US2663253A - Selective hectographic printing machine - Google Patents

Description

22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL 2,663,253

SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ET AL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1948 Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 29, 1948 Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 29, 1948 3 v 3 a w W/ W 5: L %\\Q\=:A fufiww m I NNNIT A... WMN "am 5 e .E N. \x. %m\ 1, ll EMF? mw 1 w Q7 5 E v 5 w i M l WM J m m WW we MW w m" W Il-! 1 m: .5 7V A urial m m\\ T 1 .liv' m n\m m? Mu sq a. K f .M\\

Dec. 22, 1953 c. SAUERMAN ETAL 2,663,253

SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jaiefk Era/0 d 0717? .E'r'u/Ood Dec. 22, 1953 c. SAUERMAN ETAL 2,663,253

SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 29, 1948 fil/eiifors Z1916! C5azzer21gan,

Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ET AL 2,663,253

SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE l4 Sheet's-Sheet 9 Filed June 29, 1948 3 E. c. SAUERMAN 5? AL 2,663,253

SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1948 '14 Sheets-Sheet 1o Dec. 22, 1953 E. C. SAUERMAN ET AL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet ll vllfllilllllll Filed June 29, 1948 fizzfsiz-for's: [7155i 6500871/(011 Jase 25:

Dec. 22, 1953 E. c. SAUERMAN ETAL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed June 29. 1948 fie Mere fora Irilsf (fatter/71a fllfredlflopkz'zzs \Jasl-e k 25 50000! 3 a)??? ra/ood Dec. 22, 1953 Filed June 29, 1948 E. C. SAUERMAN ET AL SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 j XM Patented Dec. 22, 1953 SELECTIVE HECTOGRAPHIC PRINTING I MACHINE Ernst C. Sauerman and Alfred J, Hopkins,

cago, Joseph Erwood, Crystal Lake, and John 1 Erwood, Park Ridge, 111.; said Joseph Erwood and said' John Erwood assignors to Address-It Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June '29, 1948, Serial No. 35,808

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in selective printing machines and refers specifically to a machine for automatically printing from predetermined master printing cards, said cards being selected from a stack of master cards which may contain the selected cards in sequential or non-sequential order; I

In commerce certain categories of information -are frequently maintained on cards constituting a file of pertinent information relating to the members of the category. It is frequently desirable to select from said main file, cards which may be common to a sub-category and print the relevant information as to said sub-category.

As an example, which, however, is not to be construed in a limiting sense. the main file may comprise names and addresses of prospective customers of a predetermined business, forlnstance, automobile owners of a given State. in the normal course, these cards would ordinarily be arranged alphabetically. However-,; in a certain instance it may be desirable to select the owners of 1940 Fords, for example, who may live'i'n a predetermined county of the State, and to print their names and addresses in sequential order.

The present invention is directed broadly to a machine for accomplishing this or a similar task, and one of the objects of the invention relates to the provision of such a machine which simply and efficiently performs this task.

The example hereinbefore set forth involves a triple breakdown of the main file. However, the desired sub-category may involve only a single breakdown of the file or may involve a more limited breakdown. Y a

As another object of the invention a main file may be broken down once or any plurality of times and the desiredsub-category selected and printed from in a single pass of the main file through the machine, and this is accomplished merely by depressing one or more of a plurality of selector buttons, I p

A further feature of, the invention resides in the provision of means for moving a web of paper upon which the names and addresses may be printed from the selected cards in sequential manner with a desired or optional spacing between sequentially appearing names and addresses.

Another important feature of the invention rethis invention.

sides in the provision of a card feeding mechanism which urges each card of the main die forwardly with equal force regardless of whether the card is to be printed from or not, whileat the same time preventing the non-selected cardsflfrom bei'n'g smudgd. 1 g

A further feature of the invention resides in automatic timed means for moving the web during the printing operation while maintaining the web stationary when non seiected cards ass the printing station.

Another important feature of the invention comprises a feeder mechanism which simultaneously urges the printing cards forwardly While performing the function of aetiiating the selecting mechanism, that is, both inner mechanism and cards are moving during; the actuation of the selecting mechanism and relative motion of the feelers and cards is not contemplated.

In the'dr'awihgs, Fig. l is 'a. side elevational view of a. machine embodying theeohcepts of Fig. 2 is a top plan vie'w'of the machine in the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed side elevational view of the machine viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating partioulail'y' the pressin members at the printing station.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 illustrating the manner of removal of cards from the main file and the feeding thereof forwardly to the printing station.

Fig. 5a is an end elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsectional view similar to 'Fig. 5 showing various of the instrumentalities in different positions.

Fig. 7 is asectional View taken on line 7 of Fig. 2 illustrating particularly the feeler cam in non-operative position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating the feeler dam in operative position.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line li 9 of Fig. 2 illustrating a mechanism for removing cards in seriatim from the main file.

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line Hi -40 of FIE. 9.

3 Fig. 11 is a detailed sectional view taken on line ll-H of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken on line l2-|2 of Fig. 3 illustrating the web moistening device.

Fig. 13 is a detailed sectional view taken on line l3l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailed sectional view illustrating the plunger employed in conjunction with the moistening device.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l5-l5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l5l6 of Fig. 3, illustrating particularly the cooperative rolls at the printing station.

Fig. 17 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 11-41 of Fig. 5, illustrating the cam shaft of the machine.

Fig. 18 is a detailed sectional view taken on line I8l8 of Fig. 17 illustrating two cam operated switches.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the vacuum control valve employed with th machine.

Fig. 20 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 20-40 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 2l-2I of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the valve control member in a different position.

Fig. 24 is bottom plan view of the pusher plate, illustrating particularly the feeler finger.

Fig. 25 is a sectional view taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a feeler finger in operative position with respect to one of the cards.

Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the web and cooperating card in printing relationship at the printing station.

Fig. 28 is a face view of one of the printing cards.

.Fig. 29 is a view of the opposite face of the card shown in Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a schematic drawing of the electrical circuit employed in conjunction with the machine.

Referring in detail to the drawings, I indicates a table or support upon which the machine comprising the concepts of the present invention is mounted. The table I is provided with legs 2 which carry a flat supporting top 3.

An electric motor 4 is mounted upon the lower face of the top 3 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 5 or the like. A pulley B is mounted upon the motor shaft 1 and an endless belt 8 is adapted to be trained around the motor pulley 6. A

hanger 9 is suspended from the table top 3 and a shaft 19 is supported thereby. The shaft in carries a pulley H around which the belt 8 is trained. A second pulley I2 is also carried upon shaft iii and an endless belt I3 is trained around pulley l2. A pulley wheel I4 is carried upon shaft 15 and a second pulley I6 is loosely carried upon said shaft. A conventional clutch mechanism 11 operated by means of handle I 3 functions to engage or disengage the pulley [6 from shaft l5.

An endless belt is is trained around pulley l6 and functions to rotate pulley 20 carried upon shaft 2|, journalled in frame 22 which latter constitutes the frame of the machine proper. A

, wheel 23 is also carried upon shaft 2| and can be employed to manually move the shaft 2| independently of the driving mechanism, hereinbefore described, whereby to permit relatively slow motion to be imparted to the moving parts of the machine so as to facilitate the proper timing of the various elements of the machine.

As shown best in Figs. 2 and 15, shaft iii ex tends transversely across the frame 22, and said shaft carries at its opposite end a pinion 2 which meshes with spur gear 25 which is keyed to shaft 26. Shaft 26 extends entirel across frame 22 and carries a spur gear 21 upon its opposite end. A similar spur gear 28 is keyed to shaft 25 adjacent the spur gear 25.

Spur gear 28 meshes with pinion carried upon stub shaft 3!] journalled in one of the side frame members. A similar pinion 3! is carried upon a stub shaft 32 which is journalled in the opposite side frame member. A collar 33 is keyed to the inner end of the shaft as and a similar collar 24 is keyed to the inner end of shaft and shafts 30 and 32 are in an axial alignment. A segment 35 is carried upon collar 33 and a similar segment 36 is carried upon collar 3G, said segments, when the machine is in proper adjustment being in alignment with each other transversely of the machine. The purpose of these collars and the segments carried thereby will be hereinafter more fully described.

A pinion 31 is keyed to shaft 23 and meshes with a spur gear 38, shown best in Figs. 1 and 15. Spur gear 38, in turn, meshes with a spur gear 33, both gears 38 and 39 being idler gears. Gear 33 meshes with an idler pinion as and gear 39 meshes with an idler pinion i I. Pinion so meshes with gear 42, which is keyed to shaft shown best in Fig. 16. In similar fashion pinion meshes with gear 44, which is loosely carried upon shaft 45.

A sprocket wheel 46 is keyed to shaft is and is adapted to drive a sprocket chain 37, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 16. A shaft 43 is journalled in frame 22 and a sprocket wheel E9 is mounted upon said shaft. Gear 50 is rigidly connected to the sprocket wheel 49 and said gear is rotated by means of. the engagement of sprocket chain 41 with the sprocket wheel 49. A shaft Si is mounted upon frame 22 and a gear 52 (Fig. 2) is loosely mounted upon shaft 5 i, said gear meshing with gear 50 whereby motion is imparted to the gear 52. A sprocket wheel (not shown) is rigidly connected to gear 52, both sprocket wheel and gear being loosely positioned upon shaft i, and a sprocket chain 53, shown :best in Fig. 16, is trained around said sprocket wheel. sprocket chain 53 functions to drive sprocket wheel 54 loosely mounted upon shaft 55.

Referring particularly to Fig. 15, a sprocket wheel 56, which may be formed integral with gear 21, is keyed to shaft 26. A sprocket chain 51 (Fig. 2) is trained around sprocket wheel 55 and is driven thereby. The sprocket chain 5'! in turn is trained around sprocket wheel 58, shown best in Fig. 17, said sprocket wheel being keyed to. cam shaft 59 which is journalled in the frame 22.

A hopper 50 is carried by members iii which are, in turn, connected by webs E2 to frame 22.. Hopper 60 is of rectangular shape in cross-sectior1 and is open at its top to receive a plurality of cards 53 and hold them in' a vertical stack 5d. A flange is positioned at the bottom of the hopper and extends along one side of the hopper whereby the stack is supported on that side of the hopper. The opposite side of the stack is normally supported by a separator blade 96,

which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9, l and 11,

a transverse support 6'! extendsYbetweenopposite frame members ZZadjacenthoppertli. The'support 6! is provided with slots 68 (Fig. 2); one

adjacent each end thereof, whereby the supportnormally stationary with respect to sleeve l3,

being adjustable to a desired position with respect to said sleeve by means of the knurled nut -75 threadedly engaged upon the end of bolt M, the nut being integral with a sleeve "19 which bears upon a spring (not shown) carried within sleeve I3.

Bolt 74 is rigidly secured to a cylindrical collar 7? and slidab ly mounted upon said collar is a sleeve I8. A projection I9 is formed integral with the slidable sleeve 18 and is adapted to slidably engage in a slot provided in the casting ll, as shown best at 80 in Fig. 10. sleeve 38 is constrained to move axially with respect to collar 3"! and rotary motion of sleeve 19 with respect to collar 57 is prevented.

A member 81 is integrally formed upon sleeve l8 and extends laterally therefrom. Apin 8-2 is 'loosely'positioned-in the member 8i and a knurled nut 83 is threadedly secured to an end thereof. On the opposite side of the member 8i, pin 32 is embraced by a coil spring 84, said spring being confined between member 8i and a bar '95 (Figs. 6 and carried at the end of pin 32. An L-shaped bracket 56 is adjustably secured, by means of bolts 81, to the bar 85, the bracket being slotted, as shown best at 88 in Fig. 6. A plate 89 having a flange 90 is adjustably'secured to the cross-portion of the bracket and blade S6 is also secured to said bracket, the plate 39 and blade 66 being secured by bolts or screws gr. I

An abutment plate 92 is rigidly secured to the slidable sleeve I8 and is provided with a contact "surface 93. A hearing bracket 94 is supported by the crossfmemb'er 51 and a shaft 95 is rotatably journalled in the bracket 94, said shaft also being journalled in the casting ll An arm 96 is rigidly secured to an end of said shaft and is adapted to make contact with the surface 93 of plate 92 when shaft. 95 is rotated; A tension spring 9'! is anchored at one end upon the plate 92 and at the opposite end to arm 99 said spring normally urging said two parts together.

The separator 70, in itself, forms no part of the present invention, and is described in detail only to indicate its function as used in conjunction with the present invention and thereby more clearly illustrate the present invention.

Referring particularly to Fig. 9 of the drawings, a cam 98 is rigidly secured to the'cam shaft 59. A bell crank lever 99 pivoted upon shaft 190 is positioned adjacent the cam 98, one arm IOI of said lever carryinga roller I02 which functions as a follower for the cam 98. The other arm I03 of the lever 99 is pivotally connected as at I94 to link I05, the oppositeend of whichis pivotally connected to anarm ,I 06 (Figa 10) which, in turn, is rigidly secured to shaft 95'.

In this manner itransversely across the frame of the machine. A.

- ;-;Thciropposite zportio'nagof items, :22 .have two rearward extensions I01 at the ends'of which an anchor i bar I 08 is carried, the bar :extending .-,coil-sprihg1109"is anchored at on'exend upon bar .108'andiatthc'oppositeend isanchored upon pin I-I:0=carried upon' arm- I03; the function of spring I-09, .being:tc; urge the follower I02 into contact fwith'the surface cream 98....

-As =has*been hereinbefore described, the stack 641 of cards 63 carriedin hopper 60, is supported by flange 65 and blade.- However, cards '63, as will be hereinaftermore, fully described, are removed' in seriatim from the bottom of. the stack 64. In order to effect such removal the blade 66 is withdrawn ,momentarily from its supporting position, as, shown best in Fig. '9.

It can readily be seen that during the major portion of the revolution 'of cam 98, the follower I02 rides "uponithe circular -portion of said cam and hence, blade fifipduring such phase of operation, is positioned .in supporting relationship to the stack-'64, as shown best in Fig. '6. In this position, arm I03'of the bell crank lever '99 is .moved to its limited counterclockwise position,

as viewed inFig. 6. With the arm I03 in this position, arm I06 is swung to its limited clockwise position, and, in turn, the contact arm 96 is swung away from the contact surface 93 of blade 92. When arm 96 swings to this position .it exerts tension upon spring 91 and as a result sleeve 18 is moved to the right, as, viewed in Fig. 6, until the end of said sleeve contacts abutment I I I carried uponthe end of bolt 14.

It will be noted that the high point of cam 98 is rather peaked, the peak spanning a relatively small angle of the revolution of the cam. When the peaked portion of cam 98 contacts follower I02, the arm 99 is rocked so as to move arm I03 into its limited clockwise position, as viewed in Fig. 9. With this motion, arm I06 is rotated in a counterclockwise. direction and contact arm 96 moves into contact with the surface 93 of plate .92. This movement of arm 96 causes sleeve 18 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 9, and hence, blade 66 is momentarily removed from its supporting relationship with respect to stack 64.

It is to be understood that the movement of blade 56 is momentary and that the motion is a reciprocating one wherein the blade moves outwardly and inwardly very rapidly. With the assistance of auxiliary mechanism, which will be hereinafter more fully described, the blade 56 separates the lowermost card from the stack 64 and then resumes its supporting position with respect to the remainder of cards 63 in said stack.-

To effect the removal of the lowermost card 63 from the bottom of the stack 64, a vacuum arrangement is employed. This arrangement comprises a sucker tube II2 having a mouth .or open end II3 which opens in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lowermost card at the phase of operation just prior to removal of the card, that is, immediately after the sepa, to-an'arm ll'lfhereinafter more fully de scribed.

In operation, the mouth or openend I I3 of the sucker tube II2 describes or traces a compoundmost card 63, said mouth first moves downwardly; thence backwardly; thence forwardly and upwardly to its original position immediately beneath the lowermost card of the stack. In describing this path the vacuum is controlled, as described hereinafter, to remove the card from the stack, deliver it to a positioning mechanism and release it.

The mechanism for imparting the vertical component of the motion of the mouth II3 will now be described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5a and '7, a cam H8 is rigidly mounted upon cam shaft 59 adjacent cam 98. A rocking member II9 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot shaft I00 and comprises a hub having three circumferentially spaced, laterally offset arms. The arms comprise, follower arm I2I which carries follower roller I22, reaction arm I23 and operating arm I24. Reaction arm I23 is pivotally connected at its end, as at i255, to rod I26. The rod I25 is slidably positioned within a sleeve I2'I which latter is pivotally connected to anchor rod I08, as at I23 in Fig. '7. A compression spring I29 embraces rod I26 and urges arm I23. in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, thereby maintaining follower I22 in contact with the surface of cam I I8.

Operating arm I24 carries a slotted extension I35 which is secured thereto by bolt I3I and an internally threaded sleeve I32 is pivotally connected to the extension I30, as at I33 in Fig. 7. By means of the slot in the extension I35 the pivotal connection I33 may be adjusted to a desired position along the length of the extension.

Block i It carries an extension I54 and a transversely extending lug I35 (Fig. 52) is pivotally mounted adjacent the end of said extension. A threaded link I36 is connected at one end to lug I35 and is threadedly connected at its opposite end to sleeve I32.

it can readily be seen that the mouth H3 is moved by the rotation of cam IIB in a substantially vertical direction, neglecting angularity, but, as will be hereinafter more fully described, this motion is compounded by the action of the pivot I It of block I I4 which is also movable. The instrumentalities for moving the pivot IIG will now be described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5, 5a and 17, a cam Isl is mounted upon shaft 59, and a cam follower roller I35 is adapted to ride upon the surface of cam I31. The follower roller I38 is carried at the end of lever arm I39 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its length upon shaft ltd. The opposite end II! of lever arm lie is pivotally connected, as at III; in Fig. 5a, to block H4. A compression spring assembly is anchored at one end, as at I31, to anchor bar we and is connected at the other end to arm I 11 whereby the follower I33 is maintained in contact with the face of cam I31.

It can readily be seen that as cam shaft 59 rotates, the arm II'I swings the pivot point H5 in a substantially horizontal direction as viewed in Fig. 5. This movement of the pivot point I I6 imparts a horizontal motion to the tube I I2.

It will be noted that the motion imparted to the mouth H3 of the tube H2 is the resultant of movements imparted by cams H8 and IN, said movements being superimposed upon each other, cam IIZS moving the block II and, hence, the tube H2 about the pivot point H5 and the cam I3? moving the pivot point itself.

An arm I45 is rigidly secured to shaft and a coil spring MI is anchored at one end upon pin I42 mounted adjacent the end of the arm Hit. The opposite end of the coil spring id! is anchored upon hook I53 carried at the end of the extension I35. The coil spring MI is normally in tension and functions to bias the connection comprising tube i32 and rod l35 against any play which may occur in the various pivotal connections.

A fourth cam Hi l is secured to the cam shaft 55 and a follower roller I55 is adapted to ride upon the surface of said cam. The roller I55 is carried upon an end of bell'crank lever it which is pivoted intermediate its length to the shaft I55, and roller I45 is maintined in contact with the face of cam I44 by tension spring Hi5 connected between anchor bar We and arm I 55."

The opposite end of the lever Iii is pivotally connected as at I i'I, Figs. 5 and 5a, to a pusher member I43. The pusher member is supported intermediate its length upon a pair of oppositely disposed arms 59, only one of which is shown, the pusher member being pivotally connected at I55. The arms I59 at their opposite ends are loosely carried upon shaft 2 i.

Referring particularly to Figs. 24L, 25 and 26, the structural details of the pusher member I55 will be described. The member M5 is substantially rectangular in shape having an extending portion I5! at the end of which lever I55 is connected, as has been hereinbefore described. Beneath the member I48 a plurality of electrical switches I52 are mounted upon a block l53 which, in turn, is mounted upon the lower face of the pusher member. Each switch I52 comprises a pair of arms I54 and I55 each of which carries a switch point I55. Electrical conductors I5? are connected to the switches I52 and are anchored in block I51 carried upon the lower face of the pusher member.

The opposite end of the pusher member M8 is provided with a relatively large central slot or recess I58 which opens at an end of the pusher member. Adjacent the recess 558 on each side thereof are a plurality of relatively narrow parallel slots I59. A lug We is mounted upon each opposite side edge of the pusher member and each lug extends downwardly therefrom. A plate ISI having opposite recessed corners I52 is pivotally connected, as at E53, to the lugs 55. The plate I5I has its rear face chamfered, as shown best at I54 in Fig. 26 whereby said plate may have limited clockwise motion about pivots I63, as viewed in Figs. 25 and 26. The forward portion of plate IIiI, that is, the portion remote from the pivots IE3, is provided with a plurality of slots I65 corresponding in number and posi-- tion to the slots I59.

A feeler arm I56 is positioned in each of the slots I65 and intermediate the length of said arms, said arms are all pivoted to the plate IBI by means of pivot rod I51. A strap S63 is secured adjacent its ends to the sides of the pusher member I48 by means of screws I55 and provides a depending sling for supporting ends I75 of the feeler arms I 66. A head III is mounted upon the end of each feeler arm and is normally adapted to occupy a position in contact with the lowermost spring arm I55. The opposite end of the extension of shaft 59. .A casting 20I, Figs. 19, 20, 22 and 23, is mounted upon the block I99, said casting having a bore 202 which connects into the end of the flexible conduit I98. The bore 202 connects into a transverse bore 203 within the casting 20I, said latter bore opening to the face of the casting. .The casting 20! is provided with a second bore 204 which connects into the flexible conduit I I5 which, in turn, connects into block I I4 upon which the sucker tube is mounted. Within casting 20I the bore 202 connects with a transverse bore 205 which opens to a face of the casting. The casting 20I is also provided with a transverse bore 206 which extends through the thickness of the casting and opens at both faces thereof.

The projecting end of the cam shaft 59 extends transversely through the casting 20!, said casting functioning as an additional bearing support,

for the shaft 59. A plate 201 is adapted to be carried upon the end of shaft 59, said plate being centrally recessed, as at 208 in Fig. 20, for the reception of said shaft end. Two diametrically oppositely disposed pins 209 are mounted upon the end of shaft I59 and are adapted to engage in corresponding recesses in plate 201. The inner face of the plate 201 is provided with an arcuate groove 2I0 which, as will be hereinafter more fully described, is adapted to connect bores 253 and 205 during a predetermined portion of the revolution of shaft 59. A housing 2I I is mounted upon the face of casting 20I and functions as a cover for the end of shaft 59 and plate 201 carried thereon. A coil spring H2 is confined within said housing and bears upon the outer surface of plate 201 thereby firmly seating said plate in an air tight manner upon the surface of casting 20I.

In operation, shaft 59 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 19 and 23. As shaft 50 rotates, plate 201 is carried around therewith, said plate sliding upon the surface of casting 20I. During a portion of the revolution of shaft 59, groove 2 I in the face of plate 201, bridges the bores 203 and 205 thereby effectively connecting conduits II and I38 and establishing a condition of vacuum in the block H4 and sucker tube II2. This phase of the operation is illustrated in Fig. 19. As the shaft 59 continues to rotate, groove 2I0 moves away from bore 203, disconnecting conduits H5 and I98. Shortly thereafter groove 2I0 bridges bores 205 and 206 thereby breaking the vacuum in conduit H5 and in the sucker tube II2. This phase of operation is illustrated in Fig. 23.

The operation described in conjunctionwith the vacuum valve is correlated and timed with the movement of the sucker tube H2. When the mouth II3 of the sucker tube II2 moves to its closest position beneath the stack 64 of cards 63, groove 2I0 just commences to bridge bores 203 and 205 and a condition of vacuum is established at the mouth of the sucker tube. At this period of operation the separator blade 66 is withdrawn from its supporting position beneath said stack whereupon the mouth of the sucker tube grasps the unsupported edge of the lowermost card 63. This position of operation is best illustrated inFig. 9. As the operation is continued, the mouth II3 of the sucker tube moves downwardly, as illustrated best in Fig. 5, carrying with it the lowermost card 63. At this period of operation, the groove 2I0 is bridging the bores 203 and 205.

After a predetermined downward movement of the'mouth H3, it will be noted that the flanges 35 and 33 carried upon collars 33 and 34 respectively which are mounted at the ends of shafts 39 and 32 respectively, rotate to a position above the opposite edge of the card 63 being carried by the sucker tube. This phase of the operation is best illustrated in Fig. 7. It will be noted that shortly thereafter the flanges 35 and 35 contact the upper portion of the card being carried by the sucker tube. At approximately this phase of operation, the plate 201 has moved to a position whereby groove 2I0 ceases to bridge bores 203 and 205, and shortly thereafter the vacuum in the sucker tube is broken. However, simultaneously, the flanges 35. and 36 bring the opposite edges of the card 53 into contact with cooperating rollers 2I3 and2l4. This phase of the operation isbest illustrated in Fig. 6. It will be noted that the end edge portions of the card formerly held by the mouth II3 of the sucker tube is then confined between the outer surfaces of the arcuate flanges 35 and 36, and the surfaces of rollers 2I3 and 2M, respectively. Thecollars 33 and 34, and the rolls 2I3 and 2M rotate in opposite angular directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6.

With the card 53 confined in this manner, the rear edge of said card is inserted into the slot 923i, such insertion being facilitated by the configuration of the elements constituting the forward end of the pusher member IE8. It will be noted that the rearward movement of the card 233 between the flanges 35 and 36 and rollers 2 I3 and 2M respectively, continues only so long as the outer surfaces of the flanges are in tangent relationship to the rollers 2I3 and 2M. Thereafter, the card is positioned within the slot WI and the forward edge of said card has dropped from the flange 55 at the lower portion of the hopper 59, the card falling to the surface of a platform 2I5.

It will be noted that shortly after the lowermost card is gripped by the mouth Ii3 of sucker tube M2, the separator blade 55 returns to its supporting position beneath the stack 54. It will also be seen that after the vacuum in the tube H2 is broken and the flanges 35 and 35 take control of the card, the sucker tube is withdrawn rearwardly from the zone of separation and subsequently is brought to its initial position beneath the lowermost card of the stack. It will also be seen that as the card is pinched or confined between the flanges 35 and 36 and the rollers H3 and 2M, cam Icarried on shaft 25, the shaft which carries rollers 2I3 and 2M, has moved to a position whereby it contacts roller I'M, initiating the feeling or selecting action accomplished by the arms 155. When the card has arrived at this position and the parts are in this relationship, the card is ready .to be delivered to the printing station.

Referring particularly to Fig. 16, a rubber roll 2 i3 is mounted upon shaft 53 between the opposite frame members 22. The frame members '22 are provided with opposite apertures 2 I1 through which the ends of shaft 43 extend, the shaft being journalled in bearings 2M and 259. Bearing 2I3 is carried upon a swingable bar 229 (Figs. 3 and 4) which is pivotally mounted at 22! upon frame member 22. A housing 222 is mounted upon frame member 22 and carries a supporting plunger 223 upon which bar 229 and bearing 258' are supported, plunger 223 being springpressed by spring 224 carried within housing 222. Similarly, bearing 2I9 is carried upon a pivotally

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