US2704976A

US2704976A - Address type selective printing machines

Info

Publication number: US2704976A
Application number: US265080A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lingard Frederick Ernest
Original assignee: Multigraphics Inc
Current assignee: AB Dick Co
Priority date: 1951-01-12
Filing date: 1952-01-05
Publication date: 1955-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 1972-03-29

Description

March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Fild Jan. 5, 1952 1o Sheets-Sheet 1 & JJ

I m 0 v E Q a a E,

Q0 @J I\ INVENTORI FREDERICK ERNEST LINGARD ATTORNEYS:-

March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,.o.') 3 HTIMB .b

.MOGMOJ .OVIAJDVIB INVENTORZ FREDERICK ERNEST LINGARD ATTORNEYS:

March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD 2,704,975

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 .INVENTORZ FREDERICK ERNEST LIN GARD m M Ma ATTOR N EYS March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 5, 1952 m A T N E v m FREDERICK ERNEST 'LINGARD BY:

ATTORNEYS:

March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES 1o Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 5, 1952 J. SMITH 8 (30.,

LONDON.

ENGLAND.

4 S5 L 77 off 999 INVENTORZ FREDERICK ERNEST LINGARD ATTORN EYS:

March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 5, 1952 R 0 g LQJ m V Q Q 3 %& @Q 3 5 u 3. @w w l 3 mvmx %N\ QQ m MS QQ 5 3 Q R m Q W q E? v$%\ FREDERICK ERNEST LlNGARD ATTORNEYSZ March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 i I l n I JZ Gjfi INVENTOR: FREDERICK ERNEST LINGARD BY: I

AT TO R N EYS March 29, 1955 LlNGARD 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 [MD I545 I455 /46A i 145' i 2 I J'YIGM V INVENTOR: FREDERICK ERNEST "LINGARD m M 5m ATTOR NEYSZ March 29, 1955 F. E. LINGARD 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 J'I'Gl 15 INVENTOR:

FREDERICK ERNEST LINGARD ATTORNEYS March 29, 1955 D 2,704,976

ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 1O 95 J'hi/Z E 1/9 L i 5 INVENTORI FREDERICK ERNEST LiNGARD Zfldla/ca ana 644070070 AT TO R N EYS'.

United States Patent ADDRESS TYPE SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES Frederick Ernest Lingard, Kenton, England, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application January 5, 1952, Serial No. 265,080

Claims priority, application Great Britain January 12, 1951 6 Claims. (Cl. 101-58) This invention relates to printing machines and is concerned with printing machines of the kind which are arranged to feed printing devices, distinguished by selectively arranged identifying means, in sequence to a sensing device where the identifying means are sensed, the devices being thereafter moved to a printing mechanism where an impression is made therefrom, or not, according to the result of the sensing.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a printing machine of the kind referred to and adapted for operation with a sensing mechanism for sensing identifications upon record carriers, which latter are fed in succession through the sensing mechanism, the

printing machine having means for coupling the printing device sensing means to the record sensing mechanism to effect control of the printing mechanism so that when the identifying means of the plate being sensed are in agreement with the identifications of the record carrier being sensed, a printing impression of the last-mentioned device is made when this plate reaches the printing mechanism, whilst when there is no such agreement the printing mechanism makes no such an impression, the coupling means being arranged to ensure that the record sensing mechanism retains each record carrier in the sensing position in said mechanism until said agreement occurs.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by Way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a printing machine coupled to a card sensing mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a front view of a printing device;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same printing device;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectioned front elevation on an enigrgeil scale of the sensing device of the machine of Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of delay mechanism of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a detail of the delay device in one operative position;

Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts in a different operative position;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line Xl-XI of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a simplified circuit diagram of the printing machine;

Fig. 13 shows a part of the circuit diagram in greater detail;

Fig. 14 shows another part of the circuit diagram in greater detail;

Fig. 15 shows a still further part of the circuit diagram in greater detail;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a card for use with the card sensing mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic section through the sensing mechanism; and

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic elevation to an enlarged scale showing the sensing needles of the card sensing mechanism.

The printing machine illustrated is, as regards its general arrangement and operation, substantially the same as the machine shown and described in Letters Patent Nos. 2,359,850 and 2,359,851.

The printing machine has a desk-like frame 1 affording a table top 2 on which sheets may be disposed to be printed upon. The printing operations are performed from printing devices 3 which are fed, one by one, from a supply magazine 4 to a printing position 5 located adjacent the forward edge 6 of the table top 2, and are then discharged into a drawer 7. When a printing device 3 is located at the printing position 5 beneath a sheet on the table top 2, a printed impression is made from the printing device 3 by a platen mechanism 8. The platen mechanism 8 is supported over the printing position 5 by means of a printing frame 9 which is described in detail in Letters Patent No. 2,359,849.

The platen mechanism 8 includes a carriage 10 mounted for reciprocation in a direction from front to rear of the machine. The carriage 10 has a platen roller 11 mounted so that the latter may be lowered into an operative position with respect to a sheet and a printing device 3 in the printing position 5 for the purpose of producing a printed impression on the sheet from the printing device 3. Such lowering of the platen roller 11 into an operative position, as well as the retraction of the platen roller to an inoperative position takes place on account of the reciprocatory movement of the carriage 10 and such lowering and raising of the roller 11 is accomplished by a linkage mechanism the construction and operation of which is fully described in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,359,849.

The printing devices 3 (Figs. 2 and 3) are of rectangular form and carry, for example, type characters from which a name and address and/or other matter may be printed. The printing device includes a frame 12 which has a number of retaining clips 13, a retaining bead 13' and a retaining stop 14 struck therefrom. A depressible tongue 15 is also struck from the frame 12. When the tongue 15 is depressed, a printing plate 16 having type characters from which a name and address and/or other matter may be printed thereon may be slid endwise along the clips 13 and the bead 13 until the plate encounters the stop 14. The tongue 15 is then released and the plate is then in proper position in the printing frame 12. The printing frame also has clips 17 and a retaining bead 17 for receiving and retaining an index card 18. Twelve sockets 19 are formed in each frame 12 along one of the longer edges thereof, and these sockets are each adapted to receive a stem 20 of a tab 22 in such manner that when the stem 20 is placed in a socket 19 a part of the tab grojects beyond the adjacent marginal edge of the printing evrce.

One end of a guideway, the construction and operation of which is illustrated and described in detail in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,359,850, is located beneath the bottom of the magazine 4. The guideway extends from the magazine 4 through a sensing device 21 to the printing position 5. A feeding mechanism as described in said Letters Patent No. 2,359,850 is provided for advancing devices 3 along the guideway andis arranged to move periodically a device from the bottom of the stack of devices in the magazine 4 to the sensing device 21. After a sensing operation has taken place, the feeding mechanism transfers the sensed device 3 to the printing position 5, where the platen mechanism 8 will, or will not, according to the result of the sensing operation, cause an impression to be made from the sensed device 3. The devices 3 passing from the printing position 5 are delivered into the tray 7 where they are stacked in the same order as they were originally stacked in the magazine 4.

The sensing device 21 is overlaid by a cover 22 (Figs. 1 and 4) fixed to the frame 1, and has a bar 23 extending transversely of the guideway and perpendicular to the axis of that part of the guideway which is beneath the bar. A recess 24 is formed in the underside of the bar 23 to receive a beam 25. A pin 26 having an enlarged head 28 extends downwardly from the bar 23 to cooperate with a recess 27 extending inwardly from the left-hand end (Fig. 4) of the beam 25. A horizontally extending lip 29 is formed at the right-hand end of the recess 24 for supporting the right-hand end of the beam 25. The beam 25 is positioned in the recess 24 by inserting the end of the beam 25 having the recess 27 in the recess 24 so that the recess 27 engages with the pin 26, and then swinging the right-hand end (Fig. 4) of the beam 25 into the position where it rests on the lip 29. The left-hand end of the beam 25 is then supported by the head 28 of the pin 26 and the right-hand end (Fig. 4) by the lip 29.

Twelve depending pins 30 are spaced along the beam 25 the pins being placed for cooperation with the tabs 21 located in the sockets 19 of the printing plate 3. Each pin 30 also cooperates with a plunger 31 (Fig. 5) mounted for vertical reciprocation within the bar 23. Each plunger 31 carries an upwardly extending pin 32 which passes through a plug 33 secured in the bar 23. A spring 34 is located between the plug 33 and the plunger 31 for urging the latter downwardly. Downward movement of the plunger 31 is limited by mutually locked nuts 35 and 36 threaded on the top end of the pin 32.

Contacts

37 and 38 are carried by

spring reeds

39 and 40 respectively, which latter are mounted on a bar 41 secured to the bar 23, reed 40 being insulated from reed 39. One pair of

contacts

37 and 38 are provided for cooperation with each nut 36, and it will be seen that when the

reeds

39 and 40 are undeflected the

contacts

37 and 38 are apart.

The beam 25 has twelve holes 42 for receiving the pins 30, which latter have enlarged heads 43 that rest on the beam 25, and beam 25 also has twenty-four holes 44 (Fig. 6) for receiving other pins to be referred to in greater detail hereinafter.

An arm 45 (Fig. 4) is provided for locking the beam 25 in position within the recess 24, and this arm 45 is pivoted about a pin 46 secured in the bar 23. One end 47 of a spring wire 48 bears on a pin 49 projecting laterally from the arm 45 and the other end 50 of the spring wire 48 passes between pins 51 and 52 which project laterally from the bar 23. The free end of the arm 45 has a recess 53 for engaging a laterally projecting stud 54 on the beam 25. Angular movement of the arm 45 about the pin 46 is limited by a pin 55 on the bar 23 engaging in a slot 56 provided in the arm 45. When the arm 45 is lifted to such an extent that pin 55 encounters the lower end of slot 56, the lower edge of the arm 45 is clear of the heads 43 of the pins 30 carried by the beam 25. Accordingly, when a pin 30 moves vertically upwards with respect to the beam 25, the head 43 of the pin 30 encounters the plunger 31 and the latter is also moved upwardly whereupon the nut 36 eventually causes the contact 37 to encounter the contact 38. Such engagement between the contacts causes an electric circuit to be placed in a condition for operation.

The bar 23 has two depending

guide rods

57 and 58 for guiding vertical movement of the sensing device 21, and the sensing device 21 is arranged for vertical movement so that when a printing plate 3 is correctly positioned for a sensing operation the device 21 descends and those pins 30 that encounter tabs 22 move upwardly with respect to the beam 25 and close their associated

contacts

37, 38. Vertical movement of the device 21 is effected by mechanism described in detail in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,359,851, the parts 502 and 503 of the latter corresponding to the

guide rods

57 and 58.

The

contacts

37, 38 are electrically connected to an electric relay system which is controlled by a card sensing mechanism 59 (Fig. 1). The electric relay system, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, is arranged so that when it receives information from the card sensing mechanism 59 that agrees with information received from the plate sensing device 21, a delay device is actuated which ensures that the particular device 3 that was undergoing sensing when the agreement took place will be subjected to the printing operation when it reaches the printing position 5. The delay device is a slightly modified form of the device described in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,359,851, with particular reference to Fig. 35 thereof, and essentially consists of a drum 60 (Fig. 7) having six longitudinally extending grooves 61 formed at equiangular intervals around the surface thereof. Blocks 62 are located in the grooves 61, and these blocks 62 are slidable along the grooves from a first position (Fig. 9

to a second position (Fig. 10). When a printing device 3 is being sensed, one of the blocks 62 is opposite the head 63 (Figs. 9 and 10) of a striker arm 64. The striker arm 64 is pivoted at 65 to a bracket 66 (Figs. 7, 9 and 10) and carries a cam follower 67 that cooperates with. a cam surface 68 on means 69 which is adapted to move up and down with the sensing device 21. A spring 70 connected between the bracket 66 and arm 64 urges the follower 67 into contact with the cam surface 68.

A solenoid 71 (Figs. 7 and 8) having an armature 72 is supported from the bracket 66. One end of the armature 72 is pivotally connected to one arm 73 of a bell-crank pivoted at 74. The other arm 75 of the bellcrank is connected by a spring 76 to the bracket 66 whereby the armature 72 is spring urged to the position shown in Fig. 8. When the solenoid 71 is energized, the armature 72 moves to the left from the position shown in Fig. 8, whereupon the bell-crank is pivoted about 74 in a clockwise direction and the left-hand end 75' of the arm 75 is raised to a position where it is level with an abutment 77 of the arm 64.

Each block 62 has a lug 78 (Fig ll) for cooperation with a spiral-shaped cam 79 which is fixed relative to the drum 60. Each block 62 also has a lug 80 for cooperating with a lever 81 (Fig. 7) which is pivoted about a pin 82. For each complete up-and-down movement of the sensing device 21, the drum 60 is rotated through 60 to position the next block 62 opposite the striker head 63 of the arm 64. The upper block 62 of Fig. 11 is in the second position previously referred to in connection with Fig. 10 and, when in this position, the lug 80 is positioned to encounter the lower end of the lever 81 whereby the latter is tripped. As the drum 60 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 7), the lug 78 of the upper block 62 (Fig. 11) encounters the cam 79 and the block is moved to the position corresponding to that of the block 62 shown in Fig. 9 and the lower block 62 in Fig. 11. When in the lower position shown in Fig. 11, the lug 78 has passed beyond, in an angular direction, the end of cam 79. When, therefore, the righthand end of the lower block 62 of Fig. 11 is struck by the head 63, this block 62 is moved to the said second position.

The upper end of lever 81 is adapted, through a spring 83A, to cause longitudinal movement of a control link 83 when the lever 81 is tripped as a result of being engaged at its lower end by a lug 80 on one of the blocks 62. The control link 83 is the same as the connecting link 785 in the previously referred to Letters Patent No. 2,359,851, and is adapted to control operation of the platen mechanism 8 to effect printing whenever a block 62 passes the lever 81 without causing the latter to be tripped. On the other hand, when the lever 81 is tripped the control link 83 is moved longitudinally to cause the printing device 3 at position 5 to be skipped, i. e. no impression i s taken from this plate whilst it is in the prlntmg position.

When agreement between the plate sensing operation and card sensing operation occurs, the solenoid 71 is energized and the end 75 of arm 75 is positioned level with the abutment 77. As the means 69 having the cam surface 68 moves vertically, the follower 67 does not remain in contact with the surface 68 since the abutment 77 encounters the end 75 and hence the striker 63 is prevented from sliding the lowermost block 62 from said first to said second position. When the said lowermost block eventually reaches the aforementioned uppermost position, the lever 81 will not be tripped and hence the control rod 83 will not prevent a printing operation from taking place.

The sensing device 21, the feeding mechanism for moving prmtmg plates 3 along the guideway from the magazine 4 through the sensing device 21 to the printmg position 5, the drum 60 and platen mechanism 8 are all driven from one prime mover as described in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 2,359,851.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 17, the card sensing mechanism has a hopper 84 for receiving a stack of record cards 85 placed one on top of the other. An aperture 86 is formed at the bottom of the hopper 84 so that the bottom card 85 may be withdrawn from the stack in the hopper 84. A roller 87 contacts the bottom card 85 in the stack in the hopper 84, and when this roller 87 is rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 17) this card moves laterally from the hopper 84 along a guideway 88. Driven rollers 89 cooperate with rollers 91 to advance the cards along the guideway 88 to a receiver 90 where the sensed cards are stacked. The first roller 91A of the rollers 91 is mounted on a shaft 92 carried in a bearing member 93 which is slidable vertically in fixed guides 94. The bearing member 93 has an upstanding arm 95 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 96 which is pivoted centrally to a fixed member. The other end of the lever 96 is pivotally connected to a rod 97 the upper end of which is connected for operating a micro switch 98 and the lower end of which is connected for operating a micro switch 99.

A stop 100 carrying a follower 101 for a cam 102 is mounted for vertical movement under the action of the cam 102 to project above the guideway 88 to prevent a card 85 moving along the guideway, or to descend so that it does not project above the guideway whereby cards 85 are permitted to advance along the guideway 88. A stop 103 having a follower 104 for a cam 105 is provided for a purpose similar to that of the stop 100. The roller 87, rollers 89, cam 102, cam 105 and a cam 106 are all driven by a chain 107 which passes around a driving sprocket 108. The sprocket 108 is driven from an electric motor 109 through a clutch 110 and gears 111 and 112. The clutch 110 is operated by a pivoted lever 113 from a solenoid 114.

The cam 106 cooperates with a follower 115 carried at the lower end of a vertical rod 116 (Fig. 18). The rod 116 supports a plate 117 which has depending guide rods 118 the lower ends of which are slidably received in guide members 119 mounted on a base plate 126. The plate 117 carries thirty needles 120 disposed in three rows of ten one behind the other. In Figs. 17 and 18 only the front row is visible, the needles of the other two rows being obscured by the aligned needles of the front row. Each needle is slidable vertically with respect to the plate 117 and has a nut 121 whereby it is supported from the plate 117. On the underside of the plate 117 each needle has a collar 122 and a spring 123 is located between the collar 122 and the plate 117 for urging the needles 120 downwardly. A plug 124 of insulation material is secured on the upper end of each needle, the plug 124 having a metal band 125 disposed around the central portion of the periphery thereof. The base plate 126 which supports the members 119 also supports a frame 127 which in turn mounts contacts 128. Each contact 128 is carried on one end of a leaf spring 129 the other end of which is secured to the frame 127. One contact is provided for cooperation with each band 125, and each band 125 is electrically connected to a terminal 130 at the top of each plug 124.

When an impulse is received by the solenoid 114 the clutch 110 is engaged, the clutch remaining engaged for a complete sensing cycle irrespective of the energization of the solenoid 114. Engagement of the clutch causes the chain 107 to be driven by the motor 109. Eventually the rod 116 rises from the position shown in Fig. 17 due to the action of cam 106 and the needles 120 clear the card 85 in the position C. The stops 100 and 103 descend from the position shown in Fig. 17, and the rollers 89 cause the card 85 in the position B to move to the position C and the card 85 in the sensing position C to be moved into the receiver 90. Simultaneously, the roller 87 causes the bottom card 85 in the hopper 84 to be moved out of the hopper 84 to a position where it is gripped between the first pair of

rollers

89, 91A and moved to the position B. The stop 100 rises to prevent the card 85, which is now positioned at B, from moving too far along the guideway 88 and similarly the stop 103 rises to abut against the leading edge of the card 85 in the position C. The rod 116 under the action of the cam 106 then descends whereby the needles 120 descend to sense the card in the position C, and the clutch 110 then disengages. It will be realized that the motion of the cards in the positions B and C along the guideway 88 is arrested by the

stops

100 and 103 while the rollers 89 continue to rotate when the rod 116 is descending. Slip therefore occurs between the rollers 89 and the cards in the positions B and C, but since there is only a very light grip on the cards by the cooperating

rollers

89 and 91, the slipping action does not damage the cards or otherwise interfere with the operation of the machine.

Should two cards 85 be fed from the bottom of the hopper 84 instead of one, the two cards in passing between the first pair of

rollers

89 and 91A will cause the latter roller to rise whereby the rod 97 will be caused to descend and the micro switch 99 will be operated. Similarly, if no card 85 is fed from the hopper 84 to the position B, the roller 91A descends and contacts the roller 89. The rod 97 will rise and the micro switch 98 will be operated.

Fig. 16 shows a plan view of a card 85, and it will be seen that this card at the left-hand end has three vertical columns of numbers from 0 to 9 reading downwards. The central portion of the card 85 has identifying and other matter written thereon within the rectangle 131. A circular hole 132 is punched through the card to remove one of the numbers in each of the vertical columns. Each of these vertical columns corresponds to one of the digits of a three-figure number, viz. the left-hand column the hundreds digit, the middle row the tens digit and the right-hand row the units digit. The card in Fig. 16 has been punched to obliterate "8 in the hundreds column, 4 in the tens column and 5 in the units column.

The three rows of needles 120 are disposed with the rows parallel to the axis of the path of the cards 85 through the sensing mechanism, and each row of needles 120 corresponds to one of the digits of a three-figure number. The front row represents units, and the needles in this row correspond to the numbers 0 to 9 reading from right to left, the middle row (i. e. the row immediately behind the front row), corresponds to tens and the needles in this row correspond to 0, 10, 20, 30 to 90 reading from right to left, and the rear row of needles corresponds to hundreds, the needles in this row corresponding to 0, 100, 200, 300 to 900 reading from right to left. When a card 85 is in the sensing position C and the plate 117 is lowered, one needle 120 only in each row passes through a hole 132 in the card 85 and contacts the base plate 126 beneath the card, and the nine needles in each row that are not opposite a hole 132 encounter the upper surface of the card 85 in the sensing position C before their bands 125 have encountered the associated contacts 128. The needle 120 in each row that enters a hole 132, however, descends further than the other nine needles of the row, and contact between the band 125 of this needle and its associated contact 128 is established, whereby an electric circuit is placed in a condition for operation. It will be seen, therefore, that the three punched holes 132 in the card 85 serve as means for identifying the card. The terminals 130 and contacts 128 associated with each needle are connected to the electric relay system mentioned hereinbefore.

The twelve pins 30, Fig. 5, and their contacts 38 are connected in three

groups

133, 134, of four (Fig. 12) so that the group 133 represents units, the group 134 represents tens and the group 135 represents hundreds. All the contacts 37 are connected to a positive terminal 139. The four contacts 38 of each group represent the

numerals

1, 2, 4 and 7, and by using one or a combination of two of these contacts, digits from 0 to 9 are obtained as follows:

Digit -the first pin 30 in the group encounters a tab 22. Digit the second pin 30 in the group encounters a tab 22.

Digit 3first and second pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

Digit) 242the third pin 30 in the group encounters a Digit the first and third pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

Digit 6the second and third pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

Digit) Z;the fourth pin 30 in the group encounters a Digit 8the first and fourth pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

Digit the second and fourth pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

Digit 0the third and fourth pins 30 in the group encounter tabs 22.

It will be understood therefore that by placing tabs 22 in appropriate sockets 19 of a device 3 any number between 000 and 999 can be represented, the tabs 22 therefore serving as identifying means for the printing device 3. For example, to represent the number 845," tabs 22 are placed in the sockets 19 opposite the first and fourth pins 30 in the hundreds group, opposite the third pin 30 in the tens group and opposite the third pin 30 in the tens group and opposite the first and third pins 30 of the units" group.

The electric relay system essentially consists of three

identical sub-divisions

136, 137, 138, the sub-division 136 dealing with units and being connected to the units contacts 130 and units contacts 38 of the pins, the sub-division 137 dealing with tens and being connected to the tens" contacts 130 and tens contacts 38, and the sub-division 138 dealing with hundreds and being connected to the hundreds contacts 130 and the hundreds contacts 38. Detailed circuit diagrams of the

subdivisions

136, 137, 138 are shown in Figs. 13, 14, 15 respectively.

The positive terminal 139 of a D. C. supply 140 (obtained from a domestic A. C. supply through a stepdown transformer 141 and a copper oxide bridge rectifier 142) is connected to the contacts 37. The contact 38 associated with the first pin 30 in the units" group is connected by a wire 143 to a terminal 144A of a solenoid 144 (Fig. 13), the contact 38 associated with the second pin 30 in the same group is connected by a wire 145 to a terminal 146A of a solenoid 146, the contact 38 associated with the third pin 30 in the same group is connected by a wire 147 to a terminal 148A of a solenoid 148 and the contact 38 associated with the fourth pin 30 in the same group is connected by a wire 149 to a terminal 150A of a solenoid 150. The

other terminals

144B, 146B, 148B and 150B of the four

solenoids

144, 146, 148, 150 are connected to the negative terminal 151, Fig. 12, of the D. C. supply. The solenoid 144 controls three

switches

152A, 153A, 154A, the solenoid 146 controls three switches 152B, 153B, 1548, the solenoid 148 controls three

switches

152C, 153C, 154C and the solenoid 150 controls three

switches

152D, 153D and 154Dv Each of these twelve switches has a first and a second position. The three switches associated with each

solenoid

144, 146, 148, 150 are in their first positions when their associated solenoid is unenergized and in their second position when the solenoid is energized. A solenoid 155, Fig. 12, is connected between the D. C. negative terminal 151 and the contacts 128 of the card sensing mechanism. The units solenoid 155 is arranged so that when it is energized it closes a units" master switch 156 which is in series with the tens master switch 157 and the hundreds master switch 158 of the other two subdivisions 137, 138 of the electric relay system. When the three

master switches

156, 157, 158 are closed the solenoid 71 is energized, and the striker head 63 is prevented from impinging upon one of the blocks 62 of the delay device. The solenoid 71 when energized also closes a switch 168 for transmitting an electric release impulse to the solenoid 114 of the card sensing mechanism.

The ten terminals 130 (Fig. 13) in the units row of the card sensing machine are connected through the twelve switches associated with the

solenoids

144, 146, 148 and 150 of the units sub-division, to the

terminals

144A, 146A, 148A and 150A as follows:

The contact 130 through the switch 154C (in its second position), to the terminal 150A, the 1 contact 130 through the switch 152D (in its first position), the switch 152C (in its first position), the switch 152B (in its first position) to the terminal 144A; the 2 contact 130 through the switch 154A (in its first position), the switch 153C (in its first position), the switch 153C (in its first position) to the terminal 146A; the 3 contact 130 through the switch 152B (in its second position) to the terminal 144A; the 4 contact 130 through the switch 153A (in its first position), the switch 1533 (in its first position), the switch 154D (in its first position) to the terminal 148A; the contact 130 through the switch 153A (in its second position), the switch 1533 (in its first position), the switch 1548 (in its first position) to the terminal 148A; the 6 contact 130 through the switch 152C (in its second position) to the terminal 146A; the 7" contact 130 through the switch 152A (in its first position), the switch 1548 .(in its first position), the switch 154C (in its first position) to the terminal 150A; the 8 contact 130 through the switch 152A (in its second position), the switch 154B (in its first position), the switch 154C (in its first position) to the terminal 150A; the 9 contact 130 through switch 154B (in its second position), the switch 154C (in its first position) to the terminal 150A.

The ten terminals 130 of the tens and hundreds rows are similarly connected with the solenoids of the tens" and hundreds sub-divisions 137, 138, as will be clear from the foregoing.

An automatic stop solenoid 159 (Fig. 12) is provided for switching ed the prime mover which drives the platen mechanism 8, the delay device, the printing device sensing means 21 and the feeding mechanism of the printing machine.

The automatic stop solenoid 159 is connected between the positive terminal 139 and the negative terminal 151 through a switch 160 when the latter is in its first position, this position being that shown in Fig. 12. When the switch 160 is in its second position it connects one end of the solenoid 114 with the negative terminal 151, the other end of the solenoid 114 being connected with the positive terminal 139 through the switch 168 or through a switch 164A. The switch 160 is operated by a solenoid 161. When the solenoid 161 is unenergized the switch 160 is spring urged into its first position and when the solenoid 161 is energized, the switch 160 is moved to its second position. A switch 162 is similarly controlled by the solenoid 161. The switch 162 in its first position closes a series circuit from the positive terminal 139 through the switches 99 and 98, and a warning lamp 163, to the negative terminal 151. In its second position the switch 162 closes a series circuit from positive terminal 139 through the switches 99 and 98, and the solenoid 161, to the negative terminal 151. A re-setting switch 164 spring urged to be normally open is connected for directly energizing the solenoid 161 across the terminals 139 and 151. The switch 164 is mechanically connected to the switch 164A so that they open and close together.

The printing machine and sensing mechanism described above are used as follows:

A stack of tabbed printing devices 3 is placed in the magazine 4 and a stack of cards 85 is placed in the hopper 847 Each printing device 3 carries matter to be printed and all the devices 3 together form a complete set. There is a corresponding complete set of record cards 85, one particular card 85 corresponding to one particular device 3. By selecting any of the cards 85 and placing them in the hopper 84, corresponding devices 3 will be selected and printed. it is, of course, important that the sequence. of cards 85 and device 3 is always preserved. The tabs 22 are inserted in the sockets 19 in appropriate positions so that the printing devices 3 are numbered consecutively. The cards 85 in the complete set of cards are punched, and the punch holes 132 are appropriately placed so that corresponding cards and devices have the same number. The

switches

164 and 164A are closed. Closing the switch 164 energizes the solenoid 161 which then moves the

switches

160 and 162 to their second positions. When the switch 162 moves to its second position, the solenoid 161 is maintained energized through the closed switches 98 and 99, these switches remaining closed so long as one card at a time is fed along the guideway 88. When the switch 160 moves to its second position, the solenoid 114 is energized through the switch 164A, and the clutch is engaged to cause the motor 109 to drive the chain 107. The

switches

164 and 164A are maintained closed until the first card 85 reaches the sensing position C, whereupon they are released. With the first device 3 in sensing position, the first card 85 in sensing position, the solenoid 161 energized so that the

switches

160 and 162 are in their second position, and the switch 168 open, the printing machine proceeds successively to sense the printing devices. The first printing device 3 remains in the sensing device 21 whilst the sensing operation is taking place thereat. and the first card 85 remains in the card sensing position C whilst being sensed. The sensing device 21 descends and some of the pins 30 encountcr tabs 22 whereby some of the pairs of

contacts

37, 38 are closed. At the same time, three rows of needles descend and three of these needles pass through holes 132 in the card 85 in the card sensing position C. The sensing device 21 and the plate 117 then rise lifting their pins 30 and needles 120 respectively clear of the tabs 21 and card 85 respectively. If, during the two sensing operations, a circuit through the contacts 128 and is not closed by corresponding

contacts

37, 38 closing, one or more of the three

master switches

156, 157, 158 remains open and the selector solenoid 71 is not energized so that the striker arm 64 causes one of the blocks 62 to be moved to the second position, whereby the lever 81 will be tripped at the appropriate time to prevent the platen mechanism 8 from printing the sensed plate when it reaches the position 5. Furthermore, the switch 168 is not closed so that no release impulse is sent to the solenoid 114. The clutch 116 is, therefore, not engaged and the card advancing mechanism retains the same card in the sensing position C. The feeding mechanism then moves the printing device 3 just sensed towards the printing position and moves the next device 3 now at the bottom of the stack in the magazine 4 to sensing position. The printing device 3 which has just been sensed eventually passes through the printing position 5 without being printed and drops into the collecting drawer 7.

If, during sensing, the circuits through the contacts 128 and terminals 130 associated with the three needles 120 which pass through the punched holes 132 and encounter the base plate 126, are closed through the

contacts

37, 38 of the plate sensing device 21, the three

master switches

156, 157 and 158 are closed and the selector solenoid 71 is energized whereby the striker arm 64 is prevented from moving one of the blocks 62 from its first to its second position, and a release impulse is transmitted to the solenoid 114. The card advancing mechanism therefore moves the sensed card 85 to the card receiver 90 and moves the next card 85 to the sensing position C ready for the next sensing operation.

When the device 3 which has undergone sensing reaches the printing position 5, the block 62 which has not moved from its first to its second position fails to trip the lever 81 and this enables the platen mechanism 8 to operate and thus make an impression, the device 3 being thereafter moved into the collecting drawer 7.

By continued operation of the machine it will be realized that an impression is made for every device 3 for which there is a corresponding card 85 in the stack in the hopper 84. No impression will, however, be made for those printing devices 3 for which there is no corresponding card 85 in the stack in the hopper 84. The cards 85 therefore act as record carriers for determining which printing devices shall, and which shall not, be printed. It is of course, to be understood that the devices 3 in the stack of printing devices must be arranged in the same order as the cards 85 in the complete set of cards, and when cards are withdrawn from the set of cards, the order of the cards 85 remaining in the stack must not be altered. It should also be understood that there must be a corresponding printing device for every card 85, but there need not be a corresponding card for every device. Devices 3 for which there are no cards 85 are merely skipped through the printing machine, but a card for which there is no plate would merely remain in the card sensing position C and all the plates would be skipped through. When the last card 85 has passed into the sensing position C the micro switch 98 is opened and the solenoid 161 de-energized. The

switches

160 and 162 move to their first position, and the solenoid 114 is de-energized. In spite of this de-energizing of the solenoid 114, the clutch 110 remains engaged until the end of the cycle, i. e. until the last card has been sensed. When the switch 160 moves to its first position the solenoid 159 is energized and stops the printing machine. The re-set switch 164 is then closed and with it switch 164A. This has the effect of energizing the solenoid 114, and the last card 85 is cleared from the sensing position C into the receiver 90.

It will be understood that the automatic stop solenoid 159 is energized not only when the last card from the hopper is sensed, but also when a card fails to feed into the sensing position (switch 98 opens), and when two cards feed simultaneously into the sensing position (switch 99 opens) and being thus energized will cause the printing machine to be switched off.

It is to be understood that the printing machine may employ the printing device sensing device described above in conjunction with a further sensing device of similar construction to the first-mentioned sensing. device but having its pins disposed to encounter portions of the sur-.

faces of the tabs 22 different from the portions encountered by the pins 30. If a tab 22 is required to be sensed by one sensing device and not by the other, part of the tab 22 will be modified as indicated by the dotted lines of the right-hand three tabs 22 in Fig. 3, so that the pins of the other sensing device will not encounter the tab.

The pins of the further sensing device are located in the holes 44 of beam 25.

For example, if a tab 22 is required to be sensed only by the sensing device 21 a short tab is used, which ensures that the sensing pin of the further sensing device misses the tab. If, however, the tab is required to be sensed by both sensing devices the tab is made long enough to be encountered by both pins during the sensing operations. This allows the tabbing of a plate to remain constant, when the sensing device 21 is not being used, and the machine is required for plate selection work by the further sensing device only. The further sensing device may also be used in conjunction with the sensing device 21 where devices 3 are required to print, but for which there is no corresponding card 85, for instance, when an insurance agents device (for which there is no card) is required to print a heading at the top of a list of policy holders for which there are cards. The agents plate is tabbed in the appropriate position with a tab having a hole 167 that allows the corresponding pin 30 of the sensing device 21 to pass through the tab 22 and be inoperative while the pin of the further sensing device impinges on the tab 22, and sets the machine to print this device. Operation of this further pin can also be used to stop the machine when the plate is in the position ready for printing, so that the previous agents sheet may be removed and replaced by a new sheet for the new agent.

The sensing device 21 is therefore entirely separate from the further sensing device.

Hence, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification.

I claim:

1. A printing machine comprising, an impression mechanism, a sensing mechanism positioned in advance of the impression mechanism, the sensing mechanism having shiftable sensing elements adapted to engage first identifying means arrangeable on printing devices feedable from the sensing mechanism to the printing mechanism, a second sensing mechanism having shiftable sensing elements adapted to engage second identifying means arrangeable on record carriers feedable along a guideway to the second sensing mechanism, the elements in the first and second sensing mechanisms closing electrical contact switches when shifted, a solenoid energizable when the first and second identifying means are sensed as being in agreement, a rotatable member mounted in the machine and provided with a plurality of storage elements, said rotatable member being movable accordingly as the printing devices advance from the first sensing mechanism to the impression mechanism to present storage elements one by one to a striker, the striker being periodically operated toward and away from the storage elements and adapted to shift one or an other of the storage elements from a first position to a second position, stop means in the path of the striker to hold the striker out of engagement with respect to one or an other of the storage elements, the stop means being withdrawn from the said path when the solenoid is unenergized, the storage elements being engageable with a trip mechanism for the impression mechanism when in a second position to render the impression mechanism inoperative.

2. In a printing machine of the kind described wherein printing devices that are to be individually advanced to a printing mechanism in the machine have identification means which are to be compared to identification means on individual record carriers, and are to be printed from or not by the printing mechanism depending upon whether or not the respective identification means are in agreement, a sensing mechanism to which the printing devices are to be advanced one by one to have the identification means thereon sensed prior to advancing to the printing mechanism, another sensing mechanism to which the record carriers are to be advanced one by one to have the identification means thereon sensed, feed means for the printing devices to feed the same one by one first to the sensing mechanism therefor and then to the printing mechanism, feed means including a normally disengaged clutch for the record carriers which when engaged is adapted to feed the same one by one to and from the sensing mechanism therefor, an electric relay device operatively coupled to both sensing mechanisms for receiving information therefrom and indicating by different settings agreement or lack of agreement between the respective identification means, a time delay device including a solenoid controlled through the settings of the relay for recording and storing the fact of agreement or lack of agreement so that such information may be acted upon when the printing device which was compared to a record carrier reaches the printing mechanism, means controlled by said delay device to render the printing mechanism inoperative to print from a printing device for which there was indicated lack of agreement by the relay device, and a solenoid under control of said relay device energizable when there is agreement as aforesaid to cause said clutch to engage, the second named solenoid being otherwise deenergizable upon lack of agreement as aforesaid to interrupt the feed for the carriers and hold at the carrier sensing mechanism the carrier not having agreement with the printing device last sensed until a printing device advanced to the printing device sensing mechanism is determined to be in agreement therewith.

3. In a printing machine of the kind described wherein printing devices that are to be individually advanced to a printing mechanism in the machine each have a set of identifications which are to be compared to a set of identifications each on individual record carriers, and are to be printed from or not by the printing mechanism depending upon whether or not the respective sets of identifications are in agreement, a sensing mechanism to which the printing devices advance one by one to sensing position to have the identifications thereon sensed prior to being advanced to the printing mechanism, another sensing mechanism to which the record carriers are advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identifications thereon sensed, feed means for the printing devices to feed the same one by one first to the sensing mechanism therefor and then to the printing mechanism, feed means including a normally disengaged clutch for the record carriers which when energized is adapted to feed the same one by one to and from the sensing mechanism therefor in timed relation to the feed of the printing devices, an electric relay device coupled to the respective sensing mechanisms for receiving information of the respective sensing operations carried out thereby and indicating by different states of energization agreement or lack of agreement between the respective sets of identifications carried by the printing device and the record carrier at sensing position, a time delay device under the control of the relay for recording and storing the fact of agreement or lack of agreement as indicated by the relay so that such information may be acted upon when the printing device thus compared to a record carrier at the sensing station allocated thereto reaches the printing mechanism, means controlled by said delay device to disable the printing mechanism when a printing device for which there was lack of agreement reaches the printing mechanism, and a solenoid under control of said relay device energizable when there is agreement as aforesaid to cause said clutch to engage, said solenoid being otherwise deenergized when there is lack of agreement as aforesaid to interrupt the feed for the carriers and hold the carrier last at the sensing station allocated thereto until there is advanced to the first-named sensing station a printing device which agrees with the carrier thus held.

4. In a printing machine of the kind described wherein printing devices that are to be individually advanced to a printing mechanism at a printing station in the machine have identification means which are to be compared to identification means on individual record carriers, and are to be printed from or not when located in printing position at the printing station depending upon whether or not the respective identifications are in agreement, a sensing mechanism to which the printing devices are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed prior to advancing to the printing mechanism, another sensing mechanism to which the record carriers are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed, a feed for the printing devices to normally feed the same in sequence one by one first to the sensing mechanism therefor and then to and from the printing mechanism, a feed for the record carriers to cause the record carriers to be fed in sequence to and from the sensing mechanism therefor, an electric relay device and control means responsive thereto coupled electrically to said sensing mechanisms for receiving information regarding sensing therefrom and indicating agreement or lack of agreement between the respective identification means, a delay device adapted to rotate in timed relation to the feed of the printing devices and record carriers and including individual storage elements that are each allocated to a printing device at the firstnamed sensing position and which are each adapted to be shifted from one position to another to record and store information regarding agreement or lack of agreement between the printing device allocated thereto and the corresponding record carrier at the second-named sensing position so that such information may be acted upon when and as the printing device which was compared to a record carrier reaches printing position, a striker under control of said control means adapted to so shift said storage elements, and means at the printing station under control of said shiftable elements in their different positions as determined by the striker to disable the printing mechanism when a printing device for which there was no agreement reaches the printing station.

5. In a printing machine of the kind described wherein printing devices that are to be individually advanced to a printing mechanism at a printing station in the machine have identification means which are to be compared to identification means on individual record carriers, and are to be printed from or not when in printing position depending upon whether or not the respective identifications are in agreement, a sensing mechanism to which the printing devices are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed prior to advancing to the printing mechanism, another sensing mechanism to which the record carriers are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed, a feed for the printing devices to normally feed the same in sequence one by one first to the sensing mechanism therefor and then to and from the printing mechanism, a feed for the record carriers to cause the record carriers to be fed in sequence to and from the sensing mechanism therefor, an electrical relay device and a control means operatively associated therewith for receiving electrical impulses regarding sensing from the respective sensing mechanisms and indicating by different states of energization agreement or lack of agreement between the respective identification means, a delay device arranged to rotate in timed relation to the feed of the printing devices and the record carriers and including individual storage elements that are each allocatable to a printing device at the first-named sensing position and which are each adapted to be shifted from one position to another to record and store information regarding agreement or lack of agreement between the printing device so allocated and the corresponding record carrier at the second-named sensing position so that such information may be acted upon when and as the printing device which was compared to a record carrier reaches printing position, a striker under control of said control means for so shifting said storage elements when the relay device requires it, means at the printing station under control of said shiftable elements in their dilferent positions as determined by said striker for disabling the printing mechanism when a printing device for which there was lack of agreement reaches the printing station, and means operative when there is lack of agreement as aforesaid to disable the feed for record carriers to and from the sensing mechanism therefor and thereby hold at the sensing station allocated thereto the record carrier for which no agreement was indicated until ultimately a printing device which agrees with the thus held record carrier is advanced to the first named sensing station during a subsequent cycle of the machine.

6. In a printing machine of the kind described wherein printing devices that are to be individually advanced to a printing mechanism at a printing station in the machine have identification means which are to be compared to identification means on individual record carriers, and are to be printed from or not when in printing position at the printing station depending upon whether or not the respective identifications are determined in agreement, a sensing mechanism to which the printing devices are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed prior to advancing to the printing mechanism, another sensing mechanism to which the record carriers are to be advanced one by one to sensing position to have the identification means thereon sensed, a feed for the printing devices to normally feed the same in sequence one by one first to the sensing mechanism therefor and then to and from the printing mechanism, a feed for the record carriers including a clutch that is arranged for engagement during a cycle of the machine to cause record carriers to be fed in sequence to and from the sensing mechanism therefor, an electric relay device and a solenoid controlled thereby for receiving information regarding sensing from the respective sensing mechanisms and indicating agreement or lack of agreement between the respective identification means, a rotatable storage drum arranged to rotate in timed relation to the feed of the printing devices and the record carriers and including individual storage elements that are each a1- locatable to a printing device at the first-named sensing position and which are each shiftably mounted in the storage drum for movement from one position to another to record and store information regarding agreement or lack of agreement between the printing device so allocated and the corresponding record carrier at the second-named sensing position so that such information may be acted upon when and as the printing device which was compared to a record carrier reaches printing position, a striker under control of said solenoid for so shifting said storage elements when the relay device requires it, means at the printing station under control of said shiftable elements in their different positions as determined by said striker for disabling the printing mechanism when a printing device for which there was lack of agreement reaches the printing station, and means operative when there is lack of agreement as aforesaid to hold said clutch disengaged and thereby hold at the sensing station allocated thereto the record carrier for which no agreement was indicated until a printing device which ultimately agrees with the thus held record carrier is advanced to the first-named sensing station during a subsequent cycle of the machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,761,741 Pierce June 3, 1930 1,862,032 Pierce June 7, 1932 1,978,893 Carroll et al. Oct. 30, 1934 2,016,709 Eichenauer Oct. 8, 1935 2,083,061 Gollwitzer June 8, 1937 2,094,010 Hartley Sept. 28, 1937 2,132,413 Gollwitzer Oct. 11, 1938 2,168,763 Daly Aug. 8, 1939 2,355,796 Gollwitzer Aug. 15, 1944 2,359,852 Morse Oct. 10, 1944 2,373,222 Bobst Apr. 10, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 345,954 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1931