US2661538A - Ruling machine - Google Patents

Description

J. D. MOORE RULING MACHINE Dec. 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 25, 1952 o :fa

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` Hter/ley l J. D. MOORE Dec. 8, 1953 RULING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1952 QWH Dec. 8, 1953 J. D. MOORE 2,661,538

RULING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 8, 1953 1, D, MOORE 2,661,538

RULING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1952 5 SheetS-Sheetl 4 ".L-mhr" 24 brgla 1 W i@ OO 515 o6 T f J. D. MOORE RULING MACHINE Dec, 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 23, 1952 n. am @gg w Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to paper ruling machines.

Paper ruling machines in general consist of a frame or bed over which the sheet to be ruled is transported by means of an endless belt beneath transverse beams holding multiple arrangements of pens that are set to give the desired spacing of the lines to be ruled.

Generally the length of the lines relative to the length of the sheet to be ruled is controlled by the raising or lowering of the pen supporting beams. The raising or lowering of the pen supporting beams is controlled and actuated in sequence through a system of cams which in turn are actuated by the paper conveying mechanism.

While many of the ruling machines at present available are capable of producing ruled stock at high speeds there is one common disadvantage in this prior art apparatus in that the accuracy and alignment of the beginning or termination of a ruled line is dependent to a great deal on the care and precision with which the pens are set up in the pen beams and the correct setting of the beam lifting cams.

For example, if a sheet has to be ruled first in regular spaced apart longitudinal lines and then cross ruled in transverse lines across the ends of the longitudinal lines, it is necessary for all the longitudinal lines to start exactly in alignment so that there will be no lines extending when the transverse lines are ruled. If for example, the sheet has 30 spaced apart longitudinal lines, it means that 30 pens must meet the paper at exactly the same point, or when the pen beam is dropped, any of the pens which are aligned so as to protrude slightly beyond the others will produce a line before the remaining pens contact the paper.

A further disadvantage of most of the prior art apparatus is that the paper is maintained in contact with the conveyor carrying it beneath the pen beams by a plurality of endless cords which pass between the pens and are supported in their non-operative run above the machine by standards and rollers positioned at each end. To give adequate working space above the bed of the v machine these standards have to project considerably above the machine. They also occupy considerable floor space, particularly if two machines are connected in dual or L to produce multiple transverse lines with a single run.Y Due to the complex setting up required for the present vruling machines, the use of two combined machines is the most practical manner to achieve production results.

The flexibility of the endless cords also allows the paper at times to be fed beneaththepens witha wave or buckle in it so that the raised portion of the paper contacts the pens before the remainder of the sheet.

rlhe present invention recognizes these disadvantages and aims to' provide a compact, eflcient ruling machine that embodies means whereby the setting up time is considerably reduced and the accuracy and alignment of lines made positive.

Sheets to be ruled that require blind striking and mitering can also be made to perfection in the present apparatus.

Further, a ruling machine constructed in accordance with the invention eliminates the necessity for any overhead construction so that the whole top of the machine is clear and open to the operator.

Accordingly, the invention is a ruling machine having in combination with a supporting frame, at least one pen beam pivotally mounted on the frame, and a paper supporting carriage mounted on the frame for. reciprocal movement beneath the pen beam. A template supporting frame is also mounted on the machine frame above the paper supporting carriage and is adapted to be moved beneath the pen beam when engaged by the paper supporting carriage. Means are provided on the paper carriage to pick up, carry beneath the pens, and eject individual sheets of paper when ruled.

A main feature in the present ruling machine resides in the use of a thin template which is mounted on the template supporting carriage and interposed between the paper carried by the paper supporting carriage at the beginning and/or ending of the desired lines to be ruled. The pen beams are mounted on the frame so as to be readily interchangeable and the ink supply means is also interchangeable and capable of preset-up. This means that the pens may be set up on the beams in any desired alignment and spacing and the ink supplying wicks inserted to suit any desired line and color arrangement outside of the machine while the machine is in use. In this manner various layouts can be preparedand run off in sequence with the minimum of machine stoppage.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred construction of a ruling machine in accordance l with the inventiony is illustrated, and in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a preferred construction of a ruling machine in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic View of a portion of a sheet as it may beruled by the present apparatus.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of a template used to produce the vertical line formation on the .sample sheet shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan View of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure l to illustrate in more detail the arrangement of the sheet carrying frame and template.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 along the line 5-5 to illustrate in more detail the relative position of the upper and lower` track and the lever mechanism actuating the paper release.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of Figure 1 along the line 6-6 to illustrate in side elevation the construction of the apparatus.

Figure '7 is a sectional viewof'Figure 1" along the line 'I-i to illustrate in more detail the pen raising cams of the paper holdingarria'ge.

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross sectioriz'of-'the construction shown in Figure 1 with the paper 'Supportingcarriage at a position approximately Amid-'way oigthe stroke of the machine-to show more clearly the relative position of the carrier, theV bed board, thei'actuating linkage andv the frame. n

Figure 91s an enlarged detail view ofapoirtion of the construction shownin'Figure 6 to Yillus- :trateiin more `detail the relativeI position of template holder, paper carrier, bed 'board and paper release mecha-rlisininy the terminal -position at the-end o f astroke prior Yto picking Aup a new sheet of paper.

t Figure 10 is a view corresponding in location to Figure 9 illustrating the initial forward movementoithe b ed board-relative to the template supporting frame withthe lower track raised.

1 Figure 1l shows the -bed board Vand template supportingjrame at the other terminal position-at thegend of the stroke with the paper sheet being carried off by the paper removing mechamsm.y i

Figure-l2 is a diagrainmatcview in horizontal /eross'section of; the portion of. the apparatus Ashown in Figure 1,0 to. illustratetin more detail the relative position of theupaper engaging (gripperland the actuating 'mechanism operat- -ingthis member. Figure- 13 isa sectional .view of the constructionshown in Figure 1 ;along the line I3-f-I3 to illustrate in more Vdetail'the removable'pin holding the pen Vbeam and also`the lever raising the Hens when actuated'by the' penraising cams positioned on the frame. F igur e\ lfiis` a' diagrammatic View inA cross sectionvofthe ink feeding arrangement of the appa- Vratus illustrating the constructionin more detail.

Figure 15 ,is a diagrammatic view in.4 plan of the ink feeding arrangement showing the relative position-ot the. main ink supply elements ,@lndihe preferred method of feeding of the front and rear pens.

Figure 16A` isan enlarged'sectional View of a preferredfformpf 'ink' reservoir along the line lef-[6 of-.Figure 15. Y Figure 17 is a diagrammatic View partially in section ofnthe paper feeding, template supporting frame, bed board, and paper removing-arlfrlgement as itwould 'appear' in aterminal position at the ,endof. a stroke las partially fsho'wn 5.

in enlarged detail in Figure 11. Figure 18 is an, enlarged fragmentary view of 4.theiront portion of- .ther mobile bed board to illustrate in more detail the resiliently biasedcam arrangement governing Ythe operation offthe-pa- `per; holding gripper as it would-'appear at the end of the operating stroke.

`vFigurefl) an enlarged diagrammatic View in pl a n ora' portion of 'the construction 'shown in Figure `l .to illustrate in more detailthe relative position of the cam carryingfbar atlther-end of the forward stroke with the bar locking cam in down position, taining me bar in one terminal position with the pen beams raised.

Figure 20 is afyiew iFSi'deelevatiori off a portion of Figure l9-to show inmordetailthe construction and relative position of the bar lockv -ir-'ing cam and one of the pen beam holding cams.

MrFigure 21 is a fragmentary View in plan corrs'pdn'ding in location to Figure 19 with the cam le Hcarrying side loar inthe other terminal position with the bar retaining cam raised and the pen beams'"aetuating'ica'ms allowing the pen beams tomove 4into operative position.

Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary view of 15 aportion of theconstructionshown in Figure 21 in side elevation tol illustrate Ytherelati'veposition andjonstructionof the bar retaininglcan and .pen beams Vin the second terminal position. y Figure23 isa sectional viewr ofFigure 2 1-alng 20 ytheline 23-2A3 to illustrate the relative position ofthe bar locatingfcam, camv actuating'plate supported by the template lcarrying frame and terminalpositionfbar actuating pin attached to the template supporting frame.. Y

A'With-,par fcular yreference lto Figures l, 8 of the accompanying drawings wherein a paper ruling vmachine ,Gonsirllebedfin accordance.. ,with the invention is illustratedrespectivelyin plan, transverse cross-xsectiom-and side elevation, VVIi) designates l the main supporting frame of the mahnen the. UPP?? 99133.10@ 0f, Which 1.7119159115 mounted a rxed upper and .a movable lower .guiding irak. l2 and, lit- The gaeta-I2 anali Larergsiigned at each; .Side Qf .thgframe and. are moun 011151.19 nefzufefh? top 011311.5-

Verse frame members.v Theupper track I2 serves ias. a guiding@ means' for@ template Suppertng carriage 2i), while the lower track It serves'as @J glldlmean f9.3 @.:PpfSllpporllgtca" 4.0 Yriage- 22, the upper-surfaceof whichI serves as a bedboafd- A; pair; 0i:eensupportingbeams-2a. 2,@ are piVOtaHy-,mouniedbetween Standard-S 3Q', 3255.0 as toextendtransversely across the top otheirame 1.0 in spaced. apart relationship Y and Cam means Yare provided Wherebrthemovement 0f .the template supporting carriage 2 5 is; adapted 'to raise andlower these pen supporting-beams. This arrangement `will jbe described `in more detaillater.

A paper `feeding conveyor "4@ is connected to one end ofthe machineso asi to deliver the sheets `of -paper to aypaper guide arrangement s o that each sheet is aligllod jin 'the correct positiongfor picking up by the papergsupporting carriage Y22. vAnyendless cordconveyorrmeans a2, is provided at the' other endI of themachine that is adapted in'combinati'on with anendless belt 283 to remove `the ruled paper from thejpaper supporting carriage and Adeposit' it in astacker-orbox d4 -mountedon the' lower vportion of the frame.; it.

This is merelyfshownfbrway Qfillutratige and itwillbei understood that .when @he mige@ .is iitilzed in thepreflerrcd tandem or L formation the paper would be delivered' to a" sheet turning ldevicef so` asV tov position it tov be transferred tothe 'tiiermachne eri the uref sub-sequent miin'g'as, fslivel'liii:

penbeams' 2t,"'26are"adaptei to support .in spaced apart relaiienship @er ed 2111m- EA #Instead-'ofthe ensisuppcrted Vof..plates 00 and intervening links 82.

ying the ruling stroke.

of paper is picked up and supported in flat condition during the ruling stroke by the paper supporting carriage 22 which is mounted on the track I4 for reciprocal movement beneath the pen beams. This reciprocal movement is imparted to the paper supporting carriage 22 by means of lever arms 50 which in turn are actuated by crank arms 52 driven from the crank wheels 54. The crank wheels E4 are mounted in suitable bearings 56 adjacent the lower portion of the frame I0 and driven by means of a belt and pulley arrangement from a motor 00.

In order that the working of the machine may be more clearly understood the various portions will be described separately and in more detail.

Paper feeding device The paper feeding belts 40 are adapted to ieed the sheets of paper between a plurality of resilient holddown fingers 70 which are provided vwith rollers 'i2 to convey the paper forward on the belts. These paper holddown members 'I0 are adapted to act in co-operation with a curved base plate 'I3 mounted on the frame of the machine so that as the paper sheets are fed forward from the conveyor 40 they are individually moved upwardly between the top fingers l0 and the-lower plate 'I3 until the forward edge encounters a plurality of spaced apart adjustable stop gauges '14. The stop gauges 'i4 are pivotally mounted 'oy means of a shaft 'IB to the frame I0 and are actuated to raise at the required time to allow a sheet of paper to be picked up by the paper supporting carriage as will be described in more detail later. Lever means 80 are connected to each end of the shaft 'I6 on which the stop gauges 'i4 are mounted. The lever means 80 is actuated by the paper supporting carriage 20 in one terminal Vposition of the ruling stroke.

Paper supporting carriage The paper supporting carriage 22 consists of a plurality of interconnected segments 2 which are supported and hingedly connected by means Each of the segments 2'I comprises a rectangular bar having a facing 28 on the upper surface so that when the carriage 22 is in ruling position the combined facings 2S serve as a bed board on which the paper is supported and held down durto each of the segments 2l by means of an outstanding flange 81 so that each segment 2l is provided with an opposed parallel pair of downwardly extending plates 80, one at each end.

A pair of rollers 34 are mounted for rotation on each of the plates 80 by means of shafts 86 which extend outwardly from the plates 80 at each side of. the carriage 22. The shafts 86 also serve as connecting pivots for the links 82.

When the paper supporting carriage 22 is Atravelling along the lower movable guide track i4 in a horizontal plane the links 82 keep the segments 2l in juxtaposed alignment but when the carriage 22 travels over the curved segments of ruling stroke, the links 82 allow the segments 2l to separate and follow the contour of the track.

The first 27a of the segments 2l is provided withv a roller S0 that is inset in the segment 21a for free rotation so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the paper sheet from the upper surface of the carriage 22 at the end of the ruling stroke. Pivotally mounted paper grippers 92 are provided on the leading edge of the forward carriage segment The plates 80 are secured the track I4, during the beginning and end of a 21a so as to selectively grip and retain the leading edge of a sheet of paper fed between the paper holddown fingers I4. The paper grippers 92 are secured in spaced apart relationship to a common shaft |02 mounted for pivotal movement on and extending transversely across the front face of the carriage segment 21a.

The grippers 02 are resiliently maintained in up or down position by means of a cam |04 mounted on the end of the shaft |03 extending beyond the side of the segment 21a. A spring |00 acts against the face of the cam |04 so that as the grippers are moved into either position and the shaft |02 is rotated to move the cam |04 over centre in one direction or the other, the cam is resiliently retained in the selected position until the grippers 02 are again actuated through the movement of the paper supporting carriage. In Figure 18, the cam |04 is shown in down position, and in Figure 10, a gripper 02 is shown in up, or closed position.

The movement of the grippers 92 between up and down position is controlled by means of an extension 93 provided on one of the grippers 92a positioned adjacent the outer edge of the segment 21a on the same side as the cam |04. This extension 93 is adapted to contact a fixed stop |08 extending from the frame I0 at the end of the ruling stroke so as to place the grippers 92 in the up position to release the paper. The grippers 02 remain in the up position throughout the return stroke and on the beginning of Vthe ruling stroke the extension 93 contacts a resiliently biased stop I|0 so as to urge the grippers 92 into the down or closed position to grip the paper between the stop gauges 14. The stop ||0 is necessarily resiliently biased to allow the extension 93 to continue forward after the gripp-ers 92 have been placed in down condition as well as allowing the extension 93 to pass the stop ||0 during the return stroke.

Movable track The lower track I4 is mounted on the frame I0 by means of slides 60 and (zo-operating slide blocks 6| secured to the upper portion of the frame I0 at each side. This arrangement allows for vertical up and down reciprocal movement of the track I4 relative to the track i2. This reciprocal movement is to provide clearance between the paper supporting carriage 22 and the template supporting carriage 20 at the end of each ruling stroke and during the return movement of the paper supporting carriage 22.

The reciprocal movement is imparted to the track I4 by means of a bellcrank |00 and lever |02 arrangement which is mounted on the upper portion of the frame I0 and is actuated through the sliding motion of a control bar 0| between two terminal positions on the frame I0.

With particular reference to Figure 5, an upper member of the frame I0 is slotted as indicated at |20. The lever |02, which is flxedly mounted on a common shaft |03 with the bellcrank |00, extends through the slot to a pivoted connection with the control bar 8| by means of a pin |04 which extends at right angles from the end of the lever |02. This movement is transmitted to the other end of the frame by means of a connecting rod |2| extending between the bellcrank |00 and a second bellcrank |22 pivotally attached to the frame I0. A connecting shaft I 24 extends from the bellcrank |00 transversely across the frame to a similar arrangement on the other side of the frame so that both sides of the track Vis designedfor the ruling the Viol-1n"shown in FigureV 2. The template 21 is' preferably made of a'thinplastic material and jisinsertedibetween'the frame members' l3`and the holddownV strips |53 'at the "front/endl and mareas 7 I d *arefj acted ``on simultaneously. The? shaped `arms LHJ I and l`I`23' fof vthe bellcranks I U52' vI 22 are 1adapted'to-slidalbly engage witlicam shapedfexte'nsi'ans't3 provided'on th'e'slide blcks'l sothat pivotal movement vof the b'ellcranks'film,l I-fn onedirection acts to raisel the'slides'l `iand'consequently the track Ill and iny theopposit'direciiange of rthe track I2. `The length Vofthe'slots 'rfI'conse'quently limits theextent'of'travelof the control bar 8|. However, a more positives'top is Vprovided by a resiliently biased L-'shap'edstop 4130,- the lower leg |42 of which is 'adapted tofall *Minto horizontal alignment with and to bear .against the end ofthe Ybar lSI in one vterminal Aposition and remain in lockedposition v'until released bythe movement Jof the template "supporting carriage'il atVV the end Yof vthe return stroke. The stopping of the control bar at 'the Aend'o'f the forward, or ruling stroke-is resiliently 'dampened .by'means' of coil springs .H53 supportedfon adjustable pins I ll. "The stop `Ifl i'spiv'otally mounted on the upper suriaceo'f'the ,track I2, seeiguresl 17 and 23, with a fiat spring -I-bearing 'against theverticalV leg 'V25 01"' the 1stop-Ill so as -to normally urge it forward and "downward 'A pin I'lile'xtends at right angles "fronti the top of the leg M so that it is norn'ally disposed inthe path of a've'rtical pinA iti extending from theA side ofy the template supporting carriage2. At Ythe end of the returnstrole of the carriage the"'engagement `ofthe pin? ISI with the pin MI tilts the stopllV rearward, against the inuence of the spring '145, so that the stop portion ILl is raised from engagement with the jend ofthe control bar 8l. 'The control ba'rl is @then caused "to travel tothev terrninallposition vvunder the inu'ence'ofthe coil Vsprings i143* and "more positively bythe engagementof af stoppin I'llfextending from the sideof'theltemplate'lcarriage 2@ with a stop H2 protruding fromtthein- 'Template' supporting' carriage The tem plate supporting carriage 2 Q 'consists `"of lav rectangular frameV i158 to"the"ute1""side Lmembers of `which^"'are' journalled"rollers""l'52 jv'afdapted to'ri'de in theguide track l 2. 1v*lh'e'frame "'IGj isI shaped 'internally to accommode. te the'up- L"per portions of theY segments 2l or"- `the'paper supportingcarriage 22 sd'that 'when'bcth car- YtemplateA Iil mounted on the template"frame'I 56B Voi' the vertical lines on 8 sidesfo'f the frame "ISll to accommodate thew'ertical I ruling ofv the forrn=`lillstrated Similar templates maybe insertedfatanyffposltion in 'the' frarnefto* control fth'ibeginningffand "ending Aof any'Y lines. 'fMore' than one? template may-be used'E simultaneously" ii-Y so 'desired lto'suit vthe particular ruling-fof any form.

Alonger 'than'l the side "frame f'rnem-ber |163'5an`d1iis Y' provided with twd stepped "islotsI'Sf whiclrS-'Iare adapted toV accommodate outstanding! carrriplates which are' 'ad'aptedfto engage;and-factuatefthe pen beamsfzdg'fas will befi'deseribe'd'lin# more detail later.

' Carriage actuating' mechanism The paper supporting carriage 22 and the template supporting vcarriage 20 'arel'simultaneosly moved forward and backward'in the ruling and return motionralong the vguide tracks I2 and'f-M. Thisis accomplished bythe connection"bf^the lever arms 50 with a; pair "of fixed lever arm's'53 secured to and extending downwardly-fronifthe template frame i60 of lthe* carria'ge'iz 'atfeach side. The lever arms 53 each include anelongated slot 5'I andpins'z extending-fromeach side 5th of the second segment 2lb vof the carriage 22, engage in the slotsl 51'so thairtlcier carriages 25, 22 are pivotally and slidably interconnected.

The upper ends of the'leverarrns 50"-arelpivotally connected at each side ofthe frametdthe lower ends of the fixedleverfarmsfli"i'IheiloWer end of each of the-lever arms 50 ispivotallyand slidably connected to' bracketsZ'GSiextending' from .ie frame I@ at each side'by means of elongated slots 2e?, in the'lever arms and headed pinsror rivets 2m. vThis arrangement'allowsthlever arms 5! under the influence of the crankarms 52 to move in a radial larc with theslot's-Ijf in the lever arms-53andf55compensating for the difference in effective length when the carriages "29; 22 move in ruling.'andlreturntravel AS previously brieflydes'cribedthe crank'arms 52 are pivotally connecte'dfbetween lthe" `leverarms fare 'mounted 1in spaced apart relationship on: a

common"'s'haft 59 `journalled' in thebearingiblocks 56 adjacent the lower *portion foftl'ier-' framed I 0. The Vdrive' tov the 'cra-nkwheels 54 from .'fthe motor driven by afbelt-'Z'lz' from aIpulleyZMisecuredto a shaft 266' journalled between the'l sidesotthe frame' It. A lsecond*v pulley 248 vvmountedon the' shaft 246 'and is driven fromrthe motor'z by Aa belt"25.

Paper discharge apparatus The endless cord conveyor' 42 'at'the' discharge end of the/apparatusserves toremove the-ruled sheets of paper iromthe carriage 22 inicoe'op'eration with the endless "belt: ZBQ'Theendl'es's v`belt 291 extending across and journalled' in'cth'e'side members of the frame i.'y Adrive rol1er'292secured to a shaft-268,` whichextends acrossthe framel I5 and is `journalledtherein at eachv side, supplies the drive to the bell-,289. c A "pulley"lll is secured to an outer endof A'the shaft? 2664and`abelt l252' extends {betweerrther pulley 254 and al pulley 255 Amountedonthe outerend of the'sliaft 246.

` With Ythis arrangement A"the" drive appliedtd the y less 'belt28lL'v The endless'conveyor42 is mounted 'over 'the-'idler rollers S'lf 302; secured' to"'"sliafts 30|, 303, journalled in the frame I 0, and also over the idler rollers 290, 293, supporting the belt 280. The individual cords of the conveyor 42 are maintained in the desired spaced apart relationship by a plurality of adjustably spaced apart guide wheels 309. Each of the wheels 309 is mounted on an adjustable bearing arm 3I0 and the bearing arms 3|3 are mounted on a common shaft 3|2 extending transversely across the frame I0. The bearing arms 3I0 are slidably mounted on the shaft 3I2 and are each maintained by means of locking set screws 3 I4.

The idler roller 295 mounted on the shaft 291 is positioned directly beneath and in substantial alignment with the guide wheels 309. The guide wheels 309 are set so as to be slightly above the roller 295 so that the cords of the conveyor 42 meet the surface of the belt 280 at this point to provide a paper engaging nip.

- In order to feed the paper from the carriage 22 into the nip between the belts 42, 200, there is provided a plurality, in this case four (4), of spaced apart feed rollers 350 each of which is individually mounted on resiliently biased supporting shafts 352. Each of the shafts 352 include an outstanding flange 356 and each shaft is slidably engaged in an open ended cylinder354 so that the ange 356 engages with and is adapted to compress a coil spring 353 housed within the cylinder 354. A locking nut 360 is threadably engaged with the end of the shaft 352 protruding beyond the cylinder 354 so as to retain the shaft in position and provide a means of adjusting the tension on the springs 358.

The centre pair 350aA of the rollers 353 are also each provided with a drive pulley 35| and cord belts 353 are provided between the pulley 35| and a corresponding pair of drive pulleys 355 mounted on a spaced apart pair 309a of the guide wheels 300. See Figure 11 of the drawings. With this arrangement, as the guide Wheels 30941 are rotated by the cords of the conveyor 42 the feed rolls 350a are driven so as to act against the sheets of paper supported on the carriage 22 and impel the leading edge of the paper sheet into the nip between the conveyor belts 42 and 280.

The travel of the conveyor cords 42 is over the outside of the idler roller 293 exteriorly of the conveyor belt 280, over the idler roller 290, between the roller 230 and the belt 230, and then over the idler rollers 300, 302 to return over the guide wheels 303 between the wheels 303 and the idler roller 295. The paper when discharged from the carriage 22 is thus retained between the cords of the conveyor 42 and the belt 280 during its travel around the rollers 233, 230, until the paper reaches the idler roller 230, where the cord conveyor 42 ceases to contact the belt 280, and the paper is then ejected into the stacker 44. A heating element 320 is attached to the frame beneath the travel of the belts 220, and 42 so as to provide supplementary heat to aid in the drying of the ink on the ruled paper as it is carried along by the belt 200.

Rotary drying and cleaning brushes 700, '|02 are mounted above the travel of the template supporting carriage 20 on standards 104, '|06 so as tc extend across the upper portion of the frame. The brush '|00 is driven by a cord belt 108 rom the idler roller 284 while the brush '|02 is driven by a cord belt I I from the idler roller 235. The brushes m6, '|02 are positioned so as to frictionally contact the surface of the template |80 so as to dry and/ or remove any surplus ink at the beginning and end of each ruling stroke.

Pen beams The pen beams 24, 26 are of similar and known construction wherein the beam and pen clamp is in one complete unit which is mounted at each end to the standards 30, 32 so as to be adapted for pivotal movement relative to the frame I0. Beam end supporting frames 452 are journalled in the standards 30, 32 by means of shafts 404. Cam arms 453 are secured to the shafts 404 at one side of the frame and are adapted to be engaged by cam blocks 408, 4|() mounted in spaced apart relationship on the control bar 8|. Similar cam arms 45? are mounted on the shafts 434 on the other side of the frame so as to be in a position for engagement by the cam plates @I2 mounted in the stepped slots |50 of the template supporting frame |60. The cam plates 4I2 preferably consist of straight metal strips of assorted lengths which are inserted in the slots 93, one for each pen beam in use, for the purpose of holding up the beams over a blank space on the paper, say an extra deep head, or when two or more forms are set on the paper, or at the end of the ruled lines. These cam strips are positioned so as to allow the pens to drop in as short a space as possible in the template or templates, or to raise the pens off the paper atv the foot.

It is not necessary, nor is it intended that the cam strips 4I2 need be set exactly as is necessary with the controlling cams in prior art ruling machines as the template determines the exactness of the beginning or ending of ruled lines. It is contemplated, however, that if for any reason the present apparatus should be used without a template the cams 4I2 could be set exactly so as to function in the usual manner as is Well known in the art. An extension bar |59 is provided on the template supporting carriage in front of and in alignment with the slots for the purpose of contacting the cam arms 407 keeping the pen beams in raised position prior to the cams 4I2 coming into operation on the forward stroke.

The pen beams 24, 26 each include tapered openings 4I5 at each end and when the ends of the beams 24, 26 are placed within the channels 403 of the end supporting frames 404, tapered pins 420 are inserted in the openings 4I5 to hold the beams in place.

This arrangement permits easy interchangeability of the pen supporting beams and allows the pens to be set-up exteriorly of the machine if so desired. See Figure 13.

The pen beams 24, 25 are each adapted to clamp and retain a plurality of ruling pens 500 inthe usual manner. The ruling pens 500 are of the usual construction and ink is supplied to each pen by means of an automatic ink fountain arrangement 502 mounted on the side of thefframe I0 with tubes feeding to ink reservoirs mounted directly on the beams 24, 26.

In the set up illustrated each pen beam 24, 26 is ready for the ruling of lines in three different colours, let us say black, red and blue. Each of the beams 24, 25 is provided with a plate 520 extending beneath the rear edge of the beam and supporting a nested arrangement of ink pans, 522, 524, 526, see Figures 14 and i5. Wicks 530 extend from each of these pans to the groove of each ruling pen with the various colours being separated by shielding layers of suitable material 532,'for example, layers of tinfoil.

Assuming that the reservoir 55) contains black ink, this reservoir is mounted in a main ink supply pan 552 and ink-isfdelivered from the pan 552 to the pans 522 on the beams 24, 26 by means tuloe'1s'&'i.i5V are connected to the pan 552s() as tof be'ca'pable of being pivotally swungv towards and away' from the pen'beam ink pans'so that they ink supply source canbe selectively put into lop-4 trol'stl'e level of the yink wherein reservoir bottles.

aieiimmersed."

Thisl :arrangement provides for the quick 'and' easy changing-oi ink colours or replenishment'of inl *sources Ywithout the necessity' of vchangingorv adjustment of the pen beams and'pen set-up.

Alltliepens used inthe present arrangement" may bflcut so as to eliminate the possibility o1 fiill" brblind lines in close ruling. This presents a distinct advantage over the prior art machines aslfcut penscould only be used'in cross lining andfnotein'dwn'liningfdue to the setting-up.-

Alll'lires 'of any one colour may be set-up in one b'e'amf'regardlesspf 4where the lineY starts and ends It iis-alsocontemplated that the-present machinefcould beused withother ruling elements mounted on the interchangeable beams. For example'f'grooved ruling A'dis'csfmounted Vin spaced apartqrela'tionship for' rotationv'on' shafts sup-, ported' byla' beam arrangement similar Vto that shwn'and described might be employed instead of fpens; The only modiications necessary would be' th'substitution of inking rollers in place vof the present 'fountains and wicks.

Ifclaim 1.IA A; ruling machine* having in combinationl withfa supporting frame, a-ruling"element 'sup'-Y po'rtin'gbeampivotally vmounted above 'said frameV solas to extend transversely across said'frame; a template carrying frame mounted on said 'supporting frame kfor horizontalv -reciprocal movenient beneath said Ielement supporting beam, a

thin-nat template mountedf'on said-template carrying frame, a paper supporting carriage m'ountedfon said frame for 'horizontal reciprocal movement beneath said template carrying frame, means connectingfsaid `vtemplate' carrying frame tosaid papersupportingcarriage; means to reciprocatefsaid paper supporting carriage, paper 1 ediglmeans'adapted to feed single sheets of paper 'onto said paper supporting, carriage,V and means on said template -carryingfra'me and sup'- porting framefada'pted to pivotsaid ruling element'supporting beam towards and away'from operative contact 'with' said' template during Ythe reciprocalmovement of said template carrying frame.-

ZLLA ruling machineas' claimed inLcIaim.V4 1, Wl'ierein4 said template carryingv frame 'is mounted-forsliding'movement cna guiding track xed'- lyinattached to the upper `portionfof said' 'supporte ing frame; said paper supporting carriage isV mounted for sliding-movement on a guiding track mounted .for restricted. vertical movement on. said frameubeneathssaid.. Ltezmalate suppprtinggfgramraA guidingtrack and there. are 'meanswforactuatingi saidfpaper-A suplportinig;carriageglidinggtraelwleriT1 tically towards and away.y from said templatewsupgi porting `frame guiding track;v

3@ A7 rulingmachine as claimed: in'rclaimfil wherein Alsaidf. Vpaper#v supporting.k carriageff-comef prises of r a :plurality fof hingedly.; connected seg ments adapted`r tovfex's-into and out.- of horizone, tal'v alignment duringzgthey travel of said .zcarr-iagel alongsaid guiding track;

4. A ruling machine as `planned-fini-claimri -l, wherein-there are "Ia ypluralityjoff` rulingqelement supporting; beams! pivotally'f'mountedI ont; saidff frame in spaced ,apart relationship-g;`

5. fiferulingfrnachineas claimed--inclaimclov wherein Y.themeans ione-said template supportm frameV andi-.maine rsupporting framewadaptedetoz pivot said ruling element suppQrting-beamecomf i prises outwardlyil extending cam-ss mcu-ntedilon saidyftemplate marrying lframe-,fandA supporting?- frameaand'lever. arms rprpjectingffrom thezaemzls.'V of' saidrbeam ina the'ipath ,fof.- said-pcama:

6-..A iruling machine having-gin combinatiom with s asuppprting 'f frame; a 2. rul-ing elementi supporting@ beanrzf pivotally; mourrted.:v onn said-z frame so as-,= to, extend; transversely;r acrosil the-upper portion.A ci,l said. iframey; a @templates carrying; frame'I-Yinnuntedfl for: sliding;;move-; ment-Y- on".Y said .rameefbenea-th rsaidz' element; supporting `fbeam;`-l a ith-iniat template mounted-'i on said ltemplate vcarryinggframe,: a paperwsupf porting =carriage mou-nted .fiorex sliding reciprocal-i movement on said frameizbeneathzsaidftemplatee carrying-V frame;connectingmeansnbetween said .l mentv supportingfbeam; towards; andffaway from,"

operative contaetwithsaid: template` during the:l reciprocal :movement: ofwsaidfpaper x supporting; carriage, anditeinplate,l carryingjframe.A

7. A.; ruling machine@A as claimed-z, inA :claim 1 6i wherein, ,there fare a lplurality trof lruling element i supporting; beams,rvpivotallyvt ymounted on :saidj frame in-spaced-apart :irelationshim i 8s Af: ruling machine; tas: claimed;v in'. claim r. 6 wherein thev means on: said. templateecarryin v frame eandwmaini r sunD Oltingfv frame e adapted?A to.:` pivot said v`:ruling element" .supporting beams-come, f prises,- outwardly i extending; cams mounted: on;`I said template.- carrying; frame:` andi'` supporting.; frame and lever arms projecting fromtthelxendsl': of saidheam in the-path-:of said cams.;`

9.aA-f ruling machinefasficlaimed intclam .6;1; wherein lsaid` papen-supportingf carriages come;i priseszof a` plurality-fof hingedly-connected seg-5 mentssadapted4 to? iiext into :and-fout' 'of ,'horizone,

tal alignment duringvtheztravel'of said carriage;l

alongsaid l guidingr track:

J OHN ADAVIES MOORE? No'referencescited: t.

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