US2777559A

US2777559A - Line spacing mechanism for business machines

Info

Publication number: US2777559A
Application number: US304453A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lloyt E Tapp; Tapp Loretta Sue; Tapp Larry Wayne; Tapp Lucille Marie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-08-14
Filing date: 1952-08-14
Publication date: 1957-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1974-01-15

Description

Jan. 15, 1957 L. E. TAPP 2,777,559

x. LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Aug. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR.

Jan. 15, 1957 E. TAPP 2,777,559

LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Elled Aug. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 TfOR/yey Jan. 15, 1957 L. E. TAPP 2,777,559

LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Aug. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 32 INVENTOR. A

26 OPO' Jan. 15, 1957 E. TAPP 2,777,559

LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSNESS MACHINES Flled Aug. 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fgl ff E INVENTOR Lora E. Tapp WV@ Mm ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1957 E. TAPP 2,777,559

LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSINESS MACHINES Filed Aug. 14, 1.952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Figli-IO.

INVENTOR L Ora '5. Tapp.

ATTORNY Jan. 15, 1957 1 E. TAPP 2,777,559

LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSNESS MACHINES Filed Aug. 14, 1952 6 Shees-Sheet 6 LINE SPACING MECHANISM FOR BUSINESS MACHJNES Lora Evans Tapp, Clarksville, Ind.; Lloyt E. Tapp, Loretta Sue Tapp, Larry Wayne Tapp and uclie Marie Tapp, sole heirs ofl said Lora Evans Tapp, deceased Application August 14, 1952, Seria'No. 304,453

26 Claims.Y (Cl. 19'7--120) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 265) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by and. for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to line spacing mechanism for business machines and more particularly` to an automatically operable line spacing mechanism for a motor driven business machine which is driven by the drive motor for the machine.

Conventionally the blank checks used in large commercial check-writing operations are made up in sheets each consisting of several checks arranged one after the other so that the individuai checks may be successively positioned to be impressed by the machine by rotatably advancing the platen of the check writing machine. This is accomplished by pulling the line spacing lever conf` ventionally provided on these machines through, a pre-set. stroke, each time the operation of lling out a check isY completed. The manual manipulation of this. lever not only becomes atiguing during the courseof a days operation of the machine but also increases the possibility of error because the manualV operation distractsthe attention of the operator of the machine from the. payroll or the.

like from which the operator is securing they names and amounts to be printed upon the succeeding check. This source of error and fatigue on conventional business machines such as check writers is eliminated by thev improved devices of the present invention which is automatic in operation and operates mechanically to advance the platen of the machine at the proper time and in an amount suiiicient properly to locate succeeding checks or the like in the machine.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new andy improved line spacer for business machines which operates automatically in timed relation to the operation of the machine to advance a blank or sheet in the machine the amount required properly to position the same for making successive impressions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line spacer for a motor driven business machine which isautomatically driven by the motor of the machine at a predetermined point in the cycle of the machine so that no manual effort is required to operate the same or to initiate operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line spacer which may be installed upon conventional business machines with very little or no alteration thereof so that existing non-automatic machines may be readily converted to automatic operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line spacer for business machines which does not disrupt the normal operation of the machine except for eliminating the need for manual line spacing so that no training is required to operate a machine equipped With this device and the machine may be operated as a conventional machine when desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new United States Patent and improved line spacer for business machines which is operated during the return stroke of the carriage of the machine so that no loss in operating time of the machine is occasioned by the use of the device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line, spacer for a business machine driven by the motor of the machine in which means is provided to insure operation of the device through a complete stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line spacer for abusiness machine which is driven by the momentumof the drive motor of the machine.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved line spacer for a business machine which is relatively simple and sturdy in construction so that'it is not subject to frequent breakdown and therefore isY relatively inexpensive to construct, installand maintain.

These and' other objects, advantages, and capabilities` of the invention willhecome apparent from the following description wherein reference` is had to the accompanying drawings in which:`

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a check writing machine showing the parts of the machine with which the line spacer directly cooperates and the position of these parts and the line spacer when the machine is inoperative;

Pig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken. on a vertical plane passing through the axis of the lever disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is' a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the rst embodiment of the improveflline spacing mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the improved line spacing mechanism shown in Fig. 3 showing the parts in inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a part of the improved line spacing mechanism shown in Fig. 3 partly disassembled;

Fig. 7 is arview similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on a vertical plane passing through the aXis of the lever of the modiiied line spacing mechanism disclosed in Fig. 7;

Pig. 9 is a rear elevational view of the modified line spacing mechanism with the parts thereof in inoperative position;

Fig. 1() is a fragmentary side elevational view of the modilied line spacing mechanism showing its position relative to the drive motor of the business machine;

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 11-11 on Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the modiiied line spacing mechanism partly disassembled;

Fig. 13 is a Vertical transverse sectional view of a portion of the one revolution clutch'mechanism used in the modified line spacing mechanism; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a control switch incorporated in the modified line spacing mechanism and the operating mechanism for this switch.

The present invention is continuation-in-part of my co-pending application for patent, Serial No. 89,542, tiled April 2.5, 1949, and now abandoned, and entitled Automatic Spacer for Check Writing Machines.

Both embodiments of the line spacing mechanism disclosed in the present application are particularly adaptable for use on Burroughs check writing machines. The construction of these machines is well known and therefore will not be described in detail. Nevertheless it is believed that a better understanding of the invention will be obtained by an illustration and brief description of the parts of a check writing machine with which the improved mechanism of the present invention directly cooperates. These parts are the same for both embodiments of the invention, and, therefore, they have been given the same numbers in al1 of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 and to Figs. 7 and 8, portions of a Burroughs check writer upon which the line spacers of the present invention are particularly adapted for use are shown including a line spacing lever lll having a spacing pawl 11 pivotally secured thereto which is adapted to engage the teeth of a line spacing gear 12 when the lever is swung counterclockwise as the parts are viewed in the figures mentioned. The line spacing gear 12 has teeth meshing with the teeth on a pinion 13 xed on a shaft 14 which carries the platen or cylinder (not shown) by means of which a sheet of checks may be advanced in stage properly to locate the blank spaces thereon for receiving the impressions printed by the machine. The platen shaft 14 has hand knobs ixed on opposite ends thereof to permit manual rotation of the platen in a forward or rearward direction. One of these knobs is indicated in phantorn at 15 in Figs. l and 7.

A carriage release lever 16 is also shown, together with a friction pawl engaging plate 18, a friction washer 19, and a shaft 26 yupon which line spacing gear 12 rotates. Due to the driving connection established between line spacing gear and lever 12 and 1t) respectively by the line spacing pawl 11, these parts rotate together when the lever is swung counterclockwise or operatively. However, upon return of the lever to cocked position it rotates on the hub of gear 12. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 to 6, lever 10 is returned to cocked position by a spring 17.

One end of the carriage of a check writing machine is indicated at 21, and the shaft 2G is fixed to this end of the carriage. A line space pawl eccentric 22 forms a fixed abutment against which the spacing pawl 11 engages when lever 1li is moved counterclockwise thus forming a stop to limit movement of the lever to a predetermined angle. This stop is adjustable to vary the stroke of lever 10 and thus to vary the amount a check s advanced during a cycle of the machine.

The line spacing devices of the present invention elect line-spacing motion of lever 10 by power derived from the electric drive motor for the machine. This motor is located below and on the rear side of the base of the machine. An electrically controlledclutch is interposed between the drive motor and the operating mechanism of n the machine drivingly to connect the same for the interval required to drive the carriage of the machine through its forward or tabulating stroke. The motor and clutch are energized through separate running circuits.

Initial energization of this motor in a check writing operation is controlled by a motor control switch closed by operation of a conventional motor bar which is pressed once after the number and letter keys necessary to print the desired legend have been pressed. During the course of the return movement of the carriage after completion of that portion of the cycle of the machine during which the blanks in a check are lled out, the motor control switch is automatically tripped to discontinue energization of the motor, and the clutch is operated to disconnect the motor and the operating mechanism of the check writer. At substantially the same time the improved mechanism of the present invention automatically advances the platen far enough to bring the next check on the sheet in the machine to impressing position. Since the drive motor for the check writer, the motor bar, the number and letter keys, the motor control switch, the clutch and the normal operating circuits therefor are conventional in construction and operation, a detailed disclosure thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

This completes' thedescriptionof the parts of a Bur- 4 roughs check writer believed to be necessary to an under standing of the invention, and the embodiment thereof shown in Figs. 1 to 6 will now be described. In Fig. 5 the shaft for the drive motor of the check writer is shown fragmentarily at 25. By means of a readily disengageable drive connection, shaft 25 is in permanent driving engage-- ment with a stub shaft upon which a pinion 26 is splined which in turn drives a one revolution mechanism now to be described. Y g

The stub shaft is rotatably mounted in ball bearings 27,.

28 which are supported in a gear casing 29 and a gear cas? ing cover plate 30 detachably secured by screws 31 (Fig. 4) to the casing 29. An inspection cap 32 is Vheld by a spring 33 over the ball bearing 28 and may be swung to one side to permit oiling, etc. Drive pinion 26 drives a. gear 34 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is loosely mounted on a, cam shaft 35

journaled'in ball bearings

36, 37 supported in the gear casing 29 and cover plate 30. An eccentric cam 38 is Xed on the cam shaft 35 by means of a collar 39 and a set screw 46 to lock the collar in position (Fig. 4). Fixedly mounted on a hub 34a on the gear 34 is a, ratchet 41 (Figs. 5 and 6).

The one revolution clutch includes a plate 42 xed upon shaft 35 and having a hub 42a abutting hub 34a and loosely received in the ratchet 41. A pawl 43 (Fig. 6) is pivoted on a pin 44 anchored in the plate 42, and a tension spring 45 reacting between the pawl 43 and a pin 46 anchored to the plate biases the pawl toward operative position. Pawl 43 has a notch or tooth 43a complementary to the teeth 41a in the periphery of the ratchet 41, and it also has a projecting cam edge 43h adapted to be engaged by a pin 47 to effect rocking of the pawl on its pivot in a direction to move the tooth 43a away from the ratchet. Pin 47 is slidably mounted in the gear casing 29 (Fig. 5)y and is adapted to be reciprocated in an endwise direction into and out of theY path of rotation of the cam edge 43h byroperating mechanism controlled by movement of the carriage of the check writer, as will now be described.

Fixed to the backside of the carriage of the check writer is a rearwardly projecting trip comprising a roller4$ (Figs. 4 and 5) secured to and rotatable on a shaft 49' adjustably mounted `on the carriage. Roller 48 is adapted to contact and pass over a trip pawl 5@ when the carriage. tabulates (i. e., moves from left to right as seen in Fig. 4) because this pawl is pivoted as at 50a on a bell crank leverl 51. The bell crank lever is swingable on a pivot 52 supported on a strap 53 secured to a Xed part of frame of the machine and is biased in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) by a tension spring 54. A smaller spring 55 biases trip pawl 50 into abutting engagement with a Xed spring post 54a.

Springs

54 and 55 extend in opposite directions and are both connected to spring post 54a which projects from bell crank lever 51 and serves as a stop, to limit swinging of the trip pawl under the influence of spring 55.

Onreturn movement of the carriage (i. e., from right to left in Fig. 4) the trip pawl 5l) is struck by roller 48, and since it is locked against counterclockwise rotation by spring post 54a the force of the impact is transmitted to the bell crank 51 and rocks the latter counterclocltwise. A link rod 56 couples the free end of the bell crank lever 51 to one arm of a second bellcrank lever 57 (Fig. 5) pivoted on a stud S8. rl'he second arm of bell crank lever 57 projects upwardly through a slotted externally projecting end of the'reclprocable pin 47 which pin is slidable in a guide 59 on the gear casing 29. DownwardV movement imparted to the link rod 56, when the bell crank Slis rocked by impact of the roller 48 on trip pawl 5@ during the return of the carriage swings bell crank lever 51 in a counterclockwise directionV (Fig. 5). This causes the slidable latch pin 47 to be withdrawn from contact with cam surface 43b on the pawl 43 so that the biasing force of the spring 45 becomes eifective to rock the pawl in a direction to engage tooth 43a upon one of the ratchet teeth 41a. A driving connection is'thusestablished .between the plate 42 onthe one hand '5 and the motor driven gear 34 on the other" through the ratchet 41 which is fixed upon the hub of gear 34.

Rotation of the plate 42 is limited to a single turn because the slidable pin 47 moves into the orbit of the cam surface 43b as soon as the roller 48 moves far enough to the left (Fig. 4) to release trip pawl Si) which occurs almost instantaneously and with a snap action due to the biasing force of spring 54. As the rotating parts complete one turn the slidable pin 47 is engaged by the camming surface 43b on pawl 43 thus rocking the latter on its axis 44 in a direction to release the ratchet 41 and associated parts. Thus the cam shaft 35 is rotated through a single turn (360) during each return stroke of the carriage. Tensioning of the pawl spring 45 by the camming action of pin 47 on the pawl 43 has a braking effect and prevents undesirable jarring of the mechanism when rotation of cm'nshaft 35 and the parts secured thereon is thus abruptly arrested.

In view of the fact that eccentric cam 3S is fixed on the shaft 35 driven by rotation of the plate 42 in the manner above described, it will be rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 4) through one complete turn during each cycle of the one revolution mechanism above described. Cam 38 engages a cam follower roll 60 rotatably mounted on a cam follower arm 61 which is pivoted at one end upon an eccentric mounting 63 carried by the gear casing cover plate 39. By turning this mounting the position of the roller 60 relative to axis of the cam 3S may be Varied so as to vary the amount the roller 69 is displaced during each turn of cam 3S and thus vary the stroke of the cam follower arm 61.

A tension spring 64 is attached at one end to the cam follower arm 61 and is anchored atits other end by means of a screw 65 to the cover plate Sil, so as to bias the arm 61 in a direction constantly to maintain the cam follower roller 6i) in contact with the cam 33. A cable 66 is secured at one end by a screw 67 and clip 68 to the free end of the cam follower arm 61, and is slidable through a exible housing 69, the housing and cable both extending upwardly to an operative connection with the line spacing lever 16 now to be described.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the upper end of cable housing 69 is anchored to the carriage of the check writer by means of a clamp 7G, a clamping screw 71, and a clip 72. A portion of the cable 66 external to the upper end of casing 69 is wrapped part way around a cable drum 73 having a grooved periphery to receive the cable as shown in Fig. 2. Cable drum 73 is rotatably supported on the shaft 29 Xed in the right end of the carriage 21. A coil spring 74 which is secured at one end to the cable drum 73, extends partly around its grooved periphery and is anchored at its opposite end to any suitable iixed connection such as the cable housing as indicated at 75 so as to place the coil spring 74 under constant tension. The spring 74 thus biases the cable drum 73 for clockwise rotation (Fig. l), i. e., in a direction to wind cable 66 thereon and thus maintain the latter taut at all times so that any movement of the cam follower arm 61 by the cam 38 will immediately be imparted to the cable drum 73 and will tend to rotate the same counterclockwise.

Cable drum 73 has a pin 76 fixed in and projecting axially outwardly from the side of the drum facing the line spacing lever 10 at a position to engage the rear edge thereof when the cable drum is rotated counterclockwise and thus to rotate the line spacing lever in the same direction. Upon initial rotation of the line spacing lever 10 either by operation of the cable drum 73 or by manual operation of the lever the friction pawl engaging plate 18 which is operatively connected to the line spacing pawl 11 and engages loosely over fixed shaft 2t), lags due to contact with the stationary friction pawl engaging washer 19 causing pawl 11 to be rocked in a direction to engage one of the teeth on the line spacing gear 12. Continued couuterclockwise rocking of the lever'ltl thereafter either manually or by virtue of; the pull exerted by cable 66 on cable drum 73 drives the line spacing gear 12 in the same direction and through pinion 13 engaged therewith rotates the shaft 14 andthe platen fixed thereon vthrough one line spacing step or stage. Since the pin 76 is located on the trailing side of the line spacing lever 10, it does not interfere with manual operation of the lever if that is desired.

From the foregoing description of the improved attachment of the present invention, its operation should beV clear, but may be summarized as follows: Assuming that the sheet of checks has been inserted in a check writing machine equipped with the attachment, the operator, by means of hand knobs 15, rotates the platen to bring they first check into the proper position to be impressed, pressesA the proper number and letter keys and then touches the motor bar. Immediately the machine will automatically type the amount on the check, register the total, and return the carriage to its original or home position. During the return stroke of the carriage, the roller 48' carried thereby engages the right hand side (Fig. 4) of the trip pawl 50, and since this pawl' is locked against counterclockwise rotation by spring post 54a anchored to bellv crank 51, the latter will be rocked counterclockwise on pivot 52 as the carriage continues its return movement. This forces link 56 downwardly rocking bell crank 57 counterclockwise (Fig. 5) upon its axis 5S so that latch pin 47 is retracted outwardly relative to the casing 29 thus releasing pawl 43 whereupon pawl 43 is rocked counterclockwise (Fig. 6) to operative position by spring 45 and one of the teeth on ratchet wheel 41 engages the tooth 43a on the pawl.

Since ratchet wheel 41 is being rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 6) during return of the carriage (through gear 34 to which it is xed and pinion which has a direct driving connection to the motor shaft 25'shown in Fig. 5) the pawl carrying plate 42 will be rotated in the same direction, and since the shaft 35 is fixed to this plate, this shaft will be rotated in a like direction. The cam 33 (Fig. 4) is thus rotated in a counterclockwise direction rocking lever 61 from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to the dotted line position. An endwise pull is thus exerted on flexible cable 66 sucient to rotate the diskshaped drum 73 (Fig. 1) in a counterclockwise direction against the resistance of the return spring 74. As the drum rotates pin 76 fixed thereon is carried into engagement with operating lever 10 and rocks the latter counterclockwise. Initial movement of the lever in this direction effects engagement of the teeth on pawl 11 with the teeth on line spacing gear 12 so that this gear is rocked in the same direction for a distance determined by the adjustment of stop 22. The platen is thus advanced the amount determined by this'adjustment.

It should be noted that the roller 4S is located'at such a position on the carriage that the bell crank 51 and the mechanism operated thereby are actuated substantially at the time the control switch for the motor of the machine automatically discontinues operation of the motor. However, the momentum of the motor carries the return and line spacing mechanism through their Complete cycle or stroke.

Inasmuch as the latch pin 47 is held in retracted position only during the return passage of the roller 48 over trip pawl 50 the latch pin returns to operative position with a snap action very shortly after it has been retracted and thus as the plate 42 and pawl 43 approach completion of one revolution, pawl 43 engages pin 47 and is cammed thereby to retracted position as indicated in Fig. 6. This breaks the driving connection between motor driven gear 34 on the one hand and the pawl plate 42 and shaft 35 Yon the other so that the drive to cam 38 is discontinued. Cam 38 is so arranged that its high point has passed the follower 60 when the drive to the same is discontinued and thus the line spacing mechanism including the handle 19, line spacing gear 12 and drum 73 may be returned to inoperative position Vby the return spring 74. Y n

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 7 to 14 for automatically operating the line spacing lever 10 through a stroke each time the printing mechanism in the checkwriter completes filling in a check so as automatically to position the succeeding check on a sheet of checks to be iilled out includes one revolution driving mechanism supported by a casing Si) (Figs. l to 12) closed by a removable cover plate 81. This casing has a recess 82 (Fig. l0) to receive the central boss on the rear end bell 33 of the driving motor for the check writer and may be xedly secured thereto by means of cap screws, etc., (not shown). Projecting from the end bell 83 is a motor shaft fragmentarily'shown at 84 which shaft is in permanent but readily disconnectable engagement with a stub shaft 85 so that the latter rotates in unison with the motor shaft 34.

The one revolution clutch, mechanism comprises reduction gearing including a pinion 86 on the stub shaft 85 (Figs. 11 and 12), and a gear 87 driven by the pinion 86 and fixed upon an intermediate shaft 88 which also has a pinion 89 xed thereon and engaged with a gear 99. The latter gear and a ratchet 91 are co-axially iixedly interconnected as by mounting the ratchet on a bearing sleeve or bushing 92 press-fitted into the gear 99 and Welding or brazing the parts together. These parts are rotatably supported upon a crank shaft 93 which also has a disk-shaped carrier plate 9d fixed thereon.

Stub shaft S is rotatably supported in a shouldered bearing sleeve or `bushing 95 fixed in the portion of the casing which is recessed so as to hold the stub shaft 85 in co-axiai alignment with the motor shaft 84 when the casing S9 is fixed in position while the

shafts

88 and 93 may be rotatably supported in suitable antisfriction bearings 96 supported in the casing Si) and cover plate S1. It is to be observed that by reason of this gearing the ratchet 91 will be driven at a greatly reduced velocity compared to the velocity of motor shaft 84 and iny a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13.

A positive driving connection is established between the crank shaft 93 and ratchet 91 through the carrier disk 94 by means of a pawl 97 (Fig. 13) rockably supported upon a pin 98 anchored in the carrier disk 94. This pawl has a tooth 99 confronting the teeth 190 on ratchet 91,v

and it is biased by a tensioned spring 191 for rocking movement in a direction to bring the tooth 99 into engagement with one of the teeth on the ratchet.

During such engagement clockwise rotary movement of the ratchet as seen in Fig. 13 is transmitted to carrierA disk 94 and crank shaft 93 so that both of these parts are positively driven in the same direction. At a predetermined point in the rotation of carrier disk 94 a notch or tooth 192 in the outer peripheral edge of' the pawl- 97 hooks against the edge of a latch pin 103 pivotally secured in the casing Si) provided the pin is turned to a position at which a recess 194 in the pin is at least partially turned away from the path ofv rotation or orbit of the tooth 192 on the pawl 97 as shown in full lines in Fig. 13. There upon an angular force in opposition to the force exerted by spring 191, and of larger magnitude in view'of the fact that it is derived from the drive motor, is exerted on the pawl 97 causing the same to rock until the ratchet 91 is released by the tooth 99. The ratchet 91 is then free to rotate independently of the carrier disk 94 and crank shaft 93 and the latter two parts are locked against rotation.

The recess 194 in latch pin 193 is of sudcient depth so that tooth 102 on pawl 97 will be released at a point in the pivotal movement of the pin at which the recess is brought to a position squarely facing pawl 97 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13. The pawl 97 ywillthen be rocked clockwise. by the sping 191 until inwardly facing tooth 99 thereon engages one ofthe teeth 100 on ratchet 9 1. LA1

positive driving connectionV between the ratchet^91 and the carrierdisk 94 and crankshaft 93V is thusY established as previously explained.v

Latch Ypin 103 is turned in timed relation to the `cycle of operation of the check writing machine by mechanism similar to that described for performing an analogous function on thelatch pin used in the first embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figs. 9 and 11 a trip roller 48 is there shown mounted on shaft 49. This shaft is xed in the'back of the carriage of the check writer so as to be carried back and forth by the carriage when the check Writer is in operation. On the forward or tabulating stroke of the carriage, i. e., from left tovright as seen in Fig. 9, the trip roller 48 is carried to the right of a rockable member including a bell crank lever 195 (Fig. 9) pivcted at its intermediate part upon a pin 196 carried by arm 197 fixed to the frame of the machine.

One arm of this bell crank projects generally horizontally, while the other projects generally vertically and has a nose 1138 rockably Vmounted on a pin 109 fixed in the bell crank. The nose 168 is biased by a spring 119 in a ldirection to bring the base thereof into abutting engagement with a fixed post 111 on the bell crank. By reason of this construction the nose 103 is free to rock in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 9 as when it is struck by the roller 48 during the course of the forward motion of the carriage. However, the nose is locked against connterclockwise movement so that theimpact ofthe roller 415 on the nose during the return stroke of the carriage (i. e., during its movement from right to left) is imparted to the bell crank 105.

This force is suicient to rock the bell crank counterclockwise (Fig. 9) and to depress a connecting link 112 having one of its ends securedto the horizontal arm of the bell crank and its other end connected to avrocker arm 113 at a point spaced from the point at which this arm is fixed to a part of the latch pin 193 projecting from the casingr.

As a result the arm 113 and latch pin 103 are rocked clockwise (Fig. 13) bringing the recessed end of pin 103 into the orbit of the tooth 192 on the pawl 97 so that the latter is released and a driving connection is established between the crank shaft 93 and gear driven ratchet 91 in the manner previously described.

However, the latch pin 103 is turned to this position only momentarily because the roller 48 quickly passes far enough to the left (Fig. 9) to release nose 10S. The latch pin 103, rocker arm 113, link 112 and bellrcrank 165 are then restored to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 13 by a tensioned spring 114 fixed at opposite ends to the casing and the arm 113 and passing over the portion of the end bell 83 for the motor shown in Fig. 10. As a result when the ratchet 91 and carrier disk 94 complete one turn, lthe latch pin 103 will again be in a position to hook against tooth 192 on the pawl 97 and thus release the driving connection between the gear driven ratchet 91 on the one hand and the carrier disk 94 and crank shaft 93 on the other. Thus the crank shaft 93 makes only one turn in each cycle of operation of the check writing machine.

Fixed upon a portion of the crank shaft 93 projecting through the cover plate 81 is a crank arm 115 connected by a pitman 116 to a connecting rod 117, having a head 11S to which the pitman 116 is connected and a rigid eX- tension 119. Crank arm and carrier disk 94 are so positioned on crank shaft 93 that the crank arm 115 is in the vertical position shown in Fig. 9 when rotation of the crank shaft 93 is arrested in the manner previously described. Vrihe head 115 is guidedl for reciprocatory movement by a iin 129 projecting from the same into a slideway 12.1 xed on the outer side of the cover plate I81, While the rigid extension 119 is reciprocable in a rigid tubular guidemember 122 anchored in a clamping block A123 fixed to the outer side of the cover plate 81 adjacent its upper end.

The rigid extension 119 on the connecting rod is xed to oneend of a exible cable or shaft 124 freely reciprocal in eXible housing 125 anchored at one end to the free end of the rigid tubular guide member 122 and at its other end to a boss 126 (Fig. 7) on a drum race 127 secured by screws to the end 21 of the carriage of the check Writer. A cable drum 128 is loosely received in this race and lits loosely over the hub of line spacing lever (Fig. 8). A portion of the flexible cable 124 extending from the housing 125 is Wound upon a portion of the grooved periphery of the cable drum 128 (Fig. 8) and is anchored to a block 129 fixed on the cable drum 12S. By virtue of this construction a pull such as will be imparted to the cable 124 through the crank shaft 93, pitman 116 and connecting rod 117 during each cycle of the crank shaft Will rotate the cable drum 128 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 7) an amount determined by the length of the pull. This, of course, is controlled at least in part by the length of the crank arm 115.

Projecting outwardly from the inwardly facing side of the cable drum 128 is a drive pin 130 which engages, the trailing sideof the line spacing lever 10 when the drum is rotated by a pull on cable 124 thus rocking the lever 10 counterclockwise (Fig. 7) through an operating stroke during the course of a cycle of the crank shaft 93 and crank arm 115 and advancing the line spacing gear 12 and platen in a manner previously described. Return'of the line spacing lever 10 to inoperative position is assured by a torsion spring 131 housed in an annular recess 132 in the cable drum Zl2f and anchored at opposite ends to the drum and the lever 10 so as to exert a constant force on this lever in a return direction.

ln check writers of the type previously mentioned, an automatically operable switch de-energizes the driving motor of the check writer upon completion of each individual check writing operation and electrically controlled clutches are provided automatically to disconnect the motor shaft from the parts of the check writer driven thereby at this time as previously mentioned. In conventional machines the clutch remains inoperative until the motor bar is again operated. Although momentum may continue operation of the motor momentarily after it is disengaged from the operating mechanism of the check Writer and thus begin the cycle of operation of the line spacing or check advancing mechanism, it will not continue operation of this mechanism long enough to advance a check through a complete cycle in view of the relatively large reduction between the pinion 86 and crank shaft 93.

A Micro-Switch 133 of conventional construction (Fig. 14) is therefore provided on the casing 80 through which the motor of the check writer may be energized independently of the conventional running or energizing circuits and switches controlled by the conventional motor bar. This Micro-Switch controls a circuit which is parallel to the conventional circuits above mentioned and through which the motor may therefore be energized independently of these conventional energizing or run ning circuits. Switch 133 is controlled by a cam 134 lined upon the end of crank shaft 93 projecting from the casing 853 opposite that on which the crank arm 115 is secured. This cam has a short dwell so that momentum of the operating motor of the check writer drives the crank shaft 93 far enough to close the Micro-Switch 133. The operating motor of the check writer therefore will continue to run until the crank shaft 93 and the cam 134 xed thereon have been driven through one turn whereupon the contacts of the Micro-Switch will be opened by virtue of the change of position of cam 134. Thereafter, the operating motor for the check Writer will remain idle until the motor-bar is again pressed. Operation of the check or platen advancing mechanism through a complete stroke is thereby assured.

From the description of the construction of this second embodiment of the invention and the description of the operation of the first embodiment the operation of the second embodiment will be clearly understoodwithout further explanation. From this description, it will also be apparent that the improved check advancing mechanism of the present invention does not interfere with manual operation of a check writer in a conventional manner. Moreover, the devices of the present invention may be readily installed as an accessory on existing machines because very little modification of these machines is necessary to adapt the same for operation with the line spacing or check advancing means of the present invention. This not only reduces the cost of modifying existing machines but also makes possible the construction of check writers with these line spacers as original equipment at very little added cost.

A further advantage of the invention is the fact that both embodiments thereof are positively operated at least through the portion of the cycle when a check is being advanced, and in the second embodiment this mechanism is also driven positively on its return stroke. Moreover, the second embodiment of the invention is positively driven by the motor of the check writer upon which it is used throughout its cycle of operation because of the auxiliary motor energizing circuit provided with that form of the invention.

Elimination of fatigue in the use of check Writing machines by the elimination of` manual line spacing is only one of the advantages derived from the present invention. In addition, the accuracy and speed of an operator are increased because the operators attention is not distracted by looking for or reaching for a hand lever to advance a check.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made Without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. lt is desired, therefore, by the following claims, to include within the scope of the invention, all such variations and modications by win'ch substantially the results of the invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a motor-driven check writing machine having a reciprocable carriage adapted to carry a sheet of checks and having a line spacing lever, said motor having a shaft, an automatic line spacing mechanism comprising a roller fixed to the carriage, means constructed and arranged to be operated by said roller at one point only in the carriage cycle, a single-revolution clutch operated by said means to be engaged with the motor shaft, a camshaft engaged with the motor shaft by said clutch so as to be rotated a single revolution at a time, a cam on the camshaft, a cam follower moved by the cam, a cable pulled by the cam follower when so moved, and mechanism operated by the cable to move the line spacing lever to eect line spacing.

2. A check Writing machine as defined in claim l, wherein the mechanism which is operated by the cable includes a cable drum about which the cable is partly wound, a stud fixed to and projecting from the cable drum at a position to contact the line spacing lever for swinging the latter to effect line spacing, and a tension spring secured to the cable drum and opposing the pull of the cable. Y

3. In combination with a power source, a carriage which may be shifted back and forth, a line spacing mechanism on the carriage, a flexible cable for operating the line spacing mechanism, a cam follower arm to which the cable is secured, a rotary camshaft, a cam fixed to the camshaft and adapted when rotated to swing the cam follower arm to pull the cable, a clutch interposed betWcen the power source and the camshaft, and a carriage-tripped mechanism operable only at a certain point in the cycle of the carriage to move parts of the clutch to effectpower drive of the camshaft through a" "avra-Ese 11 single revolution and hence operation of the line spacing mechanism through a single cycle.

4. In combination with a motor-driven check writing lmachine having a shiftable carriage for carrying a sheet of checks and a manually operable line spacing lever with a tensionV spring to return the lever to normal position, an automatic line spacing mechanism comprising a member adapted directly to engage said lever to move it in a direction to edect line spacing, a cable drum carrying said member, a cable attached to and wound part way around the drum, a spring connected to the drum and imposing a constant tension on the cable, a trip on the carriage, and a mechanism including a single revolution clutch coupled with the motor when actuated by the carriage trip to impart a single pull to the cabie against the tension of the second mentioned spring, the pull occurring once during each cycle of the carriage.

5. An attachment for an electric motor-driven check writing machine having a reciprocable carriage, a swingable line spacing lever on the carriage and a spring for returning the line spacing lever to normal position; said attachment including a stud adapted to contact the line spacing lever directly to swing it in a line spacing direction; means including a cable connected to operate the stud; a pinion constantly driven by the motor shaft; a gear driven by the pinion; a ratchet secured to and rotating with the gear; a plate; a pawl pivoted on the plate and adapted to engage the ratchet; a spring tending to engage the pawl with the ratchet; a shaft supporting the gear, ratchet and plate and xed to the plate; a pin slidable into and out of engagement with the pawl and disengaging the pawl from the ratchet by a cam action; a cam fixed to said shaft; a cam follower arm moved by said cam; means connecting the cam follower arm with said cable; a trip xed upon the carriage; and mechanism actuated by the trip to move said pin out of contact with the pawl so that the pawl will automatically engage the ratchet to couple the plate, pawl, ratchet and gear together thereby to rotate the shaft and hence the cam through a single revolution.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the means to operate the stud comprises a cable drum rotatably supported coaxially with the line spacing lever, one end of said cable being wrapped partly around said drum; the spring for returning the line spacing lever to normal position being a tension coil spring anchored at one end and partly wrapped about said drum in an opposite direction to the direction of wrapping of said cable and secured to said drum so that said cable is normally under tension from said spring; said stud being tixed to the cable drum and projecting therefrom and adapted to contact the line spacing leverat a point spaced from its axis to swing said lever to eect line spacing. t

7. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising one-way driving mechanism to rotate said platen through a predetermined angle during each cycle of the driving mechanism, means including a flexible cable to drive .said one-way driving mechanism, a shaft having a driving connection with the motor of said machine, means for applying force in an endwise direction to said cable lto actuate said one-way driving mechanism, clutch mechanism operatively to connect said shaft and the force applying means to operate the latter, means to latch said clutch mechanism in inoperative position, latch tripping means, and means to render said latch tripping means operative to trip the latch means during the return stroke of said carriage.

8. in a motor driven business machine having a rotatable platen carried by a carriage reciprocable relative to the fra-me of the machine, the combination comprising ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen through a predetermined angle in each cycle of said-ratchet and pawl mechanism, means including a handle manually operable at will to actuate said ratchet Y A s 12 Y and pawl mechanism'l through said predetermined cycle, and means automatically to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through said predetermined cycle during return movement of said carriage including a rockable lever, 'clutch mechanism for operatively connecting said lever and motor to render the latter effective to rock the lever including elements biasedfor relative movement to one position, a latch to lock said elements against relative movement to said position and cooperating latch tripping mechanism including elements on said frameV and an element reciprocable in a forward and return direction with said carriage, one of said frame elements being yieldable on forward movement of said carriage so that said mechanism is operative only on return movement of the carriage, and a drive connection between said lever and said ratchet and pawl mechanism for actuating the latter to advance said platen through said predetermined angle in response to each cycle of movement of said rockable lever.k

9. In a motor driven business machine having a rotatable platen carried by a carriagereciprocable relative to the frame of the machine, the combination comprising ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen through a predetermined angle in each cycle of the said mechanism, and means automatically to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through` said predetermined cycle during return movement of said carriage including a rockable lever, clutch mechanism for operatively connecting said lever and motor to render the latter eiiective to rock the lever including elements biased for relative movement to one position, a .latch to lock said elements against relative movement to said position and cooperating latch tripping mechanism including elements on said frame and an element reciprocable in a forward and return direction with said carriage, one of said frame elements being yieldable on forward movement of the carriage so that said mechanism is operative only on return movement of the carriage and a drive connection between said lever and said ratchet and pawl mechanism for actuating the latter to advance said platen through said predetermined angle in response to each cycle of movement of said rockable lever. t

l0. In a business machine having a rotatable platen carried by a carriage reciprocable relative to the frame of the machine, the combination comprising ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen through a predetermined angle in each cycle of said mechanism, a handle manually operable at will to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through said predetermined cycle, and other mechanism automatically to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through said predetermined cycle during return movement of said carriage including a generally disk-shaped element pivotally rockable relative to said handle, a part on said disk-shaped element to engage said handle when the disk-shaped element is rocked on its axis for rocking the handle in a direction..

to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism to advance said platen, a rockable lever, a driving connection between said lever and disk-shaped element for actuating the latter to advance said platen when the lever is rocked in one direction, and means to rock said lever through one cycle during each return movement of said carriage.

ll. ln a business machine having a rotatable platen carried by a carriage reciprocable relative to the frame of the machine, the combination comprising ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen through.,

a predetermined angle in each cycle of the said mechanism, a handle manually operable at will to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through said predetermined cycle, and other mechanism automatically to actuate said ratchet and pawl mechanism through said predetermined cycle during return movement of said carriage including a drum rotatable relative to said handle, a fixed abutment on said drum to engage said handle when the drum is Vrotated for rocking the handle in a direction to actuate said ratchet pawl mechanism foradvancing saidk platen, arockable lever, a ilexible drive cable wound adjacent one end upon lsaid drum so that a force inone direction on the cable causes the drum to rotate in adirection to bring said abutment into driving engagement `with said handle, the

other end of said cable being xed to said lever so that a force is exerted on the cable in a direction to rotate the drum when the lever isrocked in one direction, and means Vto rock said lever through one cycle during eachreturn movement of said carriage.

12. ln a business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotary movement relative thereto, the combination comprising ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen in predetermined increments including a handle manually pivotally rockable to effect forward pivotal movement of said platen, a ldrum co-axiallyarranged with respect tosaid handle and pivotally rockable independently thereof, driving-mechanism adapted to be driven through a predetermined stroke in response to predetermined movement `of said carriage, a exible cable drive operatively connected to be pulled by said driving mechanism during the cycle of the latter and to be at least partially wound on said drum so that the latter will be rotated-through apredeterrnined angle in an unreeling direction when Ythe ilexible cable is pulled bythe driving mechanism,

and a tixed abutment on one of said pivotally rockable parts to establish a driving connection between the handle 'and drum when the `drum is rocked by a ypull on the termined increments including a pivotally rockable driving member, a exible drive shaft yhaving a portion of its length wound on said driving member so that a pull on the drive shaft pivotally rocks said rockable driving member, a rockable lever, means for operatively connecting the flexible shaft and lever to render the latter operative when rocked to exert a pull on the shaft, means to rock said lever, and means automatically rendered operative at a predetermined point in each cycle of movement of said carriage to drive said lever rocking means ,suiiciently to rock said lever through a complete stroke.

14. In a vmotorv driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising step-by-step drive means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined increments, mechanism to actuate said step-bystep drive means including a rotatable shaft, means automatically operable in response to reciprocatory movement of the carriage to rotate said shaft a predetermined amount during a predetermined portion of each cycle of the carriage, a crankvdriven through one complete stroke during each cycle of the shaft, and a driving connection between said crank and said step-by-step drive means to advance the latter a predetermined amountduring each revolution of the crank.

15. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable'carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising step-by-step drive means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined increments including a pivotally rockable driving member, a iiexible drive shaft having a portion of its length wound on said driving member so that a pull on the drive shaft pivotally rocks said rockablevdriving member, mechanism to actuate said step-by-step means including a rotatable shaft, means kautomatically operable in response to reciprocatory movement of the carriage to rotate said' shaft Aa predetermined amount during a predetermined portion of each cycle of the carriage, anda crank driven through one complete stroke durngeach cycle of the shaft, said flexible drive shaft being operatively `connected to said crank vsothatapull is iexerted on the said shaft during'half the Vcycle lofthe crank.

16. In a motor driven business machine having a carriage reciprocable through a predetermined Stroke and supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto anda tripping member. for reciprocatory movement therewith, the combinationY comprising drive means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined increments, mechanism to actuate said drive means including a clutch operatively to connect the drive motor for said machineY and said drive means and automatically to discontinue operation ofthe drive means upon predetermined operation of the latter, an articulatedlever pivotally secured .upon a xed axis and having atermin'al portion disposed in the path of movement of the tripping member on said carriageand yieldable selectively to ,resist passage ofthe said member so as to render said tripping membereiective to rock the lever as a unit at a predetermined point in the cycle of the carriage,.and a drive connectionbetween said `articulated lever and clutch to render the latter operative when the lever is rocked as a unit.

17. In a motor driven business machine having a carriage reciprocable through a predetermined stroke and supporting aplaten for rotation relative thereto and a tripping member for reciprocatory movement therewith, the combination comprising drive means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined increments, mechanism to actuate said drive means including a clutch operatively to connect and disconnect the drive motor `for said machine and said drive means, an articulated lever pivotally secured upon a xed am's and having a terminal portion disposed in the path of movement ot the tripping member onsaid carriage and yieldable selectively to resist passage of the member so as to render said tripping member effective to rock the lever as aunit at a predetermined point in the cycle of Ysaid carriage, a drive connection between said articulated lever and clutch to render the latter operative when the lever is rocked as a unit, means abruptly and automatically to disengage the clutch and discontinue operation of the drive means upon predetermined operation of the latter, and means to cock said last-mentioned means and lever with a snap action.

18. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance Vsaid platen including'driving and driven clutch members having cooperating parts relatively movable between predetermined relative positions drivingly to connect or disconnect said clutch members, a radial projection on the driven member, means to bias the cooperating parts of said clutch members to one relative position, a relatively elongated latch member having a part movable into and out of the orbit of said projection for arresting rotary movement of'said driven member and to etect movement of said cooperating parts to one relative position under the inuence of the momentum of the arrested member, an articulated drive connection positively to move said latch member, and means including a member on said carriage to actuate the articulated drive connection at a predetermined point in the movement of said carriage for eecting withdrawal of the latch member from the orbit of said driven member so that the latter and the cooperating parts are freed for movement.

19. ln a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance said platen including driving and driven clutch members having cooperating parts relatively movable between predetermined relative positions drivingly to connect or disconnect said clutch members, a radial projection on the driven member, means to bias the cooperating parts of said clutch members to one relative position, a relatively elongated latch Ymember :hav-

ing a part movable into and out ofi the orbit of said pro-y to one relative position under the inuence of the momentum of the arrested member, an articulated drive connection positively to move said latch member, and means including a member on said carriage to actuate said articulated drive connection through a complete stroke with a snap action at a predetermined point in the movement of said carriage for thereby etecting withdrawal of the latch member from the orbit of said driven member for an interval of time less than the clutch members require to complete one revolution and so that said clutch members are freed for relative movement to their other predetermined position or said interval.

20. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance said platen including driving and driven clutch members having cooperating parts relatively movable between predetermined relative positions drivingly to connect or disconnect said clutch members, a radial proiection on the driven member, means to bias the cooperating parts of said clutch members to one relative position, a relatively elongated latch pin having a part reciprocable in an endwise direction into and out of the orbit of said projection for arresting rotary movement of the driven member, and articulated latch pin retracting means including a trip rendered operative .in response to predetermined movement'of the carriage to actuate said latch pin retracting means.

2l. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation elative thereto, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance said platen including driving and Adriven clutch members having cooperating parts relatively movable between predetermined relative positionsV drivingly to connect or disconnect said clutch members, a radial projection on the driven member, means to bias the cooperating parts of said clutch members to one relative position, a latch including a part pivotally rockable to and from a position obstructing the orbit of said projection to adapt said latch for arresting said driven member, a rocker connected pivotally to rock said latch, and means pivotally to rock said rocker in -timed relation to the movement of said carriage to a position at which said latch is shifted to driven member arresting position.

22. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance said platen including driving and `driven clutch members having cooperating parts relatively movable between predetermined relative positions drivingly to connect or disconnect said clutch members, a radial projection on the driven member, means to bias the cooperating parts of said clutch members to one relative position, a chordally recessed latch pin pivotally rockable upon an axis transverse to the plane of rotation of said projection and suciently close to the perimeter of the orbit of the said projection to obstruct the same when the recessed side of the pin is turned to one position, a radially projecting arm fixed on said latch pin, a lever rockably secured upon a xed axis, a drive connection between the lever `and arm, and means to rock said'lever with a snap action in timed relation to the movement of said carriage momentarily to rotate said latch out of projection obstructing position so as to release said driven clutch member. v

23. In a motor driven business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting .a platen for rotation relative thereto and having a clutch to connect and disconnect the motor and the machine under the control of normal running circuits automatically to cle-energize the clutch and motor at a predetermined point in ,thel cycle of the carriage, the combination comprising platen driv-r ing means rotatably. to advance said platenin predetermined stages, motor driven means to. drive said platen driving means including a clutch drivingly to connect said motor and platen driving means at a predetermined point in the cycle of the carriage and for a predetermined period of time, and a switch rendered operative subsequent to dve-energization of the normal running circuits of thek motor and clutch to continue energization of the motor for an interval long enough Vto drive -the platen driving means throughV a complete cycle. i

24. In a motor driven business ymachine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto and having a clutch to connect andl disconnect the motor and the machine under the control of normal running circuits automatically to de-energize'the clutch and motor at a predetermined point in the cycle of the carriage, the combination comprising platen driving means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined stages, motor driven means to drive said platen driving means including a clutch drivingly to connect said motor and platen driving means at a predetermined point in the cycle of the Acarriage and for a predetermined period ottime, means including a switch for energizing said motor independently of the normal running circuits for the motorv and clutch, and cam means driven by said clutch to'render said switch means operative subsequent to the de-energization of said normal circuits and for a period controlled by said cam means. v

25. In a business machine having a reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotary movement relative thereto, the combination comprising ratchet land pawl mechanism for rotatably advancing said platen in predetermined increments including a handle manually pivlotally rockable to etect forward pivotal movementof said platen, a member coaXially arranged with respect to said handle and pivotally rockable independently thereof, driving mechanism adapted to be driven through a predetermined stroke in response to predetermined move-V ment of the carriage, a drive connection between said driving mechanism and pivotally Vrockable member to rock the latter in one direction through a predetermined angle during each stroke' of the driving mechanism and one way drivermeans between thecoaxial rockable mem-v ber and handle pivotally to rock the latter in synchronism with said'coaxial rockable member when the latter is rocked by said driving mechanism.

26. In a motor ldriven business machine' havinga reciprocable carriage supporting a platen for rotation relative thereto, the combination comprising step by step driving means rotatably to advance said platen in predetermined increments, mechanism to actuate said step by step driving means including a rotatable shaft, means rendered operative by movement of the carriage ata predetermined point in the cycle thereofV drivingly to connect the motor of said machine and said rotatable shaft for a predetermined interval thereby to rotate said shaft including means to arrest rotation of said shaft after predetermined angular movement thereof, a crank driven through one complete stroke during each cycle of the shaft, and a driving connection between said crank and said step by step driving means to advance the latter a predetermined amount during each revolution of thek