US2179150A - Pin feed attachment for autographic registers - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 7, 1939. F. HAGEMAN 2,179,150

PIN FEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed April 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 I z louwj uy r em n Nov. 7, 1939, 1.. F. HAGEMAN PIN FEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed April 8, 1 957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 17 192711301 Louis jfi emavp Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIN FEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERS Application April 8, 1937, Serial No. 135,731

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism for feeding strips of sheet material such as record strips of paper used for recording inscriptions, and with reference to some of its more specific features the invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism of the type employing pins engaging with apertures formed in the strips and adapted and arranged for feeding record strips in writing machines of the autographic register type.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved strip feeding mechanism for machines of the class mentioned, being specially constructed and particularly related to the writing platen and other elements of the machine so as to feed the strips accurately and to maintain them in accurate alignment with each other and with the platen, while at the same time avoiding mutilation or other injury to the strips.

A further object of the invention is .to provide an improved mounting and arrangement of a strip feeding mechanism in machines of the class mentioned, and of the type utilizing feeding pins mounted on a driven endless flexible band or, chain with the strip engaging feed transmitting shafts of the feed pins positioned below or in the vicinity of the pitch line of the endless band or chain, whereby the pins will enter and leave the strip apertures without mutilation of the aper- 0 ture margins, thus enhancing the accuracy of the strip feed and effecting more accurate alignment thereof.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved mounting for the flexible 5 strip feeding band or chain, so that the pitch line of the latter is definitely related to and positioned above the plane of the upper surface of the writing platen, thus further facilitating the cooperation of the pins with the strip feed apertures and the entry of said pins into said apertures and their emergence theref om.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for a flexible strip feeding band or chain, so that a single feeding unit of this type definitely positioned with reference to the platen and at one margin of the strip, is all that is ordinarily required to effect accurate feeding and alignment of the strips. In this manner the necessity formounting the strip feeding elements at parts spaced laterally of the strips,

is avoided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting and arrangement in machines of the class mentioned for the flexible pin feed unit so that one or more of the fed strips emerging therefrom will be effectively disposed and filed within a strip or filing compartment conveniently arranged in the machine.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the subjoined detailed description 5 of. an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connection therewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description of the illustrative preferred embodiment, and to the accompanying drawings in which: 20

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a writing machine of the autographic register type embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the directicn of the arrows, parts of the strip feeding mechanism. being shown in elevation; 30

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional elevation similar to that of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig.- 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional elevation substantially on the/line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the strip guiding and retaining means; 40

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing diagrammatically the course of the strips in the machine;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a modified form of record strip, assembly;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of an autographic register embodying a modification of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to that of Fig. 2 and taken substantially on the line lll l of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, a writing machine I of the autographic aperture engaging feed pins l3. In this register type has a flat platen 2 over which the paper record strips 3 are fed a predetermined distance, such as a distance equal to the form length of the record strips, for each cycle of operation of the strip feeding mechanism.

As shown, the record strips are fed from a supply such as a zig-zag folded record pack located in an appropriate storage compartment within the casing of the register. The record strips pass from the supply pack over guiding bars 4 to the platen 2, being interleaved in manifolding transfer relation with transfer or carbon strips 5 emerging from supply rolls housed and supported in containers 6 appropriately mounted upon the register. Three record strips and two interleaved carbon strips are shown but the number may be varied as desired. The assembly of record and transfer strips passes over the platen 2 whereat any desired inscriptions may be entered in the usual manner. The two upper record strips after receiving the inscriptions pass under a guiding and tearing bar I and onto the upper plate of the machine at the forward end thereof. The forwardly fed portions of the record strips may then be severed along the forward edge of the tearing bar I, and to facilitate such tearing the strips are ordinarily provided with transverse weakened severance lines 3' positioned between the form lengths or blank forms thereof. The lowermost record strip, or more than one if desired, upon emerging from the feeding mechacover plate of the machine and thence into a flling compartment or housing 8 appropriately located within the machine casing.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the feeding mechanism, for the strips is positioned intermediate the ends of the register and forwardly of the platen so as to draw or pull the strips into writing position upon the platen. This feeding mechanism has an operating handle 9 arranged to contact with a depressible stop lug or pin 10 to limit movement of the operating handle to a single operating cycle which in the embodiment shown is one complete revolution of the handle. The strips are thus advanced a single form length at one operative feed cycle. The mounting for the stop lug I0 is shown as being provided with a spiral compression spring II "for urging the lug into its normal operative position. In order to prevent movement of the feeding mechanism a pawl and ratchet mechanism (not shown) may be utilized as is customary in machines of this type. 7

As shown the feeding mechanism embodies an endless flexible feed band supporting the strip embodiment the feed band is in the form of a chain having links l2 arranged in a continuous series and pivotally connected to each other in end to end relation. The feed pins l3 are arranged to engage in strip feeding relation with the strip apertures M which are longitudinally spaced and arranged in a longitudinal series at one or both of the opposite longitudinal margins of the strip assembly.

Rotary sprocket wheels [5 support and drive the flexible feed chain, being mounted upon rotary shafts I6 appropriately mounted in ball bearings I! located in recesses in supporting members i8. Each sprocket wheel l5 has laterally spaced sections arranged in reverse relation and each is secured to a supporting sleeve is fixed by means of set screws 20 to the shaft l6.

Each of the feed pins I3 is supported upon its supporting link l2 by means of a bracket 2| extending laterally from the link at the inner side of the latter. Each supporting bracket 2| may form an integral part of its supporting link, being bent from the plate forming the link, or said bracket may be otherwise appropriately attached to the link. The pivotal connecting pins 22 for the links engage the side plates of said links and are arranged to contact and rest upon the spaced sections of the sprocket wheels. The rotary shafts l6 are appropriately mounted in bearings in the opposite side Wall members 23 of the register casing.

A supporting plate 26 is interposed between the sprockets I5 so as to engage with and support the reach of the flexible chain intermediate the sprocket wheels, being positioned as shown to directly engage and support the pin supporting brackets 2 I. This supporting plate has an extension 24 whereby it is attached by means 25 to the supporting members l8 and 23. The plate 26 functions as a support and guide for the feed chain, directing the chain and the feed pins thereof in a substantially straight path at the parts of said chain which are actively functioning to efiect strip feed. As shown in Fig. 4 a plurality of'pins at this part of the chain are simultaneously engaged in active feeding relation with the strip apertures.

As clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the pin supporting brackets 2! are positioned within the pitch line of the flexible feed chain, that is, within the line of centers of the pivotal connections 22 of the chain links l2. It will be noted, furthermore, that each feed pin l3 rises above its supporting bracket and that the strip engaging strip feeding part or shaft of the pin rises above the supporting bracket, extending outwardly therefrom toward the pitch line. Also as shown, the tips or outer ends of the pins may, if desired, extendsomewhat beyond said pitch line. It is also observed that the strip engaging feed transmitting shafts of the pins l3, located at the active feeding reach of the chain above the supporting plate 26, are positioned outside of, or above the level of the upper strip supporting surface of the platen 2. the links of the chain has been referred to as the pitch line but in order to define the positioning of the feed pins it may be more convenient to refer to the pitch surface or pitch plane, which may be defined as the plane or surface passing through these pivotal connections and defined thereby. The expression line of connection as herein employed is to be understood as comprehending the The line of the connections between pitch surface or pitch plane when the relative.

positioning of the feed pins I3 is referred to.

Driving connections for the flexible feed chain include an operating shaft 21 to which the operating handle. 9 is connected. Also a gear train 27' operatively connects the driving shaft 21 with the forwardly disposed shaft l6.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 7, a guiding and retaining means is provided for the record strips, embodying a swinging plate 28 pivoted by a pin 29 at its outer extremity to a support 30 attached as at 38 to the machine. This swinging plate or arm 28 has attached to its swinging extremity an inwardly disposed guide plate or foot 3! provided with a longitudinal slot 32 for receiving the rounded tips of the feed pins. This guiding plate is positioned directly at the reach of the feed chain which actively cooperates in feeding relation with the strips. A spring or spring plate 33 -ment 34, extending upwardly and outwardly from its attachment into engagement with a pin or roller 35 attached to the support 30. spring 33 is thus tensioned to press the guiding plate 3| into yielding engagement with the record strips at the point of engagement therewith by the feed pins. In this manner the strips are yieldingly held in position and guided during the time that the feeding effort is being transmitted thereto. An adjustng screw 36 is mounted in the swinging arm 28 and cooperates with a support 31 whereby .the position of the guiding plate 3| may be conveniently adjusted. The guiding plate can conveniently be swung upwardly away from its guiding position to facilitate threading and adjustment of the'record strips with reference to the feeding unit.

Due to the positioning of the feed pins IS with reference to the pitch line of the flexible chain as above described, it will be noted that the entry of the pins into the strip apertures and the emergence therefrom are much facilitated. This is for the reason that the pins at the moment of entering or leaving the apertures are moving at the same speed as that of the feeding strips, and the entering and emerging, parts of the pins are accurately aligned with the respective apertures. Also the longitudinal spacing of the parts of the pins which engage the apertures at the moment of entering or leaving the same is substantially the same as the aperture spacing. Consequently there is no undue pressure of the pins against the walls of the apertures and no resultant mutilation of the aperture walls, thus resulting in freer entry and exit of the pins and more accurate feeding alignment and positioning of the record strips. Also it will be noted that the positioning of the feed pins with reference to the platen 2 during active feeding operation by said pins results in more satisfactory strip feeding and alignment. By virtue of this improved arrangement it is commercially practical in machines of the character set forth to keep the strips in correct position and alignment on the flat platen by a single feeding mechanism positioned to engage the strips only at one longitudinal marginal portion thereof. Thus the structure is greatly simplified and it is necessary to have record strips with feed apertures only at one longitudinal margin thereof. When strips are attached together in a. unitary assembly as disclosed in connection with Fig. 9, the accuracy of feeding the assembly is assured and its correct position with reference to the platen is constantly maintained while, at the same time, the several assembly strips are at all times kept accurately aligned with reference to each other. Furthermore, this arrangement and positioning of' the feed pins results in more satisfactory and accurate filing of the file strip in the filingcompartment of the machine. One reason for this is that the pins disengage freely and smoothly from the strip apertures at the moment of emergence of the file strip from the feeding mechanism, and the entry thereof into the filing compartment. When the file strip as shown in Fig. 3 is projected forwardly under the impulse of the feeding mechanism, said strip enters through the receiving slot in the top plate, the forward edge of which functions as a guide to direct the moving strip into its folded filing position within the compartment. This strip as Well as the others is ordinarily creased along transverse lines by virtue of the folds caused by folding the strips into the zig-zag folded supply pack The as shown in Fig. 8. These transverse lines may also be scored 'or perforated on the fold lines. This creasing or scoring of the strips weakens the resistance to folding action of the file strip as it is urged into its final position. Due to the fact that the feed pins emerge from the feed apertures of the file strip freely and with very little if any frictional resistance against the margins of the feed apertures, there is substantially no tendency for the strip to cling to the pins and thus to be deflected away from the path it naturally assumes under feeding impulse when being i moved into folded condition.

In the record assembly shown in Fig. 9, long continuous record strips 3 are interleaved in transfer relation with one or more continuous carbon strips 5 and the strips 6f the assembly thus arranged are connected together at form length intervals by securing staples 29 extending through the strips, and preferably located as shown directlyon the transverse weakened severance lines 6G.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, a modified embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein a cover plate M is provided for the register, being hinged at 42 to the upper extremity of the longitudinal side walls of the register casing so as to be capable of swinging upwardly from its normal operative position in which it is shown. The platen 2a is constructed and arranged similarly to platen 2 above described, and underlies the cover 4|. In this embodiment the endless flexible feedband is arranged and mounted as in the embodiment described above, and similarly includes links I25; and feed pins l3a carried by the links. The arrangement and mounting of this flexible feed band may be in all respects similar to the above detailed disclosure and accordingly it is shown partially diagrammatic in Fig. 11.

Adjacent to the feeding element the cover 4| is provided with a housing 43 which receives and houses the elements of the feeding mechanism. This housing may, as shown, be formed by upwardly deflecting parts of the cover plate. At the inside of the cover within the housing 43 is a longitudinal strip guide it positioned adjacent to the feed pins I311 and welded or otherwise attached to the plate. The feed pins thus run in the longitudinal channel between the strip guide 44 and the adjacent longitudinal wall of the housing.

With the structure as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the strips being fed pass over the upper surface of the plate 20. and beneath the cover plate 4|. The under surface of the cover plate'adjacent to the feed pins and the lower face of the guide 44 thus cooperate with the upper surfaces of the strips to guide the latter and to'position and maintain them in correct relation with reference to the feed pins during the feeding operation. Therefore this improved structure for guiding and positioning the strips takes the place of the strip guide above particularly described in connection with Figs. 5 and 7. The top of the register is thus smooth and free from projections which might -in some instances be objectionable.

Since certain changes may be -made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be resorted to without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense;

I-Iavingdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a curved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed and merging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mounted on said carrier band and adapted to engage and feed the strips, the strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of said carrier sections, and the strip supporting face of said. flat platen being disposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a curved part and a. strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed and merging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mounted on said, carrier band and adapted to engage and feed the strips, the strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposed substantially in the line of connection of said carrier sections, the attachments of the pins to the carrier band being disposed within said line of connection and substantially in the plane of said platen, and the strip supporting face of said flat platen being .disposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including an endless chain of plvotally connected links, and an endless succession of feed' pins mounted on said chain and adapted to enter preformed marginal perforations of the strip and feed the strip, the inner terminals of the feed transmitting strip engaging sections of said pins being disposed inside the line of centers of said links and being substantially flush with the strip supporting face of said flat platen, said chain being movable in a path such that the line of centers of said links will travel above the level of the strip supporting face of the platen.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a curved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed and merging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mounted on said carrier band and spaced inwardly from said connected sections toward said platen and adapted to engage and feed the strips, and the strip supporting face of said flat platen being disposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of said connected "sections.

of the strip being fed and on which the feed pins are respectively supported, strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of said carrier sections, and the strip supporting face of said flat platen being disposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection, a strip guide positioned in opposing relation to said pin supporting brackets for cooperative guiding engagement with the strips adjacent to the strip feed part of said carrier band, and means, for

. mounting said guide for movement away from strip guiding position into strip adjusting position..

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a curved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed and of feed pins mounted on said carrier band and adapted to engage and feed the strips, the strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of said carrier sections, said pins being positioned with reference to the strip path so as to enter into strip feeding engagement during movement thereof from said curved part of the flexible carrier to the said feed part thereof, and the strip supporting face' of said fiat platen being disposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection of the flexible carrier, the strip feeding mechanism being positioned ing fed, the opposite longitudinal margin being merging with said curved part, and a succession free from feeding engagement with any feeding mechanism.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to a longitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside of the strip supporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mounted on said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof and inwardly toward said platen into position immediately beneath the strip path, a succession of feed pins respectively mounted on said brackets and extending into the strip path so as to engage and feed the strips, a movably mounted cover overlying said platen and carrier band, and longitudinal strip guides on said cover positioned at opposite sides of the course of said pins adjacent to the latter, said cover being provided with a housing in which said carrier band is received and housed.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adaptedto support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexiblecarrier band hazing connected sections and having a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to'a longitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside" of: the strip supporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mounted on said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof and inwardly toward said platen into posit'on immediately beneath the strip path, a succession of feed pins respectively mounted on said braekets and extending into the strip path so'as to engage and feed the strips, a movably mounted cover overlying said platen and carrier band,

and having a housing for the latter oflset from the plane of the cover-, said housing having a longitudinal wall adjacent the course. of said feed pins, and a, longitudinal strip guide'on said cover and positioned at the opposite side of said sections and having a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to the longitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside of the strip supporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mounted on said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof inwardly toward said platen into position immediately beneath the strip path, and a succession of feed pins respectively mounted on said brackets and extending into the strip path into feeding engagement with the strips.

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flat platen adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to the longitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside of the strip supporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mounted on said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof inwardly toward said platen into position immediately beneath the strip path, a succession of feed pins respectively mounted on said brackets and extending into the strip path into feeding engagement with the strips, and a supportin plate secured to the machine and extending beneath said feed part of said carrier band into proximity to said platen and forming a guide and support for said pin supporting brackets.

LOUIS F. HAGEMAN.

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