US2232424A - Machine for printing commercial paper instruments - Google Patents

Description

H. R. BAKER ET AL Feb. 18, 1941.

MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1939 'F'lGl 1a @1776115! H w 1s Sheets-Sheet 2 H. R. BAKER ETAL MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 Feb. 18, 1941.

Feb. 18, 1941. HQR. BAKER ET AL 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING CCIMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS FIG 4 N I U IVENTOQEQ BY wxmm Feb. 18, 1941. H. R. BAKER ET AL I 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING CUMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 ly 2 -4ax 3 IZA - A TTORNEY Feb. 18, 1941. H, R BAKER ET A 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINT ING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV N'gRi BY fit/Mm,

V ATTORNEXS Feb- 18 H. ER ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS v Filed Aug. 29, 1939 15 SheetsShet e 7/ 7O I m zvw:

-r-/ T Q 66 69 FIG 7A 3 I 7/ 5 5 4 9 69 y 70A fie 54 o 52 53 o 56, I TI 7 Z o 1 T2 69 o 8 INVENTO 5 I a I #1 24 Mada) 7/ 9 BY xami'sw ATTORNEY$ Feb. 18, 1941. H. R. BAKER ET AL 2,232,424

' MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 13 eets-S eet 7 BY w ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941.

H. R. BAKER ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS l Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 29, 1939 v O 7v FIG [0 b mu H v ATTORN Feb. 18, 1941. BAKER ETAL 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS l3 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 29, 1939 m no Feb. 18, 1941 RIKBAK'ER ET AL I 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER. IN STRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 I4 96 a 5 o g I I4- fiev Em 96y G 37 6D 9 36 s k aw a a a I yas g; 56H 3A 0 I an as o a ,sezr a c m I 58 0 66A 65 a 9! :j: 68

a7 E6? 67 e6 86 a4 53 a I v INVENTORS TORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941. H. R. BAKER ET AL 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTOR u 3154M BY 72 glam Feb. 18, 1941. R BAKER ET AL 2,232,424

- MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug 29, 1939 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORS ATTORNE Feb. 18, 1941. 4 'H R, BAK ER ETAL 2,232,424

MACHINE FOR PRINTING COMMERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 29, 1939 13 Shets-Sheet 13 l9 FIG /8 IN\ 'ENTORS BY new, .WMW mm M A RNEYS Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR PRINTING COIVHVIERCIAL PAPER INSTRUMENTS Hugh R. Baker and Chester S. Wilson, Geneva, N. Y.

Application August 29, 1939, Serial No. 292,510

32 Claims.

Our invention is a novel machine for protectively writing the monetary or unitary figures of value on stock certificates, letters of credit, drafts of exchange, certificates of deposit, money orders, bank checks, notes and all other forms of securities and commercial paper, both negotiable and non-negotiable, our unique writing rendering virtually impossible any fraudulent altering or raising of such figures of amount; and further tending to preclude the forging of the signature of a payer and to safeguard in no small degree against counterfeiting of the instrument. The chief object of our invention is to provide a machine that will impose the numerals of value on the instrument, but which preliminarily, or by the'same operation, will impress a safety tint on the paper, covering the entire surface of the instrument or any portion thereof, said tint consisting of compact, parallel rows of minute repetitions of the actual figures of the amount which latter figures are overprinted on the tint. Thus the writing of the amount automatically supplies the underlying tint, and eliminates any necessity for first printing the tint by a prior operation, or by a separate machine or press. Ourprotective background, thus automatically created, need not be in sensitive ink. It functions at all parts simultaneously, not merely or exclusively at the immediate point of alteration, and thus it is immaterial whether the ink of the tint be fugitive or permanent. The effect of our novel tint is to broaden the protective area, to multiply the obstacles confronting the forger, and to make the amount of the instrument self-verifying or selfattesting. Mechanical or facsimile signatures, used in conjunction with our tint, would be safeguarded to a considerable extent, and since a ribbon texture is hard to photo-engrave, the tint would constitute a strong protection against counterfeiting.

We will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our novel machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, showing a typical ableinstrument printed by our machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view, showing the tint or background of the over-writing.

negoti- Fig. 3A is a diagrammatic view of the tint elements.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, looking into the machine from the right-hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the front of the machine, partly broken away, to show the power drive and the clutch for the semi-vacuum cylinder, also the idler for the ribbon.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the clutch and adjacent parts.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation showing the secondary digit carrier and' solenoid coils which actuate the tint mechanism.

Fig. 7A is a diagram of cam movements of symbols.

Fig. 8 is a section through the ribbon roll on the outer side of the digit carrier.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section, showing the actuating mechanism for the secondary digits.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section through the semi-vacuum cylinder.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section through the semi-vacuum cylinder.

Fig. 12 is a transverse section through the primary cylinder.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section through the primary cylinder taken on the line l3--I3, Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section through the primary cylinder taken on the line l4l4, Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a section through a single cylinder of the pump, taken on the line I5-l5, Fig. 10.

Figs. 16 and 16A are plan and edge views of one of the primary cylinder cams for printing the over-writing.

Fig. 17 is a section on the line |l--Il, Fig. 6.

Fig. 18 is a top cam View of the control box.

Fig. 19 is a section through the control box on the line [9-49, Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a section through the control box on the line 20-20, Fig. 18.

Figs. 21 and 21A are edge and plan views of one of the secondary digit wheels.

As shown, the machine preferably comprises a casing I of substantially rectangular shape, having side, end, and top walls, the same resting upon a base 2 preferably supported upon casters 3 so that same may be conveniently moved from place to place, as desired. In one narrow vertical wall of casing 1 adjacent the upper end is a rectangular inwardly, contracting mouth la,

the walls of which terminate adjacent the periphery of. a semi-vacuum cylinder within the casing, hereinafter referred to, and a shelf 4 is provided in the lower part of the mouth extending substantially horizontally from the periphery of the cylinder and beyond the front of the casing. At the side of shelf'4 is a control box 5 5 for operating the primary and secondary digits,

and for setting the machine in motion, as hereinafter described.

Within casing extending longitudinally there-. of is a pair of frame members 6 and 6a adapted to support the primary and semi-vacuum cylinders, the digit carrier and ribbon units, as hereinafter described, said members being spaced apart as desired, and one member 611 (Fig. 5) being spaced from the adjacent side face of the casing I. Journaled between the frames 6-6a is a shaft 1 coaxial with the shaft of 'the semivacuum cylinder 9, hereinafter described. Said shaft 1 has one end extending between the side frame 6a and the adjacent wall of easing and has its outer end journaled in a bearing in a depending bracket 8 (Figs. 5 and 6) supported upon the upper end of frame 6a. On said shaft is a drive pulley l preferably having grooves for a plurality of V-belts three being shown, said pulley l8 being loose upon shaft 1. Journaled in a bracket |2a on frame 6a below the shaft 1 is a drive shaft l2 driven directly by an electric motor l3 or the like, said shaft l2 having a drive pulley |2b thereon, likewise provided with grooves for the belts II. In order to maintain the belts at substantially constant tension, an idler pulley I5 is provided journaled on an arm l6 pivoted on the frame 6a, said arm l8 being normally disposed at such angle to the vertical that the weight of the same and the pulley will normally deflect the runs of the belts towards each other to take up any slack in the belts. Splined on the shaft I is a collar 1a having a groove lb receiving a fork |8 mounted upon a slide bar I9 4o operatively controlled from the control box 5 as hereinafter described Said collar Ia carries clutch dogs 1c adapted when shifted in a direction towards pulley l0 to engage corresponding clutch recesses in the adjacent face of said pulley, said 45 clutch being disengaged when the slide bar I9 is shifted in the opposite direction. When the clutch is engaged the shaft 1 is locked vto pulley III to cause the shaft to rotate therewith.

The inner end of the shaft 1 between the frames 50 6-61: is operatively connected with the semivacuum cylinder 9, the opposite end of the cylinder being journaled in a bearing 9a in the opposite frame 6, whereby rotation of the shaft 1 will rotate the said cylinder, the periphery of which 55 cylinder is exposed through the open mouth la of the casing I. Preferably the slide bar |9-is operated by a solenoid 28 having a core 280, and a link 2| pivoted in the bracket 8 connects the core 28a and the slide bar l9 whereby as the core 0 is actuated the slide bar will be reciprocated in the opposite direction. The coil of the solenoid is connected in a suitable electric circuit including a starting button in the control box 5, hereinafter described.

The semi-vacuum cylinder 9 (Figs. 10-11-15) preferably comprises a cylindrical member having end plates carrying bosses 9a forming bearlugs for the cylinder in the side frames 66a,

the end walls being preferably secured to the ends ,7 of the cylinder by means of angle iron rings 9b pressure and vacuum pump 30 mounted within the cylinder 9, said pump 30 having a shaft 3| journaled in a bracket and carrying a bevel gear 32 at one end meshing with a bevel gear 32a on the shaft 33 of an electric motor 34 which is likewise housed in the cylinder -9, whereby the motor 34 will directly drive the pump 30 and will direct air under pressure in, or will withdraw air under vacuum from, the nozzle 28. Preferably the pump shaft 3| as shown in Figs. 10 and 15 carries an eccentric cam 3|:r which operates, by means of a piston rod 360 a piston 31v housed in a cylinder 3812 in the pump casing 30,

said cylinder 38v forming the vacuum producing means for the nozzle 28, and said cylinder 382) having in its outer end beyond the piston 3112 an inwardly opening valve 391) (Fig. 15) normally maintained seated by a spring, the valve 3922 opening into a duct 3011 leading directly through valve sleeve 29 into the nozzle 28. In the side of the cylinder 38v beyond the piston 310 is a port 40a preferably a V-port in which is seated an outwardly opening spring pressed ball valve 401) whereby as the piston 311) is reciprocated by the shaft 3| air will be sucked through the plate 25 and strainer 28a and through port 30a to the nozzle 28 past the valve 390 at the end of the cylinder 38v and discharged on the next compression stroke of the piston 31v past the ball valve 40, the air escaping to the atmosphere within the cylinder 9.

In the pump 38 is a second cylinder 38b (Fig. 10) housing a piston 31b operated by piston rod 361) from cam 3|:c on the shaft 3| in a manner similar to the piston 31v previously described, said cylinder 38b producing pressure and containing valves 38b and 405 similar to valves 39v and 400 previously described, except that the ball valve 481) opens inwardly and the valve 39b in the end of the cylinder 38!) opens outwardly, whereby as piston 31b is reciprocated by shaft 3| air under pressure is drawn from within the cylinder 9 and directed past the valve 3% into the nozzle 28 to force air under pressure through the perforations therein.

At one end of the semi-vacuum cylinder 9 are a pair of concentric collector rings 340-3411 con- .stantly engaged by a pair of brushes 34e mounted in insulating block 349 andurged towards the rings by springs 34 said brushes being connected in an electric circuit whereby the motor 34 will be constantly energized to operate the-pump 30 when the master switch is on. The collector rings 34c-34d' and their mountings are necessarily insulated from each other and from the end wall of the cylinder 9 in the usual manner, whereby whenever the master switch is on the motor 34 will constantly actuate the pump 30 irrespective of whether or not the cylinder is rotating, to establish either vacuum or air pressure in nozzle 28 depending upon the position of the valve 29.

Within the duct (Figs. 10-11) leading to nozzle 28 is a. tubular valve 29 comprising a sleeve carrying its lower end a pin 42 engaging an eccentric groove 43a in a face cam 43 fixedly mounted on a shaft 44 extending through the opposite end wall of cylinder 9. Shaft 44 is also provided with a lateral arm 46, and a spring 41 is connected with arm 46 and to an eye 41a fixed of the interior of cylinder 9 whereby cam 43 is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 11, in which sleeve valve 29 is retracted to its lowermost position. The projecting end of shaft 44 carries a rigid trip arm 48 exteriorly of the casing 9 for actuating'cam shaft at predetermined times, as hereinafter explained.

Valve sleeve 29 is provided with four por-ts' 29a, 29b, 29c and 29d and sleeve 29 is open at its upper end. One port 29a connects the duct 99a extending from the vacuum pump 99; with the interior of the valve sleeve when the valve 29 is in normal position as shown in Fig. 11, so that the air will be sucked into the vacuum cylinder 38:) and preferably through strainer 28a disposed in the connection between the nozzle 28 and the pump housing 39. When in such position a second port 29b in the valve tube connects the duct 90b from the pressure cylinder 38b of pump 39 with an opening 30:: in the side wall of the pump, whereby the air under pressure from the pressure cylinder 39b is directed through opening 39:: directly into'the interior of cylinder 9 and the air under pressure is thus diverted from en-' tering the nozzle 28. When the trip arm 49 is actuated by a pin 48b (Fig. 6) as hereinafter explained, the cam shaft 44 is rotated approximately 180 and the valve sleeve 29 is raised by action of the pin 42 in the cam groove 43a to raised position, at which time a port 290 inthe valve sleeve 29 is in register with the duct 301) from the pressure cylinder 38b of pump 39 whereby air under pressure is directed into the nozzle 28 and through the perforated cover plate 26 for the purpose hereinafter explained. At the same time a fourth port 29d in the valve sleeve 29 connects the vacuum cylinder duct 39a with an I idle port 393/ communicating directly with the 25 of cylinder 9 will be accessible through the mouth la of the casing l, as indicated in'Figs. 1 and 2. As shownin Figs. 5, 6 and 17 a ring member 49 is provided having a radially disposed slot 493: slidably mounted on the slide bar l9 of side frame 5a, the ring 49 embracing a disk 59 on the shaft 1 of the cylinder 9 and being vertically movable with respect to shaft 1. At the lower end of the ring 49 is an inwardly or upwardly projecting lug 49a (Fig. 17) adapted to engage a corresponding recess 50a in disk 59 thereby locking shaft 1 against rotation in the same position whenever the ring 49 is raised, and thus insuring that the perforated cover plate 25 of cylinder 9 will be visible through the mouth la in the casing The upper end of the slot is provided withan inclined cam surface adapted to be engaged by a corresponding cam lug |9x on slide bar l9, whereby when the slide bar I9 is shifted in a direction to disengage the clutch la I the engaging cam surfaces will lift the ring 49 sufiicientlyto enter the lug 49a in the notch 59a. as the shaft 1 rotates the disk 59 and the ring 5| commences in the upper'part of the casing adjacent the upper wall of the mouth as shown in Fig. 4, arcuately throughout an arc of approximately 205. The digit carrier includes a series of closely adjacent shafts 52 parallel with the axis of cylinder 9 each having fixedly mounted thereon dies 53 (Fig. 9),'said shafts being movable radially towards or from the periphery of the cylinder 9. Each shaft 52 is supported in carrier 5| by a plurality of parallel arms 54 carrying at their outerends self-oiling bearings, said arms projecting through bores 5|a extending through the carrier 5|, the bores being enlarged at their outer ends as at 5|b and carrying springs 56 interposed between the bases of the enlarged bores and washers 51 mounted adjacent the outer ends of the arms 54 which latter project beyond the adjacent ends of the bores 5") as shown in Fig. 9. By the above construction, each shaft 52 is supported in a position parallel with the axis of the cylinder 9 and slightly spaced therefrom as shown in Fig. 11; and each die wheel 53 is of small diameter and contain repetitions of the same number, said wheel 53 being preferably fixedly mounted on said shafts 52.

Each shaft 52 is actuated towards the cylinder 9 .by means of a plurality of cams 59 (Fig. 9) mounted upon a cam shaft 50 journaled in fixed bearings 5| in the adjacent face of the carrier 5|, said cams 59 directly engaging the outer ends of the arms 54 and controlling the spacing of the shaft 52 with respect to the walls of cylinder 9. Each cam shaft 89 is provided on one end with an arm 52, and a spring 69 connects the arm 92 with a fixed lug 5|:c on the carrier 5| whereby the shaft 99 is normally maintained in position to maintain dies 53 spaced from cylinder 9. Each shaft 69 is rotated by means of an arm 54 thereon connected by links 65 with the core 58a of a fixed solenoid 59 mounted in the carrier opposite the related cam shaft 69 whereby when the solenoid 58 is excited, the cam shaft 59 will be rocked to cause the cams 59 to act on theends of the arms 54 and move the die shaft 52 towards and into contact with the semi vacuum cylinder 9. Each solenoid 98 is connected in its related electric circuit leading to its respective button on the control box 5 mounted on the casing I, hereinafter described. I

The die shafts 52 of the digit carrier 5| are rotated .by and with the rotation of the semivacuum cylinder 9, each said die shaft 52 of the digit carrier carrying on its end adjacent frame 6a a pinion 52a meshing with a ring gear 52b of the adjacent end of cylinder} (Fig. 11). The end of each shaft 5-2 adjacent the gear 52b is preferably supported against flexing by means of a sliding bearing, (Fig. 9) having va shank 55a passing through a bore 55b in the carrier 5| and operated by a cam 550 on the related cam shaft 59 similar to the action of cams 59 which operate the sliding arms 54 of the shafts 52.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the machine illustrated is shown as, but not necessarily limited to, having sufficient dies to .print $999,999.99 the dollar symbol, the decimal point and cents symbol being applied as-hereinafter described, and thus the digit carrier 5! shown in the present embodiment must be provided with eight sets of die shafts 52 for each row R'RM (Fig. 3) of Figures in the tint R, and. each set has die shafts adapted to print numerals 1 to 0. As there are only six digits in the maximum dollars that the machine shown will print, the first set in the digit carrier comprises six shafts 5-2 in a bank T ('Fig. '7) each containing dies 53 adapted to print dollar symbols, it being understood that a dollar symbol is to be displayed in place of a figure 1-9 or when such figure is not shown in the amount, as indicated inFig. 3A. The second bank T (Fig. 7) in the digit carrier consists of eight die shafts 52 one for each digit in the amount and each die shaft in this second bank contains dies 53 adapted to print the nu-- meral 1. The third bank T2 (Fig. 'l) likewise consists of eight die shafts 52, one for each digit in the amount each having dies 53 adapted to print the numeral 2. The fourth bank T3 of die shafts, in the digit carrier consists of eight shafts one for each digit in the amount each adapted to print the numeral 3. Similarly, a bank is provided successively for each individual numeral in the overwriting adapted to print the umerals 4n, 5, 6n, 7, 8n, 9, 0", respectively. For convenience we have not attempted to show all of the shafts and operating means in the digit carrier as those illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9 are sufiicient to show the operation of all the banks. If desired the bank for the zero dies may be inserted between the dollar symbol bank T and the bank T for printing the numeral 1", although generally it is preferable to dispose the zero bank at the end of the digit carrier as above described.

The tint panel R may comprise as many parallel rows or groups R'R.M of the amount for which the check is to be drawn as desired. The panel R may cover the area of the entire check as shown in Fig. 3 or merely small fields within the border thereof as indicated in Fig. 2. The primary purpose of the invention is to have the; numerals in the rows or groups R'R'H in the tint R correspond in amount with that of overwriting W (Fig. 2) for which the check or instrument is drawn. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the check is drawn-for $777,777.77 and in order to set the digit carrier 5! for the above amount, a control panel 5 is provided in which the digits may be set in the desired order.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 18, 19, 20, the control panel 5 is provided with eight vertical rows of buttons 5a with ten buttons in five of the rows, and the buttons are marked on their faces to indicate the particular number "1 to 9 and/ or 0 which it controls in the digit carrier 5|, and thus in order to set up the amount $777,777.77 shown in the tint R in Fig. 3, the button '7 in each of the eight rows of control buttons he would be pressed. The pressing buttons 5a in the control panel 5 closes their respective electric solenoid circuits of the digit carrier whereby depressing a button 5a will actuate the related solenoid 68 to draw the plunger 68a inwardly of the coil and thereby rock the related cam shaft 691* and shift the related die shaft 52 towards the periphery of the cylinder 9 in which position the die wheels 53 on the die shaft 52 will make printing contact with any raised portions 26a (Fig. 10) of the die plate 26, so that when a piece of paper or the like is held onto the die plate 26 by the action of vacuum within the nozzle 28 of cylinder 9, the paper will have printed thereon in parallel rows or groups R-RM (Fig. 3) a tint consisting of a plurality of minute and legible figures which will serve to verify the amount of the overwriting W (Fig. 2) for which the check or other negotiable instrument is drawn.

In the panel 5, aside from the above mentioned buttons 5a, is a button 5b (Fig. 18) bearing the letter R adapted when depressed to release the vacuum normally set up within nozzle 28 of cylinder} for the purpose hereinafter explained; also another button 50 (Fi 18) bearing the notation CYL adapted when depressed to actuate the clutch solenoid 20 which causes rotation of the semi-vacuum cylinder 9; also a button 50. (Fig. 18) marked RC for restoring all the depressed control buttons 5a to normal position for resetting purposes in case a wrong button 5a may have been depressed in setting up the amount in the digit carrier 5i. Buttons 5a are held in a normal out position by springs 5e (Fig. 19) around the shanks of the buttons, until depressed by the operator, whereupon same are locked insuch positions by latches ti on shafts 5r, which latches are urged into locking positions by springs 59 (Fig. 20). When a button 5a is depressed, a spring 5h in a bore in the end of the shank of said button acts upon a telescoping pin 51' causing the latter to close therelated electric contacts 5k mounted on a non-conducting plate 5m held firmly in the back of panel 5.

Referring to Fig. 18, the vertical column of buttons to at the right on panel 5 are electrically connected to their respective banks of solenoids G8 to actuate, i. e., project, the die shafts 52 in the digit carrier 5| for the corresponding die wheels 53, to print the amount shown on the depressed button 5a in the cents columns of all the rows RRl4 of the tint; similarly the second column will control the tens of cents values appearing in the rows in the tint; the third column will control the dollars; the fourth column, the tens of dollars"; the fifth column, the hundreds of dollars; and so on to the eighth column which will control the hundreds of thousands of dollars, the setting up of the tint thus being automatic according to the particular buttons 50 in panel 5 which are depressed.

Normally the related banks of die wheels in the digit carrier are automatically actuated into printing position so that if no buttons 5a in the panel 5 are depressed, the tint impressed on a sheet run through the machine will read $$$$$$$.00. -Whenever however a button 501. in any of the vertical columns in panel 5 is depressed, the related or 0" symbol is automatically retracted and the symbol corresponding with the depressed button is projected into printing position. As soon as the said button is released, however, the or 0 symbol is automatically returned into printing position by suitable cam means actuated by magnets controlled by the buttons on said panel. After the buttons 5a have been properly depressed to set up the tint, and cylinder t has been rotated for almost one complete revolution as hereinafter described, a lever Hi6 (Fig. 4) is moved by an arm 803 on cylinder 9 to close a switch it? in an electric circuit including a solenoid 511 (Fig. 20) in the panel 5 to retract the core 5p thereof and actuate an arm 5g on shaft 51' and rotate same so as to cause pads s thereon to engage latches of 5i and thereby disengage the latch hooks from the shanks of the buttons 5a, thereby permitting all buttons 50. to be returned by springs 56 to normal positions.

In the digit carrier 5|, the first bank T (Fig. '7) is utilized only in event the amount shown in the tint is below one hundred thousand dollars, in which event the proper control buttons 5a ofpanel 5 would be depressed to set up "dollar symbols as shown in Fig. 3A many of the unused dollars columns of each row of the tint. Thus in the event the amount of the check was less than ten thousand dollars, the buttons on the control panel 5 would be operated to print two dollar. symbols at the extreme left of the amount in each row of the tint. If the amount was less than ten dollars the control buttons would'be operated to print five dollar symbols at the extreme left of the amount in each tint.

The actual printing from the digit carrier 5| on the check is effected by means of an endless inking ribbon 59 (Figs. 4-5-7-11)- having one run interposed between the die wheels 53 of the digit carrier 5| and the periphery of the cylinder 9, the said ribbon running over guide rollers Ill mounted on shafts 1| (Figs. 7-8) jo'urnaled in the outer periphery of the digit carrier 5|, and over' rollers 18a at the ends of the digit carrier. The inking ribbon 59 also runs between spaced guide rollers 12 (Fig. 4) at the lower end of the digit carrier 5|, and under a looping roller 13 mounted in vertical guides 13a in the frame for maintaining constant tension on inking ribbon 59. The shaft 10:: of the upper guide rollers 18a (Figs. 4-5-7) nearest cylinder 9 constitutes the drive shaft for the inking ribbons 59, the shaft 18a: projecting through the frame 5a parallel with the cylinder 9 and carrying on its end a small pinion 18y (Fig. 5) meshing with a ring gear 5211 carried by the cylinder 9 whereby the ribbon '59 will be moved or advanced in the same direction as the cylinder 9 and at substantially the same peripheral speed, so as to prevent smudging of the ink on the check or other blank carried by the cylinder 9 during the printing operation, the ribbon 59 being moved by the rotation of roller 18a on shaft 19x and by gripping of the portion of the ribbon interposed between die wheels 53 and printing plate 25. As the outer run of ribbon 59 is supported upon the series of idler rollers 18 mounted upon rods 1| journaled on the outer arcuate face of digit carrier 5|, the passage of said ribbon around the digit carrier is effected with a minimum of friction.

Cooperating with the vacuum cylinder is a primary cylinder 15 journaled in the side frames 5, 5a parallel with the periphery of the semivacuum cylinder 9, but spaced therefrom a slight distance for the purpose hereinafter described, the cylinder 15 being rotatably mounted for oscillation through small arcuate limit. Primary cylinder 15 preferably comprises a cylindrical drum closed at both ends by end plates I5 carrying studs 1! and bearings 18 which engage journals in the side frames. Spaced from the end plates 11 are panels 19 for the purpose hereinafter described. Adjacent the center of cylinder 15 are a pair of spaced parallel brackets 88 through which passes a shaft 83 of relatively large diameter disposed parallel with but offset from the axis of cylinder. In-the periphery of cylinder -"|5 between the brackets 88 is an opening 15.1:

(Figs. 12-13), and journaled on the shaft 83 are a plurality of closely adjacent dies 83ato 83c of substantially sector shape, the peripheries of which are adapted to project through openings 15a: slightly beyond the periphery of cylinder 15. The arcuate end of each die 83b and 830 (Figs. 15-16A) carries spaced dies adapted to print in relatively large characters the numerals l to 9 and 0, whereby the cams when pivoted on the shaft 83 into operative position, as hereinafter described, may be arranged to print any desired value. As shown in Fig. 13, there is one die 8311, six dies 83b, one die 83c, two dies 83c, and one die 83d adapted to form a bank which will print values up to 99,999. 9; thus die 83a bears only the symbol. The six dies 83b which are adapted to print the dollars values each bears dies to print the values 1 to 9" and 0, also one symbol. The single die 83c prints only the decimal point. The two dies 830 which are adapted to print the cents values each bears dies to print only the values 1 to 9 and 0, The single die 83d bears only the symbol. Thus dies 83a and 83d are fixed to their respective brackets 88 by screws or pins 88a (Fig. 13), also-die 83e is fixed; while dies 83 and 830 are oscillatory on shaft 83. The inner end of each movable die 83b83c is preferably provided with a gear 84 adapted to engage its respective rack bar (Fig. 12) slidably mounted on two or more parallel rods 81 mounted in said brackets 88, the sliding racks 85 having elongated slots of such length that any printing symbol on the related die 83b-83c may be brought into proper printing position with respect to the opening 15:1: in the side of cylinder 15.

The dies 83b-83c are mounted upon shaft 83 in closely adjacent relation, with the operating ears 84 of each die mounted on the side thereof, said gears serving also as spacing washers for the bank of dies. The rack bars 85 which actuate the respective dies 83b-83c are held in spaced relation upon the supporting rods 81 by means of spacers 810 (Fig. 13) of suitable thickness. By the above construction each rack bar 85 will only operate its related die 83b-83c and the various rack bars may be adjusted, as hereinafter described, to set up the bank to-print the desired value. Each rack bar 85 is normally yildably maintained in position to bring the symbol of each die 83b and the 0 symbol of each die 830 into printing position by means of contractile springs 98 each having one end hooked into its related rack bar and the other end engaging a fixed bracket 9| on the wall of the cylinder.

On the upper end of each rack bar 85 is a lateral stud 85b receiving an elongated slot in the lower end of an operating lever, 85a the upper end of which lever is pivoted on a shaft 92 secured adjacent the wall of the cylinder 15 by suitable brackets and at a point substantially diametrically opposite the shaft 83, whereby as the lever is swung transversely of the cylinder 15 the related rack bar 85 will be shifted against the action of its spring 98 and thereby shift the related die 83b-83c to bring the symbol for the desired numeral or character into printing position.

As shown in Figs. 12-13-14 the means for shifting each arm 85a comprises a bank of ten solenoids 95 supported upon non-conducting pads 95a and angle-iron brackets 95b, five solenoids preferably being disposed at each side of the lever 85a, said solenoids having cores disposed vertically and adapted to respectively operate links 85a, 95b, 95c, 95d, 95fi 95i, 95g, 95h 51',

and 9G7 connected with a series of ten spaced studs 97 on the side of the lever, each solenoid 95 operating its respective link. The upper end of each solenoid core is connected by a link 9S1: to one arm of a bell crank lever 96;], the other arm of which is connected to its related link wit-967' which link has an elongated slot directly fitting over its related stud M on the arm 86a whereby as the plunger of the solenoid is depressed, when its coil is excited, the slotted link will be shifted laterally by operation of the bell crank 96y to shift the operating arm 86a according to the length of the respective slot in the link. As shown, the slots in links the-961' inclusive, associated with the respective studs 9? on the operating levers 86a progressively increase in length from the upper link 9611 (Fig. 12) towards the lower link 96y so that when the uppermost link 96a is shifted by its related solenoid 95 the lever 86a is shifted through a larger angle to shift the related die 8317-830 from the position in which the symbol is in operative position in cylinder 15, into the position in which the symbol is disposed in operative position. Similarly, as each next lower link 96b, 96 et seq. is shifted by its related solenoid 95 so that the die 8317-830 will be swung on the shaft 83 through successively smaller arcs to bring successive symbols "9 to "1 into printing position, i. e., midway of the opening 152: in the wall of cylinder 15. Each of the solenoids 95 is in electric circuit with its related button a in its related row on the control panel 5, so that when a particular button in a row on the control panel 5 is depressed to set up the desired numerals in the digit carrier 5| of the tint panel, the corresponding solenoid 95 in the primary cylinder I5 is simultaneously actuated to shift the related die 83b in the bank in cylinder '15 so that the same figure will be printed in the same row in the overwriting of the check, and thus the setting of the dies for the tint and for the overwriting is automatic and simultaneous and the tint will act to verify the amount for which the check or' other negotiable instrument is drawn.

In order to conserve space within cylinder '85 the bell crank levers 9611 which actuate the slotted levers 96a for uppermost pins 9? on each of the operating levers 86a, are preferably made in the forms of telescoping tubes or shafts, whereby the shafts may pass one through another while preserving the same axis of rotation, and the shafts operating the outermost rack bars 3% in the bank being the larger (as shown in Figs. 13-14), while those operating the centrally disposed rack bars are the smaller.

The dies 83a83b-83c-83d-83e of the primary cylinder 15 when in printing position, project beyond the periphery of said cylinder such distance that same will contact with any raised portions 26a on the printing plate 26 of the semivacuum cylinder 9 when the cylinders are revolving. Normally the primary cylinder I5 rests in such position that its dies 83a-83e are out of contact with the plate 26 on cylinder 9 through the action of a light spring l0! (Fig. 4) fixed at one end to a pin lnlb on the end of the primary cylinder, the other end of the spring engaging a bracket lllia on the frame. The primary cylinder also carries a pin I02 (Figs. 4 and 13) substantially opposite the die opening '15:: adapted to be engaged by 2. lug I03 (Figs. 4 and 11) on the vacuum cylinder 9 after the vacuum cylinder has almost made one complete revolution, 1. e.,

aasaaas after cylinder 9 has carried the check or other negotiable instrument throughout the entire length of the digit carrier 5i, whereupon the lu 5% comes into contact with the pin )2 on primary cylinder 5 and causes the primary cylinder to rotate therewith in such direction that the dies t3ad3e of primary cylinder l5 contact squarely with the check on the raised portions its on the printing plate 25 of vacuum cylinder 9. After such printing operation the primary cylinder '85 will again return to its normal position by means of the spring mi.

Suitable means are provided for inking the dies 330-83e of primary cylinder '15, said means consisting of an endless ribbon ltd passing over guide rollers 12p and an arcuate guide l2q disposed adjacent the periphery of the primary cylinder '15 (Fig. 4), said ribbon having one run disposed between the primary and vacuum cylinders 5 and 9, the ribbon below the vacuum cylinder passing under a weighted roller 13b, vertically slidably mounted between the side frames 66a, the weight of roller 13b maintaining a substantially constant tension upon the inking ribbon I04. Said ribbon is progressed step by step around the orbit the primary cylinder by reason of the fact that the one run is interposed between the vacuum and primary cylinders 9 and I5 and is therefore shifted therewith while the printing plate 26 and dies 33a-83e are in contact, the ribbon moving in the direction of rotation of the vacuum cylinder. As soon as the printing plate 26 and the dies Mat-83d of primary cylinder 15 have rolled out of contact, the primary cylinder is snapped back by the action of the spring Illl, until a pin i050 (Fig. 4) on the end wall of the cylinder 15 strikes a springpressed plunger I05 mounted in the side frame t, the plunger acting to cushion the cylinder 15 against sudden jars, and the primary cylinder 75 and its inking ribbon'lM thereafter coming to rest. Owing to the uick-return of the primary cylinder to its normal out-of-register position, the inking ribbon I04 is prevented from moving with said cylinder, thereby preserving the function of moving the ribbon Hi4 step-bystep with each operation of the primary cylinder. Ribbons its and 6% may bear ink of any colors or combinations of colors.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that for any amount or value appearing in the tint, the decimal point, the symbol, and the symbol at the extreme left of the amount, always appear and therefore it is not necessary to provide in the digit carrier 5| solenoid operated dies to print these, and we accordingly provide yieldable dies on the digit carrier for printing the above symbols irrespective of any value appearing in the print, said dies being preferably mounted at the tail end of the digit carrier 5! on shafts similar to the die shafts 52 shown in Fig. 9, except that the shafts therefore are mounted in yieldable bearing arms rather than positively operated bearing arms, and each shaft carries its respective die symbol, one die carries the t symbol at the extreme left of each row or group of figures in the tint; another die carrying the decimal point for each row of groups of figures in the tint, and the third die carrying the symbol at the extreme right of each row of figuresin the tint. Eachshaft furthermore carries on its outer end a pinion 52a meshing with the ring gear 52b on the vacuum cylinder 9 whereby the three die shafts are rotated whenever the vacuum cylinder is rotated; and the three shafts are yieldably mounted with respect to the vacuum cylinder whereby the desired pressurewill always be set up between the dies and the check or the like carried on the cylinder 9.

Whenever the cylinder 9 is rotating, the operation of the motor 34 normally sets up a vacuum within the nozzle 26, which vacuum is broken when the trip arm 48 is tripped as previously described. Means are also provided whereby the vacuum may be broken at will, the same comprising a button 5b marked R (Fig. 18) mounted upon the control box which when depressed will actuate through a solenoid 511. (Fig. 20) to shift the slide valve 29 thereby breaking the vacuum within the nozzle 28 and directing air under pressure into said nozzle in the manner previously described.

Operation Normally, the parts are at rest and the printing plate 26 on the semi-vacuum cylinder 9 is visible through the mouth la of the casing as indicated in Fig. 5, while the primary cylinder 15 is maintained by the spring llll out of contact with the vacuum cylinder 9. In the control board all of the buttons would be normally in raised position. When a check is to be printed with a value, such as $777,777.77 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the operator first depresses a button lb on the front of casing I (Fig. 1) which actuates the prime mover, l3, which drives, through belts l l, the belt pulley l loosely mounted upon the shaft 1 of-the vacuum cylinder 9, it being understood as previously explained that the belt pulley on said shaft normally rotates idly thereon, the clutch la being normally disengaged.

Thereupon the operatorpresses a button. Ic (Fig. 1) on the front of easing I which closes the circuit for the motor 34 of the pump 30 within the vacuum cylinder 9, and the pump is thereupon set into operation normally setting up vacuum through duct 39a within the nozzle 28 while the air under'pressure from the pressure cylinder 40b of the pump is diverted to the atmosphere within the vacuum cylinder. The operator then presses the buttons 5a in their respective vertical columns in control panel 5 to set up the dies 53 for the desired amount to be reproduced not only in the tint but in the overwriting, each button 511 operating its respective solenoid 68 which prejects its related die shaft 52 for each row or group of figures in the tint, and at the same time simultaneously operates the particular solenoid 95 to set up corresponding dies in the bank in the primary cylinder 15, the operation of the buttons 5a thus automatically correlating the tint and the amount of the overwriting. If a wrong button. 5a in panel 5 is accidentally depressed in setting up the amount to be printed in the tint and overwriting, the operator may depress button 5d in the panel marked RC whereupon all the depressed buttons So will be released and restored to normal position for resetting purposes.

The operator then places a negotiable instrument, which usually but not necessarily will be a check on the printing plate 26 of vacuum cylinder 9. In event the. check should not be properly placedon the printing plate, the vacuton R. the check may be replaced on the printing plate and held thereon byvacuum within the nozzle, so that the portions of the check which are to bear the tint and overwriting may be properly supported upon the raised surfaces 26a of the plate 26.

The operator then presses button 50 (marked CYL in Fig. 18) operating solenoid 20 which throws in the clutch la connecting the drive pulley Ill with the clutch collar on shaft 1.

As soon as the ,button 50 is depressed the locking ring 49 for the shaft 1 of vacuum cylinder 9 is initially released by movement of the slide rod l9 and immediately thereafter the clutch la is engaged so that the shaft I is driven with the pulley Ill. The check thus held on the vacuum cylinder 9 will then be carried around, by rotation of the vacuum cylinder under the dies 53 of the digit carrier 5|, thereby reproducing, on all portions of the check which happen to be positioned over raised surfaces 26a of the printing plate 26, a plurality of rows or groups of valves corresponding with the desired value for which the control panel 5 of the machine has been set, the area of the portions or panels of the tint conforming with the areas and arrange? ments of the raised portions 26a on the printing plate 26.

After the tint has been applied and the vacuum cylinder 9 has rotated substantially 205, the

arm I93 on the end of the vacuum cylinder 9 opposite the printing plate 26 contacts with the pin I02 on theend of primary cylinder 15 dis- I posed adjacent the dies 83a93d and rocks the primary cylinder on its pivots in the same direction as themovement of the vacuum cylinder, thereby bringing the dies of the primary cylinder I5 into contact with the check on the printing plate 26, to thereby impress upon the previously impressed tint the amount of the overwriting, which amount automatically corresponds in value with that of the tint. Upon further rotation of the vacuum cylinder 9, the arm I03 and pin I02 become disengaged, and the spring I III restores the primary cylinder 15 to its normal position in which the dies 83a83d are out of contact with the vacuum cylinder 9, and at the movement the printing plate 26 still carrying the check, reappears opposite the mouth la in the casing I, the trip arm 48 controlling the pump valve 29 is contacted by pin 48b fixed in' the frame 6a to shift said valve, breaking the vacuum in the nozzle 28 and admitting air under pressure therein, andthe printed check is blown from the vacuum cylinder 9 through the said casing mouth. As soon as the trip arm 48 passesthe pin 48b the valve 29 is returned by spring 41 to normal position, and the stop ring 49 is raised by releasing movement of the clutch rod l9 to stop the vacuum cylinder in normal position in which the printing plate 26 is accessible through the mouth of the casing. Whenever the vacuum cylinder 9 is rotating, the ring gear 521) on the end of said cylinder is constantly driving the shafts 52 of all the tint dies 53 also the shafts symbols of the tint.

In stopping, the arm I06. on the vacuum cylinder 9 strikes button I01 just as the cylinder 9 has almost completed its revolution, and closing button I01 excites solenoid 5n in control box 5 serving to release all buttons 5a letting the buttons 5a spring back into normal position, thus deenergizing the solenoids for all overwriting and tint numerals, also releasing the clutch Ia and eng es the brake 49, which stops vacuum

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