US2612976A - Form issuing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1952 w. w. HARPER gTAL 2,612,976

FORM ISSUING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. w. HARPER ET AL FORM ISSUING APPARATUS Oct. 7, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 INVENTORS. wuu/m w manna u an: 1:. 61485127 sss n I 6 ML 3 w.

5 7 u 0 N w. v M n 2 M 5m f m 1. S W 1/ T Z u r w w HARPER ETAL FORM ISSUI'NG APPARATUS Oct. 7, 1952 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 Oct. 7, 1952 w. w. HARPER ETAL FORM ISSUING APPARATUS 6' Sheets-Sheet 4' Filed Dec. 24, 1948 INVENTORS. WILL/RN w mm are e. quasar Oct. 7, 1952 W. W. HARPER ET AL FORM ISSUING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FORM ISSUIN G APPARATUS William W. Harper and Lloyd E. Gilbert, Birmingham, Ala., assignors to Insurograph, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application December 24, 1948, Serial No. 67,207 2 (01. 194-10) 15 Claims.

1 Our present invention relates to form issuing apparatus, .andwhile not limited thereto, relates more particularly to apparatus especially constructed and arranged to issue policies of insurance to customers responsive to the insertion of a coin in a suitable coin mechanism;

One object of our invention is to provide a device of the character designated embodying mechanism for, feeding collated original and duplicate, continuous sheets on which the contracts of insurance are printed, and which-shall be effective to feed the paper principally through aresilient drive mechanism thus minimizing the dangerof damaging the sheets uponactuation of the feed and providing a smooth, even feeding of the sheets.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the character designated in which thereis associated with the resilient drive means apositive drive means therefor which comes into operation at the end of a policy feeding operation, thus to positively position the upper, original, copy of the policy between the bladesof a shear, whereby the original copy is cut at a predetermined point along the length of the continuous sheetand delivered from the apparatus. i

- Another object is toprovide apparatus of the character designated in which the paper feed mechanism embodies a spring for effecting the major portion of the paper feed movement a small electric motor for windin the spring when required, together with a ratchet type clutch and engaging mechanism therefor operable to permit the motor to gain speed before the clutch is engaged; thereby permitting the use of a motor having very low starting torque.

Another object is to provide; in apparatus of the character designated, mechanism for prints ing certain data on the policies immediately before being delivered, which mechanism embodies a set of spring actuated, trip released printing hammers, the hammers being drawn rearwardly by the motor through the clutch before mentioned in such manner that the springs therefor are stretched only after the motor has attained speed, thus further reducing the required starting torqueof the motor. a

A further object is to provide a form issuing machine in which the sequential operation of the component parts is attained and maintained for the most part through the medium of simple, reliable, mechanical means as distinguished from more complicated and less reliable electrical means such as solenoids, relays and the like, thus providing a machine which is simple of construction, trouble free in operation, and rugged enough to withstand thehard usage to which such apparatus is subjected when placed for use in public places. i

Apparatus illustrating the features of our invention is shown inthe accompanying drawing forming a part of this application in which- Fig. l is a plan view, partly broken away, and with certain of the plates for supporting and dividing the forms omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental elevational view 'of one side of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental elevational viewof the opposite side of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view with some of the parts separated for'the sake of clarity, and with parts; broken away and in section, of the main shaft and the paper feeding wheels;

, Fig. .5 is a detail sectional view taken generally along line VV of Fig. 4, withcertain parts broken'away andillustrating the action of the clutch; i

.Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view illustrating the paper feed and amount indexing mechanism; i

Fig. 7 is adiagrammatic plan view of the apparatus, illustrating the paper in position to be fed therethrough, and with certain parts broken away; and e i Fig. 8 1s a wiring diagram.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, our improved apparatus comprises a frame, embodying side plates 10 and Ill, held in spaced relation by means of a number of cross members I2. The side members In and "II are joined together at their lower edges by a plate I 3, thus providing a frame generally channel shaped as viewed intransverse section, and with the legs thereof braced by the cross members l2.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 6 and 7, our improved apparatus is adapted to issue individual forms, one at a time, from a continuous strip of. the same. In practice, it is desirable to issue one of the forms to the customer, and for the machine to maintain for the issuing party 'a duplicate copyof the same. To this end, We pro vide a sheet S which comprises an upper or original sheet I45 and a lower or duplicatesheet [6. The sheets are similarly printed on their upper surfaces, pass through the major portion of the apparatus in collated relation, and arefed by pin wheels which engage in rows of marginally-disposed openings [1. The original and duplicate sheets maybe provided with aheading 18 in which the customer, enters the data required, and

in the manner to, be later explained. In order to make the duplicate copy on the sheet I6, we may coat or saddle back the rear surface of the sheet I4 immediately behind the heading i3 with carbon in the manner well understood. Or, if desired, a separate sheet of carbon paper may be interposed between the sheets I4 and I6 although as will later appear we prefer to use the coating of carbon in order to eliminate the necessity of providing means for disposing of the separate carbon sheet. A given length of the sheet S thereforeconstitutes an original and a copy of the insurance policy to be issued, and the customer receives the original which is out from the upper sheet I6 in the manner to be described. The duplicates remain together in sheet form and fold into a suitable space provided therefor in the lower part of a cabinet for the apparatus, not

shown.

We provide our machine with a coin mechanism I3 which may be of any oneof several well known makes, the construction of which is readily understcod by those skilled in the art. The coin mechanism I9 comprises a coin chute 2| acccssible from the outside of the machine. Our apparatus also has associated therewith'a time and date clockindicated at 23, operated by a. synchronous electricmotor 23;. In the manner understood, the clock 22 comprises an hour wheel 24, a minute wheel 26 a month wheel 21, a day of the month wheel 28, and a year wheel 29. Mounted on a suitable bracket isa stamp .33 carrying the name of the agent onwhose behalf the policies are issued.

Our machine preferably is capable of issuing policies indifferent amounts, depending upcnthe number of coins deposited in the coin mechanism. To thisend, we provide a wheel 3|, hereinafter referred to as the amount wheel, andat difierent positions on the periphery of. the wheel 3| we provide pads of raised type 3|a, which may bear the numerals 5, 10, 15, and 25, indicating the amount of the policy, and printedthereon as will be explained. Theamount wheel 3| is mounted on a shaft 32: suitably. journalled for rotation in a boss 33a. in turn secured to the sideof a mountin plate 33. Themounting plate 33 is secured by a boss 34 to one of'the'cross members I2.

On the end of the shaft 32 adjacent the boss 33a, we secure a ratchet. wheel 36. The ratchet wheel and shaft, and consequently the amount wheel 3|. are biased by a coil spring 37 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, the inner end of the spring being securedto the boss 33a and the outer end being secured to the ratchet wheel 36. A stop 35 is engaged by a pin 36a mounted on the ratchet wheel 36 at the beginning of a cycle of operation of. the apparatus whereby the lowest figure on the amountwheel is rotated to printing position responsive to insertion of a single coin. I

Mounted on a pin 38, projecting from the side of the mounting plate 33 is a pawl arm-39. The arm 39 carriesat one end a pawl 4| disposed to engage the ratchet gear 36 and prevent reverse rotation thereof. The pawl is biased into engagement withthe gear by means of a spring 42.

Pivotally-mount'ed to the plate 33 as at 40 is one end of an arm 43. The opposite end'of-the arm 43 is slotted as at 44 to receive a pin 46 which passes through the upper end of an armature 4! of a solenoid 48, likewise mountedon the plate 33. Pivotally mounted to the arm 43 is an actuating pawl 49 for engaging the ratchet gear 1 as at 53;

member 58 of aswitch E55.

36 thereby to rotate the same clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 6, upon downward movement of the arm 43. The pawl 49 has One end of a spring 5| fastened to its upper end, and the opposite end of the spring is anchored to the plate 33. A limit stop 52 is carried by the arm 43 and engages the rear side of the pawl 43 to hold the same in. position for engagement with the gear 36. The spring 5| also serves to raise the entire arm 43 and armature 4?, and a stop 53 secured to the plate 33 limits the upward movement thereof.

The coin mechanism I9 embodies a coin actuated lever 54 as shown in Fig. 8, pivotally mounted The member 54 is biased upwardly by a spring 51, and carries the movable contact The movable contact 58 is connected by a line 53 to one line 6| of a power source. The fixed contact 62 of the switch is connected by a circuit 63 to the solenoid 48, and the 'oppositeside of thesolenoid is connected to the other .line 64 of the power source.v

As willv be apparent, from the description sofa-r.

given, for'each. coin dropped through the: chute. 2| and onto the member .54, the solenoid; 4B. is energized for an instantfthereby pivoting/the arm 43 downwardly, causing the amount wheel 3| to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 6 and 8, clockwise asviewed in.Fig.-2. This. action positions one of'the pads of type 3|a of the wheel 3| in position for printing inthe manner tobe explained later The pad 3| a onthe periphery of the wheel so positioned-for printing is the one selected by the number of. coins deposited'in, the chute 2| of the coin mechanism, it being understood that the pad bearing the numeral 5': is posi tioned first and the others sequentially upon downward movements of arm 43.

Referring again more particularly to Fig.- 2, we show a switch 66 mounted onthe plate 33 and having a switch arm 61 on the-bottomthereof overtheamount wheel 3|; The'endof the arm 61 carries-a small roller 68'. The amount wheel 3| carries alug 69'disposedto engage beneath the roller 68, thereby to raise the arm- 67. arid open the switch 66. The switch 661s biased-by means of a spring 1| towardclosed position as shown more clearly inFig. 8.

Also mounted on the plate 33is another switch i2 having an arm I3 carryingon the end thereof a roller I4, likewise disposed to be struck by'the lug 69- afterthe wheel 3| has rotated apredete mined amount responsive to a given number of downward motions of the-arm-43. Asshownin Fig. 8-, the switch lz'isincircuit-"withan-electromagnet I3 mounted in the coin-mechanismfw. Disposed to be attracted upon energization-of the magnet 75' is an armature I6 pivotally mountedto swing in the path of acoin inserted in the chute 2|, thereby to cause the coin'to be returned to the customer through a' side delivery chute therefor. Thearrangementof the magnet IS-audits armaturelfi; and their operatio-n-in returning excesscoinsare well understood, and nodetailed description is believed necessary; After a predetermined number of I coin have tripped the member 54, the lug 69 will have moved to the position to close the switch 12: when switchl2 is closed, magnet 15 is energized; attracting its armature I6, whereupon any further coins dropped into the chuteJZI are returnedito the customer. The apparatus, thus; retains only apredetermined number of coins, whereby a customer; through mistake, :will not overpay for the policy to beissued. Y

.Mounted on the base plate I 3 is a small electric motor 11. On the shaft 18 of the motor is a pinion 19 in mesh with a gear 8I mounted on a shaft 82,Isuitably journalled in bearings 83 on the side plates I and II. The shaft 82 projects through the side plate II and has mounted thereon a pinion 84. The pinion 84 meshes with a large gear 86, rotatably mounted on a shaft 81, hereinafter referred to as the main shaft. The gear 86 has formed integrally therewith an outwardly projecting boss 88.

Disposed in spaced relation to the plate II by means of spacers 89 andscrews 9| is a, mounting plate 92. The plate 92 is notched as at 93 to permit the same to be moved downwardly over the paratus.

boss 88 of the gear 86 when assembling the ap- Disposed on the outer side: of the mounting plate] 92, and preferably formed integrally with the' boss 88 of the gear 86, is a ratchet gear 94.. The ratchet gear 94 is thus also freely mounted chored thereto and to a lug I02 on the arm 96.

As shown in Fig. 2,the pawlarm 98is L-shaped and in the end of the leg portion thereof opposite the pawl 99 is an inwardly projecting pin Carried on the connecting boss 88 betweenthe gear 86 and the ratchet gear 94 are a pair of axially displaced, substantially diametrically opposed cams I04 and I06. Pivotallymcunted at I01 to the mounting plate 92 is an arm I08 disposed to be positioned by the cam I04 to disen: gage the pawl 99 from theratchet gear 94 after a predetermined rotation of the large and ratchet gears and consequently the cam I04. Likewise mounted as at I09 to the mounting plate 92 is a second arm III. The arm III is disposed to be positioned by the cam I06 whereby the pin I03 of the pawl arm- 98 engages thesame. thu to again disengage the pawl 99 after a further and predetermined rotation of the ratchet gear 94. On. therouter ends of the arms I08 and III are springs H2 and H3, respectively, anchored at their other ends to the mounting plate 92, and,

adapted'to hold the rounded inner ends of the arms I08 and III in position to be engaged by the cams I04 and I06. The outer end of each arm I08 and. I II is beveled as indicated at I I4 and H6 to: aid the pin I03 in riding upwardly on the ends of the arms, thus to rock the pawl arm 98 and disengage the pawl 99.

In .order to prevent counter rotation of the shaft 81 and the arm 96 responsive to certain spring loads imposed thereon as will be explained, we provide holding cam H1 and II 8,pivoted to the mounting p1ate92 as at I I9 and I2I, respectively. K The underside of each cam is rounded as shown at I22 and I23, and the free ends thereof are biased by springs I24 and I26 against stop pins I21 and I28, respectively. The outer end of the arm 96 carries a pin I3I disposedto ride under the rounded surfaces, I22 and I23, and then to engage behind shoulders I32 and I33 on the cams Ill and H8, thus to prevent counter rotation of the arm 96 and its shaft 81.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4,

on the end of the main shaft 81 opposite arm96,

is fixedanarm I36. .Adjacent the outer end of the. arm we provide a screw I311; Slidablyfitting about the screw I31 is the slottedgend I38Qof-a link I39'. '1?he link I39 extends forwardly and is; pivotally connected by means ofa screw,I4:I to

the end ofiaiI crank arm I423 The crank arm I42 is mounted ona cross shaft I43, journalled in hearings in theside plates I0 and I I, Mounted fasten the shaft I43 adjacentthe inner walls of the side plates are upstanding arms I and I46. The upper ends of the arms I44 and,l46 carry;

outwardly projecting pinsI41 and .I48,;se e Fig.1. The purpose of these arms and pinswill be-later described. The arms I44 and I46 are biased in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 by a spring. I45 anchored at either end to the arm,

I42 and the adjacent side plate. I

Also mounted onthe shaft I 43 ondthe outside of the side plate I0 is a cam I49. Fixed to the side plate I0 is a switch ,I5I having an operating arm I52,carrying on its outer end a. small roller, I53. The switch I5I is biased toward closed posi tion by means of a spring I54. The cam I49 is dis posed tostrike the rollerfl53, thereby. to open switch, I5I at the proper time in the cycle of operation. I

Mounted forwardly and slightly'below shaft I43.

is another cross shaft I56 carrying printing ham.-

mer assemblies I51, I58, and I59 disposed to co-.

operate with the printing wheels of the clock 22, the amount wheel 3| andthe agents stamp30,

arms I6I are biased against resilient stops I62 on the plates I0 and II by means of springs I63.

As best shown in Fig, 6,, each of the hammer assemblies I51, I58 and I59 comprises amounting block I 64. secured non-rotatablyto the shaft I56. The upper side of each of the blocks I64. 1s grooved as indicated at I66 to receive thelower end of a hammer arm I61. The lower end of the hammer arm is provided. with a rearwardly extending lug I68, disposed to engage in the bottom of the groove I66 upon counterclockwise movement of theshaft I56 as viewed in Fig.6, thereby to propel the upper end of thehammerarm for-.- wardly. As shown, the lower ends of thehama mer arms are pivotally mounted to the blocks on a pin I69. The hammers or platens propercomprise a weighted head HI and a striking face I12, formed of relatively hard but resilient such as hard rubber or the like. I I

Intermediate the ends of the hammer shaft I56 is a trip arm I13. A roller I14 is mounted onthe outer end of an arm I16, in turn mounted fast on the shaft 81. The roller I14 is disposed, upon rotation of the shaft 81, to engage the arm I13 thereby rotatingshaft I56 and stretching the springs I63. Continued rotation of shaft :81 causes the roller toride off the endof the arm I13, thereby suddenly releasing the shaft I56 for hammers are at rest, that is, in the positions. shown in .Fig. 6 of the drawings, gravity moves the w ighted heads thereof slightly to the rear.

thu to assume a position clear ofthe sheet 8. Mounted to travel intermittently between the originalform I4 and the printing wheels and material egeiaemr in- Figs. '1" and 2-, the ribbon 1 11 is wound on spoolsi Ma and I19 The spools are carried on vertically disposed: shafts I81 and I82 rotatable in forked bearings I83 and I8 1; suitably secured to the side'pleite's'llkand II. On eachshaft I81 and H32 are ratchet wheels I86 and I81. Disposed to selectively coact with the respective Wheels I85 and: IE1 are awn I 88 and I89, pivotally' mounted as st rs-1 and I92 on L-shapedbrackets I93 and I94; slotted as indicated at I96 and I 9-1, an'd 's1idab1y' secured to the lates IUla'n'd- H by means of s'c'r'e'ws I- '98 a'nd- I99.

The lower edges ot' -the brackets I93 and I54 are-notched as indieated at 2M and 2-62. Slidably disposed in the not'ches are pins 203-and 2ll4 carried in the ends o'f arms 2-88 and 20-1 rigidly fixed to a' sha'ft 203. The arm-2il1 adj'aiient side p'lat'e I extends downwardly past the shaft 203 a'ri'd 'is pivotally connected by mea'ns'of: a screw- 209 toone end: oi a link 2| I. The opposite endof the linlc 2H is slotted as indicated -at' 212. Passing slidab ly through the. slot 212 is a pin z liifisecured to' the arm 96, which as will be rememberedis fast to the shaft 81. The pin-2 13" is oifset with respect to the shaft 81, whereby uponrotationof'the arin96, link 2 I I reciprocates back and forth, a certain amount of" lost motion being rovided by the slot 2 l2.-. The tape feed mechanism ju'st described is effective-to feed the-ribbon across the apparatus thereby m.present a new surface ofthe ribbon for printing: eachtime the: hammers come forw-ardly. Likewise, the usual and standard means for obtainingreverse movement-of the tape may, if desiredbe provided; Suffice it to say, however, that sliding motion is imparted to the brackets I93sia'nd lgd through the c'rank arm's 286" and 291, thuscausing either the pawl I88or I89: to rotate itsirespective ratchet wheel Itfi or L81, thus turning either thespool'zflt or I19, thereby to feed the-ribbon. l

The: mechanism. for feeding the sheet Hem-- bodyingflthe original: and: duplicate forms It and I6 will. now"be described. As before stated, we preferablyemploy-actrmpositesheet si The-sheet may' be .folded upon itself in lapped relation, whereby a large number of forms may be stored inta): cabinet. which as will' be understood is prointhe openings- I? and pull the sheet s through the apparatus: Between the gear Zi'B' andv the pin wheel NB-and". coiled about the shaft 2I'Iils a coil spring 222. One end of the coil spring. is fixed to the gear ZiS; by meansnota pin 223 and the'otlier endis fixed to thepin-wheel' 213 by rnea'nsof a pin 228. To permit initial tension'ing time spring to' the degree required, we providea plurality of openings 2I8faabout the sidelof wheel 2 I8 in'which the pins for holding that end] of the spring may be selectively inserted. It will be apparent thatv if shaft 2 I 1 is held station ajry, andgear 2l61i's'rotat'ed in the direction of the-arrow: as: shown. in Eigz'. 4', be woundundertension.

Pivotally mauntedt by means of! aiscrew 226: to: the side: plate: I I is a" rearwardly extending arm 221.. The screw Z-2tlpas'ses through aslot 226111 in plate II,;whereby the arm" 221- may beshiftedf thespring 222LWill longitudinallyof.- the. apparatus. The freeend of the: arm is biased v upwardly:- by means: of a: spring. 2281 against a stop pin 229;, likewise pro.-- jecting' inwardly from the: inner side of the plate Ii. It is to be noted that the arm: 221: occupies; a" position between the outer side Ofit'he pinwheel. 21 8: and: the. inside of the. plate I I. I

Mounted. on the outerfside of the" pin wheel 21s; is; a lug; 23-3.. @111 the. upper edge of the arm 22-1 is anupstanding detent' 230a disposed; when: the free end of the arm 221 is raised by thespring 228;.toliein the path of the 1ug.23ll,.thus to hold thepshaft 2H and consequently. both pinwheels: against rotation; Due to'the: slot 22-6a;.arm?2-2-1 maybe shifted whereby its; detent 230a" engages-v the lug 230 after slightlygreater or lessrotation of the pin: wheels 2 I8 and 21:9. This arrangement provides means fordetermining; precisely; the point: along its length at which the upper. sheet Mfiwilllbe cut, as will later appear.

Mounted. on theumain shaft 81 adjacent the sideplat'e. I I, to rotate alongside the arm 2211s a crank arm 23L. On the. outer end-of the-arm 23'I isan outwardly projecting pin 2321 adapted. as the arm- 23!. rotates-,. toengagethe upper. sur face' ofithe' 8.1111221, pivoting the latter down wardly and: disengaging the detent 230a: from behind the lug 23!). This action occurs after the: spring 222 has been wound: in a mannerlater'to be explained and therefore releases the pin wheels for rotation responsive to unwindingzof the spring 222-" thereby feeding the sheet' S:

ofrotation after the spring222 has unwound);

thus to position the'paper with the original form It between the stationary and movable elements:

of asheanlater to be-described.

fihecustomers;copy E4 of thezpolicyisrsepairated from the retained: copy IG- by separators later to b8,dSCIibd, and fed? over a stationary: blade 23 mounted aoross'the topof; the plates:

I0 and I I on suitable brackets 233.:

J our-nailed inbearings in thesideplates tt and it is-an operating-shaft 239'f0r actuating a mayable blade 24I'ef the shear. Fixed to the'shaft;

23 ad jacent the. inner. side of theplates Ill and and I I. The: movable blade 24I of the shear is.

carried on'the upper ends'of therpins 2 31- and248. The shaft 239 projects through the'side plate. It and is provided onits-projecting end with a forwardly extendingv arn 252. Mounted-on the endflof'the shaftdtinwardlyof thearm til 6 11; an

arm 253 carrying on its free end a roller "254 adapted; upon rotation of the arm-253 to strike the arm 252, moving the outer end of the same upwardly as viewed in Fig. 3.

I Through this linkage the mo'vableknife 24I is moved downwardly to shear the paper. l

h In order to raise the movable knife 24I, we pivotally mount to the side plate I as at256 an "L-shaped plate 251. Theleg of the plate 251 is provided with" a'rounded under portion 258 disposed to bestruck by the roller 254 androck the plate cloclowise as viewed in Fig. 3. This motion of the plate 251 causes a roller 255 on its other leg to engage the end of the arm 252, moving the same downwardly, thus to raise the knife.

If for any reason the plate 251 fails to rock about its pivot "256, weprovide an extension 251a. on

the legcarrying theroller 2 55 whichis disposed to be struck by'the end of arm 253, to rock the plate; 251; We therefore accomplish with this 'sim'plemechanism the motions of a bokcam,

but Without the complications manufacture of a true b'ox cam.

Mounted'on a bracket 259, in turn securedon incidental to the thebase plate I3 ofthe frame, is a switch 21I having an arm 212 spring blased toward closed position by a spring 213. Mounted on the end of the'switcharm 212 is a small roller 214 disposed in the path of 'a cam 216 carried on the main shaft 81. The cam 216 strikes the roller 214 upon rotationof shaft 81, thereby opening switch 21I.

Mounted on the side plate II is a switch 211 having'an arm 218 and which is of the type to 'snapto open or closed position. The switch 211 is olosable manually by the operator of the machine by-r'neans-of a downwardly movable button "219." The switch 211 is opened by means of a lever 28I pivoted to the side plate II as at 282. The lever 28I has one end disposed in the path of the'pin 232 on the arm 23I,'whereby when the pm 232 strikes the same the arm moves clockwise as viewed in Fig. 6. On the opposite end of the arm 28I,"and projecting through a suitable slot 283 in the side plateII is a pin 284. The pin284, upon upward movement engages switch arm 218, and opens theswitch.

Again referring to the cross shaft 208, which as will be recalledis rotatably oscillated through the link 2II, we provide thereon between the plates I0 and II a forwardly extending arm 286. Pivotally connected to the end of the arm 286 is a vertically disposed bar 281, biased forwardly thereof and provided with slots 291 adjacent each end for clearing the pins 22I of the pin wheels. The separator plate is provided at each end with notches 298 and298a disposed to engage over a pair of lugs 299 and 3M upstanding from the support plate 292. The lugs, and consequently the notches in the plate 296, aredisposed beyond the marginal edges of the sheet S. By

this means the sheet I4 is separated from the sheet I 6.

Adapted to overlie the upper sheet I4 is a hold down plate 302. The plate 302 is provided at its rear end with an upstanding screw 303 slidably fitting in a notchcarried in the end of a lug30'4, secured to the movable knife MI by a screw 306. The'forward end of the hold down plate 302 may be adjustably supported in spaced relation with respect to the upper sheet I4 by means of a'pair of the machine by means of a spring 288. The

member I2 and may freelyslide vertically while resting thereagainst.

pin 289. From the construction justdescribed it will be'apparent that when shaft 208 is rotated countercl'ockwise'as viewed in Fig. 2, clockwise 'as viewed in Fig. 6, a sufficient amount, the pin 289 engages beneath the end of the arm 39, re-

leasingthe pawl 4! from the ratchet gear 36.

upper end of the bar 281 rests against the cross H Projecting outwardly of the .bar 28'! to lie beneath the pawl arm 39 is a This action permits the spring 31 to reset. the 1 amount wheel to starting position. I

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6, the

sheets I4 and I6 pass upwardly immediately behind the ribbon I11 and over a rotatable rod 29I The sheet is supported on a plate 292, in turn supported on cross members 293 and 294 fixed at each end to the side plates I0 and I I., The sheets I4 and I6 forming sheet S continue rearwardly still in collated relation until they are.

divided by a plate 296, extending across the width sheet S comprising the original and duplicate of screws 301 disposed to engage the upper surface of the plate 292. The supporting plate 292 is notched atitssides as indicated at 308. Likewise, the hold down plate 302 is notched as at 309 to permit the pins 22I to project therethrough.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 6 and 'i we provide a slidable plate or shutter 31 I having depending yokes 3 I 2 disposed to fit about the pins I41 and I48 carried in the upper ends of the arms I44 and I46. When the machineis atrest, the

plate 3| I covers the heading I8 of the sheets; and as will be explained in connection with the operation of the apparatuspthe plate 3 II moves rearwardly to uncover the heading, thus permitting the operator to write in the data required.

Referring to the wiring diagram, Fig. 8, the

switch 66 is connected by a line 3I3 to one contact of the switch I5I. The opposite contactof the switch 66 is connected tothe power line 6I.

The opposite contact of switch I5I is connected both to the motor .11 and to one contact of switch 21I through lines 3I6 and 3I1. "The opposite contact of the switch 21I is connected by a line 3 I8 to one contact of the switch 211, and theopposite contact of switch 211 is connected to the power line 6!. The other side of the motor is connected by a line 322 to the power line 64.

From the foregoing, the operation of ourimproved form issuing apparatus may now be explained and readily understood. As before stated, I 'the mechanism herein described is mounted in a suitable cabinet, and the cabinet may be ofa height whereby a perso may conveniently fill in the dataon the form while standing. The

manually operated button 219 is accessible from ciently for lug 69 to disengage the roller 68, switch 66 closes, establishing a circuit from line 6|, to the motor 11 through the line 3I3, switch" I5I, line 3" and thence returning to line 64 through line 322. Thefmotor continues to operate until cam I49 opens switch I5I to break the circuit. It is to be noted that at the beginning of this operation the arm I08 is in the dotted line pesition shown in Fig. 5 wherein the pin I03 has ridden upon the inclined end H4 thereof, thus @again beneath the roller '53. .the switch 56.

- .11 a. :to disengage the pawl .99. The motor therefore starts without load other than .the friction of the gears T3 and 8!, and the pawl 99 is not engaged until the cam 1M strikes the lower end of the arm I93, thereby moving the upper end H4 thereof from beneath the pin I03. Likewise, due to'the coaction between the cam Hit and the :arm Hi, the pawl 9% is withdrawn immediately afteriswitch !5! is opened due to the pin I03 riding on the inclined end I !3 of the arm H. The

a "motor thus coasts toa stop since cam M9 is timed toopen switch I5! just as the pin Hi3 is raised by arm I. During this initial operation period the arm 22'! is in raised position whereby itsdetent is engaged "behind the lug 230 of the .pinwheel 213, The spring 222 thus is Wound up responsive to rotation of gear 2H5 by gear ,2l4. Likewise, in response to-this partial. rotation of the main shaft 81, the hammers are cooked 'by the-coaction of the roller i'iilmoving the arm 1.3 downwardly, thus stressing the springs I63 and readying the hammers for their printing strokes.

.Howeven-the apparatus is so timed that the hammers-are not released until the second' and final phase of the operation. Likewise during the first phase of the operation cam 216 has moved to a position topermit switch 21'! to close readying the motor for a second energization upon closing of switch 271. 'Likewise'during the first phase of operation the plate 3!! is moved to uncover the space on the form where the operator is to write in the required data.

The operator now :fills in the data of theheadiings 18,, and having completed this,presses downwardly .on the manually operable button 219. This action establishes a circuit from the .line ,6! through the switch,2ll, the line 3!8, through switch 21!, line 3!,6, themotor TLLand line 322 to line 64. The motor now commences torotate driving the gear 36, cams I04 and H13, and :the ratchet gear .94. As soon as cam I06 strikes the arm I! l, the end .1 !6 thereof is moved out1fr.om under the pin .!03, again permitting the pawl ,99 to engage with the gear 9.4 and locking the gear 36 to theshaft 8!. Immediately that the shaft .8! commences to turn, roller I'M runs off the .endofarm I13, permitting the hammers tosnap forwardly, thus printing the forms. By this time, pm 232 on arm 23! has moved around to a position .to engage thetop of arm 22!, lowering the free end thereof and removing detent 23ilafrom behind lug 230 on the pin wheel 2 l 9. This movement releases shaft 2!? for rotation responsive to unwinding of the spring 222. Thesheet S is thus fed rearwardly, it being remembered that the upper form has beenseparatedand .is passingat this time between the fixed and station- .aryblades of the shear. At 'a time, immediately after .the foregoing operations, arm vi236 moves around to strike roller 234 further rotating the shaft 2!! to move .the sheet !4 to a definite position-whereby when the shear blade 24! moves downwardly, the upper sheet Hi is cut at a predetermined positionalong its length. Theratchet gear 9-4 continues to turn and the cam Hi4 permits the arm I08 to pivot backwardly responsive to spring! 2 until such timeas-the pin H13 again rides'upon the end! i lof thearm H18. By this time, link 2-! will have .rotatedshaft 1208 to raise 'theibar 231, releasing: pawl 14 and permitting the amount wheel to turn back to starting position with ,pin'35a; engaging stop- 35, and with lug 69 This action opens ,Likewise,by this time, pin 232 .will have struck and pivoted arm 28!, thereby to .o en switch .21]. -.Simu1taneous1 y with the open-' in gzof switch 2l-|,-cam 216 opens switch 21!, de-

energizing the motor. TI. ,Prior to the openingcof the switches the upper form is sheared and the blade 24-! is returned in the manner already explained, and the plate 3 has moved-back totcover up the data column of the next form to be issued, thus completing a cycle ofoperation. The slide 3! I is locked inforward position due to the .dead center relation of arms 136 and I39.

In :the event a ,customer'deposits more than .a given :number, say five, coins in the .chute 2!, the closing of switch 12 moves the member :16 into the path of the coins, causing them to return, to the'customer througha slot in them-anner of .such devices.

Referring again to Fig. 5, each of thecams 104 and I06 is providedon the leading side thereof withgradually increasing spiraliportions IMaaand !,06a,x:resp.ectively. The purpose .of these is to assure complete disengagement of-the pawl from its ratchet gear, thereby preventing chatterin of the pawl against the teeth of the gear.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that we have devised an improved form issuing machine in which the power required to operate the same is exceedingly small and in which the motor "therefor is never started under load. Further,

we have found that thespring feed foreifecting the major portion of the paper feedin Operation,

in combination with the final positive feeding operation motion produced by the arms 236 and 2.33 is highly-satisfactory and that thevforms are sheared at precisely the correct point along their length. .As stated the exact point of :shearis readily determined by adjusting the :arm 22.! in the longitudinal slot 226a. The action of the shearis suchthat the form is quickly out after it is fed. ,A customer thus .does not have time totalre hold of the end of the form .andpull the same before it is sheared, thus preventing damonly a single copy. In actual operation we have found that the parts ofour improved apparatus are unusually free of wear surfaces and we are thereforepermitted to use for the most part relativelylow grade steel throughout.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in theiappended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus for issuing individual paper forms. from a continuous sheet .of the same wherein thesheet is provided with a rowof regu- .larly, spaced openings along each margin, a .pair

of sheet feeding wheels having pins .thereonengaging in said openings, a rotatable shaft on which the wheels are fixedly mounted, agear rotatably mounted on the shaft, a -,coil,spring between the gear and one of said Wheels, means 13 toanchor the ends of the spring to the gear and to thesaid one of the Wheels," a second rotatable shaft, a second gear fast on the said second shaft and in mesh with thefirst named gear, a third gear rotatably mounted on the second shaft, an electric motor for rotating the third'gear, means to energize the motor, a clutch interposed between the third gear and the second shaft, mechanism for engaging theclutch after the motor is started thereby to lock the third gear to the secondshaft and rotate the first and second gears and wind the spring, mechanism operable to hold thefirst shaft stationary while the clutch is engaged, mechanism to disengage the clutch after the spring'is wound, other mechanism for again engaging the clutch, and me'ans operable responsite to further rotation of the second shaft for releasing the first: shaft for rotation responsive to unwinding of the spring.

.2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the clutch comprises a ratchet gear rotatable with the third gear, a pawl mounted for rotation with the second shaft and spring biased into engagement withthe ratchet gear, and in which the I said arm to prevent counter rotation of the second shaft responsive to winding of the spring.

"4. Inapparatus for issuing individual paper forms from a continuous sheet of the same wherein the sheet is provided along each margin with a row of regularly spaced openings, mechanism for printing data on the forms embodying hammers, springs op eratively connected to the hammersfor moving the same on their printing strokes, sheet feeding mechanism embodying Wheels having pins thereondisposed to engage in said openings, a spring for rotating the wheels, an electric motor, a clutch disposed to operatively connect the motor to the hammer and wheel rotating springs, for stressing the same, mechanism for engaging the clutch after the motor has commenced rotation, and other mechanism for releasing the hammers, and wheels for actuation by their respective springs.

5. In apparatus for issuing individual paper forms froma continuous sheet of the same, an

electric motor, a coin mechanism, a switchin circuit with said motor disposed when a coin is dropped in the coin mechanism to close and. energize the motor, a plate movable by the motor to a position to uncover a portion of the'form to be issued, spring actuated printing and form feeding mechanisms, means operatively connecting the motor to the printing and feeding mechanisms to stress the springs thereof, a second switch in circuit with said motor, means operable after the springs are stressed to open said switch "and. deenergize the motor, a manually operable switch in circuit with the motor for again energizing the same, mechanism operable afterthe motor is energized the second time to release the printing and feeding mechanisms for actuation by their respective springs, means to return said plate to position to cover the next form of said sheet, a shear operated by said motor forcutting the form to be issued from the sheet after the feeding movement is-completed, and means operable responsive to continued rotation of the motor after the paper cuttingoperation toopen the manually operated switch thereby to againdefenergize the motor. r

6. Apparatus asrdefinedin claim 5 in which there is a third electric switch in series with'the motorand manually operated switch, and mecha nism disposed to hold said switch open-until after the motor has stressed thesprings. I i

7'. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 embodying av clutch operatively interposed between the mo-, tor and the springs, and engaging and disengagin mechanismior said clutch operable respon sive to the rotation of the motor wherebywthe motor starts without-load each timeit is energized. 1. 8. Apparatusas defined in claim 'Iin which there is a holding dog operatively associated with said springs and operable to assume the loads thereof after themotor is deenergized the said first time. 7

9; In apparatus for issuing individual forms from a continuous sheet of ,the'same wherein the sheet is provided along each margin with a row of regularly spaced openings, a main shaft, a gear rotatably mounted on the main shaft, a ratchet ,7 gear rotatable with said earyan electricmotor for rotating said gear, a pair of axially displaced substantially diametrically opposed camsrotate able with said gears, an arm non-rotatably mounted on said main shaft alongside theratchet gear, a pawl form said ratchet gear pivotally mounted on said arm and spring biased into, engagement with the ratchet gear, a pin projecting from said pawl and disposed upon outwardm'ovement to disengage the pawl from the ratchet gear, substantially diametrically opposed pivots ally mounted members each spring biased into engagement with one of said cams, theouter ends 7 of said members lying inthe path of saidvpin to raise thesame when the cams are'jout of contact with the members, switches associated with said motor and operable immediatelyafter the pin engages said members tofdeenergize the mo tor, spring actuated" printing and paper feed mechanisms, means to stress the springs thereof responsive to rotation of themain shaft, a manu= ally operable switch in circuit with said motor to again energizethe'same when it isdeenergized aftersaid partialrotation fand mechanism for releasing the printing andfeed mechanisms for actuation by their springs responsive to further rotation of the main shaft. i 10. In apparatus for issuing individual forms from a continuous sheet ,of mechanism, an electric switch'closable upon the insertion of a coin in the coin mechanism, mechf anism for printing data on theforms embodying spring actuated hammers and a type carrying amount wheel, electrically operated means con-f trolled by said switch to partially rotate the amount wheel and place the type thereon in printing position responsive to the insertion of a coin in said coin mechanism, spring actuated sheet feeding mechanism, an electric motor for stressing the springs of the hammer and feeding the same, a coin '15; for ,cutting a form from'said sheet after the printing and "feeding operations.

"11.:In apparatus'for issuing individual f rms from a continuous sheet of the same embodying in combination spring actuated printing,isheet feeding and shearing .meohanisms, a plate slidable to a positionto uncovera portion .of the of the indexing mechanism to "energize the motor, another switch in said circuit openable after a 'pre'determinedrotation of the motor to deenergize the same, means to hold said springs stressed :while the motor is deenergi-zed, ,a manually closable switch in said circuits for again energizing the motor, means to free the printing and feeding .me'chanisms'for' actuation by the saidspringsafter the motor is again energized, means to actuate the shear after the completion of the sheet feeding movement, and means operable in .response to a' second predetermined amount of rotation of the motor to open the manually closable switchito again deenergize the motor.

12. Apparatusas defined in vclaim'll in which the spring for actuating the sheet feeding mechanism is a coil spring, and in which means are provided for placing said-spring under a selectable :amount ,of initial tension.

1 13 Apparatus as define'din claim 11 incombination with a-clutch interposed in operative drivin'grrelati'on between the 'motor and said springs, and mechanisms for engaging said clutch: after the motor is energized ,eachtime, said mechanisms "likewise being adapted to disenease the clutch ponach deenereization of the 3.14. ,Inca-pparatus: for issuing individual forms from arcontinuous sheetzof-zthe :same wherein the form requires the hand-written entry thereon of data {by the operator of the apparatus, .mech- I .anism'for printing'other .data on the form including rotatable type carrying wheels and springactuated platens therefor, means to feed the form between the type wheels andthe platens, an electric ,motor operatively connected when energized-a first time to stress the springs of said platens, a plate slidable by saidmotorduring the first period of energization thereof to a position touncover the space on the form wherein the operator is to write in the data, means to deenergize the motor after the plate is moved and said-springs are stressed, a pair of sheet feeding wheels non-rotatably mounted on a common shaftand engaging the sheet, manually operated means to energize the motor a second time,

lease the platens tocthe action oftheir springs and to effect rotation of the feeding wheels,ga

shear for cutting-a form from the end of the sheet fed through the apparatus, and means ,operable after all of the foregoing operations to again deenergize the motor.

15. In apparatus for issuing individual forms from a continuous sheet of the same wherein the form requires the handwritten entry thereon of data by the operator of the apparatus'mechanism for printing other data on the form including a rotatable type carrying Wheel and .a movable platen therefor, means to feed the form between the type wheel and the platen, an electric motor operatively connected when energized a first time to position theplaten'forstriking movement toward the form and type wheel, a member movable by said motor during the first period of energization thereof to a position to uncover the space on the form wherein the operator is to write in the data, means to deenergize the motor after the member is moved and said platen is positioned for striking movement, 3, pair of sheet feeding wheels non-rotatably mounted on a common shaft and engaging the sheet, manually operated means to energize the motor a second time, means responsive to rotation of the motor during the second period of energization thereof to first release the platen for striking movement and subsequent'thereto eifect rotation of the sheet feeding wheels, means for severing a form from the end of the sheet fed through the apparatus, and means operable after the rotation of the sheet feeding wheels to again de-energize the motor. I WILLIAM W. HARPER. LLOYD E. GILBERT.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The following :references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 788,012 Anderson Apr. 25, 1905 1,188,875 Allard [June 27, 1916 1,308,966 Sullivan July 8, 1919 1,336,628 Hughes Apr. 13, 1920 1,635,452 Zsoldos July 12, 1927 1,719,497 Bell .July 2, 1929 1,784,585 Eller Dec. 9, 1930 1,958,355 Wheeler May 8, 1934 1,961,107 Klussendorf May 29,1934 2,028,630 Stark Jan. 21, 1936 2,115,410 Cooper Apr. 26,1938 2,266,825 Streckfuss Dec. 23, 1941 2,271,073 Harris Jan. 27, 1942 2,331,635 Streckfuss Oct. 12,1943 2,345,286 Peterson Mar. 28, 1944 2,480,350 Anderson Aug. 30, 1949

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