the strips in accordance with the disposition thereof in writing position.

10. An autographic register for'use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including .having clearance adjacent its ends so that the strips may be fed thereto from either end thereof,

and means for supplying transfer material interl5 mediate the record strips, including one or. more supporting bars rotatably mounted.

12. An autographic register for use with superimposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the oppositesides thereof so that when 0 the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including a container for said stack of strips having openings at its opposite ends through which succeeding portions of the strips may be alternately with drawn, a lid therefor arranged to have succeeding forms withdrawn thereover from opposite ends thereof, said lid being arranged to register folds of the forms at either end, and clamping members associated with the opposite ends thereof, said clamping members being arranged to clamp the free ends of the strips brought in registry. 13. A packet holder for manifolding material .comprising a box-like container to receive a packet of superposed continuous record strips, and from which the strips may be withdrawn alternately at opposite ends ofthe container, a

cover for the container forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions of the strips am reversely extended, a clamping member for temporarilysecuring the free ends of the reversely extended strips upon the writing tablet, and a reversible mounting for strips of transfer material located 'within the container from which connected portions of transfer material may extend thence exteriorly of the container and over. the top thereof intermediate the extended portions of the strips. V

14. A packet holder for manifoldingmaterial comprising a box-like container to receive a packet of superposed continuous record strips, and from which the strips may be withdrawn alternately at-oppo'site ends of the container, 2. cover for the container forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions ofthe strips are reversely extended, a clamping member for temporarily securing the free ends of the reversely extended strips upon the writing tablet, a pivotally mounted carrier for strips of transfer material including oscillatory transverse guides for the superposed strips and to which the strips of transfer material may be connected, said strips being adapted to extend thence exteriorly of the container and over the writing tablet intermediate the extended portions of the record strips.

15., In a manifolding device, a boxlike con- I tainer for-a packet of superposed strips of record :material having at its opposite ends exit openings through which the terminal portion of the as,-

sembly of strips may be alternately extended, a cover for the box forming a writing tablet over which the extended portions of the strips may he laid first in one direction and then in the other,

clamp means at the oppositeends of the cover.

adapted to engage the extended free ends of the strips, and a reversible carrier for transfer material interiorly of the box-like holder from which portions of transfer material may extend beyond the container and over the top thereof intermediate the extended portions of the strips.

16. In a manifolding device, a box-like con- 1 tainer for a-packet of superposed strips of record material having in its end an exit opening through which the strips may be progressively 1 0 withdrawn, a cover for the container forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn material may be extended, means for temporarily clamping the free ends of the strips upon the writing tablet, a plurality of oscillatingly mounted 15 supports within the container forming guides for the strips and to which strips of transfer material may be connected, and from which the transfer material extends thence exteriorly of the container and over the writing tablet between the 20 extended portions of the strips.

17. In a portable autographic register for use with continuous superposed strips of record material reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formation, a container for a packet of 25 such, strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions of the strips may be extended in writing position, and a so pair of spaced rods extending across the container and pivoted on an intermediate axis at a substantially midleng th point of the container at least one of which is adapted to guide at least one of the strips in its passage to the withdrawal open- 35 ing. 18. In a portable autographic register foruse with continuous superposed strips of record material reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formation, a container for a packet of 40 such strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet, over which the withdrawn portionsof the strips \may'be extended in writing position, and 45 a swinging guide member having two positions and located within the container transversely of the strips adapted to guide at least one of the. strips in its passage to the withdrawal opening said guide member swinging from one position to 50 the other when one form length is removed and anotheradvanced into writing position.

19. In a portable autographic register for use with continuous superposed strips of record ma-,

terial reversely folded at spaced intervals into 55' of relatively spaced guide members within the container extending transversely of the strips and pivoted on an intermediate axis about which the guide members have unison swinging motion, at 65 least one of which is adapted to guide at least one of the strips in its passage to the withdrawal opening.

20. In a portable autographic register for use with continuous superposed strips of record ma- 70 terial reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formation, acontainer for a packet of such strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdraw, a cover therefor forming a writing 75 transversely across the container at a substantially mid-length position adapted to guide atleast one of the strips and comprising attachment means for the transfer material which is connected thereto.

21. In a portable autographic register for use with continuous superposed strips of record ma terial reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formation, a container for a packet of such strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions of the strips between which portions of transfer material may be interleaved, may be extended in writing position, and a swinging mounting located within the container to which the interleaved.

transfer material may be anchored, by the swinging motion of which said mounting and transfer material is reversible relative to the container.

22. In a portable autographic register for use with continuous superposed strips of record material reversely folded at spaced intervals into-zigzag formation, a container for a packet of such strips, having at least one opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn; a cover therefor forming a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions of the strips, having therebetween portions of transfer material, may be extended in writing position, and a plurality of relatively spaced mounting rods for the transfer material within the containerextending transversely of the strips and pivoted upon an intermediate axis about which the mounting members have swinging motion.

23. In a register for use with superposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face in brie direction, a writing tablet over either end of which the strips may be extended into writing position thereon, and strip engaging means associated with the tablet and engageable with the free ends of the strips alternately at opposite ends of the tablet by which the strips are stationarily held 1 the stack, a tablet overlying the holder, a mounting at the end of the table opposite that over which they are extended thereonto.

24. An autographic register for use with super imposed printed strips having succeeding forms printed on the opposite sides thereof so that when the strips are stacked in zigzag relation they all face the same direction, said register including means for supporting a stack of strips in such relation that the succeeding portions thereof may be withdrawn alternately from Opposite ends of said supported stack of strips, said tablet having its ends arranged in substantially aligned relation with opposite edges of the stack so as to be arranged to receive strips from either end of the stack depending upon the side on which the printed forms appear, means for presenting transfer material to said tablet in interleaved relation with the strips from either end of the tablet.

25. A dispensing holder for use with a packet of superposed continuous record strips having successions of forms printed thereon, the suc ceeding forms of the several strips being printed on adjoining portions alternately on the opposite sides of the same strips and approximately registered with forms printed on corresponding sides of other strips of the assembly, said packet holder having an exit at each end through which the terminal portions of the strips may be alternately withdrawn, and a reversible carrier for short lengths of transfer material interleaved between the terminal portions of the strips located medially within the packet holder and enabling thesheets to be reversed with alternation of the terminal portions of the strips.

26. A packet holder for use with a plurality of superposed continuous strips, each comprising a series of printed forms upon adjoining sections of the strips, these succeeding forms of each appearing on opposite sides of the same strips, said holder having an exit opening at each end thereof through which the strips may be extended alternately into reverse positions upon the top of therein for relatively short lengths of transfer material interleaved between the terminal portions of the strips upon which the transfer sheets are reversible to a ree with the alternate disposition of the terminal portions of the strips.

\ JOHN Q. SHERMAN.

Images