US2537747A

US2537747A - Sheet feeding device

Info

Publication number: US2537747A
Application number: US723483A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer H Dreher
Original assignee: Remington Rand Inc
Current assignee: Remington Rand Inc
Priority date: 1947-01-22
Filing date: 1947-01-22
Publication date: 1951-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1968-01-09

Description

E. H. DREHER 2,537,747 SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hill W Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 I NVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER 5, AGENT MlnA 11 VIII IY Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 INVENTOR R E H E R D W T H m G R A r.- M L E y Y B MN Nw A f V 0N 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE IHIH Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 Em E NVQJITOR ELM ER H. DREHER w AGENT 7///// I Z M Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 VOE INVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER 5Y2: Z (M AGENT Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 SheetS- Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 llllllllllllllllll INVENTOR ELMER H DREHER AGENT Jan, 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 22,1947

INVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER AGENT Patented Jan. 9 1951 SHEET FEEDING DEVICE Elmer H. Dreher, East to Remington Rand I poration of Delaware N orwalk, Conn., assignor nc., Buffalo, N. Y., a'cor- Application January 22, 1947, Serial No. 723,483

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to paper feed devices for bookkeeping machines and more particularly to machines of this character in which the paper sheets employed therewith are front fed.

It is the principal object of the present invention to simplify the feeding of paper sheets to the platen in bookkeeping machines, and to increase the speed of operation through a reduction in operator effort.

Another object of the invention is to permit the superpositioning of an individual entry sheet into feeding, adjusting and printing positions without disturbing a previously introduced listing sheet.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate the feeding of papers of various qualities and thicknesses.

A still further object is to permit a more simple and convenient alignment of the front fed paper sheets.

An additional object is to simplify the manual operation for inserting and aligning the paper sheets and ultimately positioning said sheets in printing position.

In carrying out the above objects, the present invention provides a mechanism for positioning an integral feed table in close proximity to the platen in such a manner that the edge of the table adjacent the platen forms a line gauge along which the paper sheets fed from the table are capable of being adjusted by the operator of the machine to set the paper in a desirable aligned position.

Further constructive improvement for carrying out these objects utilizes the gripping instrumentalities which normally press the paper against the platen so that the same are conditioned to loosely grip the paper against the platen when the feed devices are in a paper adjusting position to thereby enable the operator of the machine to readily obtain adjustment of the sheets with no manipulation other than that necessary to locate the sheets properly.

Additional constructive novelty for attaining the aforementioned objects resides in the provision of a settable frame for the machine through which control is exerted over associated instrumentalities for operatively conditioning both the feed. table and the paper gripping feed devices with relation to the platen.

Mechanism has also been provided whereby the platen frame is latched to the carriage frame to locate the platen and the feed devices therewith in separate paper adjusting and printing positions.

In order to adapt the paper feed for diiferent grades and thicknesses of paper, a novel arrangement is provided whereby the angular relationship of the associated front and rear feed tables may be variably settable to accommodate the use thereon of a variety of diiferent types of paper when theplaten is in a paper feeding position.

Other objects and structural details of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine, with various parts broken away to clearly indicate the relative positions thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical front to rear sectional view taken along the lines 22 of Fig. 1 and showing the carriage in a normal printing position;

Fig. 3 is a front cross sectional view of a portion of the machine taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 2. showing the carriage in a position accommodating insertion of the paper;

Fig. 6 is also a sectional view of the machine similar to Figs. 2 and5, the parts in this instance being shown in a paper adjusting position;

Fig. '7 is a partial'sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the upper feed rollers in a completely raised position out of engagement with the platen;

Fig. 8 is a partial detail isometric view of the carriage frame as constructed to embody the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a partial detail isometric view of the platen frame.

Throughout the drawings of the present invention, only an individual entry sheet and a single listing sheet, with its associated carbon sheet, are shown, the same being indicated by the letters L and R, R, respectively.

For purposes of simplicity the invention described herein is shown embodied in a key operated Remington recording and computing ma chine. However, while the invention is herein 3 embodied in the above type machine, it will be understood that the same may be used in connection with any type of recording and computing machine without departing from the scope of the invention. Only so much of the old machine is herein shown and described as is consistent with a clear understanding of the invention.

BASIC CONSTRUCTION (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) The frame of the machine is of the usual construction and includes a top plate l carrying fixed guide rails ll, oppositely grooved to receive guide rollers 12. These rollers are also received in oppositely grooved carriage rails [3 at the front and rear of the carriage, said rails being connected with the end bars l4 and iii of the carriage. The rails 13 and end bars l4 and I form the frame of the movable carriage.

The carriage, which is driven in any suitable manner (not shown), is thus supported and mounted to travel from side to side of the machine over the top plate H] under control of the usual escapement mechanism, the rack of this mechanism being indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing at 6 and a pinion of the same being, designated at 11.

Carriage movement may also be controlled in a manner well known in the art by the usual tabulator mechanism (not shown) of a machine of this type. The column stop bar of such a mechanism is shown in the drawing at [8, the same being secured to the brackets 20 fixed to and projecting rearwardly from the carriage.

, The usual ribbon vibrator mechanism is employed so as to interpose the ribbon in the path of type 2| at each actuation of a type bar 22 as well known in the art (Fig. 2). Only the upper end portion of the ribbon vibrator 23 is shown, it being understood, however, that the vibrator is guided for up and down movement on the type guide 24 in the usual manner.

j A pointer 25. is suitably mountedon the central front upper portionof the top plate it), the same forming in conjunction with the scale 25, situated onthe forward part of thefront feed table, a position indicator for the movable carriage.

The platen 49 is carried by a platen frame of altered construction and embodying the present inventive concepts as will hereinafter be more particularly described. Consequently, the usual case shifting mechanism for guidin the customary form of platen frame for this machine in its case shifting movements is not employed. The present machine, however, is intended to write only with capital letters or upper case characters, and there are, therefore, no case shifting movements of the platen and the platen frame, the platen frame being firmly held on the carriage in upper case position when the same is located for a printing operation. Instrumentalities of the present invention are provided to hold the platen in its upper case printing position where it will coact with the outermost types 2| on the type bars 22; these type bars being mounted in a type segment (not shown) in the usual manner to swing upwardly and rearwardly to a printing position where they strike against the front face of the platen.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the construction of the usual line spacing mechanism of a machine of this type has been altered in minor details to obviate interference of the same with the platen frame during movement of the frame.

Essentially, the line spacing mechanism is the customary construction, the change being in the shape of the links, including the adjustable latch member 28, the arm 30 of the same pivoted about the platen shaft, the link 3i pivotally connected to arm 38, the pawl 32 similarly joined to arm 38 and cooperating with ratchet 33 which is a fixed part of the rotatable platen unit, and the slide link 35, pivotally joined at one end to the link 3! on a rocker supporting member 35, and slidably mounted at its other end through means of a pin and slot connection, the link 34 being slotted lengthwise and the pin with which it cooperates being situated on an extending piece 36 on the platen frame. This mechanism is set through the latch member 28 by the operator of the machine to obtain the line spacing desired which is automatically effected in the customary manner upon reversal of the direction of motion of the carriage through means of gear 31, slide rack 38, and the bell-crank 48 mounted for pivotal movement upon the extension ii of the carriage frame, the roller 52 of the bell-crank is engaging the offset portion 53 situated on the slide link 35 to move the linkage to accomplish this operation.

The platen is yieldably held against rotation by means of the usual roller i4, cooperating with the teeth of ratchet 33, and spring arm 45 for the roller, the arm in this instance being secured to the extending piece 36 of the platen frame.

THE MODIFIED CARRIAGE FRAME (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8) desirable manner to the outside face of the respective bars. This increases the extent of lim-.- ited travel afforded between the shiftable platen and the carriage frame and provides sufficient latitude of movement to facilitate the location of the platen in a plurality of defined operative positions in the machine, a paper feeding position, a paper adjusting position, and a printing position, by retaining means hereinafter more particularly described. By reference to an end View of the carriage frame as shown in Fig. 4, the contiguous and overall arcuately-shaped formation of the enlarged slot defined by the limit plate 45 and the end bars I l and i5 of the carriage frame is clearly indicated. In this view. the platen shaft 18, sleeved by bushings l9 which project slidably through the slots on both sidesof the carriage frame, and the platen 49 therefor are shownin their normal printing positions in the machine.

A cam plate 59 is suitably secured to, and disposed along the inwardly situated face of the respective end bars of the carriage frame, the same providing a means by which a plurality of movable paper feed devices, or rollers, that are normally held in pressed engagement with the platen at a point below the printing line thereof, aredisabl-ed from said engagement and are positively conditioned in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the follower roller 51, Fig.

4, cooperating with the

undersurface portions

52 and 53 of the cam plate 50 to obtain the desired result.

Returning to Fig. 3, the carriage frame also includes two vertically situated posts 54, one of the same being mounted at each end of the column stop bar iii. A cross bar 55 is secured upon the posts 54 and provides an anchorage connection at each end of the same for a spring member 56 by which the platen is continually urged towards a topmost limiting position with regard to slot 41 as will hereinafter be more particularly set forth.

The carriage frame furthermore includes a two position latch holding piece 57 (Figs. and 6) which is mounted in a suitable manner against the inner wall of the carriage end bar Hi, the respective retaining teeth for this member being indicated at 58 and 59. The movable platen frame of the machine is adapted to be retained by said latch piece 57 so that when the latch 00- operating with the piece is retained by the tooth 58, the platen is situated ina paper adjusting position and, when the latch is retained by tooth 59, the platen is situated in a printing position. i

A pair of brackets 69 is utilized to provide a mounting for the front feed table of the machine. These members are secured to the top surface of the front carriage rail l3 at opposite sides of the carriage frame, the same being inwardly disposed to and respectively adjacent the end bars I; and With reference to Fig. 4, the main body of the brackets (it which are disposed in parallel relation to the end bars l4 and i5, is inclined with respect to thecarriage frame, the forwardly extending portion of the members being located above the associated part of the carriage and the rearwardly extending portion of the members being situated below the same. A shaft 65 is journalled in the spaced parallel bracket member 66, i

the shoulder ends of the same providing a mounting for the hereinafter described platen frame. A rod 6-2 is also located between the forwardly extending portions of the bracket members, the same serving as an under support upon which the front feed table of the machine slides in its movement toward and away from the platen. A bail shaped member constituted of two arms 63, one of which is pivotally joined to each of the respective bracket members 60 at the rearwardly disposed endsof the same, and a cross rod 64 therebetweenfdirectly sup-ports the front paper feed table at the pivotal connection of these parts indicated at 66. By regulating the position of the bail-shaped member, the reciprocatively mounted front feed table of the carriage frame may be moved or shifted towards or away from the platen of the machine in accordance with the teachings of the invention, the table loosely sliding over cross rod $2 upon which it rests due to the force of gravity. Curved cam slots 61 are provided in the respective arms 63 of the bail-shaped feed table supporting member by which movement of the table with relation to the platen with which it is associated is controlled through the platen frame.

THE PLATEN FRAME (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9)

With particular reference to Fig. 9, the platen 49 of the machine is carried in a frame consisting of two similarly shaped end plates 68 arranged in parallel relation on opposite sides of the platen, the shaft 58 of the platen being journalled therein. The end plates 68 are constructed to include a forwardly extending branch iii,- a

rearwardly extending branch H and a downwardly extending branch l2. End plate 68 at the left of the machine within the carriage'frame also includes an upwardly extending branch 73 on which is suitably located a palm bar 14 by means of which the operator of the machine is able to move the platen frame so that the platen is in a desired position.

The forwardly extending branch 1c of the right hand end plate 68 of the platen frame, as viewed in Fig. 1, is offset in relation to the main body of the plate in order to avoid interference thereof with the linkage of the previously described line spacing mechanism. A cross bar l5 connects the branches 72 of the end plates 68 and forms a portion of the integral platen frame.

The platen frame is mounted for pivotal movement-within the limits afforded the same by the slots 4'! in the carriage frame by the connection of the parts on shaft 6!, the ends of the shaft being provided with a shoulder at it (Fig. 4) to receive a correspondingly shaped slotted portion in the forwardly extending branch "50 of the end plates of the platen frame. A suitable collar 16' is utilized between the bracket member and. the platen frame end plate on the left-hand side of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, to prevent longitudinal movement of the platen. frame with relation to the carriage frame. Also, the platen frame is continually urged to assume an upper limiting position with regard to the carriage frame as illustrated in Fig. 5, the platen therein being located in a paper feeding position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the means for obtaining this condition consists in 77, one end of which is fastened to a fixed collar 18 on the platen frame shaft 6i and continuously urges this frame in a counter-clockwise direc tion, as viewed in Fig. 5. The other end of spring 77 is fixed to the stationary bracket member 69 of the carriage frame. However, the primary effort in this regard is obtained through the springs 56 (Fig. 4) which by means of arms if? pivoted on suitable pins 99 situated on the exterior sides of the respective platen frame end plates 68 on the branches 72 thereof effects this result. The means for setting the shiftable platen frame so that the platen is located in a paper adjusting position or printing position comprises a pivoted finger latch 89 mounted on the exterior face of the left-hand platen frame end plate 68 (Fig. 9), the tooth of which engageswith the latch piece 5'5 on the carriage frame. A spring 8! urges the finger operated latch 80 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, and maintains the same in operative engagement with either

tooth

53 or 53 of the latch piece 5? cooperating therewith. When tooth or latch St is situated in engagement with tooth 58 of the latch piece El, the platen frame is retained or set against the continued action of springs 56 and Ti so that the platen is located in a paper adjusting position, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Also, when the tooth of latch 8i! is situated in engagement with tooth 59 of the latch piece 51, the platen frame is retained or set so that the platen is located in a printing position,

, tive positions uated in the lower portion of branch 10 of the platen frame. Pin 82 is adapted to operate within the curved slot 6'! formed in the pivotally part of acoiled spring -the cooperating mountedarms 63 of the carriageframebn'which the table .65 is located. The pin 82 serves as an :actuator which, influenced bymovement of the platen frame in an upward direction urges the feed table 65 from a withdrawn position to advance the same into an operative position with relation to the platen. When the platen frame :is shifted .from a paper feeding position, Fig. 5, to a paper adjusting position, Fig. 6, the pin 82 moves within the curved slot 61 without effecting any movement of the table 65 which remains in its advanced operating position. How

ever, as the platen assumes a paper adjusting position, the paper sheets L fed under the platen from the table 65 are forced to assume the position indicated in Fig. 6, the edge of the integral table in close proximity to the platen consequently forming a line gauge facilitating correct adjustment of the raised paper sheets by the operator of the machine. In this position of themachine, the portion of the table adjacent the platen serves as a line gauge with which the bottoms of the line indicating characters contained on the paper sheets are registerable, the

operator being afforded a full view of the face of the paper sheets to be printed upon. On further movement of the platenframe in a downward direction, the pin 82 is effective to rock the arms 63 so that the table is removed from an .advanced operating position with relation to the platen and withdrawn to a position (Fig. 2) which permits normal operation of the printing .instrumentalities of the machine, the platen in this instance being in its printingposition.

The table 55 forms a variably positioned flat plate member in association with the shiftable platen, both of these elements being movable with relation to one another in such a manner that in one of their relative positions the flat plate member serves as a front feed table for the paper sheets, in another position the edge of the plate member is employable as a line gauge for the sheets fed to the machine and in a still further position of the parts, the plate member is removed from effective cooperation with the platen.

The platen frame also provides a mountingfor paper gripping devices or feed rollers effective below the printing line of the platen. With particular reference to Fig. 9,

these devices are located on a shaft 83 extending between the end plates 68 of the platen frame and being journalled in the portions '12 thereof.

Only one of the series of similar bail-shaped roller mounting members, which are situated along substantially the entire length of the shaft 83 and are loosely mounted thereon, will be described in detail. Each of these members is formed of two spaced parallel arms 84 which have a joining bar 85 therebetween. A freely rotatable roller 86 is provided on each of the side faces'of the respective arms 84 at a uniform distance from the common pivotal axis or shaft 83 on which the unitary paper gripping devices are located.

In the normal operating positions of the bailshaped members the rollers 85 thereof are pressed into engagement against the platen, it being understood that such normal position occurs only when the platen frame and platen are situated in a printing position. The means provided for obtaining'the normal pressed engagement of rollers .86 against the platen includes a bell-crank 81. also loosely mounted on shaft 83, one end .of which is bifurcated and engages the joining bar 85 and the other end-of which is continuously 8 urgediin a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '2 by a spring .88, the .fixed end of which is secured to a bracket 89 connected to the cross bar 15 of the platen frame. The tension of spring 88 is consequently effective upon the bail-shaped roller mounting members through joining bar '85 to obtain the desired result. A further means is provided to disable the normal engagement .of the rollers 36 against the platen, this means be ing effective when the platen frame is in any :position other than a printing position, such dis.-

.abling means also forming a means for conditioning the bail-shaped roller mounting membersxso that the respective rollers thereof loosely grip theipaper against the platen when the platen is in a paper adjusting position and cause the separation of the rollers and platen when the platen is located in a paper feeding position. =Suchmeans, operative through influence of the *platen frame in the instant case, include the arm 90 on which the cam follower 51 is mounted. There are two of such arms 90, shown herewith, one :armbeing provided for each end of the shaft 83 upon which the same are fixed. Each of the respective-baihshaped roller mounting members is provided with an arm 9| which overlies the adjoining bars of the same, this arm being suitably fixed to the shaft 33 to rock with the same when under the influence of the coopera- *tive action of the cam follower 5| and cam plate 56. With reference to Fig. 4, it will be noted that upon elevation of the platen frame, the

cam follower 5| first strikes the portion 52 of the cam plate 50 on the carriage frame. This swings shaft'83 clockwise as viewed in this figure, which through .arms EH (Fig 9) disables the means normally holding the rollers 86 in spring-pressed engagement against the platen. Fig. 6 shows the positionof the parts at this time, the rollers 86 being thusly conditioned to loosely grip the paper sheets against the platen and thereby permit the adjustment thereof. In the extreme upward limiting position of the platen frame with respect to the carriage frame, as shown in Fig.

5, the cam follower 5i is situated against the .aportion'53 of the cam surface of cam plate 50.

This causes a further clockwise movement of shaft 83 and arm 98, as viewed in Fig. 4, which through arm 9! conditions the respective bailshaped roller mounting members so that the rollers 8t thereof are clear of the platen andin an open throat position which facilitates the feeding of the paper sheets from the front table '65 into the machine.

The upwardly extending portion H of the left- .hand platenframc end plate 68, as viewed in Fig. 1, has a curved recess 93 (Figs. 4 and 9) in the .face thereof disposed toward the rear of the ma chine. The tip of the finger latch 8G is situated in the area of the recessed portion 33 of the frame to position the same in a manner which provides its instant availability for actuation by the machine operator.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, the present devices also utilize the customary rear paper feed table 94 which is pivotally mounted at one end of the same upon the platen frame shaft 83, the "table consequently being movable along with the shift-able platen frame. The relative positions of the rear feed table when the .platen is set ina printing position, paper adjusting position, and paper feeding position are shown-respectvely, in Figs. 2, 6 nd 5. The rear ;gravity,against one or more cam shaped supportrectly underlies in contacted ing elements 95 which are adjustably mounted in a suitable manner upon a base piece 96 fixed to the rear carriage rail I3 of the carriage frame. During a shifting movement of the platen frame, the table 94 slides upon the set supporting elements 95. With reference to Fig. 5, it will consequently be noted that the angular relationship between the front feed table 65 and the rear feed table 94 may be varied to accommodate the feeding of different types of paper, by changing the set position of the supporting elements 95 to place the rear feed table in a desired position.

The feed rollers coacting with the platen above the printing line of the same are also mounted upon the platen frame. In the instant case,

there is a first and second group of such rollers,

the same being suitably spaced from one another in a platen coacting position. The first such group or plurality of rollers 91 are mounted in spaced relationship along rod 98 on which the same freely rotate. With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the shiftable frame for the first group of rollers particularly consists of two, limitedly movable links IIJIJ', one of which is pivotally mounted on the end of each of the rearwardly extending branches II of the platen frame, each of the links IIiIi having a gooseneck shaped arm IIII pivotally connected to one end of the same. Links I80, arms IEiI the forwardly extending portions of the arms III I, constitute the shiftable frame for the rollers 97. The rear face of the link members I is provided with a limit slot I92, the respective sides of which abut against a pin m3 which is situated on a fixed arm I I14 secured to the rearwardly extending branch II of the end plates constituting the platen frame. Springs IE5 which are fixed to the respective arms NH and anchored to the pins I03 provide a means for either yieldably holding the rollers 92' of the frame against the platen, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, or for retaining the same in an elevated or raised position with relation to the platen, as shown in and the rod 98, which joins,

Fig. 7. Lugs IE6 are provided on the forward portion of the arms 56! so that the rollers 91 and frame may be easily raised from a platen coacting position by the operator of the machine.

The second group or plurality of feed rollers are situated on a further frame which underlies and is Within the are described by the frame of the described first group of feed rollers. In this instance, the frame for the spaced rollers III? is composed of rod Hi8 and the parallel arms I III, the ends of which are pivoted to the platen frame. A cross bar I I I extends between elevated extending portions of the respective arms H8 and direlationship the under surface of the curved portion of the gooseneck shaped arms I EiI The rollers It? which are loosely mounted on rod I08 are consequently spring pressed against the platen by springs I05. This influence is exerted by pressure contact of the arms It! against the cross bar I I I. The cross bar II I serves as a liftable means or means by which the second group of feed rollers may be Withdrawn or shifted from a platen coacting position, the same being simultaneously effective to cause 'a similar movement of the first feed rollers from a platen coacting position. ,A slotted latch 7 member II2 mounted on the left-hand rearward branch II of the platen frame, as viewed in Fig. engages a pin II 3 which extends from the arm III of the second frame for the feed rollers the latch consequently providing a means for lockingthe frame in a position in which the rollers I01 are withdrawn from the platen (Fig.

7), and also simultaneously preventing the re-;

turn of the first feed rollers! and the frame therefor to a platen coacting position because of the cross bar I I I.

The paper feeding devices herewith described operate as follows:

Starting at a printing position of the machine, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the single illustrated ledger sheet L, which has been fed to the machine from the front feed table 65, is located to receive the necessary entries to be made thereon, a copy of which is also recorded on the single illustrated master journal listing sheet B. After the required entries are printed on the given by the rollers 9?,

operator urges the finger latch 85!, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, against. the spring III which releases the end of the same engaging the two-position latch piece 51 so that the platen frame moves to-an upward limitingv position, as shown in Fig. 5, through the cooperative infiuence of springs 56 and II. In this termed paper feeding position of the parts, the

platen cooperating rollers 86 have been with-- drawn from the platen to assume an open throat position clear of the platen by the positive movement of the cam follower 5| to the portion 53 of the cam plate 50 on the carriage frame. Also, pin 82 on the platen frame operating in the cam slot 6! of the feed table supporting arms 63 has, urged the table 65 to an advanced position with respect to the platen 49. The ledger sheet L upon. which the entries were made is now entirely free and the operator is able to remove the same from the machine.

With the parts of the machine remaining in the position shown in Fig. 5, the operator places the succeeding ledger sheet, L, fiat on the front feed table 65 and slides the paper rearward until the paper passes under the platen 49 and, if-nec-- essary, so the rear portion of the paper rests on the rear feed table 94, so that the sheet is located in an approximately desired position. At this point, the operator strikes the palm bar I4 and moves the platen frame thereby until the latch engages the latch piece 51 at the tooth 58 of the same which conditions or sets the parts as illustrated in Fig. 6. In this termed paper adjusting position of the parts, the paper table 65 remains in the position to which it was previously advanced, as hereinbefore described, the change in positionof the pin 82 of the platen frame in the curved arm slot 61 taking place without altering the position of the table. Cam follower 5| has now been lowered with the platen frame so that the samerides onportion 52 of the cam plate 50 of the carriage framewhich positively conditions the rollers 86 ,or gripping instrumen talities to loosely grip the paper againsttheplaten 49. By movement of the platen 49 into this position in which the same is partially below.

the level of the table 65, the paper sheet L is pressed into a curved condition in which the face of thesheet to be printed upon rests against the edge of the feed table in close proximity to the platen. The position taken by sheet L at this is time'is clearly shown in Fig. 6, the table 65 conawn-74m 1'1 sequently formingbymeansofwhich the operator of .the machine is able to correctly adjustthe sheets to be printed upon to place the same in a desired position. The preferable next, step in the operation is to place the forwardly extending portion of the ledger sheet L under the front feed rollers 92.

The operator then depresses the platen frame by: pressing the palm bar 14' so that the latch E53 engagesthe latch piece El at the tooth 59 thereof which sets the'frame and its associated parts in the position shown in Figs. 2 and l at the start of' the description of the operation of the machine. In the printing position, the disabling means for the normally spring-pressed platen engaging rollers 86, consisting of the cam plate and cam follower EL-isrendered ineffective. Also, thefeed table 65 has been retracted from its advanced position with respect to the platen by the pivotal movement of the arms 63 influenced by-the platen frame pin 82 so as to permit free operation of the printing instrumentalities of the machine.

While I have described what I consider to be ahighly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I, therefore, do-notlimit myself to the exact form herein shown and described; her to anything less than the whole of my inventionas hereinbeforeset forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a bookkeeping or like machine. a rocka-bl'eplaten and cooperating paper gripping instrumentalities having in combination therewith, a reciprocatively mounted plate member associated with the platen, and mechanism by which said. member and platen are' moved relative to one another and said grippinginstrumentalities arecontrolled, with means for setting the mechanism in a position in which the plate member isemployed as a paper'feed table, with the gripping instrumenta ities in ineffective condition, and means for setting the mechanism inanother position in which the papergripping instrumen-- talities are in semi-effective condition and one ofthe-edges of the plate member formsaline gauge for the paper fed to the machine on the.

feed'table.

2'. In a bookkeeping or-like machine, a rockaole platen and movable-paper feed devices having in combination therewith, a reciprocativelymounted platemember associated with the platen, and mechanism by which said plate member and. platen are movable relative to one another and said paper feed devices are controlled, with means for setting the mechanism in aposition in which the plate is-employed as a front paper feed table with the paper feed devices in ineffective condition, and means for setting the mechanism in another'position in which the paper feed devices are in. semi-effective; condition and one. of the ecl'gesv of the plate member forms a line gauge for the paper, fed to the machine: on thefeed table.

3. The combination with a movable platen and.

anreciprocatively. mounted front'feed' paper table,

on paper gripping means cooperating with said platen, means for setting said platen in a. paper feeding position, a paper adjusting position and aaprinting position, means for partially disabling said paper-gripping: means when the platen is in said paper adjusting positionand mechanism-as a line gauge along" which and sociatingsai'd platenandifront feed tablewhereby ingwith the platen when located in a paperadjusting position so that the same forms a line gauge for'the paper sheets fed thereon.

4. In a bookkeepingor like machine, the combination of a platen, a shiftable platen frame, means forretaning said shiftable platen frame to locate the platen in a plurality of operativepositions including a paper feeding'position, a pa-- peradjusting position and a printing position; a carriage'frame on which said shiftable, platen frame is mounted, a reciprocatively mounted front. paperfeed table situated. on said carriage frame and associated with said platen, and mechanism connecting said platen frame and front fed table for locating said table in close proximity to the platen when the platen is in both its paper feeding position and paper adjustng-position. and for removing saiditablefrom such location when the platen is in a printing positionthe relationship of said table and the platen, when the: platen is in a paper adjusting position, being such that the edge of the table disposed. toward the platen. forms a line gauge bywhich the paper sheets fed: to themachine are capable. of being adjusted.

5. In a. bookkeeping or-likemachine, the. come binationof a platen; a shiftable platen frame; movable paperfeed devices normally maintainedv inpressedengagement with the platen; means for retaining said platen frame to locate said platen in a plurality ofoperative positionsineluding; a paper, feeding position, a paper adjusting position and a printing position; means operable under control of the platenframe for. disabling; the normal engagement of the feed devices-with said platen and removing said feed devicesfrom said platen. when the platenis in a paper feeding position and loosely retaining said feed devices. against said platen when the platenis ina paper adjust ng position; acarriage frame on which the shiftable platen frame is mounted; av reciprocatively mounted front. paper feed table situated on said carriage frame and associatedwith said platen; and means operable by said platen frameto locate said table in. close proximity to the platen whenin both. its paper feeding position. and paper adjusting position,

and to remove the platen from such location when the same is in a printing position, the relationship of sa d table and the platen, when in a paper adjusting position, being such that the edge of the table disposed toward, the platen forms a line gauge for the'machine on the front feed table.

6. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen, a shiftable platen frame, means for normally urgingsaid platen frame to situate the. platen. in a paper feeding position, means for'latching said platen. frame to, secure the platen in a paper: adjusting position and. a. printing position, a carriage frame on which the shiftable platen frame is mounted, a reciprocatively. mounted front paperfeed. table situated position with respect to the platen when the platen is moved to: apaper feeding position and when the: platen is in position, and

platen, when the platen is in a.

the paper sheets fed to.

13 for retaining said table in this advanced posit on upon movement of the platen frame and platen to a paper adjustin position to thereby provide a line gauge for the employed paper sheets.

7. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen shiftable to a plurality of pos tions including a paper feeding position, a paper adjustingposition and a printing position, a movable front paper feed table associated with the platen, a movable rear paper table, and means for mounting said rear paper feed table so that the angularity of the same with respect to the front feed table, when the platen is in a paper feeding position, is capable of being varied.

8. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen, a shiftable platen frame, means for retaining said platen frame so that the platen is located in a plurality of positions including a paper feeding position, a paper adjusting position and a printing position; a carriage frame on which the shiftable platen frame is mounted, a movable front feed paper table mounted on said carriage frame, a rear paper table one end of which is pivotally connected to said platen frame, and means for otherwise supporting said rear paper table so that the angularity of the same with respect to the front feed table, when the platen is in a paper feeding position, is capab e of being varied.

9. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen and platen frame, a plurality of first feed rollers coacting with said platen above the printing line, a shiftable pivotally mounted frame on said platen frame on which said first feed rollers are located, a'similarly mounted plura ity of second feed rollers stuated in s aced relation to said first feed rollers and swingable within the are described by the frame for said first feed rollers, and means effective upon the shifting of the second feed rollers away from the laten to cause the shifting of the first feed ro lers to withdraw the same from a platen coacting position.

10. In a bookkeep ng or like machine, the combination of a platen and platen frame, a plura ity of first feed ro lers coacting with said platen above the printing line, a shiftable pivotally mounted frame on said platen frame on which said first feed rollers are located, a similarly mounted plurality of second feed rollers situated in spaced relation to said first feed rollers and within the are described by the frame for,

said first feed rollers, means effective upon the I shifting of the second feed rollers away from the platen to cause the shifting of the first feed rollers to withdraw the same from a platen coacting position, and means for latching said second feed rollers in a withdrawn postion from the platen and thereby simultaneously in conjunction With said first means preventing the return of the first feed rollers to a platen coacting position.

"11'. 'In'a bookkeeping or like inachine, the combination of a carriage frame, a platen and frame therefor movably connected to said carriage frame, means for retaining said platen frame with relation to the carriage frame so that the platen is locatable in a plurality of positions, including a paper feeding position, a paper adjusting position and rality of feed rollers coacting with said platen below the printing line thereof, said rollers being movably mounted on said platen frame and arranged to be pressed against the platen when in a printing position, and means for disabling a printing position; a plu-v paper feeding position, said disabling means being adapted to condition the rollers to loosely grip the paper against the platen when the 'mined path on its axis,

platen frame is in a paper adjusting position, and being adapted to cause the separation of the rollers and platen when said platen frame is in a paper feeding position.

12. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a carriage frame, a platen and frame therefor movably connected to said carriage frame, means for retaining said platen frame with relation to the carriage frame so that the platen is locatable in a plurality of positions, including a paper feeding paper adjusting position and a plurality of feed rollers coasting with said platen below the printing line thereof, said rollers being pivotally mounted on said platen frame, normally operative means for pressing said rollers against the platen, a cam plate mounted on said carriage frame and a follower therefor on said platen frame adapted to control the pivotal movement of said rollers, the co-action of said cam plate and follower disabling the means normally pressing said rollers against the platen when said platen frame is in either a paper adjusting position or paper feeding position, wherein, respectively, said cam plate and follower condition the rollers to loosely grip the paper against the platen and cause the separation of the rollers and the platen.

13. In a bookkeeping or likemachine, a platen shiftable to a plurality of positions, a feed table reciprocatively mounted for relative movement with said platen, said platen adaptable to define a plurality of positions for feeding, adjusting and printing a superposed sheet without disturbing a previously introduced record sheet, said feedtable arranged to be in an inclinable plane to direct a sheet of paper edgewise towards said platen when the platen is in a feeding position, means cooperating with said platen, whenever it is disposed in a printing position, to retract the feed table for exposure of the printing line on said platen, and the rearward edge of said feed table cooperable with the platen when located in said paper adjusting position so that the same forms a line gauge for the paper sheets fed thereon.

' In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen frame pivotally mounted to follow a predetersaid path defining a plurality of positions adaptable for feeding, adjusting and printing a superposed sheet without isturbing a previously introduced record sheet, actuating means manually operable through an initial depressing motion to urge said platen frame into a paper adjusting position and by a similar succeeding motion into a printing position, a recinrocatively mounted front paper feed table associated with said platen, a movable rear paper tableand means for mounting said rear paper table so that the angularity of the same with respect to the front feed table, when the platen is in a paper feeding position, is capable of being varied.

15. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from a normal printing position through an intermediate paper adjusting position to a paper feeding position, a generally fiat paper feed table normally spaced an appreciable distance from the platen, means aca printing position,

position, a

tuated by'the platen when moved to its paper feeding position for displacing the paper feed table in an edgewise direction toward the under surface of the platen where the table may serve to guide a fresh front fed sheet under the platen, means holding the table stationary When the platen is moved to its intermediate paper adjusting position, in which position the front surface of the platen is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the paper feed table which serves as a line guide for adjusting the sheet on the platen.

16.. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from a normal printing position through an intermediate paper adjusting position to a paper feeding position, a generally flat paper feed table normally positioned an appreciable distance from the platen, a movable support for the paper feed'table actuated by the movement of the platen when shifted to its paper feeding position for displacing the paper feed table in an edgewise direction toward the under surface of the platen where the table may serve to guide a fresh front fed work sheet under the platen, means included in the mov able table support for holding the table stationary when the platen is shifted to its intermediate paper adjusting position, in which position the front surface of the platen is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the paper feed table, the latter serving as a line guide for adjusting the sheet on the platen, and means included in the paper feed table support actuated by the movement of the platen to its normal printing position for restoring the paper feed table to its normal spaced relationship with respect to the platen.

17. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from a normal printing posi tion through an intermediate paper adjusting position to a paper feeding position, a paper feed table normally disposed an appreciable distance away from the platen, a movable support therefor actuated by the movement of the platen when shifted to its paper feeding position to displace the table edgewise toward the under surface of the platen where the table serves to guide a fresh front fed work sheet under the platen, means included in the table support for holding the table stationary when the platen is shitfed to its intermediate paper adjusting position, in which position the front surface of the platen is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the paper feed table, the edge serving as a line guide for adjusting the sheet on the platen, means included in the paper feed table support actuated by the movement of the platen to its normal printing position for restoring the paper feed tabie to its normal spaced relationship with respect to the platen, spring means constantly urging the platen toward its paper feed position and a manually releasable latch for retaining the platen in its normal and paper adjusting positions.

18. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen its rear edge spaced away from the shiftable at. will-in a substantially vertical di rection from a normal printing position through an intermediate paper adjustin position to, an uppermost paper feeding position, a paper feed table. normally spaced away from the platen to an ineffective position, means including a plurality of pivotally connected arms actuated by the platen when moved to its uppermost position. for displacing the feed table in an edgewise direction toward the under surface of the platen where the paper feed table serves to guide a new front fed work sheet under the platen, pin and slot connections included in said means for holding the paper feed table stationary adjacent the front surface of the platen when the platen isshifted downward to its intermediate position to provide a line guide for positioning the work sheet; .on the surface of the platen.

19. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will in a substantially vertical direction from a normal printing position through an intermediate paper adjusting position to an uppermost paper feeding position, a generally flat paper feed table normally disposed with platen to an ineffective position, support means for the table including a plurality of pivotally connected arms actuated by the platen on movement thereof to its uppermost position for displacing the feed table in an edgewise direction toward the undersurfaceof the platen where the paperfeed table serves to guide a new front fed work sheetunder the platen, pin and slot connections included in said means for holding the paper feed table stationary adjacent the front surface of theplaten when the platen is shifted downward to its intermediate position to provide a line guide for positioning the work sheet on the platen, means actuated by the movement of the platen to its normal printing position for restoring the paper feed table to its normal spaced relation with respect to the platen, and a manually operable latch for retaining the platen in its normal and paper adjusting positions.-

ELMER H. DREHER'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS